• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2006

In spite of the rapid increase of computer use in our everyday life, not much effort is undertaken to take measures to prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders(MSDs). In this paper, we suggest a movable armrest which would lower the exposure to the MSDs, especially on the vicinity of arm. The aim of this study is to determine whether there are differences in wrist angle variations, forearm muscular loads, comfort and normal performance between the invented movable armrest and a conventional armrest when using a computer mouse. Eight experienced VDU workers performed a standardized simple task set which consists of 15 detailed tasks with each armrest. The wrist angle variations in the right arm were registered by electrogoniometer and the muscle activities in the shoulder, deltoid and two extensors in the forearm were also registered by electromyograph. The subjects rated perceived comfort while performing the tasks with each armrest. Working with the invented armrest, compared to general, gave significantly decreased wrist angle variations at most of the detailed tasks of both biaxial movements. Moreover, as the distance of targets increased, the difference of muscle activities in two different situations trend to be increasing. At the same time, in work with invented armrest, the subjects rated more comfort and they showed decreased normal performances in 8 detailed tasks which were mainly caused by macro moving time.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2009

This paper describes requirements and test methods for the safety of electromyographs and evoked response equipments to be used for medical examination of the central nerve system and motor-sensory functions in cortex. We first establish internationally harmonized requirements for the safety, and then propose a test procedure and test methods corresponding to the requirements based on the international standards. However requirements for the performance of each equipments are not specified in order to admit maker's specifications. Using a electromyography equipment we verified validity of the test methods proposed. Results of this study can be used as a standard for approval of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA).

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.119-132
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare interrelations between stress and muscles of neck through stress response inventory(SRI), 7 zone diagnostic system and surface electromyography(sEMG). Methods : This study was carried out with the data from SRI, 7 zone diagnostic system and sEMG. First subjects were divided into two group according to the SRI points. subjects in group A had points of SRI in which lower than 30 points. Subjects in group B had points of SRI in which higher than 30 points. And subjects were divided into nonstress group(Group C) and stress grouop(Group D) according to the result of 7 zone diagnostic system. Then we investigated how to differentiate the muscle contraction, fatigue, recovery and asymmetry ratio on sEMG for each groups. Results : In this study, the muscle contraction of both upper trapezius muscle and left sternocleidomastoid muscle and left scalene muscle in stress group were higher than nonstress group significantly. And the muscle recovery of left sternocleidomastoid muscle and left scalene muscle in stress group were higher than nonstress group significantly. Conclusions : This results show that the stress was associated with muscle condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.417-424
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• 2013

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between the segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise according to visual control. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 20 healthy students. An 8-channel electromyograph was used to measure muscle activities of the erector spinae by segment(cervical, thoracic and lumbar) during a core stability exercise according to visual control. The collected data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Pearson-test. RESULTS: The activity of the erector spinae for all segment was higher without the vision than with. The activity of right cervical erector spinae was significantly increased by increasing the activity of the left thoracic erector spinae during a core stability exercise with vision (r= .555). The activity of left thoracic erector spinae was significantly increased by increasing the activity of the left lumbar erector spinae during a core stability exercise without vision (r= .472). CONCLUSION: There was a positive correlation between the cervical and thoracic segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise with vision. There was a positive correlation between the thoracic and lumbar segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise without vision.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.1638-1641
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• 2004

Many walking stands, and assisting tools have been developed for the people with low-limb disability to prevent diseases from bedridden state and to help them walk again. But many of those equipments require user to have some physical strength or balancing ability. In our last research, we developed walking assist system for the people with lower-limb disability. With the system, user can be assisted by actuators, and do not have to worry about falling down. The system adapted the unique closed links structure with four servomotors, three PICs as controller, and four limit switches as HMI (human man interface). We confirmed the adaptability of the system by the experiment. In this research, Muscle Stiffness Sensor was tested as the advanced HMI for walking assist system, and confirmed the adaptability by the experiment. As Muscle Stiffness Sensor can attain the muscle activity, user can interface with any device he want to control. Experimental result with Muscle Stiffness sonsor showed that user could easily control the walking assist system as his will, just by changing his muscle strength.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2011.07a
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• pp.1918-1919
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• 2011

