• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the removable ankle-foot orthosis (RAFO) which was developed to improve the gait of stroke patients. The subjects of this study were five stroke patients who agreed to participate in this study by signing a written consent form. To verify gait improvement after wearing the orthosis, a Timed Up and Go test and Functional Gait Assessment were performed, and spatiotemporal gait variables such as gait speed, cadence, stride length, double limb support, and the efficient gait test of body sway angle were performed. For every variable, the differences prior to and after wearing the RAFO were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Every gait variable improved significantly after wearing the RAFO compared to prior to wearing it. The pilot study will enhance future efforts to evaluate orthotic function objectively during gait in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.51-63
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• 2007

Diabetic foot ulcers result from abnormal mechanical loading of the foot, such as repetitive pressure applied to the plantar aspect of the foot while walking. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes changes in foot structure, affecting foot function and subsequently leading to increased plantar foot pressure, which is a predictive risk factor for the development of diabetic foot ulceration. To early identify the insensitive foot makes it possible to prevent diabetic foot ulceration and to protect the foot at risk from abnormal biomechanical loading. Abnormal foot pressures can be reduced using several different approaches, including callus debridement, prescription of special footwear, foot orthosis. injection of liquid silicone, Achilles tendon lengthening, and so forth. Off-loading of the diabetic wound is a key factor to successful wound healing as it is associated with reduced inflammatory and accelerated repair processes. Pressure relief can be achieved using various off-loading modalities including accommodative dressing, walking splints, ankle-foot orthosis, total contact cast, and removable and irremovable cast walkers.

• 재활복지공학회논문지
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• 제8권3호
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• pp.177-185
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• 2014

본 연구에서는 하지마비 장애인의 족하수 방지를 위하여 족배굴곡 보조를 위한 외골격 보조기를 개발하였다. 본 보조기는 인공 근육형 공압 액추에이터를 이용한 동력 전달부, 동력부의 고정을 위한 무릎 관절 착용부 및 보행 신호 검출을 위한 발목 관절 착용부로 구성되었다. 보조기는 무릎 관절 착용부와 발목 관절 착용부에 고정되어 족배굴곡 토크를 발생시켰으며, 발바닥 압력센서를 통해 사용자의 보행 단계를 검출하고, 족배굴곡 보조 타이밍을 감지하도록 하였다. 보행에 이상이 없는 건강한 65세 이상 고령자 7명과 20대 성인 10명을 대상으로 외골격 보조기의 족배굴곡 보조에 대한 성능을 확인한 결과, 인공 근육형 공압 액추에이터의 보조 시 전경골근의 근활성이 감소하는 결과가 나타났다. 향후 연구에서는 하지마비 환자를 대상으로 외골격 보조기의 효과를 검증할 것이다.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.53-62
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of foot orthosis and Korean Medicine therapy including Chuna on symptom that accompany scoliosis by observing one clinical case study. Methods : One patient suffer sole pain and numbness that accompany scoliosis who received outpatient treatment was investigated for the changes in numerical rating scale(NRS), pelvic height and pelvic angle. Pelvic height and angle were checked by using Whole spine X-ray. During outpatient treatment, patient treated by foot orthosis and Korean Medicine therapy including Chuna. Results : After 7 times treatment, NRS showed a remarkable difference, which decreased from 7 to 1. Pelvic height decreased from 11.16mm to 8.58mm and pelvic angle decreased from $5.03^{\circ}$ to $3.16^{\circ}$. They showed a slight difference. Conclusions : Foot orthosis and Korean Medicine therapy including Chuna might be effective in the patient that showed symptoms which is caused by scoliosis.

• 대한기계학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한기계학회 2001년도 춘계학술대회논문집A
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• pp.728-733
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• 2001

The subject of this paper is to perform the basic research to make design guide as finding out the structural characteristics of polypropylene Ankle Foot Orthosis(AFO) for hemiplegics. Target shape of AFO is a solid standard type. In this study we measure ridity as dorsiflexion and thicknesses of AFO with three types of ankle widths and analyze correlation between rigidity and ankle widths, thicknesses. As a result, the rigidity characteristic is specified complex effect of ankle widths and thicknesses.

