• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2009

The present study analyzed the association between postural control and electrical stimulation by measuring body sway when use the electrical stimulations were applied to different stimulation zones in lower limbs. The subjects were 14 young adults and were, tested for two different visual condition: eyes open and eyes closed. The experiments were also performed in two different stance case: one legged stance and two legged stance while electrical stimulations were applied concurrently or individually to tibialis anterior and triceps surae. Postural responses were assessed by analyzing COP sway path, sum of COP sway measured by a forceplate. The results showed that the direction of the COP shift changed in accordance with the direction of stimulation and showed sensory adaptation as the experiment progressed for two legged stance case. For one legged stance case, concurrent electrical stimulation both sides of muscles was found to be effective for enhancement of postural balance control.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1065-1072
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• 2015

This paper is about the development of an insole sensor system that can determine the model of an exoskeleton robot for lower limb that is a multi-degree of freedom system. First, the study analyzed the kinematic model of an exoskeleton robot for the lower limb that changes according to the gait phase detection of a human. Based on the ground reaction force (GRF), which is generated when walking, to proceed with insole sensor development, the sensing type, location, and the number of sensors were selected. The center of pressure (COP) of the human foot was understood first, prior to the development of algorithm. Using the COP, an algorithm was developed that is capable of detecting the gait phase with small number of sensors. An experiment at 3 km/h speed was conducted on the developed sensor system to evaluate the developed insole sensor system and the gait phase detection algorithm.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.2012-2019
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• 2015

This study examined the changes in the center of pressure (COP) and cadence according to three types of bags carried and three different bag weights. The experimental period was from June 3, 2013 to January 20, 2014, and thirty eight healthy adults (mean age: $26.10{\pm}5.32$ years, age range: 22-30 years) volunteered under three conditions. In the first condition, the subjects wore a bag over one shoulder and they walked. In the second condition, they carried a bag across the shoulder and walked. With the third condition, they carried a backpack using both shoulders and walked. 3-Dimentional motion analysis system and a force plate were used to measure the kinematic parameters of gait and COP displacement during gait. Each subject walked 6 meters carrying a 3kg, 5kg and 7kg bag under all three conditions. The COP of the antero-posterior and medio-lateral, and cadence variable were significantly different according to the bag weight of 3kg, 5kg and 7kg. These findings suggest that walking while carrying a backpack using both shoulders is more effective on the changes in COP and gait of adults than the other conditions.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.153-158
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• 2021

Purpose: This study evaluated the features of a pressure mapping system for patient motion monitoring in radiation therapy. Methods: The pressure mapping system includes an MS 9802 force sensing resistor (FSR) sensor with 2,304 force sensing nodes using 48 columns and 48 rows, controller, and control PC (personal computer). Radiation beam attenuation caused by pressure mapping sensor and signal perturbation by 6 and 10 mega voltage (MV) photon beam was evaluated. The maximum relative pressure value (mRPV), average relative pressure value (aRPV), the center of pressure (COP), and area of pressure distribution were obtained with/without radiation using the upper body of an anthropomorphic phantom for 30 minutes with 15 MV. Results: It was confirmed that the differences in attenuation induced by the FSR sensor for 6 and 10 MV photon beams were small. The differences in mRPV, aRPV, area of pressure distribution with/without radiation are about 0.6%, 1.2%, and 0.5%, respectively. The COP values with/without radiation were also similar. Conclusions: The characteristics of a pressure mapping system during radiation treatment were evaluated on the basis of attenuation and signal perturbation using radiation. The pressure distribution measured using the FSR sensor with little attenuation and signal perturbation by the MV photon beam would be helpful for patient motion monitoring.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to verify the effect of selective muscle strengthening of the knee joint extensor muscles using a pressure biofeedback unit to improve knee extensor strength and the balance ability of total knee replacement patients. Through this, we tried to provide clinical information. Methods : In this study, 12 patients with total knee replacement were recruited from a rehabilitation hospital. They were divided into two groups: a feedback group (n=6) and a control group (n=6). All patients received 30 minutes of continuous passive motion and leg-strengthening exercises for 15 minutes five times a week for two weeks. Subjects performed knee extension exercises with or without biofeedback units in the sitting position. The knee extensor strength and balance ability were measured before and after exercise. Knee extensor strength was measured by Biodex system 3 and balance ability was measured by Balancia software. Results : Both the experimental group and the control group showed a significant difference in the muscle strength of the knee joint extensor muscles after intervention (p<.05). In comparison, the experimental group showed a significant difference than the control group (p<.05). Both the experimental group and the control group showed a significant difference in the velocity average, path length, area 95 % center of pressure (COP), weight distribution, five times sit to stand test (FTSST) after intervention. In comparison, the experimental group showed a significant difference in velocity average, area 95 % COP, and FTSST than the control group (p<.05). Conclusion : In order to strengthen the knee extensor muscle and improve the balance ability in total knee replacement patients, it is necessary to consider providing pressure biofeedback unit during leg strengthening exercises.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2012

