• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.65-73
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• 2022

PURPOSE: The present research examined the effects of progressive robot-assisted step training on the strength of the lower extremity and gait speed of an individual with stroke through changes between the baseline and the intervention stage (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). METHODS: A single-subject (A-B) design was performed for a chronic stroke patient aged 70 years old. The robot-assisted step training was conducted three times a week during 12 months (40 minutes/session), and the assessment was conducted a total of seven times between the baseline and the intervention (No. 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months) to determine the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: As a result of the intervention, the muscle strength at the lower extremity of the paralysis side increased by the greatest extent 12 months after the intervention compared to the baseline, and the gait speed via the 10-meter walk test was increased as well. CONCLUSION: Long-term robot-assisted step training might be an effective intervention for improving the strength of the paretic lower extremity muscles and gait speed in stroke patients with difficulty walking independently. Further studies with sufficient sample sizes and a randomized control group will be needed to evaluate the long-term effects of robotic stepping rehabilitation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2022

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome present with several impairments such as hypotonia, ligament laxity, decreased muscle strength, insufficient muscular cocontraction, inadequate postural control, and disturbed proprioception. These factors are responsible for the developmental challenges faced by children with Down syndrome. These individuals also present with balance dysfunctions. Purpose: This systematic review aims to describe the motor dysfunction and balance impairments in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: We searched the Scopus, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Wiley, and EBSCO databases for observational studies evaluating the motor abilities and balance performance in individuals with Down syndrome. The review was registered on PROSPERO. Results: A total of 1,096 articles were retrieved; after careful screening and scrutinizing against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in the review. Overall, the children and adolescents with Down syndrome showed delays and dysfunction in performing various activities such as sitting, pulling to stand, standing, and walking. They also presented with compensatory mechanisms to maintain their equilibrium in static and dynamic activities. Conclusion: The motor development of children with Down syndrome is significantly delayed due to structural differences in the brain. These individuals have inefficient compensatory strategies like increasing step width, increasing frequency of mediolateral center of pressure displacement, decreasing anteroposterior displacement, increasing trunk stiffness, and increasing posterior trunk displacement to maintain equilibrium. Down syndrome presents with interindividual variations; therefore, a thorough evaluation is required before a structured intervention is developed to improve motor and balance dysfunction.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.296-308
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to develop evaluation criteria for the elementary-school-based health promotion program using the RE-AIM framework and to examine their feasibility. Methods: Previous evaluation studies on health interventions for elementary-school students using the RE-AIM framework were reviewed systematically to identify appropriate evaluation criteria. A diet and physical activity intervention based on the transtheoretical model was implemented in a pilot study using the "Happy Me" application. The feasibility of using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate it was examined. Results: The review yielded the following evaluation criteria: "reach," the ratio of participants out of the total target population; "efficacy/effectiveness," the difference in outcomes between the intervention and control groups, or between a pre- and post-test; "adoption," the rate of use of the program and participation in the next stage of the program; "implementation," the progress on the program components; "maintenance," the participants' and teachers' intention to continue using the program. The pilot study reached 76.6% of the targeted population. The intake of sugar-sweetened beverages decreased (P < 0.0001), and the duration of walking increased (P < 0.0001). Other indicators could not be evaluated; therefore, potential indicators were suggested. Conclusions: This study produced feasible evaluation criteria for elementary-school-based health promotion using the RE-AIM framework. Nevertheless, the feasibility needs to be validated with a broader range of studies and long-term interventions.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.112-122
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• 2022

Purpose: The prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is increasing, and diabetes patients have decreased bone density. Their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is diminished by the resultant physical dysfunction and depression. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing HRQoL in postmenopausal women with diabetes and osteoporosis. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of the Seventh Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018), which utilized a complex, multistage probability sample design. The participants in the study were 237 women with diabetes and osteoporosis. To evaluate the factors that influenced HRQoL, a complex-samples general linear model was constructed, and the Bonferroni correction was performed. Results: In this sample of women aged 45 to 80 years (mean±standard deviation, 71.12±7.21 years), the average HRQoL score was 0.83±0.18 out of 1.0. Factors influencing HRQoL were age (70s: t=-3.74, p<.001; 80s: t=-3.42, p=.001), walking for exercise more than 5 days a week (t=-2.83, p=.005), cerebrovascular disease (t=-8.33, p<.001), osteoarthritis (t=-2.04, p=.014), hypertension (t=2.03, p=.044), higher perceived stress (t=-2.17, p=.032), poor glycemic control (t=3.40, p=.001), waist circumference (t=-2.76, p=.007), sitting time per day (t=-2.10, p=.038), and a longer postmenopausal period (t=3.09, p=.002). Conclusion: In order to improve the HRQoL of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and diabetes, it is necessary to implement intervention strategies that enable the effective management of chronic diseases, while preventing the complications of diabetes and minimizing stress through physical activity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.297-306
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of diabetes has continued to increase globally. Changes in eating habits, lack of exercise, increased stress, and aging are major contributors. Glycemic control is the key strategy of diabetes management. The purpose of this study was to analyze the utilization of nutrition labels and related factors among patients with diabetes. MATERIALS/METHODS: Data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. General, health-related, diabetes-related characteristics from 1,587 adults with diabetes history were included. Nutrition label utilization was assessed with awareness and use of nutrition labels and effects on food choice. For statistical analyses, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of awareness, use, and effects of nutrition labels on food choice among diabetic patients were 48.8%, 11.4%, and 9.6%, respectively. High monthly income, walking frequency, family history of diabetes, younger age at diagnosis, and shorter duration of diabetes were associated with higher nutrition label awareness. Nutrition label use and effect on food choice were higher in women, those with high monthly income, those diagnosed at younger than 45 yrs, those with diabetes for less than 10 yrs, those with meal therapy, or patients who had undergone a fundus examination. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition label utilization status was low in Korean patients with diabetes. Strategies are needed to promote nutrition label use as a diet management tool for patients with diabetes.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.55-70
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• 2018

