• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.223-231
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• 2010

Purpose : The Purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation and foot pressure on baby carrier and sling for baby care. Methods : Thirty one women subjects (mean age 23.2 years) participated in four static conditions : unloaded quite standing, carrying an anterior baby carrier, carrying a posterior baby carrier, and sling. The baby carrier and sling were loaded with baby model that filled 7.6kg loads. Surface electromyography was used to measure activity in the internal oblique, T4, L3, L5 paraspinal muscle, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius for four conditions. And foot pressure was measured by using MatScan system(Tekscan, USA). Results : The activation of Biceps femoris, T4, L3, and L5 paraspinal muscle were significant differences(p<.05), but other muscles were no significant differences in four conditions(p>.05). Right foot contact area and peak pressure of right mid foot area were significant differences in four conditions(p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that the use of baby carrier of sling for baby care were influenced postural responses of young women. Further work is recommended to find out the influences of various assistive devices for baby care.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1454-1461
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• 2008

In oriental medicine, it is known that Eucommiae Cortex (EC) has strengthening and rehabilitative effects on the bone-muscle dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EC on the skeletal muscle atrophy. The muscle atrophy was induced by unilateral transection of the sciatic nerve in Sprague-Dawley rats. EC (water-extract, 170mg/100 g body weight) was treated once a day for 12 days. In this study, the effect of EC examined the muscle weight of hind limb, cross section areas of muscle fibers, fiber type compositions, apoptosis related factors (Bax and Bcl-2). EC reduced muscle atrophy in soleus (SOL), medial gastrocnemius (MGT), extensor digitorum longus, and tibialis posterior significantly in the damaged hind limb. EC increased type-I muscle fibers and decreased type-II muscle fibers significantly in SOL of the damaged hind limb. EC enlarged cross section areas of type-I and type-II muscle fibers significantly in SOL. EC enlarged cross section areas of type-I and type-II muscle fibers significantly in. EC reduced apoptotic nuclei and atrophic muscle fibers in SOL and MGT. EC reduced Bax positive muscle nuclei in SOL and MGT. EC up-regulated Bcl-2 positive muscle fibers in SOL and MGT. These results suggest that EC has an anti-atrophic effect and anti-apoptotic effect against myonuclear apoptosis induced by the peripheral nerve damage.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2014

The aims of this study are to investigate the walking intention detection of a rollator based on Infraed (IR) sensor measuring knee joint anterior displacement and leg muscle activities. We used Active Walker attached IR sensor to measure the knee joint anterior displacement and EMG signal of leg muscles(rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) were taken by Delsys bagnli-8ch. Subjects were eight healthy males(age $23.7{\pm}0.5years$, height $175.4{\pm}2.3cm$, weight $70.6{\pm}5.6kg$) and they were involved in experiments which had been proceeded 30 minutes a week, during 3 weeks. This system indicates that the knee joint anterior displacement had the distinction increases according to the gait slope and velocity. We showed the increase of the femoral muscle activities along the anterior tilt and the increase of the crural muscle activities along the posterior tilt.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1425-1433
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• 2011

We investigated an early rehabilitation training system that increase the intensity of patient rehabilitation training to shorten the time it takes for patients to progress to a secondary rehabilitation training stage by allowing patients incapable of self-ambulation. It consisted of tilting bed, unstable platform using strong springs and training program for lower limb rehabilitation. We performed experimental study on the muscular activities of tibialis anterior(TA), soleus(SO), gastrocnemius(GA) in the lower extremities during training of straight line, circle, quardrangle pattern during tilting angle of $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$. The muscle activities were higher during tilting angle of $30^{\circ}$ than $60^{\circ}$. In straight line pattern, the muscle activities were higher by SO, GA and TA during medio-lateral direction, however, by TA, SO and GA during anterio-posterior direction. In circle and quardrangle pattern, the muscle activities were higher by TA, SO and GA during clockwise and counterclockwise direction. The results indicate that the early rehabilitation training system could be applied to improve the lower extremity muscular strength for elderly and patients, especially, stroke.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.145-152
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• 2018

Post-stroke spasticity is a common complication that can be deleterious to the daily living function and quality of life of stroke survivor. This case report was conducted to introduce the use of miniscalpel-acupuncture as a novel method for the treatment of post-stroke spasticiy in three patients with chronic stroke. Patients received miniscalpel-acpuncuture treatment for 4~7 session. The flexor digitorum brevis, pronator teres, pronator quadratus, brachioradialis, tibialis posterior, gastrocnemius on the affected side were needled. The main outcome were the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) muscle spasticity score and the range of motion. The evaluation indices were measured after the initiation of treatment and after treatment. After miniscalpel-acupuncture session, three patients improved as indicated in the MAS grade and range of motion. This retrospective case report presents miniscalpel-acupuncture as a potentially effective approach in Korean medicine rehabilitation treatment of post-stroke spasticity. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2009

We studied the postural response induced by plantar sole vibration with various frequencies(20, 60, 100Hz) and vibration zone(the anterior and posterior foot zone) of both soles during standing. Eight healthy young adults were exposed to 15s periods of plantar sole vibration while blindfolded. Body sway(COM, center of mass), the angle of neck, trunk, hip, knee, ankle and EMG of four lower limb muscles(tibialis anterior, lateral and medial gastrocnemial, soleus muscle) were recorded during 15s plantar sole vibration using 3D motion analysis system. Simulating each zone separately resulted in spatially oriented body tilts; oppositely directed backward and forward, respectively, the amplitude of which was proportional to the vibration frequency. EMG activity of lower limb muscles also varied according to the direction of the vibration zone and linearly according to the frequency. These findings led us to consider the plantar sole vibration as useful method of postural balance control and adjustment.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.590-600
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• 2007

