• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.57-61
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• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of study was to find out the environmental risk factor that can be easily occurred imbalance muscle activities according to direction for using the ramp during one legged standing. Method : The subjects were 20 normal adults with a mean age of $23.15{\pm}2.14years$ and a Body Mmass Index (BMI) of $22.74{\pm}1.07$. Participants were measured muscle activities on vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus during one legged stance at four conditions ramp (down ramp, up ramp, medial ramp, lateral ramp). The statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS(Ver. 23) and p-value less than .05 were considered statistically significant for all cases. Result : In this study, the activity of the lower extremity muscle and the ratio of the vastus medial and lateral muscles according to the direction of use of the ramp were investigated. The changes in the muscle activity of the lower limbs along the direction of the ramp were significantly different between the vastus medial muscle and the peroneus longus muscle. Conclusion : For a short time on a ramp or a pedestrian crossing, a clerk in a ramp can move or stand by placing the lower limbs in various directions, but if performed in consideration of the individual's disease characteristics or unstable foot position, It is thought that there will be an effect to prevent on the ankle and knee unstability.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 1994

To investigate the cause of Farmers' Syndrome, this study was done in some rural areas of Kyoungsangam Province, from July to August of 1993. 117 men and 112 women were completed interview, medical examination and laboratory examination. The results were as follows. 1. The prevalence of Farmers' Syndrome in women was 509 per 1,000 and it was significantly higher than that in men, 329 per 1,000(p=0.0026). Prevalence of age adjusted with rural population of Kyungsangnam Province of 1985 was 204 per 1,000 in men and 383 per 1,000 in women. The average age of subjects with Farmers' Syndrome, 58.9 was significantly higher than that of subjects without Farmers' Syndrome, 53.2(p<0.001). 2. The most frequent symptom was lumbago(27.7%), and the second was numb limbs(21.6%), and the third was shoulder stiffness(20.9%). Less than 10% of study subjects complained of breathlessness, sleeplessness, dizziness. Women complained of shoulder stiffness(p<0.001), lumbago(p<0.001), numb limbs(p<0.05), dizziness(p<0.001), abdominal fullness(p<0.001) significantly frequently than men. 3. Those aged 50 or more complained of shoulder stiffness(p<0.001), lumbago(p<0.01), numb limbs(p<0.001), nocturia(p<0.001), breathlessness(p<0.05), sleeplessness (p<0.05) and dizziness(p<0.05) significantly frequently than those aged less than 50. 4. By logistic regression, the risk factors significantly associated with Farmers' Syndrome were age(odds ratio(OR)=1.05, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.02-1.07), sex(OR of 75,95% CI 0.58-0.97), and mental stress(OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.03-1.86). 5. By logistic regression, the risk factors significantly associated with each component symptom of Farmers' Syndrome were as follows. There were significant associations between sex(OR of male=0.51) with shoulder stiffness, age(OR=1.04) and mental stress(OR=1.72) with lumbago, age(OR=1.06), regular exercise(OR=0.35) and mental stress(OR=1.63) with numb limbs, age(OR=1.06) and abnormal LFT(OR=1.59) with nocturia, age(OR=1.08) with breathlessness, sex(OR of male=0.56) with dizziness respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.3109-3116
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• 2011

We studied the effects of vibration stimulation method on upper limbs spasticity in patients with brain lesion. 21 patients with spasticity of the upper limbs selected and divided randomly 3 groups. And then vibratory stimulation was applied to the triceps brachii muscle in group I(n=7), to biceps brachii muscle in group II (n=7), and to both muscles in group III (n=7). Using Neuro-EMG_Micro to investigate the changes in spinal neuronal excitability, F-waves were measured at before and directly after stimulation, and 10 minutes later and 20 minutes later after stimulation especially. MAS(Modified Ashworth Scale) test for muscle tone and MFT(Manual Function Test) for the upper extremity motor function were performed before stimulation and 20 minutes later after stimulation for the purpose of clinical evaluation. In our study, MAS was significant decreased in all groups, F wave and F/M ratio parameters were decreased in all groups and more decreased specially in group III. MFT was increased in group II and III, and more increased specially in group III. Vibration stimulation reduced the neuronal excitability of spinal cord and also muscle tone, and improved the motor function of the upper extremity. These results suggested that vibration stimulation giving to both muscles(triceps and biceps brachii muscle) at the same time was more efficiency in reducing the neuronal excitability of spinal cord and improving the motor function of the upper limbs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.763-769
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• 2016

