• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.3064-3082
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• 2023

During the last decade, several Electronic Orientation Aids devices have been proposed to solve the autonomy problems of visually impaired people. When hearing is considered the primary sense for Visually Impaired people (VI) and it is generally loaded with the environment, the use of tactile sense can be considered a solution to transmit directional information. This paper presents a new wearable haptic system based on four motors implemented in shoes, while six directions can be played. This study aims to introduce an interface design and investigate an appropriate means of spatial information delivery through haptic sense. The first experiment of the proposed system was performed with 15 users in an indoor environment. The results showed that the users were able to recognize, with high accuracy, the directions displayed on their feet. The second experiment was conducted in an outdoor environment with five blindfolded users who were guided along 120 meters. The users, guided only by the haptic system, successfully reached their destinations. The potential of tactile-foot stimulation to help VI understand Electronic Orientation Aids (EOA) instructions was discussed, and future challenges were defined.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 2008

Background and purpose: So far it was reported that acupuncture increased cerebral blood supply and stimulated the functional activity of brain nerve cells. A previous study demonstrated a correlation between LI4-11 electro-acupuncture (EA) and rCBF increase in frontal lobe. However, there remained a need to study further using various controls in acupuncture research. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used as a non-invasive control in acupuncture study. This study was to evaluate the effect of LI4-LI11 TENS on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in normal volunteers using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Methods: In the resting state, $^{99m}Tc-ECD$ brain SPECT scans were performed on 10 normal volunteers (9 males, 1 female, mean age 26.6$\pm$0.5 years; age range from 26 to 27 years). On the other day, 7 days after the resting examination, 15 minute TENS were applied at LI 4 and LI 11 on the right side of the subjects. Immediately after LI4-LI11 TENS, the second SPECT images were obtained in the same manner as the resting state. Significant increases and decreases of regional cerebral blood flow after LI4-LI11 TENS were estimated by comparing their SPECT images with those of the resting state using paired t statistics at every voxel, which were analyzed by statistical parametric mapping with a threshold of p = 0.001, uncorrected (extent threshold: k=100 voxels). Results: TENS applied at right LI4-LI11 increased rCBF in the left somatosensory association cortex (Brodmann area 5, 7). However there was no area where LI4-11 TENS decreased rCBF. Conclusion and suggestions: These results demonstrate that right LI4-LI11 TENS increased rCBF only in corresponding somatosensory association cortex, which was different from the previous results using LI4-11 EA. It is suggested that there be a different mechanism between TENS and EA.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.23-33
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• 2018

Objective : This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of focal muscle vibration in patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia. Methods : We searched literature published between April 2009 and October 2017 using PubMed and RISS databases. The main search terms were Vibration therapy, Focal vibration, Somatosensory, Upper limb, and Spasticity after stroke. Based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, 6 articles were selected. Results : Articles on focal muscle vibration intervention ranged from evaluation of application-only vibration to muscle vibration with task-oriented activity. Intervention effects on upper extremity spasticity and function and activities of daily living were assessed. There were significant effects on upper extremity spasticity, function, and cortical excitability. Conclusions : This study can provide information on focal muscle vibration for use by clinical therapists. However, further studies are needed to identify the optimal stimulation site and frequency/amplitude of application to maximize the effects of focal muscle vibration.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.213-220
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• 2014

Korean magnetoencephalography (MEG) system had been developed and installed to hospital. The Korean MEG system contains helmet-shaped arrays of 152 first-order double relaxation oscillation SQUID (DROS) sensor. As a clinical application we have measured and analyzed evoked responses in patients with functional brain disease by outer stimulation as follows; 1) auditory evoked field in patients with hemifacial spasm, 2) somatosensory evoked fields in patients with tumor. We confirm that neuromagnetic data by Korean MEG system can provide useful information for pre-surgical planning or functional brain research.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 1999

