• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.919-926
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• 2010

This paper proposes a wearable hand rehabilitation device, DULEX, for persons with functional paralysis of upper-limbs after stoke. DULEX has three degrees of freedom for rehabilitation exercises for wrist and fingers except the thumb. The main function of DULEX is to extend the range of motions of finger and wrist being contracture. DULEX is designed by using a parallel mechanism, and its parameters such as length and location of links are determined by kinematic analysis. The motion trajectory of the designed DULEX is aligned to human hand to prevent a slip. To reduce total weight of DULEX, artificial air muscles are used for actuating each joint motion. In feedback control, each joint angle is indirectly estimated from the relations of the input air pressure and the output muscle length. Experimental results show that DULEX is feasible in hand rehabilitation for stroke survivals.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1090-1094
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of indirectly applying proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) to the scapular adductor muscles of stroke patients on their scapular movements and walking ability. Five patients who were diagnosed with stroke participated in this study as a single group. PNF patterns were applied to the scapulae anterior elevation and posterior depression patterns and upper limbs patterns of the patients in side lying and sitting positions together. The data were analyzed with a paired t-test in order to identify within-group differences in the measurements before and after the intervention. The scapular movements of the upper and lower parts, weight bearing and walking speed were significantly improved in the stroke patients after the application of PNF (p<0.05). These results suggest that PNF training effective in improving the scapular movements and walking ability in patients with stroke.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.305-308
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• 2021

Comminuted fractures of the patella mostly occur at the inferior pole and require appropriate reduction and fixation to restore the extensor mechanism. Conventional methods such as tension-band wiring are not enough to gain proper fixation strength. Numerous methods have been reported, including circumferential cerclage wiring, osteosynthesis, and suture anchors depending on the fracture pattern. Herein, the author reports a relatively rare case of a comminuted fracture of the upper pole of the patella, for which we used augmented Krackow sutures in the quadriceps and fixation with tying of the suture limbs through patellar bone tunnels. Satisfactory results were obtained in terms of reduction and extensor mechanism recovery.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2011

Objectives: We investigated muscle force from the upper limb lifting resistance test to conform the objectivity in manual muscle test. Methods: We made standard method in upper limb lifting resistance test to compare with experiment method switching the lower limb position left & right. And resistance forces of upper limb of subject were checked to inspector with closing eyes. Results: 1. The lifting resistance of right upper limb was stronger when the lower limb of right and left were abducted. 2. The lifting resistance of right upper limb was weaken when the lower limb of right and left were adducted. 3. The lifting resistance of right upper limb was weaken when the lower limb of right and left were elevated. Conclusions: As the above results, the deltoid muscle force checked in the upper limb lifting resistance test is affected by the location of lower limbs, it suggested that the muscle force of some part in the body will be affected by the other parts. It will be useful to understand the symmetry principle of body in muscle function.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analyze of the GRF (ground reaction force) parameters according to the change of positions and weights of bag during downward stairs between dominant and non-dominant in upper & lower limbs. To perform this study, participants were selected 9 healthy women (age: $21.40{\pm}0.94yrs$, height: $166.50{\pm}2.68cm$, body mass: $57.00{\pm}3.61kg$, BMI: $20.53{\pm}1.03kg/m^2$), divided into 2 carrying bag positions (dominant arm/R, non-dominant arm/L) and walked with 3 type of bag weights (0, 3, 5 kg) respectively. One force-plate was used to collect GRF (AMTI OR6-7) data at a sample rate of 1000 Hz. The variables analyzed were consisted of the medial-lateral GRF (Fx), anterior-posterior GRF (Fy), vertical GRF (Fz), impact loading rate and center of pressure (COPx, COPy, COP area, COPy posterior peak time) during downward stairs. 1) The Fx, Fy, Fz, COPx, and COP area of GRF were not statistically significant between dominant leg and non-dominant leg, but non-dominant leg, that is, showed the higher COPy, and showed higher impact loading rate than that dominant leg during downward stairs. 2) In bag wearing to non-dominant arm, Fx, Fz, COPx, COPy, impact loading rate and COP area showed increase tendency according to increase of bag weights. Also, against bag wearing to dominant arm, non-dominant showed different mechanism according to increase of bag weights. The Ground Reaction Force parameters showed different characteristics according to the positions and weights of bag during downward stairs between dominant and non-dominant arm.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.197-204
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate driving performance of normal subjects for controlling the steering wheel by using foot operated steering devices in the driving simulator. Many people with complete bilateral loss or loss of use of upper limbs but with normal lower limbs are frequently left without use and/ or control of their hands, arms, or the upper extremities of their bodies. As a result, persons disabled in this manner have problems in operation an automobile because they cannot grasp and manipulate a conventional steering wheel. Therefore, if foot operated steering devices are used for controlling the vehicle on in people with disabilities, the disabled people could improve their community mobility by driving a car safely. Ten normal subjects were involved in this research to evaluate steering performance by using three types of steering devices(conventional steering wheel, pedal type foot steering, circular type foot steering) in driving simulator. STISim Drive 3 program was used for testing the driving performance in two road scenarios: straight road and curved road at low and high speed of vehicle (40 km/h and 80 km/h). This study used two-way ANOVA to compare the influences of two factors(type of foot steering device and road scenario) in the three dependent variables of steering performance(standard deviation of lateral position, the lateral position of vehicle and the number of line crossing). The average values of the three dependent variables(standard deviation of lateral position, lateral position and the number of line crossing) of driving performance were significantly smaller for conventional steering wheel or pedal type foot steering than circular type foot steering.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.187-193
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• 2007

