• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.116-119
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• 2020

Cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is commonly performed to provide relief of pain caused by radiculopathy. Intra-arterial injection of particulate steroid or direct needle injury can lead to spinal artery embolism or thrombosis. Also there is a possibility of vascular spasm. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of spinal cord infarction that occurred after TFESI with non-particulate steroid in Korea. A 47-year-old female patient underwent C7 TFESI at local pain clinic. Injected materials were dexamethasone and mepivacaine. Right after the intervention, she felt muscle weakness and decreased sensation. On physical examination, she had decreased sensation from C4 to T2 dermatome in light touch and pin-prick test. Proprioception and vibration were intact. The motor grades of upper extremities were grade 1. Cervical and thoracic spine MRI was checked. Diffusion-weighted image and apparent diffusion coefficient image showed long extension of spinal cord infarction from C2 to T1 level.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.570-574
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• 2016

Background Fractional $CO_2$ laser is an effective treatment for scars, but most patients complain about sharp burning pain, even after the application of lidocaine ointment. This study analyzed the impact of a vibrating device to nonpharmacologically reduce the acute pain of laser treatment, in accordance with the gate control theory of pain management. Methods This is a prospective study performed from May 2013 through March 2014. Fifty-three patients (mean age, 26.7 years; range, 16-44 years) who had donated livers for liver transplantation were treated with a fractional $CO_2$ laser (10,600 nm; model $eCO_2$, Lutronic Corp) for their abdomen scars. Laser treatment was applied 4 months after surgery. A commercially available, locally applied vibrating device (model UM-30M, Unix Electronics Co. Ltd.) was used, in an on-and-off pattern, together with the $CO_2$ laser. A visual analogue scale (VAS; 0, no pain; 10, most severe pain) of pain sensation was assessed and statistically analyzed using a paired t-test. Results The average VAS score for pain with the vibrating device was 4.60 and the average VAS score without the vibrating device was 6.11. The average difference between scores was 1.51 (P=0.001). Conclusions A locally applied vibrating device was demonstrated to be effective in reducing pain when treating with a fractional $CO_2$ laser. Vibration treatment could be helpful when treating scars with fractional $CO_2$ laser in pain-sensitive patients, particularly children.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2010

Background: Although quantitative sensory test (QST) is being used with increasing frequency for measuring sensory thresholds in clinical practice and epidemiologic studies, there has been no age-matched normative data in Korean adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of QST in diabetic polyneuropathy with normal range in Korean adults. Methods: The Computer Aided Sensory Examination IV 4,2 (WR Medical Electronics Co., Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.A.), with 4,2,1 stepping algorithm was used to determine vibration and cold perception threshold in 70 normal controls and 19 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy aged from 21 to 79 years. The data were used to define age-matched upper and lower normal limits and normal range of side to side difference. We also evaluated the duration of diabetes, serum HbA1C level, and findings of nerve conduction study (NCS) and QST in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Results: In normal adults, sensory thresholds slightly increased with age, and a slight side-to-side difference was observed. The diagnostic sensitivity of QST was not higher than NCS in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (36.8% vs. 42.1%, p=0.716), especially among elderly patients. Conclusions: QST might be used as a complementary test for NCS in the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Although the QST is a simple method for the evaluation of peripheral nerve function, there are some limitations. Most of all, because the QST measuring is dependent on the subjective response of patients, the degree of concentration and cooperation of the patients can significantly affect the result. And thus, attention should be paid during the interpretation of QST results in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2011

