• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.3064-3082
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• 2023

During the last decade, several Electronic Orientation Aids devices have been proposed to solve the autonomy problems of visually impaired people. When hearing is considered the primary sense for Visually Impaired people (VI) and it is generally loaded with the environment, the use of tactile sense can be considered a solution to transmit directional information. This paper presents a new wearable haptic system based on four motors implemented in shoes, while six directions can be played. This study aims to introduce an interface design and investigate an appropriate means of spatial information delivery through haptic sense. The first experiment of the proposed system was performed with 15 users in an indoor environment. The results showed that the users were able to recognize, with high accuracy, the directions displayed on their feet. The second experiment was conducted in an outdoor environment with five blindfolded users who were guided along 120 meters. The users, guided only by the haptic system, successfully reached their destinations. The potential of tactile-foot stimulation to help VI understand Electronic Orientation Aids (EOA) instructions was discussed, and future challenges were defined.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2008

Background: Peripheral nerve injury induces up-regulation of the calcium channel alpha2delta (${\alpha}2{\delta}$) subunit and TRPM8 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) which might contribute to allodynia development. We investigated the expression of the ${\alpha}2{\delta}$ subunit and TRPM8 in the DRG of sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) and sympathetic independent pain (SIP) rat model. Methods: For the SMP model, the L5 and L6 spinal nerves were ligated tightly distal to the DRG. For the SIP model, the tibial and sural nerves were transected, while the common peroneal nerve was spared. After a 7 day postoperative period, tactile and cold allodynia were assessed using von Frey filaments and acetone drops, respectively. Expression of the ${\alpha}2{\delta}$ subunit and TRPM8 in the L5 and L6 DRG were subsequently examined by a Western blot. Results: There were no significant differences between the two models for the thresholds of tactile and cold allodynia. Expression of the ${\alpha}2{\delta}$ subunit in the ipsilateral DRG to the injury was increased as determined on a Western blot as compared to that in the contralateral or sham-operated DRG of the SMP model, but there was no difference in expression seen with the use of the SIP model. There was no difference in the expression of TRPM8 in the ipsilateral DRG to the injury and the contralateral or sham-operated DRG of either model. Conclusions: Up-regulation of the ${\alpha}2{\delta}$ subunit in injured DRG may play a role that contributes to tactile allodynia development in SMP, but not TRPM8 to cold allodynia after peripheral nerve injury.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.715-721
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• 2018

This study examined energy saving and elevating the worker's neuro energy (comfort, concentration, physical, and psychological stability) by compensating for the unpleasant tactile sensation to stimulate auditory and olfactory senses and reduce energy consumption. The experiment was conducted in an environment test room under the test conditions of temperature $25[^{\circ}C]$, relative humidity 50[RH%], illumination 1,000[lux] and air current speed 0.02[m/sec] by stimulating the auditory senses with a 1/f change in rhythm and the olfactory senses with an aroma scent. The experiment utilized the method of EEG, which evaluates human body's psychological status via tactile means, and the method of the vibra image, which evaluates the learning abilities, HRV and human body's psychological status via non-tactile means. The subjects were selected as eight university students (four males and four females) in their 20s, the type that have high relative ${\alpha}$(8~13[Hz]) activation in occipital lobe, which brings the highest level of mind stability and concentration, who had no difficulty in physical activities. The subjects' posture and physical activity was fixed to 1met - when the subjects are seated and relaxing in a comfortable environment - and their clothes condition was standardized as 0.7clo. As a result, the sentimental and psychological stability and concentration were the highest in the multisensory stimulation of jasmine scent and change rhythm of an a=1.106 sound source. In addition, under this condition, the relative $M{\alpha}$ and relative $M{\beta}$ increased by 70.49[%] and 89.72[%], respectively; the HRT decreased by 39.09[%]; and the fatigue and tension/anxiety decreased by 36.85[%] and 15.54[%], respectively.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.515-530
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• 2016