Objective: To confirm the immediate gait improvement in a post-stroke gait disturbance patient equipped with a weighted vest. Methods: We selected a patient who was able to walk without another’s help or with tools. The selected patient had an unstable gait because she had only started an independent gait within the past week, so we thought that a weighted vest could be very helpful for her. We first collected gait parameters using a treadmill gait analysis system while the patient walked on the treadmill without the weighted vest. After a 10-minute break, gait parameters were collected again while the patient walked on the treadmill while wearing the weighted vest. The gait parameters we collected included step length (cm), stance phase (%), swing phase (%), SW/ST, and gait line length (mm). For objective evaluation of gait improvement, we calculated the ratio of gait parameters of the right and left limbs. Results: The gait of the post-stroke patient was more symmetrical when wearing the weighted vest than without the weighted vest. Without the weighted vest, her step length ratio was 0.78, stance phase ratio was 0.88, swing phase ratio was 1.50, SW/ST ratio was 1.70, and gait line length ratio was 0.91. With the weighted vest, her step length ratio was 0.88, stance phase ratio was 0.90, swing phase ratio was 1.38, SW/ST ratio was 1.54, and gait line length ratio was 0.98. No side effects were observed due to the weighted vest.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.388-391
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• 2017

A 8-month-old, spayed female, Domestic shorthair cat lived in a shelter was presented with pelvic limbs ataxia and dysuria. Serum biochemical profile abnormalities were hyperproteinemia and decreased albumin/globulin (A:G) ratio (0.70). Results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were mixed cells pleocytosis with predominance neutrophils and an increase in protein concentration. In addition, feline coronavirus was detected by realtime RT-PCR in CSF. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed lesions of the lumbar spinal cord. Based on clinical signs, MR finding, CSF analysis and realtime RT-PCR result in CSF, this case was diagnosed as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) associated meningomyelitis. Although prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil were administrated, clinical signs were not resolved and progressed to tetraplegia and coma status. This case presentation describes that feline infectious peritonitis virus could affect the lumbar spinal cord only and cause meningomyelitis with pelvic limbs ataxia without other neurological signs.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined thickness changes in abdominal muscles according to difficulty level of core stabilization exercise in healthy subjects. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects (age range: 21-30 years) volunteered under three conditions. In the first condition, the subjects performed an abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM). In the second condition, they performed the ADIM during quadruped exercise using a suspension device without extending their lower limbs. In the third condition, the subjects performed the ADIM during quadruped exercise using a suspension device while extending both lower limbs. The changes in thickness of transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles were measured by ultrasonography (US) imaging during the three experimental conditions, and US was used to measure the improvement ratio of muscle thickness at rest. The interventions were conducted over three trials in each condition, and measurements were performed on each subject by one examiner. Results: Our results showed a significantly greater increase in the muscle thickness of TrA and IO muscles after performance of quadruped exercise using a suspension device without knee extension (p<0.05) compared to the other conditions. The results also showed a significantly greater increase in the thickness changes of EO muscle in those who performed the ADIM during quadruped exercise using a suspension device with knee extension (p<0.05) compared with the ADIM only. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated positive evidence that a low-level core stabilization exercise could improve thickness of abdominal muscles.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2015

