• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of the balance ability on the heel height (flat, low heel[3cm], and high heel[7cm]) and high heeled habituation (group A is used to a low heeled shoes (<7cm) and group B is used to a high heeled shoes (${\geq}7cm$). Thirty-five subjects participated in this study. In this study, the static balance with opened eyes and closed eyes and dynamic balance were measured. Also functional reach test was tested. The results found that the static balance ability was the best in a 7cm heeled shoes with open eyes and closed eyes, but there was not significant difference between group A and Group B. Dynamic balance ability with walking velocity and cadence were significant difference between Group A and B. In the walking velocity, a flat was the fastest, followed by 7cm heel and 3cm heel with Group A while 3cm and 7cm, then a flat with Group B. Also Cadence pattern was similar. Functional balance ability was the highest with a flat, but it was not difference significantly between Group A and B. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the habituation to the high heel altered gait velocity and cadence of dynamic balance ability.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the center of pressure (COP), ground reaction force (GRF) and joint angles of elderly people and young people while stair-descent. The participants in this experiment were 5 elderly people and 5 young people, each of which was asked to descend stairs of three different heights (8 cm, 16 cm, and 32 cm). As they climbed down the stairs, they received vibration stimulation on the lower limb. The change of COP, GRF and joint angles were analyzed during the standing phase. COP decreased as the Achilles tendon and tibialis anterior tendon were vibrated. Vertical GRF increased as the Achilles tendon was vibrated, and the joint angle differed according to vibration stimulation conditions. These results mean that ankle joint, knee joint and hip joint were influenced by the vibrations on the lower limb as the participants descended the stairs. It was concluded that the vibration stimulation on the lower limb allowed the participants to efficiently climb down the stairs.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.89-97
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of Tennis Shoes for assessing their functionality. 10 university male students (shoe size: 265mm) who had no history of injury in the lower extremity and a normal gait pattern participated in this study. Four types of tennis shoes, most popular in Korea (A, B, C & D company), were selected and tested. Using the PEDAR-X system and PEDAR-X insoles, 4 different motion stages were analyzed for the foot-pressure distribution: (a) straight running; (b) c-cut($45^{\circ}$ left turn running; (c) forehand stroke; and (d) backhand stroke. Results revealed that in all stages, there were no statistically significant differences among the types of shoes; however, descriptive statistics indicated that functionality of shoe types was somewhat different depending on the type of stages. The order in functionality found was C>A>B>D.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.75-83
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance training with upper extremity exercise on the improvement of balance performance in people who have had a stroke. Eighteen candidates who have all experienced a stroke, were living in Dong-Gu, Ulsan and were participating in a community based rehabilitation program, have been included in this study. The program was conducted three times weekly, 1 hour per session, for 7 consecutive weeks. Subjects were tested with 7 m and 100 m Timed Gait Test (sec), Timed Get Up and Go Test (sec), Functional Reach Test (cm) and 5 items of Berg's Balance Test at pre-training and post-training. Total balance index and balance ratios were measured by K.A.T. 3000. The balance training program performed by sitting on a chair and gymnastic ball and standing on stable and unstable surfaces during upper extremity exercises such as Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) upper extremity pattern, picking a ball up from floor, throwing and catching it. After seven weekends of balance training, subjects showed a significant difference in balance test results. The exceptions were three items of Berg's Balance Test (p<.05). Balance index score and affected and unaffected side balance ratio had a larger improvement than pre-training (p<.05). The result of this study showed that intervention of this balance training program could improve the balance performance in people who have had a stroke.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

Walking is one of human functions and has been the base of the development of human civilization. Walking ability had made the first village and urban pattern of the mankind. Cities had been constructed for pedestrian's convenience and happy life. But conventional cities have been crowded by the rapid increasing vehicles and population since material civilization had developed. On the other hand, pedestrian space has been neglected urban districts. Chose this study to suggest a direction for improvement by following the direction of the city characteristics and roadside pedestrian space. 1. Investigate the relationship and the significance and problems of pedestrian space by finding survey of the literature and discussion with those that affect the behavior of the pedestrian environment around. 2. For a comfortable pedestrian space on the improvement of the pedestrian area of space (physical and psychological) and gait characteristics, service levels and basic data. 3. Chose how to extract the most appropriate of the best alternatives presented several proposals based on the above survey of the literature data and field survey.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2015

Background : Charcot Marie Tooth disease can cause muscle weakness and foot deformity. Ankle pain induced by foot deformity affect patients' gait pattern and quality of life. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the traditional Korean medicine treatment for ankle pain induced with Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease, especially Chuna manual therapy on ankle joints. Methods : One patient was treated with acupuncture, phamacopuncture, herbal medication and chuna manual therapy on ankle joints. To evaluate the pain of ankle, lower back and lower extremity, visual analog scale(VAS) was measured. Results : After treatment for 5 week, the pain of ankle joint was declined from VAS 6 to VAS 2. Conclusions : Traditional Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication and Chuna manual therapy is effective for ankle pain with foot deformity. But further studies are required to prove the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy on ankle joints.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

