• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this article was to review the literature on change of knee position sense after total knee replacement intervention in knee rehabilitation. Methods : This review outlines scientific findings regarding different literature data in knee rehabilitation, and discusses proprioceptive change of knee joints after total knee replacement intervention. Result : Severe pain and diminished joint sensation may precipitate degenerative changes of knees joint, and a strong association between decreased proprioception and function has been identified in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. Total knee replacement(TKR) of the knee joint are effective surgical procedures in osteoarthritis patients, resulting in decreased pain, and improved physical function and quality of life in patients. After total knee replacement, joint position sensation is partially recovered, which may improve functional stability of the knee, but aspects of physical functioning are not fully restored to preoperative status. Conclusions : Thus, recovery rate in proprioception after TKR also is considered to be important because it may be a significant risk factor in failure of total knee replacement and knee rehabilitation intervention.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.253-270
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• 2021

This survey provides research into developing knee braces to protect the knee against damage, reduce knee pain, and strengthen the knee. A total of 235 surveys were conducted from December 2019 to January 2020. The subjects were adults in their 20s and over who lived in the Seoul metropolitan area and had experience of using knee braces. In terms of age differences, subjects over 60 years of age purchased knee braces mostly to secure a reduction of pain (ROP), whereas subjects in their 20s and 30s purchased knee braces for physical shock protection (PSP). Subjects in their 40s and 50s purchased knee braces for improvement of muscle movement (IMM). There was no significant difference in shape, material, and locking method based on the reason for wearing the knee brace. These results show that it is conceivable and maybe preferable to produce different knee braces-with a variety of shapes, materials, and locking materials-according to the reason behind wearing a knee brace. Knee braces are worn currently without any differentiation despite the findings of this study. In particular, we argue the need for functional and differentiated development of knee braces specifically for PSP, ROP, and IMM.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2019

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis using Kellgren-Lawrence scores is commonly used to help decision-making during assessment of the severity of OA with assessment of pain, function and muscle strength. The association between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and functional/clinical outcomes remains controversial in patients with knee OA. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and knee pain associated with OA, function during daily living and sports activities, quality of life, and knee muscle strength in patients with knee OA. Methods: We recruited 66 patients with tibiofemoral knee OA and determined knee joint Kellgren-Lawrence scores using standing anteroposterior radiographs. Self-reported knee pain, daily living function, sports/recreation function, and quality of life were measured using the knee injury and OA outcome score (KOOS). Knee extensors and flexors were assessed using a handheld dynamometer. We performed Spearman's rank correlation analyses to evaluate the relationships between Kellgren-Lawrence and KOOS scores or muscle strength. Results: Kellgren-Lawrence scores were significantly negatively correlated with KOOS scores for knee pain, daily living function, sports/recreation function, and quality of life. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and knee extensor strength but not flexor strength. Conclusion: Higher Kellgren-Lawrence scores were associated with more severe knee pain and lower levels of function in daily living and sports/recreation, quality of life, and knee extensor strength in patients with knee OA. Therefore, we conclude that knee OA assessment via self-reported KOOS and knee extensor strength may be a cost-effective alternative to radiological exams.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and knee function index on the knee strength and endurance in the national male field-hockey athletes. METHODS: Twenty-four male field-hockey athletes with a painful knee who trained at the national training center in 2019 were enrolled. The VAS and knee function index questionnaire were used to evaluate the degree of pain and functional state of the knee. The muscle strength and endurance of the knee were measured by Biodex (System 4, USA). The Pearson product moment correlation was performed to examine the effects of the VAS and knee function index the of knee on the strength and endurance. In addition, the VAS and knee function index and muscle strength and muscle endurance were examined to determine the relationship using Simple Linear Regression. The statistical significance level was α=.05. RESULTS: An analysis of the correlation between VAS and knee function index and muscle strength and muscle endurance revealed the VAS and knee function index to be statistically significant (r = .700). In addition, the extensor muscle strength, knee VAS (r = -.457), and knee function index (r = -.414) were also statistically significant. A 1-point increase in the VAS and knee function index was associated with an approximately 9.881 and 1.006 extensor muscle strength. CONCLUSION: The VAS and knee function index of field-hockey athletes are related to the strength of the knee extensors. Therefore, field-hockey athletes should develop a program to strengthen the extensor muscle strength of the knee.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of taping technique applied to knee instability. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: Twenty-six participants with knee instabilityparticipated in this study. They were randomly assigned to the Kinesio taping (KT) group (n=13) and the dynamic taping (DT) group (n=13). Both groups applied knee stabilization taping techniques. In order to compare the effects of each taping technique, the change in the landing error scoring system (LESS) and lower extremity joint angle wasrecorded before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups significantly decreased in the change before and after the LESS (p<0.05). At the joint angle of the lower extremities, KT group significantly reduced the valgus angle at the max knee flexion (p<0.05). In DT group knee joint flexion and hip joint flexion angles were significantly increased at foot contact (p<0.05). In max knee flexion, the knee joint flexion angle was significantly increased (p<0.05). In foot contact, max knee flexion, the knee joint valgus angle was significantly increased (p<0.05). DT group showed more significant changes in knee joint flexion angle at foot contact and hip joint flexion angle at max knee flexion. Conclusions: Dynamic taping is a clinically applicable intervention method for lowering the risk of non-contact injury in participants with knee instability and for knee stability during rehabilitation exercises.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.107-113
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• 2007