Purpose: This study examined the effect on postural control during the stimulation of haptic touch with fingertip on the stable surface at quiet standing posture, squat flexion stage, 60 degrees squat stage and squat extension stage. Methods: The postural sway was measured on the force platform, while 30 subjects were squatting, under three different haptic touch conditions (No Touch [NT], Light Touch [LT], Heavy Touch [HT]), above the touch pad in front of their body midline. Three different haptic touch conditions were divided into 1) NT condition; squatting as right index fingers held above the touch pad, 2) LT condition (<1N); squatting as the touch pad was in contact with right index fingers pulp with a pressure not exceeding 1N and 3) HT condition; squatting as subjects were allowed to use the touch pad for mechanical support by transmitting onto it with as much force, choosing with their index fingers. Results: There was significant decrease in LT, rather than that of NT (p<0.01), and in HT, rather than that of LT (p<0.01), as the results of the distance and velocity of center of pressure (COP) in mediolateral direction at quiet standing position. In anteroposterior direction, the distance and velocity of COP in LT and HT showed significant decrease, when compared to that of the data of NT (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between the 3 conditions (NT, LT, and HT), with respect to the distance and velocity of COP in mediolateral direction, during dynamic balance (squat flexion stage, squat extension stage) (p>0.05). In anteroposterior direction, the results of the distance and velocity of COP in HT showed significant decrease when compared to that of the data of NT (p<0.05). Conclusion: Light touch, during the task, decreased the postural sway at static balance. The results suggest that haptic touch should be applied, appropriately, because it varies the effects according to different conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.41-51
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• 2020

This paper presents the development of a robotic system for rehabilitation of the trunk's ability to maintain postural control under different balance conditions. The system, developed with extensive input from rehabilitation and biomedical engineering experts, consists of a seat mounted on a robotic mechanism capable of moving it with four degrees of freedom (3 rotational and 1 translational). The seat surface has built in instrumentation to gauge the movements of the user's center of pressure (COP) and it can be moved either to track the movements of the COP or according to operator given commands. The system allows two types of leg support. A ground mounted footrest allows participation of legs in postural control while a seat connected footrest constrains the leg movement and limits their involvement in postural control. The design evolution over several prototypes is presented and computer aided structural analysis is used to determine the feasibility of the designed components. The system is pilot tested by a stroke patient and is determined to have potential for use as a trunk rehabilitation tool. Future works involve more detailed studies to evaluate the effects of using this system and to determine its efficacy as a rehabilitation tool.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of freezing of gait and visual information on the static postural control ability in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) during the bipedal stance with feet together. Method: This study included a total of 36 patients with PD; the freezer group included 17 PD patients (age: $69.3{\pm}6.2yrs$, height: $159.6{\pm}9.0cm$, weight: $63.4{\pm}9.78kg$) and the nonfreezer group included 19 PD patients (age: $71.4{\pm}5.6yrs$, height: $155.8{\pm}7.1cm$, weight: $57.7{\pm}8.6kg$). Static postural control ability was analyzed using variables of center of pressure (COP) and dividing by mediolateral, anteroposterior, and integration factors during a bipedal stance with the eyes open and closed. Results: Freezers and nonfreezers showed increases in anteroposterior velocity, mediolateral velocity, averaged velocity, and mediolateral 95% edge frequency when visual information was blocked. Additionally, freezers had greater anteroposterior range, 95% confidence ellipse area, and COP anteroposterior mean position than nonfreezers. Conclusion: Freezers and nonfreezers showed a reduction in static postural control ability when visual information was blocked. Additionally, the results of this study found a significant difference in static postural control ability between freezers and nonfreezers with PD. In particular, anteroposterior range, 95% confidence ellipse area, and COP anteroposterior mean position might be used to distinguish between freezers and nonfreezers with PD.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this study is to provide a current knowledge of the multiple issues regarding motion effects on crew performance. Background: The motions of the ship may create motion sickness, nausea and vomit. Also, these motions also disturb the balance of crew members, increase the energy expenditure of crew for shipboard work, and result in increased levels of injury and fatigue. However, the motion effects of the ship on crew performance has not been thoroughly investigated. Method: Participants(N=10) were engaged in an experiment in 2 experimental environments(training ship and ship handling simulator) and 2 navigational conditions(day and night). The COP(Center of Pressure) data were recorded as an objective measure of postural balance control and the SSQ(Simulator Sickness Questionnaire) was used as a subjective measure of sickness. Results: The results showed that COP has a no significant difference based on experimental environments, but significant effect on SSQ. Conclusion: During the virtual simulator navigation, subjects showed significant SSQ level changes, which included decreased SSQ data. But, there is no significant difference of COP between training ship and ship handling simulator. Application: The results of this study could be applied to the next generation of ship design to decrease effect of motion at sea and to increase performance of ship crew.

• The Korean journal of sports medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2018

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of foot position on dynamic stability in female with genu varum. M ethods: Eight females with genu varum participated in this study and performed the four squat exercise methods that foot position ($-45^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$, $+45^{\circ}$) and $0^{\circ}$ squat with band. Center of pressure (COP; anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, traveled distance, ellipse area) and ground reaction force as dynamic stability were measured using footscan system. Multivariate analysis of variance and one-way repeated analysis of variance measurement with Tukey honestly significant difference were used to identify significant differences of foot angle ($-45^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$, $+45^{\circ}$) and $0^{\circ}$ squat with band method. Results: In anterior-posterior COP displacement, $-45^{\circ}$ foot angle and $0^{\circ}$ squat with band were significantly showed lower than $+45^{\circ}$ foot angle squat (p=0.006). Also, in COP traveled distance, $0^{\circ}$ squat was significantly showed lower than $+45^{\circ}$ foot angle (p=0.019). During the descending phase, ground reaction force significantly showed in -45 foot angle was lower than other exercise methods. Conclusion: The $0^{\circ}$ squat with band exercise showed higher dynamic stability and $+45^{\circ}$ foot angle squat exercise showed lower dynamic stability in female with genu varum.