• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.3875-3891
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• 2021

In this study, a Velostat pressure sensor was manufactured to develop a plantar pressure measurement system and a C#-based application was developed to monitor and collect plantar pressure data in real time. In order to evaluate the characteristics of the proposed plantar pressure measurement system, the accuracy of plantar pressure index and personal classification was verified by comparing with MatScan, a commercial plantar pressure measurement system. As a result, the output characteristics according to the weight of the Velostat pressure sensor were evaluated and a trend line with the reliability of r² = 0.98 was detected. The Root Mean Square Error(RMSE) of the weighted area was 11.315 cm², the RMSE of the x coordinate of Center of Pressure(CoP_x) was 1.036 cm and the RMSE of the y coordinate of Center of Pressure(CoP_y) was 0.936 cm. Finally, inaccuracy of personal classification, the proposed system was 99.47% and MatScan was 96.86%. Based on the advantage of being simple to implement and capable of manufacturing at low cost, it is considered that it can be applied to various fields of measuring vital signs such as sitting posture and breathing in addition to the plantar pressure measurement system.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.115-125
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• 2007

Objectives : The limited number of studies to date have mainly focused on the effect of obesity on the characteristics of plantar foot pressures. This study is designed to find the correlation between plantar pressure and obese index. Methods : This study assessed the body composition of 30 obese women using bioelectrical impidence analysis and Gaitview AFA-50. The static and dynamic plantar pressure was determined from electronic footprints captured using a capacitive pressure distribution platform during standing and walking. The data were analysed by independent t-test and Pearson Correlation. Results : Positive correlations were noted between body weight, body mass index(BMI), waist circumference(WC), waist-hip ratio(WHR) and difference of fore and rear plantar pressure. And negative correlations were noted between body weight, BMI, WC, WHR and difference of left and right plantar pressure. Conclusions : The findings of this pilot study suggest that body composition influences the waight distribution in overweight and obese subjects.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week ProBody massage program on body alignment and plantar pressure balance in middle-aged men with musculoskeletal diseases. Method: The subjects of this study were 20 middle-aged men with musculoskeletal diseases in B Metropolitan City who participated in an 8-week ProBody massage program conducted twice a week. Physical characteristics (height, weight, and body mass index), body alignment, and plantar pressure were assessed before and after the experiment. Results: The 20 middle-aged men with musculoskeletal diseases who underwent the ProBody massage program showed positive changes in physiological characteristics, body alignment, and plantar pressure balance. Conclusion: Consequently, the 8-week ProBody massage program was suggested to be effective for improving and preventing postural imbalance in middle-aged men with musculoskeletal diseases. The ProBody massage program could also be utilized to improve the body alignment and plantar pressure balance in middle-aged women with musculoskeletal diseases.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to assess the peak plantar pressure distribution under foot areas according to the height of heel lifts in obese adults and non-obese adults during walking. Thirty-one participants volunteered for this experiment. The average body mass index (BMI) value of the fourteen subjects in the obese group was $26.5{\pm}1.4kg/m^2$ (from 25.1 to 29.3 $kg/m^2$), and of seventeen subjects in the non-obese group was $20.0{\pm}1.1kg/m^2$ (from 18.7 to 22.7 $kg/m^2$). The subject ambulated while walking in the sneakers, walking with 2 cm heel lifts, and walking with 4 cm heel lifts in the shoes. We measured the peak plantar pressure under the hallux, 1st, 2nd, 3~4th, and 5th metatarsal head (MTH), mi foot, and heel using F-scan system. The obese group had significantly higher peak plantar pressure under all foot areas than the non-obese group regardless of the height of heel lifts (p<.05). The peak plantar pressure under the 5th MTH and heel was significantly decreased, also the peak plantar pressure under hallux, 1st, and 2nd MTH was significantly increased according to the height of heel lifts in the obese group and non-obese group (p<.05), We proposed that individuals with heel lifts in shoes should be careful, as there is high plantar pressure under the forefoot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objective: This study investigated the effect of a 16-week upright body exercise program on body balance and plantar pressure balance in elderly women. Method: The subjects included elderly women in B Metropolitan city who participated in an upright body exercise program twice weekly for 16 weeks. The subjects' physical characteristics (height, weight, body mass index [BMI]), posture balance, and foot plantar pressure were measured before and after the experiment. Results: The upright body exercise program showed positive changes in posture balance and foot plantar pressure balance in seven elderly women. Conclusion: The second version of the upright body exercise program improved and may prevent postural imbalance in elderly women. This program could be utilized to improve posture and foot balance in elderly persons.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of joint mobilization on foot pressure, ankle moment, and vertical ground reaction force in subjects with ankle instability. Method: Twenty male subjects (age, $25.38{\pm}3.62yr$; height, $170.92{\pm}5.41cm$; weight, $60.74{\pm}9.63kg$; body mass index (BMI), $19.20{\pm}1.67kg/m^2$) participated and underwent ankle joint mobilization. Weight-bearing distribution, ankle dorsi/plantar flexion moment, and vertical ground reaction force were measured using a GPS 400 and a VICON Motion System (Oxford, UK), and subsequently analyzed. SPSS 20.0 for Windows was used for data processing and paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-mobilization measurements. The significance level was set at ${\alpha}$ = .05. Results: The results indicated changes in weight-bearing, ankle dorsi/plantar flexion moment, and vertical ground reaction force. The findings showed changes in weight-bearing distribution on the left (pre $29.51{\pm}6.31kg$, post $29.57{\pm}5.02kg$) and right foot (pre $32.40{\pm}6.30kg$, post $31.18{\pm}5.47kg$). There were significant differences in dorsi/plantar flexion moment (p < .01), and there were significant increases in vertical ground reaction forces at initial stance (Fz1) and terminal stance (Fz2, p < .05). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in vertical ground reaction force at midstance (Fz2, p < .001). Conclusion: Joint mobilization appears to alter weight-bearing distribution in subjects with ankle instability, with resultant improvements in stability.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.87-96
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the convergence effectiveness of treadmill training in patients with chronic stroke through a meta-analysis. After searching the literature based on the patients, intervention, comparison, outcome criteria, and study desigan, a total of 22 studies related to "stroke" and "treadmill" were eligible for inclusion. Effect size was calculated using the comprehensive meta-analysis program for the meta-analysis. Based on the forest plot results, the overall effect size of treadmill training was 0.661 (95% confidence interval: 0.456-0.865), which was statistically significant with a medium effect size (p < 0.05). The effects of treadmill training on patients with stroke were separated by dependent variables of interest-plantar pressure (1.147), lower limb muscle function (0.875), and balance (0.664). The effect sizes were evaluated for the subdomains of timed up and go test (0.553), Berg Balance Scale (0.760), and static balance index (0.654) for balance. Therefore, treadmill training can be expected to have a positive impact on improving the quality of life of patients with chronic stroke. This meta-analysis of treadmill training may the lead to an industry paradigm shift toward healthcare convergence of information, communication, and medical technology.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2016

