• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate statistical differences among three measurements of range of motion (ROM) with Rapael Smart Glove (RSG) group 1, 2 and manual goniometer group. To investigate reference value of the kinematic analysis for range of motion (ROM) of distal upper extremity with Rapael Smart Glove (RSG). Methods: Sixteen normal persons without limitation of motion (LOM) enrolled in the study. The study was performed at two separate times and by two investigators on 16 normal adults. We compared ROM with RSG for measuring joint angles. We compared degrees of forearm supination/pronation, wrist flexion/extension and radial deviation/ulnar deviation during ROM of 16 participants using RSG. After one week, degrees of each motion were measured in the same way by other investigator to evaluate the reliability. Results: Statistical differences among three groups were showed. Most results of paired t-test between two RSG groups were over 0.05 and exceptions are supination, extension, and finger %. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that ROM of normal persons obtained by kinematic analysis with RSG are not valid as normal reference value for distal upper extremity motion. But, the reliability of between two RSG groups was showed with paired t-test and Pearson's correlation except supination, extension and finger %.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.97-101
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• 2010

Purpose: Sensory input is very important for proper performance of human. Two-point discrimination is the most widely used tactile sensory test. The purpose of this study was to find the changes in cortical activation patterns between tactile stimulation and two-point discrimination. Methods: Two healthy subjects participated in our study. fMRI scanning was done during 4 repeated blocks of tactile stimulation and two point discrimination of the right index finger tip. In one block, stimuli were repeated 10 times every three seconds. To determine the changes of cortical neurons during sensory input, intensity index was analyzed. Results: When tactile stimulation of the right index finger tip was completed, only contralateral primary somatosensory area was activated. In contrast, during two-point discrimination, both the primary somatosensory area and ipsilateral supplementary sensory area were activated. Conclusion: During two point discrimination, both primary somatosensory area and ipsilateral supplementary sensory area were activated. Therefore, two-point discrimination is required more complex and conscious activity than tactile stimulation.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.297-303
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of inhalation and exhalation exercise combined with upper extremity proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern on two spirometry values: forced volume vital (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Methods: Thirty-two healthy adults were divided into two groups: 1) a combined group, which performed upper extremity D2 flexion pattern (shoulder flexed/abducted/external rotated, forearm supinated, wrist radial deviated, and finger extended) during exhalation and D2 extension pattern (shoulder extended/adducted/internal rotated, forearm pronated, wrist ulnar deviated, and finger flexed) during inhalation; and 2) reverse combined group, which performed the D2 flexion pattern during inhalation and the D2 extension pattern during exhalation. The inverse application of upper extremity movements during inhalation and exhalation induced selective resistance or assistance on respiration. FVC and PEF were measured at two time points, before and after four weeks. Results: In both groups, the pre-post intervention comparison showed significant increases in FVC and PEF (p < .05). In the between-groups comparison, the reverse combined group showed a significantly higher PEF than the combined group at four weeks post intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The combined respiration exercise with reverse PNF upper extremity patterns using selective resistance showed an effective increase in PEF in healthy adults. Clinicians and researchers might consider using selective resistance as a widely applicable and cost-effective option for respiratory rehabilitation planning.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

Recently, importance of the rehabilitation of hand pathologies as well as the development of high-technology hand robot has been increased. The biomechanical model of hand is indispensable due to the difficulty of direct measurement of muscle forces and joint forces in hands. In this study, a three-dimensional biomechanical model of four fingers including three joints and ten muscles in each finger was developed and a mathematical relationship between neural commands and finger forces which represents the enslaving effect and the force deficit effect was proposed. When pressing a plate under the flexed posture, the muscle forces and the joint forces were predicted by the optimization technique. The results showed that the major activated muscles were flexion muscles (flexor digitorum profundus, radial interosseous, and ulnar interosseous). In addition, it was found that the antagonistic muscles were also activated rather than the previous models, which is more realistic phenomenon. The present model has considered the interaction among fingers, thus can be more powerful while developing a robot hand that can totally control the multiple fingers like human.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2016

Objectives : To treat the progression of fibroproliferative disease that affects the flexion contracture of the fingers for patients with Dupuytren's contracture, the purpose of this study is to report a case of a patient with Dupuytren's contracture after complex Korean medical treatment. Methods : A patient was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion and bee venom pharmacopuncture on their left palmar aponeurosis. Six rounds of acupuncture and moxibustion were administered from November 30, 2015 through to January 2, 2016. Three rounds of bee venom pharmacopuncture was administered from December 14, 2015 through to January 2, 2016. The degree of flexion contracture and the Tubiana's stage were measured to evaluate the clinical improvement. Results : After 30 treatment sessions the flexion contracture degrees of the 4th finger's metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal interphalangeal joint improved as much as $25^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$, respectively. And the flexion contracture degrees of the 5th finger's metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint and distal interphalangeal joint improved as much as $15^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, $5^{\circ}$, respectively. The Tubiana's stage of each finger decreased from 4 to 3. Conclusion : This study suggests that acupuncture, moxibustion and bee venom pharmacopuncture could be effective for patients with Dupuytren's contracture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2022

