• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.122-129
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• 2003

In this study, a group of 25 patients between the ages of $22{\sim}55$ received acupuncture treatments for tennis elbow. The variance has some high value. 1. The distribution of an age group in 22 to 55 and the average age of men is $40.9{\pm}9.3$ and the average age of women is $39.5{\pm}3.6$. Total average age is $40.4{\pm}8.4$. 2. Before the acupuncture treatments the average pain degree for the group is $4.72{\pm}0.6$ and after treatments, it is $2.36{\pm}1.6$. Statistically, the variance has some high value. 3. There were statistically significant difference in the pain degree before and after the acupuncture treatment according to the age. By these results, acupuncture treatments will be useful to the first-line treatment for tennis elbow.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.359-368
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• 2001

A new knee-ankle-foot-orthosis(KAFO) which uses an automatically-controlled electromechanical wrap spring clutch for the knee joint was developed in the present study. It was found that the output voltage from the foot switches of the developed KAFO was proportionally increased with respect to the applied load. The output voltage from the infrared sensor also decreased as the knee flexion angle increased. The knee joint system for the new KAFO weighs only 780g lighter than any other commercially available developed system. In addition, the solenoid reduces the reaction time for the automatic control of the knee joint. The static torque of the clutch was measured for three persons, and it satisfied the normal knee extension moment during the pre-swing. Three-dimensional gait analyses for three different gait patterns (normal gait, locked-knee gait, controlled-knee gait) from five normal subjects were conducted. Controlled-knee gait showed the maximum knee flexion angle of 40.56$\pm9.55^{\circ}$ and the maximum knee flexion moment of 0.20$\pm$0.07Nm/kg at similar periods in the normal gait. Our KAFO system satisfies both stability during stance phase and free knee flexion during the swing phase at the proper period during the gait cycle. Therefore, our KAFO system would be very useful in various low extremity orthotic applications.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.61-68
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• 2002

본 연구는 하퇴의지 착용자와 정상 성인간의 시간-거리, 운동형상학 변수를 조사하고 비교하기 위하여 실시하였다. 연구 대상자는 외상으로 인한 하퇴 절단자로서 내골격식 하퇴의지를 착용하고 독립적으로 보행이 가능한 20명과 연령, 신장으로 짝짓기한 대조군(matched control group) 20명이 참여하였다. 보행분석은 Vicon Clinical Manager Software (VCM)를 내장한 PC에 5개의 카메라가 연결되어 있는 Vicon 512 Motion Analysis System (MAS, Oxford Metrics Inc.)을 이용하였다. 하퇴의지 착용군의 단하지 지지시간이 정상 성인군에 비해 유의하게 짧았으며(p<.05), 하퇴의지 착용군에서 슬관절의 선전이 증가되었으며 족관절의 저측굴곡이 감소되었다(p<.05). 하퇴절단자들의 보행개선을 위해서는 하퇴절단자 개인의 보행능력에 알맞은 부품의 선택, 체계적인 보행훈련 및 평가, 보행능력 향상을 위한 근력강화 프로그램 등 체계적인 재활훈련 프로그램이 필요한 것으로 사료된다. 본 연구는 연구대상자의 수가 제한되어 있으므로 연구의 결과를 일반화하기에는 제한점이 있으나, 향후 편측 하퇴절단자의 보행연구에 대한 기초 자료로 사용될 수 있을 것이라고 생각된다.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.31-41
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the angle of a wedged insole on knee varus torque during walking. Fifteen healthy subjects were recruited. Knee varus torque was measured using three-dimensional motion analysis (Elite). Knee varus torque was normalized to gait cycle (0%: initial contact; 100%: ipsilateral initial contact) and stance phase (0%: initial contact; 100%: ipsilateral toe off). The average peaks of knee varus torque during the stance phase of the gait cycle according to the different insole angles (10 or 15 degrees) were compared using one-way ANOVA with repeated measures. The results showed that in the early stance phase, the average peak knee varus torque increased significantly for both the medial 10 and 15 degree wedged insole conditions and decreased significantly for both the lateral 10 and 15 degree wedged insole conditions as compared with no insole (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences between the 10 and 15 degree wedged insole conditions with either the medial or lateral wedged insole (p>.05). In the late stance phase, the average peak knee varus torque increased significantly for the medial 10 and 15 degree wedged insole conditions (p<.05), but not for the lateral 10 and 15 degree wedged insole conditions as compared with no insole (p>.05). We suggest that these results may be beneficial for manufacturing foot orthotic devices, such as wedged insoles, to control medial and lateral compartment forces in the knee varus-valgus deformity. Further studies of the effects of wedged insole angle on knee varus torque in patients with medial-lateral knee osteoarthritis are needed.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the change of study variables (knowledge, efficacy, and fatigue) related to using orthosis and fear of falling in fracture patients wearing the leg orthosis after fall prevention education in terms of educational method and frequency. Methods: Participants were 87 fracture patients wearing the leg orthosis. Experimental I group (n=30) and experimental II group (n=27) received the fall prevention education once and three times respectively with leaflets. Experimental III group (n=30) received video training once. Results: The level of the subjects' knowledge was significantly increased in experimental I and II groups rather than in experimental III group. In case of experimental I and experimental II group, fear of falling was decreased when compared to experimental III group. However, there were no significant changes in efficacy and fatigue related to using orthosis among three groups. Conclusion: The fall prevention education using leaflets was more effective than video training method. Only one education with leaflets was effective enough. Therefore, it is recommended that the education with leaflets or pamphlets should be developed systematically according to the characteristics of fracture patients wearing the leg orthosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexible derotator of femur orthosis (FDO) during treadmill gait training on the quadriceps-angle (Q-angle), lateral pelvic tilt, gait speed, and number of steps in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Seven children with cerebral palsy who had rotational deformity of the lower extremities participated in this study. We used single group repeated measure design. The procedure consisted of baseline phase, intervention phase, and post-intervention phase. The baseline phase consisted of stretching and strengthening exercise and treadmill gait training without FDO. The treatment phase not only included the same procedures as those for baseline, but also included FDO during treadmill gait training. Postural alignment of the lower extremities was assessed with the Q-angle, and lateral pelvic tilt using the Dartfish software program. A 10-m walk test was used to evaluate gait speed and number of steps. RESULTS: For postural alignment, there was significant differences after the application of FDO (p<.05). For gait ability, there was significant differences in all phases (p<.01). CONCLUSION: These finding suggest that the application of FDO during treadmill gait training had a positive effect on the improvement of postural alignment and gait ability in children with cerebral palsy having rotational deformity.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 2018

