• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2019

Purpose: This study verifies the muscle activity around the amputation site during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern exercise for the upper extremities on the non-amputated part in upper extremity amputees and provides basic data on effective exercise around an amputation site. Methods: Manual resistance was applied to the PNF upper extremity pattern of the non-amputated part to generate muscle activity around the amputation site. The resistance was adjusted to an intensity that could cause maximal isometric contraction. The muscle activity of the amputation site and the non-amputated part was measured using a surface electromyogram for the upper trapezius, middle trapezius, infraspinatus, serratus anterior, and pectoralis major. Results: During the scapular exercise in the painless range, the amputated side showed significantly lower muscle activity and a lower muscle contraction ratio compared with the non-amputated side. During the PNF pattern exercise in the painless range, the amputated side showed lower muscle activity and a lower muscle contraction ratio compared with the non-amputated side. When the direct scapular exercise of the amputated side was compared with the PNF pattern exercise of the non-amputated side, their muscle contraction ratios were similar. Conclusion: This study confirmed the effectiveness of the PNF pattern exercise of the non-amputated part as a way to indirectly train the injured site with no pain for rehabilitation of patients with serious body injuries, such as amputation. It is necessary to develop effective exercise programs for the rehabilitation of the amputation site based on the results of this study.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.453-463
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of an intensively rehabilitation program on the gait, balance, functional performance, and wearing satisfaction of patients with traumatic lower extremity amputations caused by industrial accidents. Methods: In this study, the anonymized electronic medical records of individuals who participated in the intensive rehabilitation program (among those who were admitted to the hospital belonging to the Labor Welfare Corporation) due to an industrial accident from August 2018 to September 2019 were collected. As a result, the records of 12 subjects meeting the screening criteria were analyzed. Results: According to the time of application to the intensive rehabilitation program, the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) (p < 0.01), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (p < 0.01), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) (p = 0.01), the L Test of Functional Mobility (L-test) (p < 0.01), Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (Plus-M) (p < 0.01), and Houghton Score Question (HSQ) (p < 0.01) values significantly improved with time. Conclusion: This study confirmed the positive effect of an intensive rehabilitation program on the gait, balance, functional performance, and wearing satisfaction of patients with traumatic lower extremity amputations caused by industrial accidents. However, this study was limited by the absence of a control group, and, thus, it highlights the need for more extensive research with a large sample.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.393-399
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• 2023

Upper limb amputees wear an upper limb prosthesis for both aesthetic purposes and functional necessity, and in particular, in the case of amputee with both hands, it is essential to wear a myoelectric prosthetic hand capable of gripping action. The prosthetic hand operated by the EMG signal of the remaining muscles is a public insurance benefit item of the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance, and test method standards are needed to be developed for the safety of the user and the effectiveness of the product performance. In this study, we developed systems for measuring the gripping force of myoelectric hand prosthesis by a load cell and for durability test of the prosthesis over repeated use with a proximity sensor, and propose a test method standard. Since the international test method standard has not yet been established, it is expected that Korea will be able to play a leading role in this standardization field in the future.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2017

In this paper, we propose a gait pattern recognition method for intelligent prosthesis that enables walking in various environments of femoral amputees. The proposed gait mode changing method is a single sensor based algorithm which can discriminate gait surface and gait phase using only strain gauges sensor, and it is designed to simplify the algorithm based on multiple sensors of existing intelligent prosthesis and to reduce cost of prosthesis system. For the recognition algorithm, we analyzed characteristics of the ground reaction force generated during gait of normal person and defined gait step segmentation and gait detection condition, A gait analyzer was constructed for the gait experiment in the environment similar to the femoral amputee. The validity of the paper was verified through the defined detection conditions and fabricated instruments. The accuracy of the algorithm based on the single sensor was 95%. Based on the proposed single sensor-based algorithm, it is considered that the intelligent prosthesis system can be made inexpensive, and the user can directly grasp the state of the walking surface and shift the walking mode. It is confirmed that it is possible to change the automatic walking mode to switch the walking mode that is suitable for the walking mode.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2011

