• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.471-478
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• 2004

Electromyogram (EMC) signal generated by voluntary contraction of muscles is often used in a rehabilitation devices such as an upper limb prosthesis because of its distinct output characteristics compared to other bio-signals. This paper proposes an EMG-based human-computer interface (HCI) for the control of the above-elbow prosthesis or the wheelchair. To control such rehabilitation devices, user generates four commands by combining voluntary contraction of two different muscles such as levator scapulae muscles and flexor-extensor carpi ulnaris muscles. The muscle contraction is detected by comparing the mean absolute value of the EMG signal with a preset threshold value. However. since the time difference in muscle firing can occur when the patient tries simultaneous co-contraction of two muscles, it is difficult to determine whether the patient's intention is co-contraction. Hence, the use of the comparison method using a single threshold value is not feasible for recognizing such co-contraction motion. Here, we propose a novel method using double threshold values composed of a primary threshold and an auxiliary threshold. Using the double threshold method, the co-contraction state is easily detected, and diverse interface commands can be used for the EMG-based HCI. The experimental results with real-time EMG processing showed that the double threshold method is feasible for the EMG-based HCI to control the myoelectric prosthetic hand and the powered wheelchair.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2010

Objectives : Tai Chi for arthritis was developed in 1997 by Paul Lam, M.D. of family medicine in Australia. It is an exercise treatment program and a good approaching method for arthritis. However its application is limited to arthritis of knee joint only. Even there have been no clinical study in korean traditional medical society. The aim of this study is to investigate effect of the Tai Chi for arthritis on chronic pain of body. Methods : We designed this trial as objectives were (1) senior female over 60 years, (2) suffering for osteoarthritis and chronic body pain, (3) have no physical or mental dysfunctions (4) able to walk and exercise alone. Objectives mactched these criteria had been trained the Tai Chi for arthritis 2 hours a day for 21 weeks. Before and after training, pain of 8 joints (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, waist, hip, knee, ankle) were estimated with the VAS(Visual Analog Scale). Results : Training the Tai Chi for arthritis relieved multiple joint pain(especially neck, lower back, shoulder, wrist and knee) and these were statistically significant. Conclusions : This study is a pilot study to investigate effect of the Tai Chi for arthritis on chronic pain of whole body. Absence of control group, and other scale to test joint function except VAS were limitations of this study. It is the first clinical approach about Tai Chi in korean medicine field, also the first study of Tai Chi for pain of the whole body.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.591-600
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training using biofeedback and constraint-induced movement on the upper extremity function of hemiplegic patients. Method: A non-equivalent pretest-posttest design was used. Study subjects were a conveniently selected group of 40 hemiplegic patients(20 experimental subjects, 20 control subjects) who have been enrolled in two community health centers. After biofeedback training the subjects of experimental group were given constraint-induced movement, involving restraint of unaffected U/E in a sling for about 6 hours in a day over a period of two weeks, while at the same time intensively training the affected U/E. Outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the VIE motor ability(hand function, grip power, pinch power, U/E ROMs), and motor activity(amount, quality). Result: 1. After 2 weeks of treatment, the motor abilities of affected U/E(hand function, grip power, pinch power, ROMs of wrist flexion, elbow flexion and shoulder flexion/extension) were significantly higher in subjects who participated in exercise training than in subjects in the control group with no decrement at 4-week follow-up. However, there was no significant difference in wrist extension between experimental or control group. 2. After 2 weeks of treatment, the amount of use and the quality of motor activity of affected U/E were significantly higher in subjects who participated in exercise training than in subjects in the control group with no decrement at 4-week follow-up. Conclusion: The above results state that exercise training using biofeedback and constraint-induced movement could be an effective intervention for improving U/E function of chronic hemiplegic patients. Long-term studies are needed to determine the lasting effects of constraint-induced movement.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.626-635
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explain the effects of upper extremity exercise program on hemiplegic stroke patients. Method: The research was designed by a non-equivalent pretest-posttest way. The data were collected from February to August 2003 at a community health center located in Seoul. The study subjects were a conveniently selected group of 27 hemiplegic patients. The subjects were divided into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. 14 subjects were assigned to the experimental group in which the subjects did the upper extremity exercise training for 2 hours once a week during four weeks, while 13 subjects were assigned to the control group. The outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the upper extremity motor ability(hand power, pinch power, upper extremity ROMs), amount of motor use and the degree of depression. Result: 1. After treatment, the motor abilities of the affected upper extremity(hand power, pinch power, ROMs of wrist flexion/extension, shoulder extension) were significantly different between the two groups. However, there were no significant differences in elbow and shoulder flexion between experimental and control group. 2. After treatment, amount of motor use of affected upper extremity were significantly different between the two groups. 3. After treatment, the degree of depression were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: In considering these results, the upper extremity exercise program could be effective for hemiplegic patients by improving the function of their upper extremity. Long-term studies are needed to determine the effects of upper extremity exercise program.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.140-148
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• 2020

