• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.505-517
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• 2011

The haptic sense is one of the five human senses that deeply affects cognitive development and everyday lives of children and adults. Recently, researchers and developers have started active discussions and research on haptic technologies. The purpose of this paper is to explain the role of haptics in learning, review studies that have attempted to use haptic technologies to teach students, and discuss how these technologies can be applied in special education context. National and international databases were searched and analyzed using meta-analysis methods. The few studies that have been completed so far are heavily focused on math and science learning. However, haptic technology has great potentials for children with disabilities who can benefit from extra assistance from these devices in wide areas of curriculum including math, science, music, art, history, and so on.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.37-44
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an exercise program using a virtual reality game and a gait exercise program using a treadmill on % maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) and static and dynamic balancing capabilities. Methods: A total of 26 elderly women were included in the study. 13 women were assigned to an exercise program using a virtual reality game, and 13 to a gait exercise program using a treadmill. The subjects performed the exercise for 40 min per session, three sessions per week, for eight weeks. Results: The %MVIC of the vastus medialis was significantly increased from $28.91{\pm}2.03%$ to $32.98{\pm}2.6%$ in the virtual reality game exercise group (p<0.00). The %MVIC of the vastus lateralis was significantly increased from $27.17{\pm}1.93%$ to $31.50{\pm}2.18%$ (p<0.00) in the gait exercise program group. The whole path length with both feet on the floor and eyes open was significantly decreased from $1570.92{\pm}820.6mm$ to $1343.62{\pm}242.41mm$ (p<0.00). The whole path length with both feet on the floor and eyes closed was significantly decreased from $1819.85{\pm}361.14mm$ to $1581.05{\pm}285.11mm$ (p<0.00). The length of a functional reach was significantly increased from $25.2{\pm}4.23cm$ to $27.68{\pm}4.04cm$ (p<0.00). Conclusion: The exercise program using a virtual reality game is effective for improving the %MVIC and static and dynamic balancing capabilities in elderly women aged 65 years and more.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of virtual reality-based continuous slow exercise on muscle strength and dynamic balance capacity, in older adults over 65 years of age. Methods: Twenty-six volunteers were randomly divided into two groups; a Virtual Reality (VR) exercise-group ($67.8{\pm}4.1$ yrs) and a Control group ($65.5{\pm}5.2$ yrs). The VR group participated in eight weeks of virtual reality exercise, utilizing modified Tai-Chi provided by a motion capture system, and the Control group had no intervention. The hip muscle strength and dynamic balance of the members of both the VR group and the Control group were measured at pre- and post-intervention, using a multimodal dynamometer, and backward stepping test, respectively. Results: 1. After the 8-week VR-based exercise, the VR group showed significant improvement of hip strength, compared to the control group: hip extension (p=0.00), flexion (p=0.00), abduction (p=0.00), and adduction (p=0.00). 2. After the 8-week VR-based exercise, the VR group showed significant improvement of dynamic balance capacity as ground reaction force, compared to the control group. Eyes opened backward stepping test: Fx (+) (p=0.00), Fy (-) (p=0.02), Ver (+) (p=0.02) direction. Eyes closed backward stepping test: Fx (+) (p=0.04), Fy (-) (p=0.04), Ver (+) (p=0.03) direction. Conclusion: The VR group showed improvement of their hip muscle strength, and dynamic balance capacity. Therefore VR-based continuous slow exercise would contribute to reducing the risk of falls in the elderly.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of VR training with FES on improving the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper limb joints in patients with chronic stroke. Methods : The present study makes use of a pre-post control group design. Thirty patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups according to treatment method - the VRFES group and the control group. The VRFES group received 15 minutes of VR training and 15 minutes of FES treatment. The control group received 15 minutes of conservative physical therapy and 15 minutes of VR training. All subjects received 30 minutes of treatment, three times a week, for eight weeks, which amounted to 24 sessions of training. The muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities were measured before the training and eight weeks after. Upper limb muscle strength was tested using the Digital Manual Muscle Tester while AROM was measured using the Digital Dual Inclinometer. The clinical assessment tools for upper extremity function included the use of the Manual Function Test and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test. Results : Both groups exhibited great improvements in muscle strength and upper extremity function during the intervention period. The VRFES group exhibited a significant difference in muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in comparison with the control group(p<.05). Our results reveal that VRFES is more effective for the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : VRFES treatment will be used as an important intervention for improving the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in patients with chronic stroke and achieving the functional recovery of the upper extremities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether virtual reality-based exercise could improve on balance, gait and fall efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods : Ten patients with Parkinson's disease were randomly divided into either an experimental or control group. The experimental subjects performed vertual reality-based exercise, whereas the control subjects performed conventional physical therapy for 4 weeks. The balance, gait and fall efficacy of all subjects were assessed by using the Measurement Training and Documentation (MTD) balance system, force platform system, Korean version of Berg Balance scale (K-BBS), 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Korean version of Fall efficacy scale (K-FES) at pre training and post training. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze change before and after intervention in intra-group. Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze changes of all variables in inter-groups. Results : Subjects in the experimental group showed significant improvements in difference of weight distribution, K-BBS scores, antero-posterior and medio-lateral sway length, ground reaction force (GRF), 6MWT, and step length following training. The changes of difference of weight distribution, K-BBS scores, AP Sway Length, GRF, 6MWT, step length and K-FES scores in the experimental group were significantly more than them of the control group. Conclusion : The result of this study suggest that virtual reality-based exercise training is an intervention to improve on balance, gait, and falls efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.227-238
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects on using Virtual reality exercise program($Wii-Fit^{TM}$) for dynamic balance and walking ability in patients with stroke. Methods : The 22 subjects were randomly selected from the patients of the S hospital who met the study conditions. They were divided into a $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group of 12 patients and a conventional physical therapy group of 10 patients. The $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group received $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group general physiotherapy for 5 days a weeks, 30 minutes a day, for a 4 weeks and the conventional physical therapy group received general physiotherapy for the same period. The subjects were measured and compared for Brunel balance assessment, functional gait assessment, 6 minute walk test, GAITRite system before and after the program. Results : The experimental group tend to improve more than control group in shifting the weight to the affected side(p=0.040) and tap test(p<0.001). The experimental group tend to improve more than control group in FGA(p=0.016). The experimental group improved significantly more than control group in 6MWT(p=0.008). The experimental group improved significantly more than control group in gait speed, cadence, stride length. Conclusions : Virtual Reality program($Wii-Fit^{TM}$) with conventional physical therapy shows the benefits on dynamic balance and gait parameters in patients with stroke.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.274-284
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• 1992