상체 지원 외골격 로봇은 크게 인간의 근력을 보조하는 형태와 인간의 근력을 증강하는 형태가 있다. 여기서는 인간의 근력을 증강하는 외골격 로봇을 중심으로 기술하고자 한다. 이러한 외골격 로봇은 팔의 EMG (Electromyograph;근전도) 신호를 측정하는 방법보다는 손의 힘을 직접 감지하는 방법을 통한 팔꿈치와 어깨의 엑추에이터를 구동하는 방식을 취하는 경향이 있다. 본 논문에서도 후자의 방식을 이용하여 손에 작용하는 힘을 분석하여 외골격 로봇을 움직이는 방식을 취하였다. 손의 힘 중에서도 인간을 중심으로 볼 때 위방향과 전진방향의 힘을 분석하기 위하여 2개의 F/T(Force/Torque) 센서를 사용하였으며 팔을 벌리는 동작은 엑추에이터 없이 자유롭게 동작이 가능하도록 설계하였다. 이러한 위방향 및 전진방향 힘의 크기를 팔꿈치와 어깨의 엑추에이터의 동작으로 바꾸어 인간의 동작을 도울 수 있고 힘을 증폭할 수 있는 외골격 로봇을 설계 제작하였다. F/T 센서는 손의 힘을 전기적 신호로 바꾸어주는 로드셀로 이루어지며 손의 힘을 최대한 잘 반영하기 위한 구조를 고안하였다. F/T 센서의 전기신호는 증폭기를 거쳐서 잡음을 제거한 후에 A/D 변환하여 processor에서 처리되어진다.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in activation of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris when performing normal free squat with standinding position and free squat with $30^{\circ}$ flexed hip joint. Methods: Electromyograph surface electrodes were placed on the rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris of 19 healthy college students. The participants performed standing bilateral squats and standing bilateral squats with $30^{\circ}$ flexed hip joint with EMG measures taken upon initiation of muscle activity as confirmed by an electronic goniometer. Participants completed one trial with the EMG time measurements on each type. Results: There was a significant difference between normal squats(standing squats) and normal squats with $30^{\circ}$ flexed hip joint. The normal squat exercise was statistically higer than normal squat exercise with $30^{\circ}$ flexed trunk except for semitendinosus and biceps femoris that shown slightly high. Conclusions: As a result of this study, there were increases of muscle activity in both ways. In particular, it may be more beneficial for knee joint stabilization to perform normal squat exercise with standing position relatively.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study is to analysis of correlation upper body according to forward head posture. Methods: The subjects of this study were 40 female university students who were equally and randomly allocated to a forward head posture group, normal group. Using general posture system, electromyograph, visual analogue scale, tape measurement, neck disability index were evaluated. Results: There was positive correlation between posture analysis and Sternocleidomastoid, neck flexion (p<.05). There was positive correlation between Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and trapezius upper, VAS (p<.05). There was negative correlation between posture analysis and CVA (p<.05). There was negative correlation between Cranial rotation angle and CVA (p<.05). Conclusion: Increased forward head posture lead to increase of pain, muscles activity, so it suggests to be necessary on the prevention of dysfunction and limited activities daily living.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain and psychological state in female office workers with neck pain. Methods : Experimental group of 31 healthy subjects complained of neck and arm discomfort related to computer use which lasted more than 3 months in the past year and was present in the past 7 days as well as on the day of test. Outcomes were assessed by meridian-electromyography(MEMG), Neck Disability Index(NDI), Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Stress Reaction Inventory(SRI), Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale(SRRS). Results : The NDI score and BDI score had a correlationship(r=0.48), and the NDI score and SRI score also had a correlationship(r=0.48), significantly. The NDI score and contraction power of upper trapezius by MEMG had a correlationship significantly, but with the other muscles the NDI score didn't have correlationships. The NDI score and the SRI score were significantly higher in depression group(BDI score ${\circ}{\surd}$14). The contraction power of trapezius by MEMG was significantly lower in depression group. Conclusions : The results suggest that mental stress can be a major risk factor of neck pain in female office workers.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.296-304
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• 2009

The purpose of this study were to examine the effect of two different pelvic alignments and the back belt on electromyographic(EMG) activity of the erector spinae during lifting. The results were as follows: 1) EMG activity of erector spinae was greater when the pelvis was tilted anteriorly than when the pelvis was tilted posteriorly during lifting. 2) EMG activity of erector spinae was greater when the back belt than when without the back belt during lifting. These results suggest that the greater EMG activity of erector spinae with an anterior pelvic tilt position and with back belt during lifting may ensure optimal muscular support for the spine while handling loads.