• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.82-89
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• 2010

Ankle-foot orthosis with an artificial pneumatic muscle which is intended for the assistance of plantarfelxion torque was developed. In this study, power pattern of the device in the various pneumatics and the effectiveness of the system were investigated. The pneumatic power was provided by ankle-foot orthosis controlled by user‘s physiological signal, that is, muscular stiffness in soleus muscle. This pneumatic power can assist plantarflexion torque of ankle joint. The subjects performed maximal voluntary isokinetic plantarflexion motion on a biodexdynamometer in different pneumatics, and they completed three conditions: 1) without wearing the orthosis, 2) wearing the orthosis with artificial muscles turned off, 3) wearing the orthosis activated under muscular stiffness control. Through these experiments, we confirmed the effectiveness of the orthosis and muscular stiffness control using the analyzing isokinetic plantarflexion torque. The experimental results showed that isokinetic torques of plantarflexion motion of the ankle joints gradually increased in incremental pneumatic. The effectiveness of the orthosis was -7.26% and the effectiveness of the muscular stiffness control was 17.83% in normalized isokinetic plantarflexion torque. Subjects generated the less isokinetic torques of the ankle joints in wearing the orthosis with artificial muscles turned off, but isokinetic torques were appropriately reinforced in condition of wearing the orthosis activated under muscular stiffness control(17.83%) compared to wearing the orthosis(-7.26%). Therefore, we respect that developed powered orthosis is applied in the elderly that has weak muscular power as the rehabilitation equipment.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2010

Ankle-foot orthosis with a pneumatic rubber actuator, which is intended for the assistance and the enhancement of ankle muscular activities was developed. In this study, the effectiveness of the system was investigated during plantarflexion motion of ankle joint. To find a effectiveness of the system, the subjects performed maximal voluntary isokinetic plantarflexion contraction on a Biodex-dynamometer. Plantarfexion torque of the ankle joint is assisted by subject's soleus muscle that is generated when ankle joint do plantarflexion motion. We used the muscular stiffness signal of a soleus muscle for feedback control of ankle-foot orthosis as physiological signal. For measurement of this signal, we made the muscular stiffness force sensor. We compared a muscular stiffness force of a soleus muscle between with feedback control and without it and a maximal plantarflexion torque between not wearing a ankle-foot orthosis, without feedback control wearing it and with feedback control wearing it in each ten elderly adults. The experimental result showed that a muscular stiffness force of a soleus muscle with feedback control was reduced and plantarflexion torque of an ankle joint only wearing ankle-foot orthosis was reduced but a plantarflexion torque with feedback control was increased. The amount of a increasing with feedback control is more higher than the amount of a decreasing only wearing it. Therefore, we confirmed the effectiveness of the developed ankle-foot orthosis with feedback control.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.431-439
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of motion taping on muscle stiffness, muscle tone, and pain in middle-aged women with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: The participants comprised 30 middle-aged women with shoulder impingement syndrome. This study measured muscle stiffness, muscle tone, and pain. In the experimental group, the tape was attached after physical therapy; the control group only received physical therapy. In the intervention period, the treatment program was conducted three times a week for a total of four weeks, and the values before and after the intervention were compared and analyzed. For statistical processing, a correspondence test was performed before and after the intervention at a significance level of 0.05, and the comparison between the groups, before and after the intervention, was made using an independent test. Results: In the experimental group, there was a difference in muscle stiffness, muscle tone, and intensity of pain. In addition, there was a significant difference between the control group's emotional domain regarding muscular stiffness and pain and the experimental group. However, there was no significant difference in muscle tone and grade of pain, and intensity of pain for the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that, when physical therapy and motion taping were administered to middle-aged women with shoulder impingement syndrome, it had a more positive affect on the sensory and emotional parts of the muscle tone and pain compared to physical therapy alone.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2017

This paper presents the design and the control performance of a novel dynamic compliant-arm support with parallel elastic actuators that was developed to assist with the daily living activities of those whose arms are compromised by muscular disease or the aging process. The parallel elastic-arm support consists of a compliant mechanism with combined passive and active components for human interaction and to reach the user's desired positions. The achievement of these tasks requires impedance control, which can change the virtual stiffness, damping coefficients, and equilibrium points of the system; however, the desired-position tracking by the impedance control is limited when the end-effector weight varies according to the equipping of diverse objects. A prompt algorithm regarding weight calibration and friction compensation is adopted to overcome this problem. A result comparison shows that, by accurately assessing the desired workspace, the proposed algorithm is more effective for the accomplishment of the desired activities.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.177-190
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• 2005