A 1/15-scale CREARE experiment, which simulates the thermal-hydraulic behavior in the reactor pressure vessel of a PWR during a hypothetical Loss Of Coolant Accident, has been analyzed using CATHARE code for the associated model assessment to represent the phenomenon. The key parameters examined in the CREARE experiment were known as ECC water injection rate. ECC water subcooling, system pressure, and steam flow rate coming out from the core bottom. The present CATHARE simulation, however, has been mainly focused on qualitative analysis of a countercurrent flow in the downcomer. The discrepancy of the simulation results with the experimental data is considered arising primarily from an inadequate numerical representation as well as an interfacial friction model. Accordingly it is suggested from the sensitivity studies that either multidimensional approach or further examination of momentum equations at a junction near a volume element in CATHARE be necessary in order to represent the phenomenon more realistically.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between static and dynamic balance according to the virtual reality-based squat and conventional squat exercise. Methods : Twenty four participants were randomly assigned to the virtual reality-based squat (VRS) group (n=12) or conventional squat (CS) group (n=12). The static balance (C90 area, C90 angle, trace length, sway average velocity) and dynamic balance (forward, rearward, leftward, rightward) were measured using a force plate by BT4. The VRS group used the virtual reality system during 4 weeks, while the CS group underwent classical squat training. Independent t-test was used to test the homogeneity of the general characteristics of the subjects. The collected data was analyzed using the paired t-test for static and dynamic balance comparisons before and after exercise in both groups and Pearson's test for the correlation between static and dynamic balance according to the measured time. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results : There was no significant correlation between group and static and dynamic balance related variables (p>.05). There was a significant correlation between measurement time and static and dynamic balance related variables (p<.05). According to the measurement time, the static balance parameter C90 area in the VRS group after exercise was significantly decreased (p<.05). The values of forward, leftward and rightward in the VRS group were significantly increased after exercise (p<.05). Conclusion : It is suggested that 20 normal healthy adult men and women who have normal balance ability can improve their ability to control their posture by improving the balance ability when applying virtual reality-based squat exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of virtual reality inspiratory muscle training and conventional inspiratory muscle training on diaphragm movement and pulmonary function in patients with thoracic restriction. METHODS: This study measured diaphragm movement, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and thoracic mobility (upper, middle, and lower trunk) under two different conditions. Forty young women between 19 and 24 years of age who had no history of orthopedic symptoms for the last 6 months were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed virtual reality inspiratory muscle training and diaphragm breathing, and the control group performed conventional inspiratory muscle training and diaphragm breathing. RESULTS: The control group showed a significant increase in all dependent variables except for lower trunk mobility and PEF. The experimental group showed a significant increase in all dependent variables except for lower trunk mobility. Particularly, the experimental group showed significant increases in diaphragm movement (p<.05), FVC (p<.05), FEV1 (p<.05), and PEF (p<.05) relative to the control group. CONCLUSION: We recommend inspiratory muscle training with a virtual reality program over conventional training to improve diaphragm movement and pulmonary function in patients with thoracic restriction.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.525-531
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• 2019

Efforts to utilize human gestures to effectively implement a more natural and interactive interface between humans and computers have been ongoing in recent years. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm that accepts consecutive three-dimensional (3D) depth images, defines a hand model, and robustly extracts the human hand region based on six palm joints and 15 finger joints. Then, the 3D depth images are adaptively binarized to exclude non-interest areas, such as the background, and accurately extracts only the hand of the person, which is the area of interest. Experimental results show that the presented algorithm detects only the human hand region 2.4% more accurately than the existing method. The hand region extraction algorithm proposed in this paper is expected to be useful in various practical applications related to computer vision and image processing, such as gesture recognition, virtual reality implementation, 3D motion games, and sign recognition.