A driver interacts directly with the car seat at all times. There are ergonomic characteristics that have to be followed to produce comfortable seats. However, most of previous researches focused on either static or dynamic condition only. In addition, research on car seat development is critically lacking although Malaysia herself manufactures its own car. Hence, this paper integrates objective measurements and subjective evaluation to predict seat discomfort. The objective measurements consider both static and dynamic conditions. Steven's psychophysics power law has been used in which after expansion; ${\psi}\;=\;a+b{\varphi}_s^{\alpha}+c{\varphi}_v^{\beta}$ where ${\psi}$ is discomfort sensation, ${\varphi}_s^{\alpha}$ is static modality with exponent ${\alpha}$ and ${\varphi}_v^{\beta}$ is dynamic modality with exponent ${\beta}$. The subjects in this study were local and the cars used were Malaysian made compact car. Static objective measurement was the seat pressure distribution measurement. The experiment was carried out on the driver's seat in a real car with the engine turned off. Meanwhile, the dynamic objective measurement was carried out in a moving car on real roads. During pressure distribution and vibration transmissibility experiments, subjects were requested to evaluate their discomfort levels using vehicle seat discomfort survey questionnaire together with body map diagram. From subjective evaluations, seat pressure and vibration dose values exponent for static modality ${\alpha}$ = 1.51 and exponent for dynamic modality ${\beta}$ = 1.24 were produced. The curves produced from the $E_{q.s}$ showed better $R_{-sq}$ values (99%) when both static and dynamic modalities were considered together as compared to Eq. with single modality only (static or dynamic only R-Sq = 95%). In conclusion, car seat discomfort prediction gives better result when seat development considered both static and dynamic modalities; and using ergonomic approach.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.191-200
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• 2021

Purpose : Chronic ankle instability can lead to problems in balance and gait due to weakness of the ankle muscles and decreased proprioceptive sensation. Balance training that stimulates proprioceptors is necessary to improve ankle stability. We aimed to compare the effects of unstable support balance exercises using whole body sonic vibration and an aero-step (TOGU) on proprioception and balance in individuals with unilateral functional ankle instability. Methods : Thirty-six participants with unilateral functional ankle instability were randomly recruited and divided into two groups (group 1 = sonic whole body vibration, group 2= TOGU). Individuals in each group participated in training for 5 weeks, 40 minutes per session, 5 times per week, and performed weight-bearing exercises in five postures on different unstable support surfaces. Proprioception was measured by digital inclinometer (Dualer IQ), and balance was measured by force platform (Biodex balance system). Results : Significant differences were observed in proprioception before and after intervention within both group (p<.05). Significant differences were also observed in the balance index before and after intervention within both groups (p<.05). Conclusion : As a result of this study, it is suggested that for individuals with ankle instability, unstable support surface training using a whole body sonic vibrator and TOGU can have a positive effects on proprioception and balance ability.

• The Journal of Korean Institute for Practical Engineering Education
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2013

This paper suggests an input device that allows a user not only to naturally interact with education contents in virtual environment but also to sense haptic feedback according to his/her interaction. The proposed system measures a user's motion and then creates haptic feedback based on the measured position. To create haptic information in response to a user's interaction with educational contents in virtual environment, we develop a motion input device which consists of a motion controller, a haptic actuator, a wireless communication module, and a motion sensor. To measure a user's motion input, an accelerometer is used as the motion sensor. The experiment shows that the proposed system creates continuous haptic sensation without any jerky motion or vibration.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.445-450
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• 2005

In this paper, we suggest an integrated tactile display system that provides kinesthetic force, pressure distribution, vibration and slip/stretch. The system consists of two parts: a 2 DOF force feedback device for kinesthetic display and a tactile feedback device for displaying the normal stimulation to the skin and the skin slip/stretch. Psychophysical experiments measure the effects of fingerpad selection, the direction of finger movements and the texture width on tactile sensitivity. We also investigate the characteristics of lateral finger movement while subjects perceive different textures. From the experimental results, the principal parameters for designing a tactile display are suggested. A tactile display device, using eight piezoelectric bimorphs and a linear actuator, Is implemented and attached to a 2 DOF translational force feedback device to simultaneously simulate the texture and stiffness of the object. As a result, we find out that the capability of the suggested device is sufficient to display physical quantities to display the texture.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.1 s.33
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• pp.93-97
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• 1991