Objective : Walking with a Material handling is an activity frequently undertaken by agricultural workers in Korea, due to the nature of their work. This study aimed to investigate differences in biomechanical variables according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limbs when walking with a heavy load, and to use this as basic data in the design of various working environments to reduce the skeletomuscular burden on the knee joint. Method : The study subjects comprised of 22 right-foot dominant adult men and women aged between 20 and 23 years. The subjects were divided into a varus or valgus group according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limb by using radiographic findings. The subjects walked without any load and with a load of 10%, 20%, or 30% of their body weight held in front of them. The Kwon3d XP program was used to calculate biomechanical variables. Results : The flexion/extension moment of the knee joint showed a decreasing trend with increased load, irrespective of the mechanical alignment of the lower limb, while the varus group did not show normal compensatory action when supported by one leg at the point of maximum vertical ground reaction force. In addition, in terms of the time taken, subjects showed no difficulties in one-foot support time up to 20%/BW, but at 30%/BW, despite individual differences, there was an increase in single limb. The increased load resulted in a decrease in the ratio of standing phase to ensure physical stability. The valgus group showed a trend of increasing the stability of their center of mass with increasing load, through higher braking power in the early standing phase. Conclusion : In conclusion, although there was no statistical difference in biomechanical variables according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limbs, the varus group showed a more irregular walking pattern with a Material handling than the valgus group, partially proving the association between lower limb alignment and walking with a Material handling.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.550-561
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for the improvement of the working environment for health prevention and related countermeasures for shift workers. This study was conducted based on the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), which analyzed the health effects of shift work forces and compared them with preceding studies. Methods: By analyzing secondary rates using raw data from the 5th KWCS, 4,870 (9.7%) of the 50,184 total study subjects were divided into shift work and 45,314 (90.3%) non-shift work groups based on the response to shift status. Variables that could affect work health issues were identified and corrected. A cross-analysis was conducted to examine demographic characteristics (gender, age, and education level) of the workers and occupation characteristics (monthly net earnings, employment type, occupation, working period up to now, workplace scale, type of work system, and weekly working hours). In order to find the work health issue ratio between the shift and non-shift work groups, logistic regression was analyzed and the association with health problems according to shift type by gender was looked at through cross-analysis. Results: According to the surveys conducted from the 1st KWCS (2006) to the 5th KWCS (2017), the proportion of shift workers continued to increase. Also, muscular pains in the lower limbs (hips, legs, knees, feet, etc.) (OR=1.135, 95%CI 1.031-1.251), headaches, eyestrain (OR=1.580, 95% CI 1.428-1.748), anxiety (OR=1.715, 95% CI 1.402-2.099), difficulty falling asleep (OR=1.391), and other problems (OR=7.392) were reported. In addition, back pain, muscular pains in shoulders, neck and/or upper limbs, muscular pains in lower limbs (hips, legs, knees, feet, etc.), headaches, eyestrain, depression, anxiety, overall fatigue resulted in significant results for both male and female shift workers. Depression and anxiety were higher in female shift/circulation compared to males. Conclusions: The social nets for the health and safety of shift workers should be explored in a variety of ways, including management and supervision of shift sites, attempts to reorganize and improve the shift system, development of workers' health recovery programs, promotion, systematic treatment, and compensation systems.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.228-233
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• 2015

Purpose: Gait is the most basic element when evaluating the quality of life with activities of daily living under ordinary life circumstances. Symmetrical use of the lower extremities requires complicated coordination of all limbs. Thus, this study examined asymmetry of muscle activity quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior as a baseline for training during over-ground walking and stair walking of stroke patients. Methods: Subjects were 14 stroke patients included as one experimental group. Gait speed used in this study was determined by the subject. Low extremity paretic and non-paretic EMG was compared using the surface EMG system. Results: The low extremity EMG difference was statistically significant during over-ground walking and stair walking (p<0.05). The result of low extremity EMG substituted symmetry ratio formula was compared to EMG symmetry ratio in both legs during over-ground walking and stair walking. The average symmetry ratio of quadriceps femoris during over-ground walking was 0.65, and average symmetry ratio of quadriceps femoris during stair walking was 0.47, with significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: EMG data was higher in stair walking than over-ground walking. However, in the comparison of symmetry ratio, asymmetric EMG of quadriceps femoris was significantly increased during stair walking. These findings suggested that application of stair walking for strengthening of both legs can be positive, but the key factor is maintaining asymmetrical posture of both legs. Therefore, physical therapists should make an effort to reduce asymmetry of quadriceps femoris power during stair walking by stroke patients.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.843-850
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• 2017

The EMG amplitude estimator, which has been investigated as an indicator of muscle force, is utilized as the control input to artificial prosthetic limbs. This paper describes an application of the optimal EMG amplitude estimator to the surface EMG signals recorded during constant isometric %MVC (maximum voluntary contraction) for 30 seconds and reports on assessing performance of the amplitude estimator from the application. Surface EMG signals, a total of 198 signals, were recorded from biceps brachii muscle over the range of 20-80%MVC isometric contraction. To examine the estimator performance, a SNR(signal-to-noise ratio) was computed from each amplitude estimate. The results of the study indicate that ARV(average rectified value) and RMS(root mean square) amplitude estimation with forth order whitening filter and 250[ms] moving average window length are optimal and showed the mean SNR improvement of about 50%, 40% and 20% for each 20%MVC, 50%MVC and 80%MVC surface EMG signals, respectively.