Background: Scapular winging (SW) could be caused by tightness or weakness of the periscapular muscles. Although data mining techniques are useful in classifying or predicting risk of musculoskeletal disorder, predictive models for risk of musculoskeletal disorder using the results of clinical test or quantitative data are scarce. Objects: This study aimed to (1) investigate the difference between young women with and without SW, (2) establish a predictive model for presence of SW, and (3) determine the cutoff value of each variable for predicting the risk of SW using the decision tree method. Methods: Fifty young female subjects participated in this study. To classify the presence of SW as the outcome variable, scapular protractor strength, elbow flexor strength, shoulder internal rotation, and whether the scapula is in the dominant or nondominant side were determined. Results: The classification tree selected scapular protractor strength, shoulder internal rotation range of motion, and whether the scapula is in the dominant or nondominant side as predictor variables. The classification tree model correctly classified 78.79% (p = 0.02) of the training data set. The accuracy obtained by the classification tree on the test data set was 82.35% (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The classification tree showed acceptable accuracy (82.35%) and high specificity (95.65%) but low sensitivity (54.55%). Based on the predictive model in this study, we suggested that 20% of body weight in scapular protractor strength is a meaningful cutoff value for presence of SW.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2014

Objective : The objective of this study is to develop a Qigong exercise program to reinforce musculoskeletal system of seniors appropriate for physical strength and conditions of seniors aged 65 years or above based on health Qigong exercise of oriental medicine. Method : Qigong exercise motions that can improve strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance of seniors were developed by primarily performing literature review of Qigong experts on the fields like oriental medicine, Qigong exercise, physical education and health science and secondarily using motion training for increased validity of motions. Results : The Qigong exercise program for musculoskeletal system of seniors was designed with 12 motions repeated 8 times and 20 minutes per session, including shoulder exercises (alternate turning of left and right shoulders, turning both arms back and forth, holding and lifting elbow to put it aside), waist exercises (wrapping the head with hands to bow, twisting waist while looking at the tip of hand, large spinning of ball, putting hands together to pull back), and knee exercises (going up a down while lifting a rock, balancing the body while lifting a knee, lifting and spreading knees while drawing circle with arms, raising both arms to the side while lifting heels, breathing). Conclusion : Once the effects of Qigong exercise for musculoskeletal system of seniors developed in this study are tested, the program is expected to contribute to development of Qigong exercise, a core part of oriental medicine health improvement project.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.133-149
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• 2003

The purposes of present study were to determine the major check-points of golf swing from the review of previous studies, and to suggest additional information on the teaching theory of golf. The golf swing motion of 6 male and female elite university golf players were filmed with 16mm Locam II high speed cameras at the speed of 200f/s, and variables such as time, displacement, angle, velocity were calculated and analyzed by 3D Cinematography using DLT method. The results were: 1. Differences were shown in the ratio of weight distribution on the feet, cocking angle, take-back velocity, club-head velocity at impact depending upon the physical characteristics and club used for swing. 2. Time for the down-swing and impact were $0.27{\sim}0.29s$ in men and $0.29{\sim}0.32s$ in women, which was 1/3 of the time for the back-swing. Women showed longer total swing time than men because of longer time in back-swing, follow-through and finish. 3. Men showed larger range of motion in shoulder and knee joints than women, on the other hand women showed larger range of motion in hip joint than men. 4. Cocking motion and right elbow flexion were occurred at the top of back-swing and cocking release was occurred at the moment of impact. Maximum rotations of shoulder and hip joints were found between the top of back-swing and down-swing phase. 5. Women showed lower back-swing velocity than men, and men showed higher club velocity(men: $38.2{\sim}38.6m/s$, women: $35.1{\sim}36.4m/s$) than women.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.277-291
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• 2003