Background : Posterior tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (PTSEP) have cortical potentials on primary sensory area of foot around 40 msec. The direct cortical recordings of the cortical potentials shows high voltage positive wave on medial hemisphere, especially on paracentral lobule (PCL). However, it is so difficult to record the potential directly on PCL that the cortical potential of PTSEP is not well understood. We investigated the cortical potential of PTSEP on subdural electrodes. Methods : We recorded cortical potentials to posterior tibial nerve stimulation on subdural electrodes which were on medial hemisphere near PCL in 15 intractable neocortical epilepsy patients. The numbers of subdural electrodes were 8 in 10 subjects ($1{\times}8array$) and 16 in 5 subjects ($2{\times}8arrays$). Seven subjects had three-dimensional imaging fusion (3D-fusion) of MRI and the electrodes using Analyze program. We investigated the amplitude, latency, polarity, and phase of the waves regarding location. Results : The waves had maximal amplitude on PCL in 4 subjects, precuneus in 1, cingulate gyrus nearest to PCL in 2 among 7 subjects with 3D-fusion. Also the electrodes were located on posterior area of PCL (2 out of 2 subjects with more than two electrodes put on PCL in 3D-fusion) and superior area of it (5 out of 5 subjects with $2{\times}8arrays $). All the high (more than 20 uV) amplitude around 40msec had positive polarity in 7 subjects. The phase reversals were detected between the electrodes with the highest amplitude and the just posterior (2 subjects) or anterior (6 subjects) located electrodes. The just posterior located electrodes had sharper phase reversal than the anterior one. Conclusion : PTSEP might have maximal amplitude of cortical potentials on the more superior and posterior area of PCL. The highest amplitude potential has positivity. The wave with maximal amplitude could have phase reversal of cortical potentials with surrounding electrodes, especially shaper with posterior part than with anterior one.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.993-1003
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• 2010

his study was to investigate effects of improvement of balance abilities through 8-weeks Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and balance training in the women elderly. 42 women elders who were participated in silver college. Randomized study design of two groups was used: TENS group (21 women, 84.53 years old) and balance training group(21 women, 79.93 years old). Each group had a application of TENS, balance training by a researcher three times per week for 8 weeks. Measurements of static postural sway velocity on the floor and foam, timed get up and go test (TUG), functional reach test (FRT), and lateral functional reach test (LFRT) were evaluated at initial presentation (pretest) and after completion of the each intervention program (posttest). The results showed that the TUG was significantly decreased in all groups (p<.05) and the postural sway velocity using force plate in all conditions was significantly decreased in all groups (p<.05). FRT and LFRT were significantly increased in all groups (p<.05). There were significantly differences in TUG and postural sway velocity on the eye closed condition between two groups (p<.05). In conclusion, the application of TENS to older adults whose somatosensory were deteriorated was effective for improvement balance ability.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.118-132
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• 2003

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Joksamni(ST36) combination on NAD PH-diaphorase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS), neuropeptide Y(NPY) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the cerebral cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rat. Methods: The experimental groups were divided into four groups: Normal, Joksamni(ST36), Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9), and Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11). Needles were inserted into acupoints at the depth of 0.5cm with basic insertion method. Electroacupuncture was done under the condition of 2Hz electrical biphasic pulses with continuous rectangular wave lasting for 0.2ms until the muscles produced visible contractions. Such stimulation was applied continuously for 10 minutes, 1 time every 2 days for 10 sessions of treatments. Thereafter we evaluated changes in NADPH-d positive neurons histochemically and changes in nNOS, NPY and VIP positive neurons immunohistochemically. Results: The optical densities of NADPH-d positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group in all areas of cerebral cortex and Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group in primary somatosensory cortex, visual cortex, auditory cortex, perirhinal cortex were significantly increased as compared to the Joksamni(ST36) group. The optical densities of NADPH-d positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased as compared to the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group with the exception of primary somatosensory cortex. The optical densities of nNOS positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group in all areas of cerebral cortex and Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group in auditory cortex, perirhinal cortex, insular cortex were significantly increased as compared to the Joksamni(ST36) group. The optical densities of nNOS positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased in all areas of cerebral cortex as compared to the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group. The optical densities of NPY positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased in primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, cingulate cortex as compared to the Joksamni (ST36) and Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) groups. The optical densities of VIP positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group were significantly increased in all areas of cerebral cortex except for cingulate cortex as compared to the Joksamni(ST36) group. The optical densities of VIP positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased in auditory cortex, cingulate cortex, perirhinal cortex as compared to the Joksamni(ST36) group. The optical densities of VIP positive neurons of the Joksamni(ST36)+Gokji(LI11) group were significantly decreased in all areas of cerebral cortex as compared to the Joksamni(ST36)+Eumneungcheon(SP9) group. Conclusions: The result demonstrated that electroacupuncture on Joksamni(ST36) and its combination change the activities of the NO system and peptidergic system in the cerebral cortex of SHR and that acupoint combination is one of the important parameters for the effects.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.71-84
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• 2005

