• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.31-44
• /
• 2007

The purposes of this study were to examine the normal lumbar proprioception and identify the effect of vision and proprioception on lumbar movement accuracy through measuring a reposition error in visual and non-visual conditions and to provide the basic data for use of vision when rehabilitation program is applied. The subjects of this study were 39 healthy university students who have average physical activity level. They were measured the ability to reproduce the target position(50% of maximal range of motion) of flexion, extension, dominant and non-dominant side flexion in visual and non-visual conditions. Movement accuracy was assessed by reposition error(differences between intended and actual positions) that is calculated by the average of absolute value of 3 repeated measures at each directions. The data were analysed by paired samples t-test, independent samples t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. The results were as follows : 1. Movement accuracy of flexion, extension, dominant side flexion, and non-dominant side flexion was increased in visual condition. 2. There were no differences in the lumbar movement accuracy between sexes in visual and non-visual conditions. 3. In non-visual condition, the movement in coronal plane(dominant and non dominant side flexion) is more accurate than that in sagittal plane(flexion and extension). 4. In non-visual condition, there were no differences in the lumbar movement accuracy between dominant and non-dominant side flexion. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the movement is more accurate when the visual information input is available than proprioception is only available. When proprioception is decreased by injury or disease, it disturbs the control of posture and movement. In this case, human controls the posture and movement by using visual compensation. However it is impossible to prevent an injury or trauma because most of injuries occur in an unexpected situation. For this reason, it is important to improve the proprioception. Therefore, proprioceptive training or exercise which improve the ability to control of posture and movement is performed an appropriate control of permission or interception of the visual information input to prevent an excessive visual compensation.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
• /
• v.18 no.8
• /
• pp.713-718
• /
• 2012

Lumber spine range of motion has been used to measure of physical and functional impairment by various tools from a ruler to 3D kinematic devices. However, pre-existing tools have problems in either movement or accuracy and reliability limitations. Accurate devices are limited by fixed space whereas simple devices are limited in measuring complex movements with less accuracy. In order to solve the location, movement and accuracy limitations at once, we have developed a novice measurement device equipped with accelerometer sensor and gyroscope sensor for getting three-dimensional information of motion. Furthermore, Kalman filter was applied to the algorithm to improve accuracy. In addition, RF wireless communication was added for the user to conveniently check measured data in real time. Finally, the measurement method was improved by considering the movement by a reference point. An experiment was conducted to test the accuracy and reliability of the device by conducting a test-retest reliability test. Further modification will be conducted to used the device in various joints range of motion in clinical settings in the future.