This study was designed to examine the kinematic factors in the phase during the marche fente motion. For this study, the subjects were 5 elite male fencing players. The direct linear transformation (DLT) method was used in calculating 3-D coordinate of the digitized body parts. The cubic spline function was used for smoothing and the kinematic data for displacement, velocity, angle variables were calculated for Kwon3d ver 2.1. And the following conclusions were drawn; 1. It show that the marche phase appeared to longer time than the pante phase In the performance time. For the fast attack, it showed that the subjects should be moving in a short stride width. 2. For a fast and stable movement posture in the marche phase, the vertical change of COG must be maintain the same position as possible, but all subjects appeared to decrease the COG because of a excessive the knee flection. 3. In the COG velocity change, all the subjects showed to the same change in both the marche and the fente phase. However in the attack extremity velocity, it increased velocity in order of upper arm, fore arm, and hand in the marche phase, but it showed different velocity among each subjects at the moment of stabbing. So that in order to do effective stabbing, they have to extend their upper extremity max and do faster the distal segment than the proximal segment. 4. It showed to take a fast and stable movement, because some subjects showed the big anteroposterior angle of the trunk flexed max shoulder angle and elbow angle of their attack arm and the other upper extremity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.7 s.155
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• pp.1090-1102
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to develop an improved work clothing which is much safe, comfortable, mobility and convenient than what workers currently wear at construction site. The investigation has been conducted to evaluate current work clothing to grasp any problems, discomforts and damages related to the work clothing. For the best and accurate data, hands-on investigation and a short-interview have been performed at the construction site as well as formulating a questionnaire. The questionnaires was answered by 425 workers and safety manager of 13 different construction site. The result of the questionnaire enables us to design a sample work clothing, many pa π s such as material, pattern and design have been improved. To improve the amenity of heat, the surface of a material was used by $Aerocool^{\circledR}$ fiber which contains inside dryness function. In order to absorb perspiration on the back the armpits, mesh martial that is mixture of $Coolever^{TM}$ fiber and $Mirawave^{TM}$ fiber was used to absorb perspiration in an effective manner. And a sleeve's bottom part and trousers' bottom part's cover method have been changed. Sample work clothing was shorten at the side of upper garment up to 2cm and lengthen the length of the back by 3cm. To reduce the tightness around armpit more room was given in that area. Darts were added to the elbow, the hip, and the knees that also followed an ergonomic pattern. A sample work clothing evaluated an objective assessment and subjective assessment to compare to a current work clothing. Assessment group consists of seven subject groups and nine expert groups to evaluate external appearance and adaptability to the movements. In all aspects of the test, the result of evaluation process of the sample work clothing received more positive assessment than the current work clothing.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.49-59
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between the segments of the body, the three dimensional anatomical angle according to sweep shot in ice hockey. The subjects of this study were five professional ice hockey players. The reflective makers were attached on anatomical boundary line of body. For the movement analysis three dimensional cinematographical method(APAS) was used and for the calculation of the kinematic variables a self developed program was used with the LabVIEW 6.1 graphical programming(Johnson, 1999) program. By using Eular's equations the three dimensional anatomical Cardan angles of the joint and ice hockey stick were defined. 1. In three dimensional linear velocity of blade the Y axis showed maximum linear velocity almost impact, the X axis(horizontal direction) and the Z axis(vertical direction) maximum linear velocity of blade did not show at impact but after impact this will resulted influence upon hitting puck. 2. The resultant linear velocity of each segment of right arm showed maximum resultant linear velocity at impact. It could be suggest that the right arm swing patterns is kind of push-like movement. therefore the upper arm is the most important role in the right arm swing. 3. The three dimensional anatomical angular displacement of trunk in flexion-extension showed flexion all around the wrist shot. The angular displacement of trunk in internal-external rotation showed internal rotation angle at the backswing top and and increased the angle after the impact. while there is no significant adduction-abduction. 4. The three dimensional anatomical angular displacement of trunk showed most important role in wrist shot. and is follwed by shoulder joints, in addition the movement of elbow/wrist joints showed least to the shot. this study result showed upperlimb of left is more important role than upperlimb of right.