• 대한중풍순환신경학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.40-48
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• 2013

■ Objectives This study was designed to investigate the effects of an ankle foot orthosis(AFO) on gait of two hemiparetic stroke patients with foot drop. ■ Methods Gait of two hemiparetic stroke patients were analyzed during walking on the treadmill without or with AFO application. The spatiotemporal and center of pressure(CoP) intersection parameters of gait analysis were measured using a treadmill gait analysis system. ■ Results The AFO had positive effects on hemiparetic gait parameters; increasing cadence, increasing step length, decreasing step time, stride time, and lateral symmetry. ■ Conclusion Hemiparetic gait was improved by ankle foot orthosis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.92-98
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• 2019

Forefoot disorders are often seen in clinical practice. Forefoot deformity and pain can deteriorate gait function and decrease quality of life. This review presents common forefoot disorders and conservative treatment using an insole or orthosis. Metatarsalgia is a painful foot condition affecting the metatarsal (MT) region of the foot. A MT pad, MT bar, or forefoot cushion can be used to alleviate MT pain. Hallux valgus is a deformity characterized by medial deviation of the first MT and lateral deviation of the hallux. A toe spreader, valgus splint, and bunion shield are commonly applied to patients with hallux valgus. Hallux limitus and hallux rigidus refer to painful limitations of dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. A kinetic wedge foot orthosis or rocker sole can help relieve symptoms from hallux limitus or rigidus. Hammer, claw, and mallet toes are sagittal plane deformities of the lesser toes. Toe sleeve or padding can be applied over high-pressure areas in the proximal or distal interphalangeal joints or under the MT heads. An MT off-loading insole can also be used to alleviate symptoms following lesser toe deformities. Morton's neuroma is a benign neuroma of an intermetatarsal plantar nerve that leads to a painful condition affecting the MT area. The MT bar, the plantar pad, or a more cushioned insole would be useful. In addition, patients with any of the above various forefoot disorders should avoid tight-fitting or high-heeled shoes. Applying an insole or orthosis and wearing proper shoes can be beneficial for managing forefoot disorders.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 제어로봇시스템학회 2005년도 ICCAS
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• pp.2444-2447
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze the gait motion of the aged with a lower limbs orthosis. The gait motion was analyzed with and without lower limbs orthosis using APAS 3D Motion Analysis System. The pattern of lower limbs motion was tracked based on four targets attached to the body of the subject. The targets were positioned at hip, knee, ankle, and foot. The parameters measured were the displacement, the velocity, and the acceleration of the four targets. The improvement in the measured values on the displacement and the velocity of the four targets were small with the orthosis due to inconvenience of wearing it, but the increase in the acceleration was large due to the elastic force of the rubber actuator. Especially, the increase of the acceleration of foot with lower limbs orthosis seems to help the gait motion of the elderly.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.291-296
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• 2011

This study was designed to investigate the effects of an ankle foot orthosis(AFO) with variable ankle joint angles on balance performance in healthy adults. Eighteen healthy adults were recruited in this repeated measures design with subjects as their own controls. An AFO with four kinds of ankle joint angles(-5, 0, 5, and 10 degree) were used and balance performance was measured during single limb standing. Three trials were obtained and then averaged for data analysis. Foot pressure was measured using an F-scan system and muscle activity was measured using an MP150 system. There were significant differences in balance performance with ankle joint angles. An AFO with -5 degrees was associated with significant increases in postural sway(anterior-posterior), and in muscle activity for the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior compared with other degrees of angle. Findings of this study show that angles of an AFO are related to balance performance and a joint angle of 10 degree is effective for promoting joint stability and postural control. This information can be used by clinicians to prescribe AFOs.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.52-58
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• 2015

Balance control deficits have been indicated to be a primary problem among cerebral palsy (CP) patients. Fabric ankle foot orthosis (AFO) can allow more efficient balance control by facilitating proprioception. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of fabric AFO on balance, compared to a barefoot condition in children with unilateral CP. Twelve children with unilateral CP participated in this study. Their balance ability was evaluated using pediatric balance scale and bubble test. Both pediatric balance scale and bubble test showed significant improvement with the use of the fabirc AFO (p<.05). The fabric AFO could improve functional balance ability, and promote better balance among children with unilateral CP. We demonstrated that fabric AFO contributed to improving balance among children with unilateral CP, classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System level I and II. Consequently, fabric AFO might be an assistive device leading to the improvement of balance instead of the typical AFOs.