• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.2413-2419
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• 2015

Core spinal muscles are related to trunk stability and assume the main role of stabilizing the spine during daily activities; strengthening of core muscles around the spine can therefore reduce the chance of back pain. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of core muscle strengthening in the spine during spine stabilization exercise using a whole body tilt device. To achieve this, a validated musculoskeletal (MS) model of the whole body was used to replicate the input motion from the whole body tilting exercise. An inverse dynamics analysis was executed to estimate spine loads and muscle forces depending on the tilting angles of the exercise device. The activation of long and superficial back muscles such as the erector spinae (iliocostalis and longissimus) were mainly affected by the forward direction (-40°) of the tilt, while the front muscles (psoas major, quadratus lumborum, and external and internal obliques) were mainly affected by the backward tilting direction (40°). Deep muscles such as the multifidi and short muscles were activated in most directions of the rotation and tilt. The backward directions of the tilt using this device could be carefully applied for the elderly and for rehabilitation patients who are expected to have less muscle strength. In this study, it was shown that the spine stabilization exercise device can provide considerable muscle exercise effect.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 2006

The purposes of this study were to analyze and compare EMG activities of the pectoralis major, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and brachioradialis muscles during biceps curls using a VRT device and an elastic tubing. Fifteen male college students were recruited as subjects and they performed 10-RM and 20-RM biceps curls. For each load and device condition, the mean and peak normalized EMG levels during different phases of a biceps curl were computed. For each load and phase, paired t-test (p.05) was used to find the significant difference between two devices. ANOVA with repeated measures was also used to find the significant difference among phases in terms of EMG values for each muscle. For each load and device condition, the peak and mean EMG levels during different phases of a biceps curl were computed The significant differences between devices were found in biceps brachii for EA, MD, LD phases, and triceps brachii muscles for all phases, respectively. However, no differences were found among phases for any muscle. This indicated that elastic band could have a similar characteristics of VRT. High antagonistic muscle activity as a function of injury prevention which found particularly in VRT device may suggest that elastic tubing can be a safer training device than VRT. This also imply that elastic tubing could be very effective as a home exercise tool for rehabilitation patients and elderly people.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.119-126
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• 2017

In the clinical setting, the pressure bio-feedback device is used for the spinal rehabilitation of patients with back pain, but it has several disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to develop a digitalized pressure biofeedback system that provides precise exercise method and posture in real time during the spinal rehabilitation exercise by sensing and monitoring body movements and balance of users and providing biofeedback to users. After that, the usability testing for a digitalized pressure biofeedback system will be conducted to identify problems such as safety, performance, operability, and satisfaction, and suggest improvement directions. A total of 33 subjects were participated in the usability testing. The experts group and the users group evaluated the developed digitalized pressure biofeedback system on a scale of 5 points after using the equipment. In the user group, safety was 3.59, operability was 4.38, satisfaction was 4.49. In the expert group, safety was 2.86, operability was 3.91, and performance was 4.28. Based on the usability evaluation, if the problems of stability of the cradle for tablet PC, air injection, screen display, etc. are solved, it becomes a exercise device capable of accurately exercising and evaluating the function of the spine by checking its own motion state while the spinal stabilization exercise.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2009

