• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.156-161
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the effects of subjective visual vertical perception and head orientation on static balance control. Methods: The subjects were 25 young and healthy adults. The vertical perception was measured using a subjective visual vertical (SVV), and the Center of pressure (COP) parameter was analyzed by continuously measuring the movement of the COP to determine the changes in static postural control. The group was divided based on a deviation of 3° in SVV (11 of SVV≥3°, 14 of SVV<3°) and measured with different head orientations: front, up, down, left, and right in the upright and tandem positions, respectively. Results: In the upright position, the SVV≥3° group had significantly larger values for all COP parameters (Sway length, Surface, Delta X, Delta Y, and Average speed) compared to the SVV<3° group (p<0.05). In the tandem stance, only the Ellipse Surface value was significantly larger among the COP parameters in the group with SVV≥3° compared to the group with SVV<3°(p<0.05). In contrast, the other COP parameters were not significantly different (p>0.05). The effects of static balance control on the head orientation were not statistically significant (p>0.05), and the interactions between the subjective vertical perception and head orientation were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that pathological deviations in SVV are associated with impaired static balance performance. This study can provide a therapeutic rationale for using visuospatial cognitive feedback training to improve the static balance.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.243-250
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe office workers' postural behaviors during computer work to identify the risk factors for head and thorax postural behaviors. Methods: The participants included 57 office workers who worked longer than 20 hours on a computer. Postural behaviors during computer work were measured using 3-D wearable motion sensors on the forehead and sternum. A multivariate linear regression model evaluated the association between various risk factors (neck pain, demographics, and environmental factors) and non-head and thorax postural behaviors. Results: The participants maintained their head and thorax in neutral postures (defined as 10° extension~10° flexion and 5° extension~10° flexion, respectively) for 24.7% and 39.3% of the total recorded time. Those who reported neck pain at the measurement of postural behaviors showed less time spent in thorax postures. Current neck pain, high desk height, and the distance between the keyboard and the edge of the desk (cm) were found to be related to less time spent in a neutral thorax posture. Conclusion: Office environment factors and current neck pain might affect workers' thorax postures, which might also determine the orientation of head postures during computer work.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2009

We studied the postural response induced by plantar sole vibration with various frequencies(20, 60, 100Hz) and vibration zone(the anterior and posterior foot zone) of both soles during standing. Eight healthy young adults were exposed to 15s periods of plantar sole vibration while blindfolded. Body sway(COM, center of mass), the angle of neck, trunk, hip, knee, ankle and EMG of four lower limb muscles(tibialis anterior, lateral and medial gastrocnemial, soleus muscle) were recorded during 15s plantar sole vibration using 3D motion analysis system. Simulating each zone separately resulted in spatially oriented body tilts; oppositely directed backward and forward, respectively, the amplitude of which was proportional to the vibration frequency. EMG activity of lower limb muscles also varied according to the direction of the vibration zone and linearly according to the frequency. These findings led us to consider the plantar sole vibration as useful method of postural balance control and adjustment.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-61
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• 2005