Background: It is known that hand strength and fingertip force are used as an indicator of muscle strength and are also highly related to the various chronic symptoms and even lifespan. To use the individual fingertip force (IFF) as a quantitative index for clinical evaluation, the IFF should be measured and analyzed with various variables from various subjects, such as the normal range of fingertip force and the difference in its distribution by disease. Objects: We tried to measure and analyze the mean maximum IFF distribution during grasping a cylindrical object in healthy adults and patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Five Force-sensitive resistor (FSR) sensors were attached to the fingertips of 24 healthy people and 13 patients with SCI. They were asked to grip the object three times for five seconds with their maximum effort. Results: The mean maximum IFF of the healthy adult group's thumb, index, and middle finger was similar statistically and showed relatively larger than IFF of the ring and small finger. It is a 3-point pinch grip pattern. All fingertip forces of patients with SCI decreased by more than 50% to the healthy group, and their IFF of the middle finger was relatively the largest among the five fingertip forces. The cervical level injured SCI patients showed significantly decreased IFFs compared to thoracic level injured SCI patients. Conclusion: We expect that this study results would be helpful for rehabilitation diagnosis and therapy goal decision with robust further study.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.81-103
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• 2022

The effects of therapeutic instrumental music performance (TIMP) using a ukulele were examined in adults with central nervous system damage and impaired hand functions. The participants were three adults with neurological damage who participated in 30-min sessions twice a week over 6 weeks. Changes in hand function was measured by the Box and Block Test (BBT), the 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). Following the intervention, all three participants showed increases in the BBT and 9-HPT scores, indicating positive changes in fine motor coordination and dexterity. In terms of the JTHFT, all three participants showed increases in the "writing" and "card flipping" subtask scores, indicating that the intervention was effective in improving more coordinated finger movements. All participants reported the satisfaction with the intervention. They also pointed out that they were motivated to play the ukulele and that following the intervention used their affected hand more frequently in daily activities. These findings suggest that TIMP with a ukulele for patients with central nervous system damage can have positive effects on their functional hand movements and motivate these patients to practice their rehabilitation exercises.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.246-257
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• 2003

Even though the automation of industrial machinery has dramatically increased, most industries still require human hands for the production of goods. Our hands are essential to our existence. For this reason, hand injuries caused by industrial accidents have become an important issue lately. Most hand injuries are external wounds and constitute 38.6% of disabling industrial accidents. This significant statistic cannot be ignored by rehabilitation programs. The rate of success in operations of finger and hand injuries has increased, but relatively less consideration has been given to physical therapy, rehabilitation, research, or systematic installment in terms of welfare, which would help the injured carry on the nominal life they lived before their injury. Therefore, it is necessary to study systematically all related aspects to provide patients with physical therapy, rehabilitation, and social welfare, in order to restore their social, professional, and economical capabilities. Physical considerations, functional usability, and cosmetic restoration, as well as the patients' mental state must be addressed. The results of the study shows several problems. Medical appliances, manpower, and the environment of the treatment rooms are very poor. The patients cannot receive treatment early enough nor enough treatment because of too many patients for too few physical therapists. Close cooperation between physical therapists and doctors, nurses, or related departments is lacking. Furthermore, it is irrational that industrial accident premiums for the exert; e treatment of hand injury patients are not itemized. Lack of recognition of the importance of specialty in hand injury therapists leads to the lack of professionalization of systematic hand injury treatment In order to solve these problems, the professonalism of physical therapy should be acknowledged and particular treatment courses should be available and/or required. Based on the understanding of the hand injury patients' needs, new theories of physical therapy should be developed and modem medical appliances and facilities should be available, in order to provide the patients with qualitative medical treatment, which then will facilitate the patients' recovery.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.66-75
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• 2000

A single subject experimental design (alternating treatment design) was used to compare the effects of Mulligan method and electrotherapy on the pain and limitation of range of motion in patients with frozen shoulder. In the Mulligan method sessions, the physiotherapist performed a posterior and caudal glide on the patient while the patient was performing shoulder flexion and abduction. In the electrotherapy sessions, the patient received ultrasound and interference current treatments. Mulligan method and electrotherapy were alternately performed on each patient. Pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of motion (ROM) was measured by modified finger ladder. The results showed that both Mulligan method and electrotherapy were effective in pain reduce and ROM increase, but Mulligan method was superior to electrotherapy in ROM increase while electrotherapy was superior to Mulligan method in pain reduce.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.137-143
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• 2008

We have conclusions after the study of muscular system about large intestine channel of hand yangmyung muscle. 1. Judging from many studies of interrelation between Meridian muscle and muscle. it is considered that Meridian muscle theory has some similarities with modern anatomical muscular system. 2. There is a wide defference betwean myofacial pain syndrome and meridian muscle theory in that the former explains each muscle individually, while the latter classifies muscles systematically in the view of organism. 3. It is considered that large intestine channel of hand yangmyung muscle contains extensor digitorum muscle, extensor muscle of index finger, brachioradialis muscle, triceps brachii muscle, Rhomboid major muscle, trapezius muscle, sternocleidomastoid muscle and muscle levator labii. 4. The symptoms of large intestine channel of hand yangmyung muscle is similar to referred pain of modern Myofacial pain syndrome, and the medical treatment of "I-Tong-Wi-Su" is similar to that of Myofacial pain syndrome.