Purpose: In the process of replantation of the amputated fingertips, the primary concern was given to survival of the amputees, while the functional aspect of digits after the surgery has been easily neglected. Although an internal fixation with a K-wire is often a part of replantation of the amputated fingertips, little consideration had been given to the study of relationship between distal interphalangeal joint fixation and post operative range of motion. A comparative study in relation to post operative range of motion was done on two different groups, one group with K-wire insertion and the other group without a K-wire insertion at the distal interphalangeal joint. Materials and Methods: The study was done on the cases of a single digit amputation conducted at our institute (the age in the range of 10 to 60) in about four-year of time span from March of 2005 to March of 2009. The cases with a thumb replantation, osteomyelitis or articular surface injury have been excluded from this study. The cases of both head and shaft fracture, except the insertion site of tendon, of distal phalanx of internal fixation with a single K-wire were reviewed for this study. A group of 24 cases without distal interphalangeal joint fixation in comparison to a group of 22 cases with distal interphalangeal joint fixation was reviewed to assess the postoperative range of motion at distal interphalangeal joint on the 6th week after the surgery. And, on the 30th month after the surgery, a group of 10 cases without distal interphalangeal joint fixation in comparison to a group of 10 cases with joint fixation was reviewed. A K-wire was removed in about 5 weeks after the fracture was reunited under the radiographic image, immediately followed by a physical therapy. Result: The active range of motion for a group without interphalangeal joint fixation was measured $49.0^{\circ}$ on average, while $28.6^{\circ}$ was measured for a group with interphalengeal fixation on the 6th week after the surgery. On the 30th month after the surgery, the active range of motion was measured $52.0^{\circ}$ and $55.0^{\circ}$ on average for a group without and with interphalangeal fixation respectively. Conclusion: In the process of replantation of the amputated fingertips, short-term(on the 6th week) improvement of postoperative active motion of range can be expected in the cases without distal interphalangeal fixation in comparison to the cases of interphalangeal joint fixation with a K-wire. However, there seems to be no difference on motion of range in a long-term (on the 30th month) follow up period.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.71-78
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• 2006

This study examined the effects of socket flexion angle in trans-tibial prosthesis on stump/socket interface pressure. Ten trans-tibial amputees voluntarily participated in this study. F-socket system was used to measure static and dynamic pressure in stump/socket interface. The pressure was measured at anterior area (proximal, middle, and distal) and posterior area (proximal, middle, and distal) in different socket flexion angles ($5^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$, and $10^{\circ}$). Paired t-test was used to compare pressure differences in conventional socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$ with pressures in socket flexion angles of $0^{\circ}$ and $10^{\circ}$ (${\alpha}$=.05). Mean pressure during standing in socket flexion angle of $10^{\circ}$ decreased significantly in anterior middle area (19.7%), posterior proximal area (10.4%), and posterior distal area (16.3%) compared with socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$. Mean pressure during stance phase in socket flexion angle of $0^{\circ}$ increased significantly in anterior proximal area (19.3%) and decreased significantly in anterior distal area (19.7%) compared with socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$. Mean pressure during stance phase in socket flexion angle of $10^{\circ}$ decreased significantly in anterior proximal area (19.6%) and increased significantly in anterior distal area (8.2%) compared with socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$. Peak pressure during gait in socket flexion angle of $0^{\circ}$ increased significantly in anterior proximal area (23.0%) compared with socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$ and peak pressure during gait in socket flexion angle of $10^{\circ}$ decreased significantly in anterior proximal area (22.7%) compared with socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$. Mean pressure over 80% of peak pressure ($MP_{80+}$) during gait in socket flexion angle of $0^{\circ}$ increased significantly in anterior proximal area (23.9%) and decreased significantly in anterior distal area (22.5%) compared with socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$. $MP_{80+}$ during gait in socket flexion angle of $10^{\circ}$ decreased significantly in anterior distal area (34.1%) compared with socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$. Asymmetrical pressure change patterns in socket flexion angle of $0^{\circ}$ and $10^{\circ}$ were revealed in anterior proximal and distal region compared with socket flexion angle of $5^{\circ}$. To provide comfortable and safe socket for trans-tibial amputee, socket flexion angle must be considered.