This study was conducted as a part of long-term project on the development of a set of design guidelines for a crutch as mobility aids for the handicapped in the lower extremity and the suggestion a practical solution for a crutch design. The purpose of this study is to develop a design of a crutch and a set of prototypes that reflects the characteristics of crutch-gait and has a realistic possibility for mass production-based industry. TOGO, a axillary crutch as the result of this study, shows a number of characteristics distinguished from ordinary crutches. These are (1)Minimize the shock associated with planting of the crutch tips by improving the form and structure of crutch tip and axillary pad, (2)Ergonomically designed crutch in accordance with users' body movement while walking on crutches, (3)Easy length control to maximize mobility and maneuverability by changing the cross section of the crutch revolutionary, (4)Minimize possibilities of safety hazards, and (5)Attractive shape of the crutch to keep user self-esteem. The revolutionary crutch derived from this study results has been patented, and the company is seeking to mass-produce and find ways to commercialize it after reviewing the potential problems that may arise in the mass production environment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2021.10a
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• pp.35-40
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• 2021

People counting data is crucial for most business owners, since they can derive meaningful information about customers movement within their businesses. For example, owners of the supermarkets can increase or decrease the number of checkouts counters depending on number of occupants. Also, it has many applications in smart buildings, too. Where it can be used as a smart controller to control heating and cooling systems depending on a number of occupants in each room. There are advanced technologies like camera-based people counting system, which can give more accurate counting result. But they are expensive, hard to deploy and privacy invasive. In this paper, we propose a method and a hardware sensor for counting people passing through a passage or an entrance using IR Infrared sensors. Proposed sensor operates at low voltage, so low power consumption ensure long duration on batteries. Moreover, we propose a new method that distinguishes human body and other objects. Proposed method is inexpensive, easy to install and most importantly, it is real-time. The evaluation of our proposed method showed that when counting people passing one by one without overlapping, recall was 96% and when people carrying handbag like objects, the precision was 88%. Our proposed method outperforms IR Infrared based people counting systems in term of counting accuracy.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.435-445
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the mental health of allergic rhinitis patients and to present basic data on policy preparation to improve the mental health of the study subjects. As for the analysis data, data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were used, and 881 adult and allergic rhinitis patients were used for the final analysis. Frequency analysis, cross-analysis, and logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS 26. As a result of the study, the lower the age, the higher the level of education, the more pain/uncomfortable, the more anxious/depressed, and the lower the level of subjective health awareness, the less walking for a week. As a factor influencing depression, the more medical benefits, the more disturbed daily activities, and the more anxious/depressed there were. In order to improve the mental health of allergic rhinitis patients, if we seek ways to manage and solve factors that commonly affect stress and depression, we can efficiently expect the improvement of the subject's mental health status.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.62-72
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• 2023

Objective: Although balance training has been used as an effective ankle injury rehabilitation program to restore neuromuscular deficits in patients with chronic ankle instability, it is not effectively used in terms of motor learning. Attentional focusing can be an effective method for improving ankle kinematics to prevent recurrent ankle injuries. This study aimed to 1) evaluate the effects of attentional focus, including internal and external focus, and 2) determine a more effective focusing method for patients with chronic ankle instability to learn balance tasks. Method: Twenty-four patients with chronic ankle instability were randomly assigned to three groups (external focus, internal focus, and no feedback) and underwent four weeks of progressive balance training. The three-dimensional ankle kinematics of each patient were measured before and after training as the main outcomes. Ensemble curve analysis, discrete point analysis, and post hoc pairwise comparisons were performed to identify interactions between groups and time. Results: The results showed that (1) the external focus group was more dorsiflexed and everted than the internal focus group; (2) the external focus group was more dorsiflexed than the no feedback group; and (3) the no feedback group was more dorsiflexed than the internal focus group. Conclusion: Because dorsiflexion and eversion are ankle motions that oppose the mechanism of lateral ankle sprain, using the external focus method during balance training may be more effective in modifying these motions, thereby reducing the risk of ankle sprain.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.263-273
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate effect of scalp acupuncture (SA) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) intervention on neuromotor function in photothrombotic cerebral infarction (PCI) rat model. Sixty male SD rats were used. PCI was induced on M1 cortex of right frontal lobe. SA was performed at the Qianding (GV21), Xuanli (GB6) acupoints of ipsilesional M1. Low-frequency rTMS was delivered to contralesional M1. All rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A, normal (n, 15); group B, PCI without any stimulation intervention (n, 15); group C, PCI with SA (n, 15); group D, PCI with rTMS (n, 15). Rota-rod test and Ladder rung walking test (LWT) were done weekly for 8 weeks after PCI. SA or rTMS was started from post-PCI 4^th day as protocol for 8 weeks. H/E stain and IHC were done. Western blot and qRT-PCR study were performed for MAP2 and BDNF from ipsilesional M1 peri-infarction tissue. Brain MRI study was conducted to quantify the volume of cerebral infarction. As a result, left forelimb and hindlimb function significantly improved more in group C and D than control group, with expressed more BDNF and MAP2. And brain MRI showed focal infarction of right M1 after PCI, and infarction volume progressively decreased in group C and D than group B from post-PCI 5^th to 8^th week. SA or rTMS was more effective than no intervention group on neuromotor function of PCI rat model. The functional recovery was associated with stimulation intervention-related neurogenesis.