• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.132-135
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• 2002

In the present study, an electro-mechanical KAFO (knee-ankle-foot orthosis) which satisfies both the stability in stance and the knee flexion in swing was developed and evacuated in eight polio patients. A knee joint control algorithm suitable for polio patients who are lack of the stability in pre-swing was also developed and various control systems and circuits were also designed. In addition, knee flexion angles and knee moments were measured and analyzed for polio patients who used the developed KAFO with the three-dimensional motion analysis system. Energy consumption was also evaluated for the developed KAFO by measuring the movement of the COG (center of gravity) during gait. From the present study, the designed foot switch system successfully determined the gait cycle of polio patients and controlled knee joint of the KAFO, resulting in the passive knee flexion or foot clearance during swing phase. From the three-dimensional gait analysis for polio patients, it was found that the controlled-knee gait with the developed electro-mechanical KAFO showed the knee flexion of 40$^{\circ}$∼45$^{\circ}$ at an appropriate time during swing. Vertical movements of COG in controlled-knee gait (gait with the developed electro-mechanical KAFO) were significantly smaller than those in looked knee gait(gait with the locked knee Joint). and correspondingly controlled-knee gait reduced approximately 40% less energy consumption during horizontal walking gait. More efficient gait patterns could be obtained when various rehabilitation training and therapeutic programs as well as the developed electro-mechanical KAFO were applied for polio patients.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.283-292
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of early knee joint exercise education program on pain, knee ROM, and satisfaction among patients with a total knee replacement arthroplasty. Methods: An experimental study with non-equivalent groups was conducted using 32 patients for an experimental group and 32 patients for a control group. The experimental group received knee joint exercise education including systemic continuous passive motion (CPM) exercise and knee exercise. The control group received conventional CPM exercise. Pain, flexion and flexion contracture range of motion, and patient satisfaction were evaluated by $x^2$ test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA using the SPSS 23.0 Windows program. Results: There were a significant improvement in patients' knee flexion and satisfaction in the experimental group compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in pain and flexion contracture between the two groups. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the proposed education program is efficient and effective when providing nursing care after a total knee replacement arthroplasty.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.317-325
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• 2011

This study aims to develop the stance-control typed 4-bar linkage orthotic knee joint that replace the locked orthotic knee joint for the disabled with poliomyelitis and muscle weakness of lower limb. Unlike the existing stance-control orthotic knee joint, there are no needs of electric power, connecting circuit, bulky compomnets, etc, because this 4-bar linkage orthotic knee joint is controled by geometric locking. To evaluate the 4-bar linkage orthotic knee joint, a subject participated in this study who has been diagnosed with lower limb poliomyelitis and have used locked type orthotic knee joint. In the results of analysis of subject's gait using 3-dimentional motion analysis system, this 4-bar linkage orthotic knee joint provide the stability during stance phase and knee flexion during swing phase.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.162-167
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• 2021

Purpose: A hyperextended knee is described as knee pain associated with an impaired knee extensor mechanism. Additionally, a hyperextended knee may involve reduced position sense of the knee joint that decreases the individual's ability to control end-range knee extension movement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of visual biofeedback information for plantar pressure distribution on knee joint angle and lower extremity muscle activities in participants with hyperextended knees. Methods: Twenty-three participants with hyperextended knees were recruited for the study. Surface electromyography signals were recorded for the biceps femoris, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscle activities. The plantar pressure distribution was displayed and measured using a pressure distribution measuring plate. Knee joint angle kinematic parameters were recorded using a motion analysis system. The visual biofeedback condition was the point at which the difference between the forefoot and backfoot plantar foot pressure on the monitor was minimized. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine the significance between the visual biofeedback condition and the preferred condition. Results: The knee joint angle was significantly decreased in the visual biofeedback condition compared to that in the preferred condition (p<0.05). The rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscle activities were significantly different between the visual biofeedback and preferred conditions (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that visual biofeedback of information about plantar pressure distribution is effective for correcting hyperextended knees.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2008

Purpose : To describes the important aspects of knee joint movement and function used when applying PNF technique to the lower limb. Method : The knee was a very important roles in the lower limb movement and ambulation. This study summarizes the physiologic movement of knee to the PNF lower extremity patterns. Result : The tibiofemoral joint is usually described as a modified hinge joint with flexion-extension and axial rotation by two degrees of freedom movement. These arthrokinematics are a result of the geometry of the joints and the tension produced in the ligamentous structures. The patellofemoral joint is a sellar joint between the patella and the femur. Stability of the patellofemoral joint is dependent on the passive and dynamic restraints around the knee. In a normal knee the ligaments are inelastic and maintain a constant length as the knee flexes and extends, helping to control rolling, gliding and translation of the joint motions. Conclusions : It is important to remember that small alterations in joint alignment can result in significant alterations in patellofemoral joint stresses and that changes in the mechanics of the patellofemoral joint can also result in changes in the tibiofemoral compartments. Successful treatment requires the physical therapist to understand and apply these arthrokinematic concepts. When applied to PNF low extremity patterns, understanding of these mechanical concepts can maximize patient function while minimizing the risk for further symptoms or injury.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.286-292
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• 2009