Purpose: This pilot case series study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of continuous radiofrequency (CRF) application on dorsal root ganglia (DRG) to reduce spasticity of spinal cord lesion (SCL) patients. Methods: We performed CRF procedures on DRG in 8 subjects (7 males; mean age 39 years, range 31-53 years) with intractable spasticity that impeded activities of daily living and caregiving, although they had maximal tolerable doses of anti-spastic medications and active rehabilitative treatment. All subjects underwent CRF (90 seconds at $90^{\circ}C$) at multiple lumbosacral and/or cervical DRG. Muscle tone of the extremities was measured by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) before and one month after procedures. Functional goals were established at baseline, and subjects' satisfaction levels were categorized one month after procedures. Results: A total of 54 CRF treatments were performed in 8 patients. In all patients, we found some improvement in muscle tone measured by the MAS. Six patients reported themselves satisfied with their current status at one month's post-treatment, and 2 patients were fairly satisfied with their gait pattern. In 3 patients, neuropathic pain was present after CRF on DRG. In 1 lumbar case, the pain subsided after several days, and the other 2 cervical cases suffered from tolerable neuropathic pain treated with anti-convulsant medication. Conclusion: CRF on DRG might be a promising alternative treatment to reduce spasticity in SCL patients. Further well-designed clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of CRF application on DRG are needed.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2009

1. Objective : This study aims to report symptomatic improvement of a Soyangin patient reporting general weakness, dizziness, gait disturbance, cold sensitivity, nocturnal sweating, and anorexia after treatment with Hyeongbangjihwang-tang. 2. Method : The patient's subjective and objective symptoms were observed daily, and the VAS scores for the main symptoms were recorded daily throughout the hospitalization period. 3. Result : The general condition of the patient improved by the end of the hospitalization period, where the VAS score dropped from VAS 10 to VAS 5 and the symptoms of dizziness, general weakness, cold sensitivity, and nocturnal sweating disappeared by day 4 of admission without recurrence. 4. Conclusion : Although the patient did not report diarrhea, one of the main Mangeum symptoms, the general symptoms improved with Hyeongbangjihwang-tang medication. This indicates that Hyeongbangjihwang-tang can be used to treat chief and subsidiary symptoms related to Mangeum symptomatic pattern when applied to the appropriate base and manifesting symptomology.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.245-255
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyzed the coordination of lower limb of elderly women who experienced a fall to present basic information for sports science and to deal with the factors that make elderly women fall more effectively. Twenty elderly women were divided into two groups of 10. The mechanisms of balancing lower limb during walk and differences were compared and analyzed using motion analysis and electromyography. The findings of this study are as follows. The first, walking patterns of these women were unstable as their hip joints did not provide sufficient support because of aging. Second, the left and right knee joints showed different walking patterns. The third, the motions of ankle joints became abnormal with increased age. As for the activation of major lower limb muscles, rectus fermois muscle and biceps fermois muscle contracted more to prevent the bending of knees and moved forward while anterior tibial muscle and inner gastrocnemius muscle were demanded highly during walk and the rate of plantar flexion was reduced.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2007

Purpose: An objective analysis and observations were to be done on hemiplegia patients that are wearing a walking support device, Stroke shoes. Their improvements in walking pace, the reduction of distance between the two knee joint, the increase of curve angle of the knee joint and their steps and the reduction of ankle joint upon swing phase were analyzed using a 20 walking analyzer. Methods: An examination was carried out to see the patients' communication skill and independent walking and then let them walk with the Stroke shoes on to get results before and after wearing it. Simi Reality Motion Systems GmbH (Germany, 2007) was used to analyze the results regarding knee joint and ankle joint angle changes of sagitta plane and coronal plane, stepping distances, distances between the knees and walking pace. Results: 1. The articulation angle of ankle joint during swing phase decreased and knee joint has shown a statistically significant increase in such value(p<0.05). 2. Only knee joint showed a significant increase in articulation angle during heel strike(p<0.05). 3. Knee joint showed a significant increase in articulation angle during toe off(p<0.05). 4. The distance between the two knees as well as their foot steps significantly decreased compared with when Stroke shoes were not worn(p<0.05). 5. Stroke shoes with FES have shown positive effects on the patients in improving their walking styles overall. (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was an improvement in rotation walking pattern by a reduction in the distance between the knees after wearing Stroke shoes with FES. Plantar flexion reduced that occurred in ankle joint during walking and flexion angle increased in knee joint, both of which improved foot drop which was a major problem in hemiplegia patients. Also it is believed that the device will have some positive influences on knee joint stiffening paralysis to aid in improving inefficient walking phases.