The purpose of this study were to investigate the effects of knee brace on the knee muscular neuro-biomechanical variables during the rebound in female highschool basketball players. Twelve high school female ($17.9{\pm}0.8years$) basketball players rebound jumped for maximal vertical height to sufficiently stress the anterior cruciate ligament with and without knee brace. Kinematic data were collected to estimate the knee flexion, abduction angles and jump height. The EMG data from the biceps femoris and rectus femoris was used to estimate the ratio of quadriceps muscle activity. Female athletes with knee brace showed more reduced the knee abduction angle and the ratio of quadriceps muscle activity at foot contact phase than without knee brace. In conclusion, Female athletes with brace reduced knee anterior cruciate ligament loads.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.121-127
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• 2020

To investigate the effects of wearable near-infrared ray-emitting knee pads on knee pain among elderly adults in Korea. Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of near-infrared rays (NIR) on knee pain in Korean elderly adults. Five community-based research facilities (two welfare centers, a senior citizen center, and two churches). Forty-seven participants aged 65 years and older who had experienced knee pain. The experimental group (n = 25) wore NIR-emitting knee pads for one month at nighttime while sleeping. The control group (n = 22) wore knee pads without NIR. Demographic characteristics, intensity and duration of knee pain, amount of analgesic medication used, range of motion, gait speed, and health-related quality of life were collected using questionnaires. The experimental group showed decreased intensity (t = -6.17, p < 0.001) and duration (t = -3.34, p = 0.002) of knee pain and reduced analgesic use (t = -2.30, p = 0.026) compared to the control group. NIR may be an effective non-pharmacological option for relieving knee pain in elderly adults.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2004

The aim of this study is to present the basic reference data of age and specipic gait parameters for comparisons of the gait characteristics depended on Unilateral Trans-Femoral or Trans-Tibial Prostheses. The basic gait parameters were extracted from 10 Adult, 10 above knee(A/K) patients and 10 below knee(B/K) patients, 50 to 60 years of age using VICON 512 Motion Analyzer. The results were as follows; 1) The mean Cadence of the above knee(A/K) patients and below knee(B/K) patients were $87.77{\pm}8.64$ steps/min, to $99.84{\pm}11.14$ steps/min.(p<0.05) 2) The mean Walking Speed of the above knee(A/K) patients and below knee(B/K) patients were $0.84{\pm}0.15$ m/s, to $0.96{\pm}0.25$ m/s.(p>0.05) 3) The mean Stride Length of the above knee(A/K) patients and below knee(B/K) patients were $1.14{\pm}0.14$ m, to $1.14{\pm}0.22$m.(p>0.05) 4) The mean maximal angles of joint on the hip flexion motion for different above knee(A/K) patients and below knee(B/K) patients were $34.75{\pm}10.18_{\circ}$, to $32.32{\pm}6.34_{\circ}$ .(p>0.05) 5) The mean maximal angles of joint on the knee flexion motion for different above knee(A/K) patients and below knee(B/K) patients were $66.97{\pm}15.08_{\circ}$, to $52.65{\pm}9.21_{\circ}$ .(p<0.05) 6) The mean maximal angles of joint on the ankle dorsiflexion motion for different above knee(A/K) patients and below knee(B/K) patients were $14.41{\pm}4.82_{\circ}$, to $10.04{\pm}3.49_{\circ}$ .(p>0.05) 7) The mean maximal angles of joint on the ankle plantarflexion motion for different above knee(A/K) patients and below knee(B/K) patients were $5.77{\pm}3.17_{\circ}$, to $2.75{\pm}4.49_{\circ}$ .(p>0.05)