Objective : This study intends to identify the effects of the Doin Gigong Exercise on the shoulder-arm pain in Women. Methods : The study was performed with nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. A total of 45 subjects were divided into 25 persons in experimental groups and 20 persons in contrastive group by convenience sampling. The data were collected by using questionnaires and measured values from June, 2004, to August, 2004. Results : The results of the study are as follows: 1. The homogeneity testing revealed that most study variables were equally distributed between experimental and control groups. 2. The first hypothesis: The experimental group who performed the Doin Gigong Exercise and who decreased on the subjective symptom scale was supported(t=10.245, p=.000). 3. The scond hypothesis : The experimental group who received Doin Gigong Exercise and who decreased on the subjective pain(VAS) was supported(t=6.816, p=.000). 4. The third hypothesis: The experimental group who received Doin Gigong Exercise and who decreased on the muscular stiffness measured techniques(UNIQUE) was supported (t=7.114, p.000). Conclusions : Based on the results described above, it is considered that the Doin Gigon Exercise is clearly effective in all an values of the 5 measured. Therefore, the Doin Gigong Exercise can be thought of as effective nursing intervention for the reduction of shoulder-arm pain in women.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2006

Objectives: To review recent findings from physiologic research about the nature of proprioceptive spinal reflex, proposed explanation for mechanisms of musculoskeletal problems associated with propriceptive dysfunction and techniques controlling this problem. Methods: MEDLINE databases were searched using various combinatins of the keywords proprioception, spinal reflex, somata-somatic reflex, spinal manipulation, muscle spindle, Golgi-tendon organ, along with searching the related articles and textbooks. Results and Conclusion: Proprioceptors(muscle spindle, Golgi-tendon organs) monitor the position of joints, tension in tendons and ligaments, and the state of muscular contraction. Disturbed activity of proprioceptive spinal reflex can cause chronic state of increased muscle stiffness, pain, deficiencies both in muscle coordination and propioception, and so on. All kinds of techniques that control proprioceptive primary afferent neurons can affect the motor control system and evoke changes in the neuromuscular system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.896-903
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• 2019

Objective: Qianbei-Pockmarked goats are affected by a disorder locally referred to as 'Ruanguzheng Disorder', which is characterized by emaciation, lameness, muscular relaxation, stiffness of the extremities, and abnormal curvatures of the long bones. Our objective was to determine the relationship between the disorder and phosphorus deficiency. Methods: Tissue samples were collected from affected and healthy animals, while soil and herbage samples were collected from affected and healthy pastures. Biochemical parameters were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer (OLYMPUS AU 640, Olympus Optical Co., Tokyo, Japan). Mineral contents in soil, forage, and tissue were determined using a Perkin-Elmer AAS5000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer, Norwalk, CT, USA). Results: The results showed that phosphorus contents in herbages from affected pastures were markedly lower than those from healthy areas (p<0.01), and the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the affected herbages was 12.93:1. The phosphorus contents of wool, blood, tooth, and bone from affected animals were also markedly lower than those from healthy animals (p<0.01). Serum phosphorus values in affected animals were much lower than those in healthy animals, while serum alkaline phosphatase values from affected animals were markedly higher than those from healthy animals (p<0.01). Inorganic phosphorus values from affected animals were approximately half of that in the control group. Supplementation of disodium hydrogen phosphate prevented and cured the disorder. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Ruanguzheng disorder in Qianbei-Pockmarked goats is primarily caused by phosphorus deficiencies in herbage due to fenced pastures and natural habitat fragmentation.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.67-76
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this review is to investigate the domestic and foreign studies of pediatric Chuna treatment and propose the directions of future studies and clinical applications. Methods We searched for the study at RISS, KISS, DBPIA, Pubmed, CNKI by keywords, '추나', 'Osteopathic', 'Chiropractic', 'Manipulation', '推拿', '導引', '按摩', After 2010. Results 1. Selected 3 domestic studies were categorized as 1 survey study and 2 case reports. Selected 41 foreign studies from Pubmed were categorized as 15 systemic reviews, 8 survey studies, 12 case reports and 6 control studies. Selected 82 foreign studies from CNKI were categorized as 10 systemic reviews, 22 case reports and 50 control studies. 2. 2 clinical domestic studies researched on idiopathic Scoliosis. The foreign clinical studies from Pubmed are 18 cases, and those studies were categorized into Premature baby care (3), Infant colic (2), ADHD (2), Congenital talipes equinovarus (1), Somatic dysfuntion (1), Nonsynostotic occipital plagiocephaly (1), Conversion disorder (1), Lower back pain (1), Chronic bilateral dorsal foot pain and stiffness (1), plantar fasciitis (1), Migraine headaches (1), Cyclic vomiting syndrome (1), Acute otitis media (1) and Cerebral palsy (1). The other 72 foreign clinical studies were from CNKI, and they studied 39 different diseases. Systematically, they studied about digestive diseases (25), respiratory diseases (20), fever (6), musculoskeletal diseases (5), nervous system diseases (5), dermatology diseases (2) and other disease states. The Chuna treatment was used in variety of studies. 3. 2 clinical domestic studies adopted techniques of Osteopathy Chuna. The foreign clinical studies from Pubmed adopted techniques of Osteopathic manipulation (10) and Chiropractic manipulation (8). The other foreign clinical studies from CNKI adopted techniques of Acupressure (69), Abdominal manipulation (23), Spinal manipulation (21), Thoracic manipulation (11), Traction manipulation (2), Muscular manipulation (2), Squeezing Sha manipulation (1), Spine correction (1), Joint manipulation (1) and Fascia manipulation (1). Conclusions In addition to musculoskeletal disorders, variety of pediatric diseases could be treated with Chuna treatment instead of acupuncture.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2022

