• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.4 s.59
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• pp.779-790
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• 1997

The Association between myofascial pain syndrome and some tests was assessed in a cross-sectional study of 904 female telephone operators using video display terminals(VDTs). 105 cases were diagnosed as Myofascial pain syndrome with symptom questionnaire, laboratory examination and physician's physical examination and 550 controls were defined to show only musculoskeletal symptoms using NIOSH symptom criteria. Data on demographics, musculoskeletal symptom and visual analogue scale(VAS) were obtained by questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, pressure pain threshold, Grip & Pinch strength and laboratory test were conducted. No significant difference between case and control at comparing of demographics, occupational history and body measurements were observed. But, Grip strength, pressure pain threshold and VAS showed the statistical difference between case and controt. Age, pressure pain threshold of Rt. Upper trapezius and VAS were associated with myofascial pain syndrome in multivariate logistic regression analysis. This results suggest that, to diagnose of myofascial pain syndrome, the consideration of the objective aspects among patients' subjective symptom complaints through the VAS and pressure pain threshold is required.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2014

Purpose: The discovery of mirror neuron system may positively affect functional recovery; therefore, rehabilitation is needed that is practical for use in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of action observation training on upper motor function in people who had suffered strokes. Methods: Three elderly patients with stroke, aged to years, were recruited from a stroke rehabilitation center. A nonconcurrent, multiple baseline subject approach was taken, with an A-B-A treatment single-subject experimental design, and the experiment was conducted for 3 weeks. The action observation training was repeated 5 times in 5 days during the intervention period. The arm function, including WMFT, BBT, and grip and pinch strength, was evaluated in each subject 5 times during the baseline period, the intervention period, and the baseline regression period. Results: The results of the evaluation for each subject were presented as mean values and video graphs. The WMFT scores of 2 subjects were improved during the intervention period in comparison with the baseline period, and this improvement was maintained even during the regression baseline period. The BBT and the grip and pinch strength were not improved. Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest that the action observation training for 5 sessions was effective in improving upper limb function of stroke patients but was not effective in improving hand dexterity or grip and pinch strength.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1153-1163
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of task-oriented activities on hand functions in patients with hand injuries. From December 2011 to October 2012, sixteen patients with hand injuries at C Hospital in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea were randomly divided into two groups. One group was subjected to task-oriented activity and the other to general exercise. Two groups performed each activity once a day, three times a week, for four weeks. The group with the task-oriented activities was provided with the tasks according to subject-preference based on the result of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). To verify the effect of intervention, the following hand function measures were used: grip strength, pinch strength, and the range of opposition and abduction, Purdue pegboard test and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Both groups showed significant increase in all of the hand function measures after 4-week activities(p<.05). The task-oriented activity group was significantly different from the control group in powers for tip pinch, lateral pinch and three-jaw chuck pinch, Purdue pegboard test and DASH(p<.05) except in grip strength and the range of opposition and abduction suggesting better improvement in hand functions. This study shows that task-oriented activities improve the hand functions more effectively in patients with hand injuries.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2000

Purpose : We performed this study in order to analyze the clinical results of functioning gracilis musculocutaneous free flap transplantation for reconstructon of hand function in cases of Volkmann's ischemic contracture and massive soft tissue injury of forearm. Materials and methods : 18 cases were reviewed with 5 yeas of mean follow up period. We evaluated total active motion of the finger joints and wrist, pinch and grip strength. Results : The flap were survived in 17 cases and 1 case was failed due to infection. The sum of active motion of finger joints(TAM) was improved from 0 to $173.8^{\circ}$. The average grip and pinch strength was improved from 0 kg to $2.7{\pm}2.1kg$ and from 0 kg to $2.4{\pm}1.6kg$. Conclusion : The results in most cases were acceptable in relatively long term follow-up. It may be an option for reconstruction of hand function in cases of Volkmann's ischemic contracture and traumatic upper extremity injury.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.817-825
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• 2016

In this paper, we introduce a flexible gripper that we have engineered to precisely pinch in parallel and compliantly grasp objects. As found in most conventional industrial grippers, the parallel pinching property is essential for precise manipulation. On the other hand, the grippers with a flexible structure are more adept at grasping objects with arbitrary shapes and softness. To achieve these disparate properties, we introduce a flexible gripper mechanism composed of multiple flexible beam structures. Utilizing these beam structures, the proposed gripper is able to grasp arbitrarily shaped objects. Additionally, a unique combination of flexible beams enables the gripper to pinch objects using the parallel fingertips for enhanced precision. A detailed description of the proposed mechanism is provided, and an analysis of the strength and stiffness of the fingertip and finger body is presented. The Results section compares the theoretical and experimental analyses and verifies the properties and performance of the proposed gripper.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.43-53
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• 2019