The time honoured tuning fork at present widely available for examining vibration sensation is brought about the problem of great interobserver variation. To resolve t his problem, author developed a divice using electric magnet that stimulates constantly tuning fork. The perception time of vibration from tunung fork by this device was tested on the index finger of dominant hand of twenty eight subjects. It was 12.44 seconds on average and ranged from 9.47 to 17.25. Coefficient of variation of it was 16.89 percent. Correlation coefficient between test and retest after 30 minutes was 0.957(p<0.01). This device is portable. Test procedure in non-invasive, non-aversive and simple, can be performed within one minute, and does not require the skilled technician. It is felt that this device testing vibration perception time is suitable as screening tool for early detection of occupational peripheral neuropathy.

• Journal of Society of Occupational Therapy for the Aged and Dementia
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2018

Objective : Vibration stimulators are easier to obtain in clinical settings than other treatment tools, and it is advantageous that the arm activation training can be performed passively. Despite the following advantages, recent studies on vibration sense have not been activated yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vibration sensation on the hands of the affected upper limb on unilateral reduction of stroke patients. Method : Patients with unilateral neglect due to stroke were enrolled in this study for about 3 weeks from October 19, 2018 to November 7, The research design used ABA design among the single-subject experimental research design, and a total of 18 circuits (4 baseline, 6 intervention, 3 baseline regression) were performed once a day on weekdays Respectively. MMES-K was used to select the subjects. Line bisection test (LBT), Albert's test and Star Cancellation Test (SCT) were used as unilateral neglect test. For the analysis, the baseline and intervention period measurements were visually analyzed using graphs and mean values were used. Result : All three evaluations showed that the number of errors missed during the training period was lower than the baseline period, and this decrease remained after training. The error was reduced by an average of $2{\pm}1.2$ omissions and an average omissions of $0.6{\pm}0.5$ omitting an average of $4.5{\pm}1$ omissions in the line break test. As a result of the Albert test, the average error decreased by $22.5{\pm}1.9$ omissions and $8{\pm}7.3$ omissions and $0.3{\pm}0.5$ omissions, respectively. In the star clearance test, the average error decreased from $26{\pm}4.6$ to $21.8{\pm}1.7$ and $20{\pm}0$, respectively. Conclusion : In this study, vibrotactile stimulation therapy showed a continuous effect on improving unilateral neglect. Based on these findings, further research should be conducted in order to improve objectivity in future studies. Further research on various arbitration methods that maximize the effect of intervention will be needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.533-538
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• 2008

Purpose: Sensory changes in the upper limb are complications of a mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction with the treatment of breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether immediate breast reconstruction worsens the sensory changes. Methods: From March 2004 to December 2005, 20 patients who had a mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction(reconstruction group) were compared with 23 patients who had a mastectomy alone(control group). All patients had stage I or II breast cancer. The sensory changes were assessed in a blind manner by one examiner that used light touch sensation, static two-point discrimination, pain, vibration, hot and cold temperature perception. The sensory changes were identified along the sensory dermatome for diagnosing the damaged nerves. The following factors and their relationship with the sensory changes were analyzed : age, complications, and the mastectomy method. Results: There was no statistical difference in the static two-point discrimination, pain, vibration, hot and cold temperature perception between the two groups. However, the ability to recognize light touch was significantly better(p=0.045) in the reconstruction group than in the control group. The main site of sensory change was the proximal and medial portion of the upper limb in both groups. At these sites, the mean value of Semmes-Weinstein monofilament was $1.01g/mm^2$(reconstruction group 0.82, control group 1.17) and 2-point discrimination was 51.74(converted to perfect score of 100; reconstruction group 42.50, control group 59.78). The total rate of early complications was found to be significantly lower(p=0.006) in the reconstruction group than in the control group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that an immediate breast reconstructive procedure following a mastectomy is as safe as or safer than a mastectomy alone with respect to postoperative sensory changes of the ipsilateral upper limb.