• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.152-162
• /
• 2024

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effect of wearable Electromyography-controlled functional electrical stimulation (EMG-controlled FES) System on Gait Function and cardiopulmonary metabolic efficiency during walking in older adults. Design: Cross-section study Methods: Total 22 older adult participants suitable to selection criteria of this study participated in this study. The EMG-controlled FES System, which functions as a wearable physical activity assist FES system was used. All participations performed randomly assigned two conditions (Non-FES assist [NFA], FES assist [FA]) of walking. In all conditions, spatio-temporal parameters and kinematics and kinetics parameters during walking was collected via 3D motion capture system and 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and metabolic cost during walking and stairs climbing was collected via a portable metabolic device (COSMED K5, COSMED Srl, Roma, Italy). Results: In Spatio-temporal parameters aspects, The EMG-controlled FES system significantly improved gait functions measurements of older adults with sarcopenia at walking in comparison to the NFA condition (P<0.05). Hip, knee and ankle joint range of motion increased at walking in FA condition compared to the NFA condition (P<0.05). In the FA condition, moment and ground reaction force was changed like normal gait during walking of older adults in comparison to the NFA condition (P<0.05). The EMG-controlled FES system significantly reduced net cardiopulmonary metabolic energy cost, net energy expenditure measurement at stairs climbing (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that EMG-controlled FES is a potentially useful gait-assist system for improving gait function by making joint range of motion and moment properly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2013.05a
• /
• pp.419-420
• /
• 2013

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.35-44
• /
• 2020

Background: This study was to confirm the effect and feasibility of knee extension assist orthosis (KEAO) on balance and gait in subacute stroke patients. Design: Case study. Methods: The subjects of the study were 4 subacute stroke patients, who had an onset period of less than 6 months. The limit of stability (LOS) and berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG) were used to verify the dynamic balance ability, static balance ability, and gait ability pre and post and after wearing the knee extension assist orthosis (KEAO). In addition, the satisfaction survey was to confirm the feasibility of the knee extension assist orthosis (KEAO) through the to Korean quebec user evaluation of satisfaction assistive technology 2.0 (K-QUEST 2.0). Results: After the wearing on KEAO, the distance for the limit of stability decreased by mean 541.25±240.46 mm2, and the score on the berg balance scale improved by mean 5±2.71 point, and the time for the timed up and go test deceased by mean 3.75±1.71 second. The stability and durability were found to be full score, and the control, ease, effectiveness were some high score, and the size, weight, comfort were some low score in the satisfaction and feasibility. Conclusion: The knee extension assist orthosis (KEAO) produce in this study was improved the static balance ability, dynamic balance ability and gait ability of subacute stroke patients, and the satisfaction and feasibility were high in the stability, durability and effectiveness of the user.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2011.06a
• /
• pp.1473-1474
• /
• 2011

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2004.10a
• /
• pp.814-817
• /
• 2004

It is a challenging task to make the paraplegic to walk with out the assist of the caregiver. So, we have developed various type of gait orthosis for paraplegic during the five years lately. The purpose of this study ultimately is energy consumption test of serveral type gait orthosis for developing the high efficiency gait orthosis. From the experimental results, the oxygen consumption rate were 6.9$\pm$3.3ml/kg in RGO gait, 5.3$\pm$1.3ml/kg in PGO, and 6.2$\pm$3ml/kg in HGO gait. The maximum hip flexion angle were 16$^{\circ}$ in RGO , 15$^{\circ}$ in PGO, and 47.5$^{\circ}$. in HGO. As a result It was found that. Hybrid Gait Orthosis need high energy consumption more than PGO for walking, but it is small weight and strengthened muscle.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.39-50
• /
• 1991

The movement of human beings - walking, running, jumping and climbing, etc. - have long been of scientific interest. In particular, the science of human walking is called gait analysis. Various instruments have been developed to assist in the study of human gait. Recently gait analysis techniques are used in medical research to investigate the abnormalities of pathological gait. In this study, we constructed a comprehensive gait analysis system consisting of a walkway, a force platform, foot-switches and an ExpertVision motion analysis system. Time-distance gait parameters and vector diagrams can be analyzed by a special application program called Force Analysis System(FOANAS). Using quantitative discrimination of this system, the gait characteristic parameters of normal and pathological gait is facilitated.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.144-151
• /
• 2017

An important characteristic of people with partially impaired walking ability, such as incomplete paraplegics, is that they are able to generate voluntary motion of lower-limbs. Therefore, wearable robots for the incomplete paraplegic patients require a different assistance method compared to those of complete paraplegics. First, the wearable robot should be controlled to not resist wearer's motion. Second, it should be able to generate assistive torque accurately when needed. In this paper, a wearable robot, called EROWA, for the incomplete paraplegic patients is introduced. EROWA utilizes compact rotary series elastic actuators (cRSEAs) and a control method called the zero impedance control to reduce the mechanical resistance. An assistive torque trajectory is proposed to assist gait in this paper. The proposed method is verified by simulation and experimental studies.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2004.10a
• /
• pp.1166-1171
• /
• 2004

In this study, the concept of autonomous mobility is applied to a gait support mobile robot. The aim of the development of the service robot is to assist the elderly with gait rehabilitation. This study proposes an ergonomic service robot design parameter. The gait assistant path pattern is derived from analysis of the elderly gait. A lever is installed in the AMR in order to measure both the pulling force and the leading force of the elderly. The path generation of the mobile robot is developed through consideration and analysis of elderly gait patterns. The ergonomic design parameters (dimensions, action scope and working space) are determined based on moving scope of the elderly. The gait assistant mobile robot was offered the elderly guide service and internet service based on the ergonomic design parameters.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.3_1spc
• /
• pp.587-592
• /
• 2013

Until recently, the primary users of wheelchairs were people with lower body disabilities. However, the number of patients recovering from accidents or surgery, as well as the number of elderly people using wheelchairs, is constantly increasing. This study examined the design and manufacture of standing and gait assist wheelchairs that assist temporary gait disturbed patients to take rehabilitation training and elderly people to engage in walking exercise. A kinematic analysis was used to select a drive motor and design a four-bar linkage mechanism for lifting the backrest vertically. Using a multibody dynamic simulation, detailed design was performed taking into consideration the spatial motion and partial interference, and the necessary push force and stroke of the linear actuator were also calculated. To ensure structural safety, the von-Mises equivalent stresses of the upper and lower brackets of the linear actuator were verified through a finite element analysis. The manufactured wheelchair was shown to operate successfully as intended, using the developed controller for the drive motors and linear actuator.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.125-131
• /
• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of providing visual feedback and auditory stimulation using a robotic device on balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial. Methods: Fifteen subjects were randomly divided into three groups where five subjects were in the visual feedback robotic device assist gait training (VRGT) group, five subjects in the auditory stimulation robotic device assist gait training (ARGT) group, and five subjects in the control group. Subjects received visual feedback and auditory stimulation while undergoing robotic gait training for 45 minutes, three times a week for 2 weeks, and all subjects had undergone general physical therapy for 30 minutes, five times a week for 2 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go (TUG) test, and 10-meter walking test (10MWT) pre- and post-intervention. Results: All subjects showed that BBS, TUG test, and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved post-treatment (p<0.05). The VRGT and the ARGT showed significant improvements in BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). The VRGT group showed a significant improvement in BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that VRGT had significantly improved in BBS, TUG test, and 10MWT scores compared with the auditory stimulation and control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed improved balance and gait abilities after VRGT and ARGT groups compared with general physical therapy and was found to be effective in enhancing the functional activity of persons affected with stroke.