Objectives : To evaluate the foot indices using dynamic and static checking on healthy adult people. Methods : Foot indices analysis was performed for 46 students. Static checking practiced for Foot Pressure(FP) and Toe Pressure Difference(TPD) and dynamic checking was used for Vertical Axis Angle(VAA). Results : On gender, there was generally no statical significant difference, except RFP(Right Foot Pressure). The RFP of male was bigger than that of female. On age, in addition, there was similar tendency, only RFP had a positive correlation (r=0.35, p<0.05). Comparing foot indices on right and left, we found TPD and VAA had a tendency of pronation on left, but FP had a opposite tendency. On consistency of each foot index, discrepancy between TPD and VAA (39.47%) was lesser than combination of the others. Conclusions : According to foot indices among 46 healthy student, we found out that there is partially correlation between dynamic and static checking. We hope that the data we found will contribute to standardization of podiatry indices which provide medical guidance for cure of foot disease, supporting further podiatry research.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2023

Background: Osteoarthritis is a common condition with an increasing prevalence and is a common cause of disability. Osteoarthritic pain decreases the quality of life, and simple gait training is used to alleviate it. Knee osteoarthritis limits joint motion in the sagittal and lateral directions. Although many recent studies have activated orthotic research to increase knee joint stabilization, no study has used patellar tendon straps to treat knee osteoarthritis. Objects: This study aimed to determine the effects of patellar tendon straps on kinematic, mechanical, and electromyographic activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected. After creating the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), leg length difference, Q-angle, and thumb side flexion angle of the foot were measured. Kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activation data during walking before and after wearing the orthosis were viewed. Results: After wearing the patellar tendon straps, hip adduction from the terminal stance phase, knee flexion from the terminal swing phase, and ankle plantar flexion angle increased during the pre-swing and initial swing phases. The cadence of spatiotemporal parameters and velocity increased, and step time, stride time, and foot force duration decreased. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the increase in plantar flexion after strap wearing is inferred by an increase due to neurological mechanisms, and adduction at the hip joint is inferred by an increase in adduction due to increased velocity. The increase in cadence and velocity and the decrease in gait speed and foot pressure duration may be due to joint stabilization. It can be inferred that joint stabilization is increased by wearing knee straps. Thus, wearing a patellar tendon strap during gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis influences kinematic changes in the sagittal plane of the joint.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate how COP displacement of a hemiplegic foot in stance phase during gait is related to clinical balance measures and the recovery stage in hemiplegic stroke patients. Twenty-eight functionally ambulant hemiplegic patients who had suffered from strokes and thirty age-matched healthy subjects participated in this study. COP parameters were calculated. Clinical balance was measured using the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). The recovery stage, proprioception, and clonus of the ankles or lower extremities were also measured for physical impairment status. The COPx max-displacement in the medial-lateral side of the stroke patients was significantly longer than that of the normal group (p=.038). The COPy max-displacement in the anterior-posterior side of the stroke patients was significantly shorter than that of normal group (p<.001). Significant differences in the COPx and COPy displacement asymmetry index were found between the two groups (p<.01). The FRT was correlated with the COPx displacement (r=.552) and COPy displacement (r=.765). The TUGT was correlated with the COPy displacement (r=-.588) only. The recovery stage of the lower extremities was correlated with COPy displacement (r=.438). The results of the study indicate that the characteristic of COP displacement in hemiplegic feet in stance phase during gait is related to balance ability and recovery in stroke patients. COP parameters acquired by the mapping of foot pressure in stance phase during gait will provide additional useful clinical information. This information can be used by clinicians to assess objectively the pathologic gait with other diseases and to evaluate the therapeutic effects on gait in stroke patients.