Recently an extensive study of the mathematicians who have overcome the visually impaired and contribute to the academic in math was published. In the case of Korea, we can find there are mathematicians who have overcome physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and polio. However there is no example of blind person who majored mathematics to become a mathematic's teacher or professor and have entered any mathematics related professions. This let us to study the reasons that caused difficulties to visually impaired students majoring in mathematics. We also suggest ways that may help blind students to have access to mathematics intuitively. In this study, we propose a tactile mathematics textbooks and teaching manuals utilizing 3D printing which the visually impaired students can touch and feel. We can supply such materials to visually impaired youth, special education teachers and parents in Korea. As a result, visually impaired students will be able to access mathematics easily and can build their confidence in mathematics. We hope that some blind students with mathematical talent do not hesitate to major mathematics and choose career in mathematical professions.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.155-164
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• 2018

The temperature is a sense that can be felt by touch and sight. However, the concept of the temperature sensation is rarely used together with the concept of visual sensation and tactile sensation. In this study, the sensation of the temperature sensed through tactile and visual sense was investigated by the visual temperature depending on color and material characteristics. The textile was selected as a sample that could include color and material characteristics. The textile sample was composed of each 15-16 kinds of Yellow, Red, Blue, and Green of total 90 samples. The analytical method was to analyze first, the warm-cool of the colors of Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, and then to the visual temperature according to visual classification and tactile classification. And we investigated the correlation of the visual temperature depending on weight, thickness, and unevenness. As a result, the number of textiles felt by Cool and Warm differed according to the warm-cool of the colors feeling in the same textile. However, the visual temperature was different to each classification of textile. In particular, it was noticeable in thin, see-through and matte textiles. In relation to weight, thickness, unevenness and the visual temperature, the textile classification related to the weight is a classification of a hard, matte textile, and the textile classification related to the thickness is a thin, see-through textile.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2009

This study aimed to assess stiffness and elasticity of the masticatory muscle in the patients with the masticatory muscle pain using a tactile sensor and to investigate whether the masticatory muscle pain affects the facial expression muscles. From those who visited Department of Oral Medicine in Dankook University Dental Hospital, 27 patients presenting with unilateral muscle pain and tenderness in the masseter muscle (Ms) were selected (mean age: $36.4{\pm}13.8$ years). Exclusion criterion was those who also had temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or any neurological pain. Muscle stiffness and elasticity for the muscles of mastication and facial expression was investigated with the tactile sensor (Venustron, Axiom Co., JAPAN) and the muscles measured were the Ms, anterior temporal muscle (Ta), frontalis (Fr), inferior orbicularis oculi (Ooci), zygomaticus major (Zm), superior and inferior orbicularis oris (Oors, Oori) and mentalis (Mn). t-tests was used to compare side difference in muscle stiffness and elasticity. Side differences were also compared between diagnostic groups (local muscle soreness (LMS) vs myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and between acute (< 6M) and chronic ($\geq$ 6M) groups. This study showed that Ms and Zm at affected side exhibited significantly increased stiffness and decreased elasticity as compared to the unaffected side.(p<0.05) There was no significant difference between local muscle soreness and myofascial pain syndrome groups and between acute and chronic groups. The results of this study suggests that masticatory muscle pain in Ms can affect muscle stiffness and elasticity not only for Ms but also for Zm, the facial expression muscle.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.59-69
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• 2016