Generally, fully implantable middle ear hearing device (F-IMEHD) is implanted under the skin nearby human temporal bone with all components including implantable microphone and vibration transducer. The microphone and transducer have different characteristic before and after implant. Fitting process is performed for this characteristic change of them and proper performance of hearing aids for each patient. Conventional hearing aids and partially implantable hearing aids, they have wired connector for fitting process. However in case of F-IMEHD, it is difficult this wired connection, because all components of F-IMEHD is implanted. In this paper, fitting software that can be apply wireless fitting hardware for F-IMEHD has been designed and implemented. It can find out proper fitting parameter reflecting characteristics of the microphone and transducer for patients who has difficulty in hearing.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to estimate employment promotion and job retention effects of assistive technology device. Data from the survey on status of the vocational life counselor for workers with disabilities in 2009 was utilized. This study applied multiple regression analysis methods. As a result, effects of the employment promotion and job retention in the whole samples were not founded. Thereupon, this analysis was performed by company size. For the employment promotion effect, the company which provided assistive technology devices was higher than that of company which did not provide devices in the less than 300 persons sample. For the job retention effect, worker with disabilities who used assistive technology devices was longer than that of workers with disabilities who did not use devices in the 50-299 persons sample, Finally, policy suggestions based on the results of this study was presented.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.319-325
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop the assistive device for accelerator and brake pedals using bio-signals from the prefrontal lobe in the driving simulator and evaluate its performance. Background: There is lack of assistive devices for the driving in peoples with disabilities in Korea. However, if bio-signals and/or brain waves are used at driving a car, the people with serious physical limitations can improve their community mobility. Method: 15 subjects with driver's license participated in this study for experiment of driving performance evaluation in the simulator. Each subject drove the simulator the same course 10 times in three separated groups which use different interface controllers to accelerate and brake: (1) conventional pedal group, (2) joystick group and (3) bio-signal group(horizontal quick glance of the eyes and clench teeth). All experiments were recorded and the driving performances were evaluated by three inspectors. Results: Average score of bio-signal group for the driving in the simulator was increased 3% compared with the pedal group and was increased 9% compared with the joystick group(p<0.01). The subjects using bio-signals was decreased 44% in number of deduction compared with others because the device had the built-in modified cruise control. Conclusion: The assistive device for accelerator and brake pedals using bio-signals showed significantly better performance than using general pedal and a joystick interface(p<0.01). Application: This study can be used to design adaptive vehicle for driving in people with disabilities.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2011

A communication is one of the most important factors for the human beings. Therefore, people who have some problems in communication need an Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) intervention to live in the human societies and several AAC systems have been developed to help the people. Lately, smart-phone is widely used to people as a communication device which can connect between persons. It can provide many useful methods and Apps to the user. If the AAC system is unified to the smart-phone, it is very effective device to the people with disabled because they can reduce the excessive expense and easily accommodate themselves to the AAC system. In this paper, an AAC program which is installed in the smart-phone or tablet PC is introduced. It has basic AAC solutions and can send SMS message to other people. We expect that the developed device can help the communication of the people with disabled and solve the social isolation of the disabled person.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to suggest improvement directions and analysis of assistive technology service linkage on public benefits in local assistive technology center. The service steps and the main program parts of public benefits linkage in local assistive technology center was identified, and the present status of associated repair works and contact suppliers of assistive technology device in local community was investigated. The result showed the most common level of associated status to provide information of assistive technology devices in public benefits. All the centers provided repair service, and it was typically performed to light maintenance. The centers offered with associated professional repair service supplier for high maintenance service. The connection with assistive technology device supplier appeared a lot of regional difference. Henceforth, the centers will be required to distribute more various assistive technology devices, it is necessary upgrading the quality of information and interaction with the public benefits supporting organizations through its expansion, and it is need to ensure based on policy through the analysis of the effectiveness about linkage.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2013

In this study, we present how our assistive technology service worked in the public funds delivery system through the center of professional assistive technology in Gwangju. In detail, among total 253 applicants for assistive device support business for disabled, 28 clients and 28 clients failed to get the support because of self-withdrawl and insuitability, respectively. The left 225 clients finally got the chance to use the assistive device; especially, 28 clients will get the alternative device which was recommended through the assistive technology professionals. Therefore, this work is believed to be a good example of how mediation of professionals in assistive technology center leads to the efficient use of public funds.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2020

Objective: The vibration device is one of the most commonly used warm-up devices not only for healthy athletes but also for healthy individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of local vibration on ankle plantar flexor muscle activation and peak torque in healthy adults. Design: One-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: This was a single-group study comprising a total of 36 (16 males and 20 females) participants. The average age of the 36 participants was 22.3 years. All the participants' concentric and eccentric peak torques of the gastrocnemius lateralis muscle were measured using an isokinetic device. Simultaneously, the participants' muscle activity was measured by surface electromyography. After the pre-experimental data were collected, the participants comfortably sat on the prepared chair with their hips and knees flexed to 90°. While in sitting position, local vibration was applied for 10 minutes using a 1:1 ratio intermittent pulsing mode device based on a previous study. Then, the post-experimental data were collected immediately after the local vibration by performing a similar process performed during the pre-experimental data collection. Results: The results showed a significant difference in muscle activity and eccentric peak torque (p<0.05). On the contrary, concentric peak torque values showed an insignificant difference with pre- and post-value. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that local vibration can be possibly considered as one of the effective ways to increase ankle plantar flexor muscle activity and muscle performance, specifically the eccentric peak torque, in healthy adults.