Objectives : The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between electrical detection of ear acupuncture points and musculoskeletal pain. Methods : 18 adults who have musculoskeletal pain without trauma factorsparticipated in this study. They answered the questionnaire and their ear acupuncture points were examined with electrical detectors. We analyzed the relationship between electrical detection of ear acupuncture points and musculoskeletal pain with concordance rate and validity. Results : Total concordance rates of the head region was 68.00%(questionnaire) 32.08%(investigation), that of vertebral region was 67.86%, 59.38%, that of both upper limbs was 86.67%, 39.69%, and that of both lower limbs was 50.00%, 23.46%. The true positive rate was 0.704, the true negative rate was 0.492, the false positive rate was 0.508, and the false negative rate was 0.296 in the validity test. In the head, two concordance rates of the temporal and occipital regions were relatively higher than those of the parietal and frontal regions. In the vertebral region, two concordance rates of the cervical and lumbar regions were relatively higher than those of the thoracic and sacrum regions. In the upper limb, two concordance rates of the shoulder and shoulder joints were relatively higher than those of the others. In the lower limb, concordance rates of investigation were relatively low at all areas. The right lower limb was relatively higher than the left in concordance rates of the questionnaire. Conclusions : The results suggest that electrical detection of ear acupuncture points can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal pain.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2005