This study aimed to understand the importance of applying finishing materials into interior space, and to add meaning to the creation of functional space, associated interior finishing materials with brain science. To achieve this purpose, brainwave(EEG) experiment was conducted. The brainwave appearing when sensing the surface of interior finishing materials with hands was measured. The locations of the electrode were FP1, FP2, F3, F4, C3, C4, P3, P4, O1, O2, F7, F8, T3, T4, T5, T6, CZ, FZ, and PZ and in addition to these, AFZ was added. Eight(8) kinds of finishing materials: metallic material, film paper, lumbar, stone, glass, silk wallpaper, fabric, and paint were used to measure '${\alpha}$-wave against ${\beta}$ wave.' As a result, it was found that the most activated finishing material in term of relaxation was film paper, followed by metallic, glass, paint, fabric, stone, lumbar, and silk wallpaper. To explain in light of this, (1) '${\alpha}$-wave against ${\beta}$ wave' was the most activated at ch1-FP1 and ch2-FP2, and at ch17-AFZ and ch19-FZ, which indicated that metopic-prefrontal lobe showed the highest activation in relaxation. Film paper, among the finishing materials, showed the highest increase in relaxation. (2) In general, '${\alpha}$-wave against ${\beta}$ wave' relaxation was inhibited at ch13-T3 and ch14-T4, and at ch15-T5 and ch16-T6 and the arousal in the temporal lobe was prominent. Silk wallpaper, among the finishing materials, showed the highest arounsal effect. As a result of measuring the superficial touch on the silk wallpaper, which was regarded as the most rough material among the eight finishing materials, the arousal effect of ${\alpha}$-wave against ${\beta}$-wave, among the brainwave characteristics, was found to be the highest. (3) to judge from the scope of this experiment regarding the tactile sensation over the finishing materials, it is considered that the brainwave reaction sometimes appeared contrastive depending on whether the surface was smooth or rough and there also appeared a difference in relaxation and arousal reaction of the brainwave depending on whether the surface was hot or cold, but the sensation on the surface texture was often evaluated differently depending on who you were. For this reason, this study has some limitations.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.61-69
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• 2019

In this paper, we propose a multisensory(i.e., visual-auditory-tactile) based AR system for the education of cultural heritage. The proposed system provides a multisensory interaction by designing a user to experience with a 3D printed artifact which is mapped by a virtual 3D content of digital heritage. Compared with the existing systems of cultural heritage education based on augmented reality(AR) technology, this system focused on not only providing learning experience via a sense of visual and auditory, but also a sense of tactile. Furthermore, since this systems mainly provided the direct interactions using a 3D printed model, it gives a higher degree of realism than existing system that use touch or click motions on a 2D display of mobile phones and tablets. According to a result of user testing, we concluded that the proposed system delivered the excellent presence and learning flow to users. Particularly, from the usability evaluation, a 3D printed target artifact which is similar in shape to original heritage artifact, achieved the highest scores among the various tested targets.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.237-244
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• 2020

Sensory impairment is common following a stroke. Tactile afferent inputs from the plantar foot provide important information to the central nervous system to generate balance. The present study, which recruited 50 stroke patients, aims to determine the relationship between plantar tactile sensory threshold (PTST) and balance in patients with stroke. The PTST was evaluated at two sites (hallux and heel) using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. The balance abilities were measured by the degree of weight distribution in quiet standing (QS) and sitting-to-standing position (STS) using a MTD system and Berg balance scale (BBS). The hallux and heel sensory thresholds (ST) in the affected side were higher than the non-affected side (P < 0.05). The degree of weight distribution in the affected side was lower than the non-affected side. QS and STS showed P < 0.05, with BBS score of 36.00 ± 1.53. The hallux ST in the affected side correlated with BBS (r = -0.444, P < 0.05), QS (r = -0.332, P < 0.05), and STS (r = -0.390, P < 0.05), whereas the heel ST in the affected side correlated with BBS (r = -0.467, P < 0.05), QS (r = -0.532, P < 0.05), and STS (r = - 0.516, P < 0.05), suggesting that higher detected PTST might have an influence on the decreasing balance abilities. The study of sensory threshold in patients with stroke will help their rehabilitation and sensory evaluation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the sensory processing characteristics of parents of developmentally delayed children and parents of typically developed children on parenting stress. Methods : From July to August 2022, 61 parents of children with developmental delays and 64 parents of children with typical development who used occupational therapy services at pediatric clinics and child development centers were evaluated for parenting stress and sensory profiles. Results : In a multiple regression analysis on the effect of sensory processing characteristics on the total score of parenting stress, tactile processing (β = 0.353, p = 0.001), gender (β = 0.438, p = 0.000), and monthly income (β = -0.261, p = 0.014) significantly affected the parenting stress of the parents of children with developmental delay. In parents of typically developing children, tactile processing (β = 0.376, p = 0.002) and gender (β = -0.264, p = 0.024) were found to have a significant effect on parenting stress. Conclusion : Parental gender and tactile processing characteristics of developmentally delayed and typically developing children are significant influencing factors for parenting stress.