This paper proposes a knee-wearable robot system for assisting the muscle power of human knee by processing EMG (Electromyogram) signals. Although there are many muscles affecting the knee joint motion, the rectus femoris and biceps femoris among them play a core role in the extension and flexion motion, respectively, of the knee joint. The proposed knee-wearable robot system consists of three parts; the sensor for measuring and processing EMG signals, controller for estimating and applying the required knee torque, and actuator for driving the knee-wearable mechanism. Ultimately, we suggest the motion control method for knee-wearable robot system by processing the EMG signals of corresponding two muscles in this paper. Also, we show the effectiveness of the proposed knee-wearable robot system through the experimental results.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-68
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a joint health self-management program for knee osteoarthritis elders in communities. Methods: This program was developed based on the IMB (information-motivationbehavioral skills) model. The program methods include education, setting and achieving goals, sharing experiences, telephone counseling, and self-monitoring. The topics of the program include joint assessment, exercise, massage, joint protection, medication, depression management, diet, and healthcare approach. The research was conducted following the principles of the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Participants were 26 subjects in the experimental group, and 27 subjects in the control group. The experimental group participated in the self-management program, and the control group received general education. Results: Both post-test scores of personal motivation, social motivation, behavior skill, self-management behavior, joint pain, joint stiffness, physical function disability, right knee extension, left knee extension, and depression were significantly different between the experimental group and the control group. Conclusion: The results of the study can be used to develop and standardize a systematic joint health self-management program. Further research is highly recommended to develop a strategy to continuously facilitate self-management of osteoarthritis patients' procedures.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.345-350
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effects of ankle joint position during closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise on knee extensor strength and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: $15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion group (n=8) and ankle joint neutral group (n=8) during CKC exercise. All participants underwent conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. In addition, the experimental group ($15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion group) and control group (ankle joint neutral group) participated in a 20-minute CKC exercise program. In both groups exercise was performed three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes including knee extensor strength and balance ability (Five times sit-to-stand test, Timed up and go test, and Balancia) were measured before and after exercise. Results: Significant differences in knee extensor strength and balance ability were observed between pre- and post-exercise in all groups (p<0.05). The improvement of knee extensor strength and dynamic balance was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that $15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion during closed kinetic chain exercise is effective in improvement of knee extensor strength and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.136-142
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• 2015

In the paper, a design method of knee and pelvis joint in the biped robot is proposed for shock absorption and gravity compensation. Similarly to the human's body, the knee joints of the biped robot support most body weight and get a shock from the landing motion of the foot on the floor. The torque of joint motor is also increased sharply to keep the balance of the robot. Knee and pelvis joints with the spring are designed to compensate the gravity force and reduce the contact shock of the robot. To verify the efficiency of the proposed design method, we develope a biped robot with the joint mechanism using springs. At first, we experiment with the developed robot on the static motions such as the bent-knee posture both without load and with load on the flat ground, and the balance posture on the incline plane. The current of knee joint is measured to analyze the impact force and energy consumption of the joint motors. Also, we observe the motor current of knee and pelvis joints for the walking motion of the biped robot. The current responses of joint motors show that the proposed method has an effect on shock reduction and gravity compensation, and improve the energy efficiency of walking motions for the biped robot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how the chronic ankle instability affects postural control during forward jump landing. Method: 20 women with chronic ankle instability (age: 21.7 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 162.1 ± 3.7 cm, weight: 52.2 ± 5.8 kg) and 20 healthy adult women (age: 21.8 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 161.9 ± 4.4 cm, weight: 52.9 ± 7.2 kg) participated in this study. For the forward jump participants were instructed to stand on two legs at a distance of 40% of their body height from the center of force plate. Participants were jump forward over a 15 cm hurdle to the force plate and land on their non-dominant or affected leg. Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained using 8 motion capture cameras and 1 force plates and joint angle, vertical ground reaction force and center of pressure. All statistical analyses were using SPSS 25.0 program. The differences in variables between the two groups were compared through an independent sample t-test, and the significance level was to p < .05. Results: In the hip and knee joint angle, the CAI group showed a smaller flexion angle than the control group, and the knee joint valgus angle was significantly larger. In the case of ankle joint, the CAI group showed a large inversion angle at all events. In the kinetic variables, the vGRF was significantly greater in the CAI group than control group at IC and mGRF. In COP Y, the CAI group showed a lateral shifted center of pressure. Conclusion: Our results indicated that chronic ankle instability decreases the flexion angle of the hip and knee joint, increases the valgus angle of the knee joint, and increases the inversion angle of the ankle joint during landing. In addition, an increase in the maximum vertical ground reaction force and a lateral shifted center of pressure were observed. This suggests that chronic ankle instability increases the risk of non-contact knee injury as well as the risk of lateral ankle sprain during forward jump landing.