Stance is defined as any state in which the total mass of the body is supported by the feet. In order to maintain stance, the sum of gravito-inertial forces acting on the body must be registered by equal and opposite forces at the region of contact between the organism and the support surface. Balance is controlled by applying forces to the surface of support so as to maintain the body's center of mass vertically above the feet. for a muIti-segment organism, there can be a variety of ways in which balance can be controlled, since movements of different body segments can have similar effects on the control of balance. In general, the organism tends to have a body configuration that is aligned with gravito-inertial force when there are no external forces acting on it. If any segments of the body are not aligned with gravito-inertial force vector, a torque on that segment would tend to move the body's center of mass. The maintenance of postural stability is accomplished in humans by a complex neural control system. This requires organizing integrating and acting upon visual, vestibular, and somatosensory input, providing orientation information to the postural control system. The information necessary to control and coordinate movement is provided by the visual sense of eye position with respect to the surrounding surface layout, the vestibular sense of head orientation in the gravito-inertial space, and the somatic sense of body segment position relative to one another and to the support surface. In this study, perception and action capability was examined from various points of view. The underlying assumption of the study was that the change of postural configuration could be effected by organism, environment and task goal.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.337-342
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The Unilateral neglect is characterized by difficulty shifting attention to the side of space opposite the brain lesion and frequently reducing use of contralesional extremities. This study was to identify whether the visual deprivation was responsible for head position on unilateral neglect patient after stroke. METHODS: A patient with left middle cerebral artery infarction participated in the study. We assessed neglect using line bisection and star cancellation test. Patient was instructed to maintain correct alignment of trunk and head in a sit position. We evaluated degree of head lateral tilting and rotation. Then, patient was blocked visual input. Also, we evaluated head position in the same way. RESULTS: He scored 3 points in the line bisection test and 9 points star cancellation test. In postural evaluation, he had deviated posture such as lateral head tilting and rotation. After visual cue deprivation, patient showed different head position which was decreased degree of head tilting and rotation. CONCLUSION: For vertical body orientation, it was used multiple sensory references including the vestibular, somatosensory, and visual system. This finding suggested that abnormal posture of neglect patient could be related to the visual input. It has important clinical implications in terms of understanding the neglect.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3513-3520
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• 2012

This study aimed to investigate the difference of the body orientation ability in sitting position to adapt to dynamically changing angle of the base of support in stroke patients and Healthy adults. The angle between vertical and head and trunk in 12 stroke patients (6 male and 6 female) and 12 healthy adults (6 male and 6 female) were measured by video motion analysis system. The head and trunk angle between stroke patients and healthy adults in sitting position were significantly different when increase the angle of dominant side(p<.05). The head and trunk angle between stroke patients and healthy adults in sitting position were significantly different when increase the angle of non-dominant side(p<.05). The head and trunk angle between stroke patients and healthy adults in sitting position were significantly different when decrease the angle of non-dominant side(p<.05). The head angle between stroke patients and healthy adults in sitting position was significantly different(p<.05), but the trunk angle was not significantly different when decrease the angle of dominant side(p>.05), Stroke patients compared to healthy adults had more deficits in their body orientation ability in sitting position to adapt to dynamically changing angle of the base of support. This finding may help to understand postural control deficits more clearly in stroke patients in sitting position.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.27-42
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• 2009

Objectives : The vestibular system detects head movement and serve to regulate and maintain the equilibrium and orientation of the body. It is known that the vestibular imbalance leads to vestibular symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, vertigo and postural disturbance. The objectives of the present study were to examine a modification of the dynamic activities of medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons following electroacupuncture (EA) of GB43 (Hyepgye). Methods : In Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $250{\sim}300g$, dynamic responses induced by sinusoidal whole body rotation about vertical axis at 0.2 Hz were observed in MVN of rats during EA of GB43 (Hyepgye) with 0.2 ms, 40 Hz and $600{\pm}200{\mu}A$. Also, expression of cFos protein was observed 2 hours after EA for 30 mins. Results : In dynamic response of vestibular neuron, the excitatory or inhibitory responses of gain were predominant in the ipsilateral MVN neurons during EA but not predominant in the contralateral MVN. Most neurons showing decreased gain were classified to inhibitory responses of spontaneous firing discharge during EA and ones showing increased gain were classified to excitatory response of spontaneous firing discharge during EA. Also, EA of the left GB43 (Hyepgye) for 30 mins produced the expression of cFos protein in MVN, inferior olive (IO) and solitary tract nuclei (SOL). Spatial expressions of cFos protein were predominant in the contralateral MVN, ipsilateral IO and bilateral SOL. Conclusion : These results suggest that the excitability of MVN neurons was influenced by EA of GB43 (Hyepgye) and EA may be related to the convergence on MVN.