This study had performed with purposes to analyze the influence of the change of vestibular sens, visual and proprioceptive sense to the postural sway, so as to supply the necessary clinical materials through developing the physical therapeutic interventions and assessment format for the diabetic neuropathy patients. The sample consisted of fifteen diabetic neuropathy patients with sensory disorder in their lower limbs and fifteen age-matched normal control group. Then the effect of the GVS and the visual cue open and closed to the postural sway were measured by CoP. The summary of the comparison results were obtained below. In the comparison of diabetes neuropathy patients group and age matched normal control group, however diabetes neuropathy patients group had a decrease in superficial tactile sense(p<.001) and nerve conduction velocity(p<.001), they were able to control the posture and walk. So it is, diabetes neuropaty patients had more disturbance compared with AMC group on at a hard surface, particularly in the visual cue open(p<.001) and visual cue closed(p<.01). Moreover, since diabetes neuropathy patients group had more differences in visual cue open and closed(p<. 01), GVS(p<.01), it meant that they're affected largely by vestibular sense, visual sense. In addition, since there're the largest change in doubled sense disturbance such as visual cue open and closed under GVS, it meant that compensation of other senses were quite important for the diabetes neuropathy patients' postural control. In the conclusion, diabetes neuropathy patients who decrease or lose the somatosensory system, sensory training of visual and vestibular system are likely to be quite essential to control the posture and balance.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.129-140
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• 2017

In this paper, a $4{\times}32$-channel neural recording system capable of acquiring neural signals is introduced. Four 32-channel neural recording ICs, complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), a micro controller unit (MCU) with USB interface, and a PC are used. Each neural recording IC, implemented in $0.18{\mu}m$ CMOS technology, includes 32 channels of analog front-ends (AFEs), a 32-to-1 analog multiplexer, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The mid-band gain of the AFE is adjustable in four steps, and have a tunable bandwidth. The AFE has a mid-band gain of 54.5 dB to 65.7 dB and a bandwidth of 35.3 Hz to 5.8 kHz. The high-pass cutoff frequency of the AFE varies from 18.6 Hz to 154.7 Hz. The input-referred noise (IRN) of the AFE is $10.2{\mu}V_{rms}$. A high-resolution, low-power ADC with a high conversion speed achieves a signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) of 50.63 dB and a spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 63.88 dB, at a sampling-rate of 2.5 MS/s. The effectiveness of our neural recording system is validated in in-vivo recording of the primary somatosensory cortex of a rat.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.481-491
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• 2012

PURPOSE: This study find out the effect of improved two point discrimination (TPD), hand function and activities of daily living (ADL) performance through tactile stimulus of upper limb (U/L) in impaired characteristics of stroke METHODS: We selected 26 stroke patients in BMH who has problems with neglect, sensory and motor deficits. Patients were divided into 3 group with neglect group (NG), sensorimotor deficits group (SMG) and motor deficit group (MG). To compare each group we used assessment tools such as two point discrimination on affected side (TPDas) and unaffected side (TPDus), Manual functional test on affected side (MFTas) and unaffected side (MFTus) and Korean version modified barthel index (K-MBI). RESULTS: 1) In the NG, tactile stimulus on U/L was statistically important for TPDas (forearm, index finger tip) also SMG and MDG was statistically important for TPDas. 2) In the NG, SMG, there was statistically important for MFTas, MFTus and in the MG. K-MBI also was statistically importance. Among three group, there was an statistically important difference for TPTus (forearm, thenar, hypothenar), MFTas and MFTus. We analyzed the relationship among TPD, MFT and K-MBI and There was negative relationship between TPD, MFT and There was positive relationship between TPD and K-MBI CONCLUSION: In impaired characteristics of stroke patients, tactile stimulus on U/L influenced on two point discrimination, hand function and ADL's. And we also found relationship among somatosensory, hand function, and ADL performance.