We analyzed the demographic and job features of 197 shipyard workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) compensated by the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, and the features of the disorders, the causes of operation and the induced behaviors. The three shipbuilding companies surveyed were located in Busan Metropolitan city and Gyungsangnam-do. The results were as follows. 1. The ages of WMSDs patients in shipyard were $43.6{\pm}8.6$ and the job tenure was $14.3{\pm}5.6$. The 40's of them was 40.1%, and the 30's was 29.4%. Patients less than 5 year-work duration were 85.3%, and ones more than 16 year-work duration 6.6%. In occupations, welders were 32.5%, pre-welders 17.3%, and setting engineers 6.6%. 2. The causes of WMSDs in shipyard were works(95.4%) and outer crash or accident shock (3.6%). Based on the standard of the NIOSH induced behaviors, the causes were awkward posture (62.9%), excessive movement(19.3%) and repetitive movement(13.7%). 3. The compensated WMSDs by body part was the highest, 36%, in the spines, 32.0% in both the upper limbs and the spines, and 14% in the upper limbs. The number of cases of WMSDs in body were 96 in the cervical, 79 in the lumbar and 72 in the shoulders. 4. As a result of chi-square test(${\chi}^2$) between diagnosis and operation in body, welding and spot welding had the most diagnoses in all parts of the body among other occupations. Chi-square test(${\chi}^2$) between diagnosis and induced behavior in body showed that awkward postures recorded the highest rate and repetitive movements was the second. 5. The most hazardous occupation was the welding(incidence rate=9.7) and the most hazardous behavior was the awkward posture.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop a farming shovel to reduce workload, which helps farmers lower the risk of musculoskeletal disease. Background: Most of work using farming tools including shovels requires repetitive works and awkward postures on body parts, and it could possibly cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders. It is necessary to develop and distribute farm equipment and tools in order to reduce physical workload. Method: To improve the most uncomfortable task perceived by ten farmers during the work with a shovel, the improved shovel was designed and made as a prototype for experiment for the comparison of the existing and improved shovels. Twenty males were recruited for this experiment, and muscle activity (%MVC) of six body parts and subjective discomfort ratings by body parts while working with a shovel were measured. A paired t-test was performed to compare physical workload between the existing shovel and the developed one. Results: A shovel applying foothold tied between shaft and blade was designed, which can help workers reduce repetitive bending of back and pressures for upper limbs while digging soil. According to compared evaluation of the developed shovel and the existing shovel, the developed shovel's %MVCs in all experimental muscles were significantly lower than those of the existing shovel. The developed shovel showed the biggest drop in perceived subjective discomfort rating of back, followed by arm and neck, compared to the existing shovel. Conclusion: It was confirmed that attaching a foothold to a shovel was an effective way of reducing workload in back and upper limbs during digging. Application: In the near future, if we put the prototype of developed shovel to practical use after making up for defects, it will help farm work environment be healthier and safer.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.409-418
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• 2011

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the child-care teachers' job in relation to physical work. Background: Child-care teacher is directly related to the quality of child care. And their physical activity is higher than general education teachers because the proportion of day care is high. But analyzes of child-care teachers' job burdens and the work environment associated with physical activity is not well established. Method: To conduct this study, the child-care teachers' job was classified into 18 physical works. After classification, posture was evaluated by ergonomic posture evaluation schemes of OWAS, RULA, REBA and evaluated for each physical part. Next, musculoskeletal subjective symptoms were analyzed. Results: The results showed the following: The highest assessment on the posture evaluation was "helping children to ride a school bus", "feeding: meal/snack", "brushing children's teeth" and "arrangement of nap-stuff". The rank of high-risk assessment on the neck/trunk/leg part was arranged by: "feeding: meal/snack", "helping children to ride a school bus", "making nap", "arrangement nap-stuff" and "brushing children's teeth". The rank of high-risk assessment on the upper limbs part was arranged by: "helping children to ride a school bus", "the bust - group activity", "meal/snack time - preparing, feeding, arrangement", "nap time - preparing, arrangement", "brushing children's teeth", and "using the toilet". According to the results of each musculoskeletal subjective symptom, teachers ordered the pain area as follows: waist, shoulder, leg/feet, and neck, and they showed more pain on trunk than the upper limbs. Conclusion: To sum up the results from ergonomic posture evaluation and a subjective symptom, the following are high working pressures: "feeding: meal/snack", "the bust - group activity", "making nap", "brushing children's teeth" with deep bending and waist twisting, "helping children to ride a school bus", "brushing children's teeth" with lifting shoulder; "meal/snack time - preparing, arrangement", "nap time - preparing, arrangement", and "using the toilet" with moving or an up-down position in their job. Application: The results of this study might be information for improvement of the child-care teachers' job environment.