Objective : This study aimed to identify the characteristics of hand function according to age and sex in older adults. Methods : This study included 103 healthy adults aged ${\geq}60$ years. The Korean version of TEMPA was used to assess hand function and a Jamar dynamometer and pinch gauge were used to assess hand and pinch strength in all participants. Results : The results of hand function assessment showed that speed of task execution (mean = 121.32 s, SD = 18.07 s in subjects aged 60-69; mean = 144.97 s, SD = 28.43 s in subjects aged 70-79; and mean = 160.93 s, SD = 38.33 s in subjects aged ${\geq}80$, p < .001) and fine movement (mean score = -.14, SD = .40 in subjects aged 60-69; mean score = -.63, SD = 1.07 in subjects aged 70-79; and mean score = -.57, SD = .65 in subjects aged ${\geq}80$, p = .01) decreased significantly with age. The male group showed better speed of task execution (mean = 133.54, SD = 22.83 in males vs. mean = 150.55, SD = 39.89 in females, p < .01) and fine movement (mean score = -.16, SD = .37 in males vs. mean score = -.46, SD = .58 in females, p < .01) than the female group. Hand strength also decreased significantly with age (p < .05, to p < .001). Conclusion : Occupational therapists should be aware of the decline in hand function (especially speed of task execution and fine movement) and strength in older adults, as well as the need to provide interventions to treat this decline.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.39-44
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• 1991

The purpose of this investigation is to examine the effects of spraying conditions on the mechanical properties of flame-sprayed titania ceramic coating layer. Titania ceramic was sprayed onto the mild steel substrate under the various spraying conditions. Spraying distances were 100, 150, 200, 250mm respectively and pinch air pressures were 0.2 0.3, 0.4 MPa at each spraying distance. The mechanical properties such as microhardness, adhesive strength and erosion wear resistance were tested for the specimens sprayed under the various spraying conditions above mentioned. The optimum operational conditions obtained through the experimental results were 150mm of spraying distance and 0.3 MPa of pinch air pressure.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.23-35
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• 2013

Purpose : We intend to make the study date for an effect of therapy by comparing the functional level both before and after conducting handwriting training and strength training as a part of treatment to improve muscle strength and function of the patient's non-dominant hand. Method : 8 subjects in writing training group conducted hand writing training 30 minutes at once and three times a week for 4 weeks in total 12 times, and 8 subjects in muscle training group conducted muscle training program of putty and Rolyan ergonomic hand exerciser for 15 minutes respectively in sum up 30 minutes at once and three times a week for 4 weeks in total 12 times. 8 subjects in control group are not applied any training for 4 weeks. Results : It was much more effective in handwriting training than muscle strength training by Grooved pegboard because this study showed the speed decrease from 67.11 to 58.26 seconds in handwriting compared with muscle strength training which showed 5.22 seconds decrease from 67.54 to 62.32(P<.05). It showed about 1.34 muscle strength improvement from 6.60 to 7.94 in handwriting training and 0.92 improvement of muscle strength from 7.04 to 7.96 in muscle strength training by 3-jaw chuck pinch, so handwriting training was more effective(P<.05). It showed 11.58 seconds decrease in handwriting training from 26.62 to 18.01 seconds and 10.93 seconds decrease from 27.43 to 16.50 seconds in muscle strength training, so it was significantly shortened both in handwriting and muscle strength training(P<.05). Conclusion : Dexterity, muscle strength, and handwriting ability of non-dominant hand could improve both the handwriting training and the muscle strength training.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.409-418
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• 2015

Purpose. This study was to investigate the relationship between hand function and characteristics of hand. Methods. Participants were 56 occupational therapy students who studied in M colleges in Gyengsangnam-do, april 20, 2015 from 1 May, and hand circumference and length (vertical, w), the width was measured. A hand grip on the measurement subject was measured by the Grip dynamometer and Pinch gauge. Results. The results was hand length, width, circumference long, broad, thick, and hand strength was a greater correlation emerged. Grip strength was showed a significant correlation to the size and grip strength was also correlated. Conclusion. This study was correlation of length of the hand, a length wide and strength of the finger circumference.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2019

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy with a high morbidity and healthcare-related costs. Currently there is no consensus about the best treatment option. The purpose of this prospective cohort study conducted at a single institution was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction following a mini-open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic CTS. Methods A total of 72 patients (53 female and 19 male patients; mean age, $57.8{\pm}15.3$ years; range, 24-94 years) had a mini-open carpal tunnel release performed by a single senior surgeon between June 2015 and June 2016. The patients were evaluated preoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months post-intervention. At every follow-up, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain and satisfaction were completed. Digital sensibility (using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments) was assessed and pinch and grip strengths were measured. Results Statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement was found in terms of digital sensibility, grip and pinch strength (except for 2-point pinch), BCTSQ scores and pain scores. The complication rate was minimal, and no major complications occurred. Two patients experienced recurrence. The availability of follow-up records (including patient-reported outcomes, BCTSQ and VAS scores, and the complication rate) at 1-year post-intervention varied between 69% and 74% (50-53 patients) depending on which parameter was assessed. Patient satisfaction was high (mean, $80.9{\pm}26.0$; range, 0-100). Conclusions This study demonstrates that mini-incision carpal tunnel release is clinically effective in the short and long term.