• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.41-47
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• 2007

This paper suggested the best work conditions including short break time and the number of mouse clicks on the computer work for the prevention of MSDs on VDT work. Fatigue measures included EMG based parameters. The short break time conditions are grouped into 7, 15, and 30 seconds after every work for 10 min and the number of mouse clicks are divided into 10, 20, and 30 clicks/min. The result of the ANOVA of the shift value of %MVC(Maximum Voluntary Contraction) showed the following: 1) There was a considerable difference as regards to the break time except the number of mouse clicks on the upper trapezius muscle(p$<$0.05). The best conditions were shown in 15 sec after every 10 min and 30 clicks/min. 2) There were considerable differences as regards to the number of mouse clicks except the break time on the extensor digitorum muscle and extensor carpi ulnaris muscle(p$<$0.05). The best conditions were shown in 7 sec after every 10min and 10 clicks/min.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.33-41
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• 2008

The goal of this study was to compare wrist posture, muscular loads and perceived comfort among wearable wrist rest (WR), general wrist rest(GR), no wrist rest(NR) during keyboard and mouse use. Thirteen subjects performed text editing task in three test conditions: wearable wrist rest(WR), general wrist rest(GR), no wrist rest(NR). During text editing task, the right wrist posture was recorded by an electrogoniometer and the muscle activity in upper trapezius, anterior deltoid, extensor digitorum, extensor carpi ulnaris were recorded by electromyography. After all of the tests, the subjects rated perceived comfort. Working with wearable wrist rest(WR), compared to no wrist rest(NR) and general wrist rest(GR), decreased wrist radial/ulnar deviation and also decreased muscle activity in upper trapezius and anterior deltoid. At the same time, in work with wearable wrist rest(WR), the subjects rated more comfort at 5 of 8 body locations(shoulder, upper arm, wrist, hand, body).

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.28-37
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• 2013

This study examined differences in the activity of upper limb muscles according to how an ultrasound head is gripped. Twenty-two adult males were participated in the study. Each participant was asked to apply ultrasound treatment on to a lump of pork meat by two different ultrasound head grip patterns: spherical and cylindrical grips. Muscle activity was measured in the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and pronator teres (PT), triceps brachii (TB), middle deltoid (MD), and upper trapezius (UT) muscles. There were no significant differences in the EMG signals of any muscle according to the ultrasound head grip pattern (p>.05). There were significant differences in the EMG signal of each type of muscle (p<.05). The EMG signal of UT was the lowest and that of TB was lower than ECRL and FCU. There were interactions between ECRL and FCU, between ECRL and PT, between FCU and ECRL, and between FCU and MD. The EMG signal of ECRL using the cylindrical head was low and that of FCU with the cylindrical head was high, while the opposite was the case with the spherical head ($p_{adj}$ <.05/15). The results of this study indicate that the wrist muscles worked actively when the participants applied ultrasound therapy using both spherical and cylindrical heads. A spherical head might induce imbalanced muscle activity among the wrist muscles, leading to deviation of the wrist joint. Therefore, the cylindrical head is recommended for ultrasound therapy because it produced a constant, repeated force.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of drive-assisting system in a shower carrier on the upper body muscle activities of caregivers through drivability tests. Background: In care facilities, one of the major ADL (Activities of Daily Living) factors is bathing/showering. Recently, bath/shower-assisting equipment is actively being introduced in care facilities to reduce caregivers' muscle burden. In particular, it is desirable to utilize a shower carrier equipped with drive-assisting system to effectively care for the elderly. However, there were few systematic studies on the relationship between muscle activities and drive-assisting speeds. Method: For the drivability tests to study the effects on the muscle activities according to the drive-assisting speeds(corresponding drive-voltages: 0.0V, 2.0V, 2.1V, 2.3V), 6 females in their 40s($43{\pm}4yrs$, $157{\pm}5cm$, and $54.5{\pm}1.5kg$) were selected. To measure muscle activities of caregivers through drivability tests, 7 muscles in the upper body(TM/Trapezius Muscle, DM/Deltoid Muscle, BBM/Biceps Brachii Muscle, TBM/Triceps Brachii Muscle, ECRLM/Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Muscle, FCUM/Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Muscle, and ESM/Erector Spinae Muscle) were selected. Results: In the TM, muscle activities were decreased as 21% compared to 0.0V, when drive-voltage 2.0V was applied, as 57% by 2.1V, and 62% by 2.3V(p<0.05), whereas 40%, 56%, and 69% of muscles activities were decreased respectively from the DM(p<0.05). Also, from the UL(BBM+TBM+ECRLM+FCUM), muscle activities were decreased by 17% with 2.0V as against 0.0V, by 47% with 2.1V, and 52% with 2.3V, whereas decreases in muscle activities from the ESM were found by 20%, 34%, and 42% respectively by 2.0V, 2.1V, and 2.3V(p<0.05). Conclusion: The muscle activities were decreased in the order of the DM, TM, ESM, and UL. As muscle activities were remarkably reduced as drive voltage were increased, it was expected to reduce the upper body muscle burden on the caregivers when using shower carriers equipped with driving-assist system. Applications: The results from this study can be applied for the development of a shower carrier including other equipment to possibly reduce the muscle burden of the caregivers.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2000

Background and Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the sensitivity of the Repetitive Nerve Stimulation Test (RNST) between the upper and lower extremity muscles in myasthenia gravis(MG) patients. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of 20 normal persons(control group) and 10 MG patients(MG group). Using Stalberg's method. RNST was systemically performed in orbicularis oculi muscle. upper extremity muscles(flexor carpi ulnaris. abductor digiti quinti), and lower extremity muscles(tibialis anterior. extensor digitorum brevis. vastus medialis). Results: There were statistical differences of decremental response($mean{\pm}SD$) in orbicularis oculi and upper extremity muscles between the control and MG groups(p<0.05 or p<0.01). However, there was no statistical difference of decremental response($mean{\pm}SD$) to RNST in lower extremity muscles between the control and MG groups. There were highersensitivity in orbicularis oculi and upper extremity muscles than lower extremity muscles. Although positive reponse were detected in the lower extremity muscles, the positive response rates of lower extremity muscles were lower than o.oculi and upper extremity muscles. Conclusions: When the response rates of RNST in facial and upper extremity muscles are normal, may not be required RNST in lower extremity muscles.

• 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.