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome present with several impairments such as hypotonia, ligament laxity, decreased muscle strength, insufficient muscular cocontraction, inadequate postural control, and disturbed proprioception. These factors are responsible for the developmental challenges faced by children with Down syndrome. These individuals also present with balance dysfunctions. Purpose: This systematic review aims to describe the motor dysfunction and balance impairments in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: We searched the Scopus, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Wiley, and EBSCO databases for observational studies evaluating the motor abilities and balance performance in individuals with Down syndrome. The review was registered on PROSPERO. Results: A total of 1,096 articles were retrieved; after careful screening and scrutinizing against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in the review. Overall, the children and adolescents with Down syndrome showed delays and dysfunction in performing various activities such as sitting, pulling to stand, standing, and walking. They also presented with compensatory mechanisms to maintain their equilibrium in static and dynamic activities. Conclusion: The motor development of children with Down syndrome is significantly delayed due to structural differences in the brain. These individuals have inefficient compensatory strategies like increasing step width, increasing frequency of mediolateral center of pressure displacement, decreasing anteroposterior displacement, increasing trunk stiffness, and increasing posterior trunk displacement to maintain equilibrium. Down syndrome presents with interindividual variations; therefore, a thorough evaluation is required before a structured intervention is developed to improve motor and balance dysfunction.

• Journal of Korean Society of Neurocognitive Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of task training for cognitive activation of upper extremity on upper limb function and activities of daily living and to suggest intervention in rehabilitation treatment. From January to February of 2018, nine stroke patients were arbitrated 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for four weeks. For the experimental group, the therapist has induced the group using the linguistic guidance to patients, so they utilize the cognition strategy. The control group conducted active exercises in a range of motion using the instruments and passive exercises in a range of motion to reduce the stiffness of joints and upper limbs. As muscle strengthening exercises, the patients were assigned to work on the biceps muscle of arm, triceps muscle of arm, and deltoid according to the individual patient's muscular strength level. For the experimental group, the MBI was improved by ten points at maximum, and K-AMPS motor skills showed the improvements of 1.0 logit at maximum, and processing skills showed improvements of 0.6 logits at maximum. In MFT, the maximum improvement was by two points. For the control group, MBI was improved by five points at maximum, and 0.2 maximum improvements were shown in K-AMPS' motor skills and 0.3 maximum improvements in processing skills. MFT showed no change. The conclusion is that the challenges to enable training for stroke patients give a positive impact on upper limb function and activities of daily living.