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the current state of the assistive devices and appliances provision system for cerebral palsy patients registered with brain disability. Methods: From 2003 to 2013, we analyzed the records of cerebral palsy patients who had assistive devices and appliances provisioned at least once in their lives based on National Health Information Database. Patients with cerebral palsy were divided into three groups: infants and toddlers, school age and adolescence, and adults. Results: Data on short leg plastic orthoses, ankle joint orthoses, and wheelchair were mainly analyzed. The types of ankle joint orthoses divided into three categories: limited, $90^{\circ}$ limited, and Klenzac. Limited ankle joint orthoses was most frequently supported of the three in all age groups. Powered wheelchair and scooter were most supported to adult patients. When the re-supply duration was evaluated, the duration was suitable to the duration on guideline of regulation of re-supplement according to the related laws in adult patients but not in infants/toddlers and school age/adolescence as the actual re-supplement duration was much shorter than the reference value. Conclusion: This study confirmed the pattern of assistive devices and appliances supply differed depending on the age of cerebral palsy patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.396-400
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• 2012

Background: Surgery has been the classical treatment of pectus carinatum (PC), though compressive orthotic braces have shown successful results in recent years. We propose a non-operative approach using a lightweight, patient-controlled dynamic chest-bracing device. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with PC were treated between July 2008 and June 2009. The treatment involved fitting of the brace, which was worn for at least 20 hours per day for 6 months. Their degree of satisfaction (1, no correction; 4, remarkable correction) was measured at 12 months after the initiation of the treatment. Results: Thirteen (72.2%) patients completed the treatment (mean time, $4.9{\pm}1.4$ months). In patients who completed the treatment, the mean overall satisfaction score was $3.73{\pm}0.39$. The mean satisfaction score was 4, and there was no recurrence of pectus carinatum in patients who underwent the treatment for at least 6 months. Minimal recurrence of pectus carinatum after removal of the compressive brace occurred in 5 (38.5%) patients who stopped wearing the compressive brace at 4 months. Conclusion: Compressive bracing results in a significant improvement in PC appearance in patients with an immature skeleton. However, patient compliance and diligent follow-up appear to be paramount for the success of this method of treatment. We currently offer this approach as a first-line treatment for PC.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.814-823
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• 2011

Nowadays many neurological diseases such as stroke and Parkinson diseases are continually increasing. Orthotic devices as well as exoskeletons have been widely developed for supporting movement assistance and therapy of patients. Robotic knee orthosis can compensate stiff-knee gait of the paralyzed limb and can provide patients consistent assistance at wearable environments. With keeping a robotic orthosis wearable, however, it is not easy to develop a compact and safe actuator with fast rotation and high torque for consistent supports of patients during walking. In this paper, we propose a novel kinematic model for a robotic knee orthosis to drive a knee joint with independent actuation during swing and stance phases, which can allow an actuator with fast rotation to control swing motions and an actuator with high torque to control stance motions, respectively. The suggested kinematic model is composed of a hamstring device with a slide-crank mechanism, a quadriceps device with five-bar/six-bar links, and a patella device for knee covering. The quadriceps device operates in five-bar links with 2-dof motions during swing phase and is changed to six-bar links during stance phase by the contact motion to the patella device. The hamstring device operates in a slider-crank mechanism for entire gait cycle. The kinematics and velocity/force relations are analyzed for the quadriceps and hamstring devices. Finally, the adequate actuators for the suggested kinematic model are designed based on normal gait requirements. The suggested kinematic model will allow a robotic knee orthosis to use compact and light actuators with full support during walking.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2020

Background: Because a forward-leaning posture can cause increased back muscle activity and pain. Therefore, an innovative method to reduce back muscle activity and pain is required. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a head support on muscle activity and pain in a forward-leaning posture. Methods: A total of 14 male and 16 female students (average age, 21.65 ± 2.37 years; height, 166.15 ± 7.90 cm; and weight, 60.65 ± 9.00 kg) were recruited for the experiment. Two of them were excluded due to musculoskeletal disorders. The muscle activity and pain in the forward-leaning posture were assessed while participants washed dishes for 7 minutes with and without a head support. The condition of using a head support was randomly performed with a 5-minutes break. To confirm a lumbar flexion angle of 30° during the experiment, myoVIDEO was used, and surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity. Pain was assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the data, with p < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar erector spinae muscle activities significantly decreased with the use of the head support, but there was no significant change in the gluteus maximus. There was a significant decrease in the VAS score for the lumbar erector spinae (p < 0.05), but there was no significant change in the VAS score for the cervical region. Conclusion: The use of a head support in a forward-leaning posture reduced cervical, thoracic, and lumbar erector muscle activity and pain. Therefore, it could be recommended during working in a forward-leaning posture, such as during dishwashing, cooking, and working as a factory employee.