We performed experimental studies on the muscle activities in the lower limbs for the different movement patterns on an unstable platform. A training system for postural control using an unstable platform that we previously developed was applied for the experiments. This unstable platform provides 360 degrees of movement allowing for training of posture in various directions and provides simultaneous excitations to visual sensory, somatic sensation and vestibular organs. Compare with the stable platform, keeping body balance on the unstable platform requests more effective sensation from vision, vestibular sense and somatic sense. Especially, the somatosensory inputs from the muscle proprioceptors and muscle force are crucial. To study the muscle activities for the different movement patterns and find the best training method for improving the ability of postural control through training and improving the lower extremity muscular strength, fifteen young healthy participants went through trainings and experiments. The participants were instructed to move the center of pressure following the appointed movement pattern while standing on the unstable platform. The electromyographies of the muscles in the lower limbs were recorded and analyzed in the time and the frequency domain. Our experimental results showed the significant differences in muscle activities for the different movement patterns. Especially, the spectral energy of electromyography signals in muscle for the movement pattern in anterior-posterior direction was significantly higher than those occurred in the other patterns. The muscles in the lower leg, especially tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius were more activated compared to the others for controlling the balance of body on the unstable platform. The experimental results suggest that, through the choice of different movement pattern, the training for lower extremity strength could be performed on specific muscles in different intensity. And, the ability of postural control could be improved by the training for lower extremity strength.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2006

Myocutaneous flaps have improved the management of soft tissue defects on buttocks and lower extremity. However, there are several inherent disadvantages of muscle flaps such as functional deficits of the donor sites and the bulkiness at the recipient site. To overcome these disadvantages, we have used perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps for reconstruction of the buttock and lower extremity defects. From March 2003 to February 2005, we have treated 14 patients using perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps. 10 flaps were based on perforators of the gluteus maximus muscle, and 4 flaps were nourished by perforators from the tibialis anterior and posterior system. The mean postoperative follow-up period was about 1 year. The technique involves localization of the flap perforators preoperatively with a Doppler. The flaps were elevated superficial to the fascia with preservation of one to three perforators. The donor site is then closed primarily. All flaps completely survived and there was no perioperative complications. There was no functional disability of the donor area with esthetically pleasing results. Perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps for the reconstruction of buttock and lower extremity defects are excellent alternatives to musculocutaeous flaps. The vascularity of the flaps is robust and dissection is technically easy. Perforator flaps do not require sacrificing muscles, but provide sufficient volume and are durable Furthermore, these flaps result in less scar formation and allow more liberal dissection with safety. We conclude that perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps are very useful for reconstruction of the buttock and lower extremity.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.636-646
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• 2007

Adequate postural control depends on the spatial and temporal integration of vestibular, visual, and somatosensory information. Especially, the musculoskeletal function is essential to maintain the postural control. The experimental studies was performed on the muscular activities in the lower extremities during maintaining and moving exercises on an unstable platform with Magneto Rheological(MR) dampers. The unstable platform of the developed system was controlled by electric currents to the MR dampers. A subject executed the maintaining and moving exercises which are presented through the display monitor. The electromyographies of the eight muscles in lower extremities were recorded and analyzed in the time and the frequency domain: the muscles of interest were rectus femoris(RF), biceps femoris(BF), tensor fasciae latae(TFL), vastus lateralis(VL), vastus medialis(VM), gastrocnemius(Ga), tibialis anterior(TA), Soleus(So). The experimental results showed that the muscular activities differed in the four moving exercises and the nine maintaining exercises. For the anterior-posterior pattern, the TA showed highest activities; for the left-right pattern, the TFL; for the 45, $-45^{\circ}$ pattern, the TFL and TA. Also, the rate of the increase in the muscular activities were affected by the condition of the unstable platform with MR dampers for the maintaining and moving exercises. The experimental results suggest that the choice of different maintaining and moving exercises could selectively train different muscles in various intensity. Futhermore, the findings suggested that the training using this system can improve the ability of postural control.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness as well as correct the post-traumatic severe ankle equinus deformity by conducting the treatment surgery, which is divided into 2 stages, soft tissue adhesiolysis and ankle arthrodesis. Materials and Methods: We have conducted the methods, which are Z-plasty Achilles tendon lengthening, multiple capsulotomy and tendon lengthening (flexor hallucis longus muscle, flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibialis tendon) for 10 patients who has shown equinus deformity after post-traumatic compartment syndrome due to the injury. The average age of patients was 33.7 year-old; there were 8 men and 2 women, and the follow up period was 13 months (6~31 mon). Outcomes were rated based on American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and patient's satisfaction after operation. Results: The average degree of preoperative equinus deformity was 64 degree (-60~-70), and we've obtained AOFAS anklehindfoot score that was evaluated after 4 months of 2nd operation which was 76.7 score on average. We've also checked the decreased pain score from all of the patients according to the fact that the average VAS before the surgery was 6 (4~8), but it reduced to 3 (1~4). The patient's satisfaction showed generally great satisfactions which was 5 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair. Conclusion: The two staged surgical treatment of post -traumatic severe ankle equinus deformity, which was conducted of soft tissue adhesiolysis and arthrodesis, could be one of the effective methods to improve patients walking ability.