• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.579-585
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• 2010

In this paper, an assistive device for a knee joint to help a disabled person to stand up by supporting power is presented. The device is designed and controlled by using damping characteristics of the MR (Magneto-Rheological) damper. The MR damper helps the person to sit slowly and safely. A DC motor supports muscle power in the case of standing motion. Thus the device helps the disabled person to sit down and stand up. Through the experiments, it is feasible that an assistive device can help the disabled person to standup according to the foot pressure change.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop a sit-to-stand transfer assistive device, and to conduct a feasibility test. Design: A technical note. Methods and results: In this study, we developed a sit-to-stand transfer assistive device for the elderly and the disabled who have difficulty standing up independently from sitting positions. The sit-to-stand transfer assistive device allows the user to transfer the weight from a sitting position to a standing position while shifting the weight forward by grabbing and pulling a support stand. Ten healthy adults participated in the feasibility test of the device. Each participant used the developed sit-to-stand transfer assistive device and investigated supplementation through a brief interview. As a result of the feasibility test, the opinion was that the device could assist the sit-to-stand transfer to some extent. There were opinions that it needed a function to adjust the height of the knee protective plate in the sitting position according to the user's physical characteristics. Because of the inconvenience of operating the lock device for fixing the position and adjusting inclination, there was an opinion that the improvement for a locking device is needed. There were opinions that it would be better to reduce the size of the device due to its inconvenience of portability. Conclusion: In this study, we developed the sit-to-stand transfer assistive device for the elderly and the disabled who have difficulty standing up independently from sitting positions. In addition, it is considered that the upgrade of the device is necessary for the future since there are supplementary opinions on some points.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartA
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• v.14A no.1 s.105
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• pp.25-30
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• 2007

Korea has deeper digital divide between disabled and non-disabled people than other industrialized countries have. This study attributes the deep divide to policy factors and attempts to discern differences in policies concerning IT assistive devices between Korea and America. This study finds that major differences in policy exist between the two countries, and the differences account for Korea's unsatisfactory state of digital divide. Firstly, Korra has different 'perception' of assistive devices. While IT assistive devices are perceived as rehabilitation tools as well as bridges over digital divide in America, they are still foreign to social welfare and rehabilitation of disabled people in Korea. Secondly, the two countries differ in 'enforcement of policy.' In Korea, unlike in America, compliance with regulations on assistive devises is not compulsory. Besides, laws and regulations do not clarify possible sources of financing and legal sanctions, thus their enforcement is hardly effective. Thirdly, Korea's strategy for assistive device 'market' is very different from America's. America has long-term strategies to enliven the market for IT assistive devices. But Korea provided a lump sum of device development fund, and then gave out the assistive devices free of charge. As a result, the IT assistive device market has not been formed, and the foundation for further device development is yet to be constructed.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2013

This study was aimed to examine effects of the assistive technology program that has purpose to maintain and promote employment of persons with disabilities. An administrative data constructed by the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled(KEAD) was utilized. Propensity score matching were used as analysis methods to minish sample selection bias caused by nonrandom sampling. As a result, turnover rate of people with disabilities who used assistive technology device was lower compared to persons with disabilities did not use assistive technology device. Also, in terms of company, for employment promotion effect on the persons with disabilities, company that provided assistive technology device was higher than that of company did not provide assistive technology device. Finally, assistive technology devices were effective in the employment area was confirmed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.317-319
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• 2009

The physical disabled are using various types of assistive devices and reading assistance device is have been researched and development. After all reading assistance device which being marketed present for the physical disabled's features is simply limited to turing the page. In this paper, Implemented prototype model of the reading assistance device for the physical disabled that is have designed to modify to improve the success rate of turing page and conjunction with mobile devices such as PDA to provide more convenient and useful features. And not only for the disabled then take a look at Universal design concept of view of the tool can be useful the public also.

• 재활복지
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.25-45
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• 2014

The present report aims to examine the assistive technology(AT) service operating system for the Disabled in Sweden, and will give it to NHIS(National Health Insurance Service) to manage of policy for AT service operating system. The user of AT is around 10% of the Disabled in Sweden which is introduced the AT service system to support the independence for the Disabled. To provide AT service, the role of the Ministry of Health(planning and regulation, controling Handisam and Hi as a subsidiary), County councils(providing and follow up medical AT service, operating AT service center) and Municipalities(providing general AT service) in Sweden is decentralized strictly. Specially, all the AT device is lent freely and recycled suitably for persons with Disabilities, moreover nurses, physical therapist and occupational therapist has a qualification for prescription of AT device . This finding will be the basis to improve Assistive Technology Operating System in Korea.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate driving performance of Healthy and disabled groups (with or without driver's license) to control steering wheel by using steering assistive devices in the driving simulator. The persons with partial loss of use of all four limbs have problems in operation of the motor vehicle because of functional loss to operate steering wheel. Therefore, if steering assistive devices for grasping the steering wheel are used to control the vehicle on the road in persons with disabilities, the disabled persons can improve mobility in their community life by driving a motor vehicle safely. Ten healthy subjects (with or w/o driver's license) and ten subjects with physical disabilities (with or w/o driver's license) were involved in this study to evaluate driving performance to operate steering wheel by using four types of steering assistive devices (Single-pin, V-grip, Palm-grip, Tri-pin) in driving simulator. STISim Drive 3 software was used to test the steering performance in four scenarios: straight road at low and high speed of vehicle (40 km/h and 80 km/h), curved road at low and high speed of vehicle (40 km/h and 80 km/h). This study used two-way ANOVA in order to compare the effects of two factors (type of steering assistive device and subject group) in the three dependent variables of driving performance (the lateral position of vehicle, standard deviation of lateral position representing the variation of the left and right movement of the vehicle and the number of line crossing). The mean values of the three dependent variables (lateral position, standard deviation of lateral position, the number of line crossing) of steering performance were statistically significantly smaller for the healthy or disabled groups with driver's license than the other groups without driver's license on the curved road at high speed of vehicle compared to low speed of vehicle.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.85-95
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and availability on items of 2018 assistive devices distribution program for the disabled in the occupational therapists. Methods : A total of 132 occupational therapists participated in the survey from May 1 to May 31. Results : 96.2% of the occupational therapists responded that assistive device is helpful in lives of the disabled people. Especially, they responded that assistive device is the most helpful in 'movement and mobility'. Awareness on an angle spoon/fork with built-up handle and universal cuff was the highest, while a visual signaling indicator was the lowest. Availability on an air cushion was the highest, while a visual signaling indicator and a voice guidance system were the lowest. 67.4% responded that 'sometimes' they use the assistive device and 77.3% responded they will utilize the assistive device. To improve awareness and availability, 43.2% needed financial support, 32.6% needed to add insurance bill and 22.7% needed related education. Conclusion : In the future, this result will be available as a basic data for the education about assistive device for the occupational therapists.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.197-200
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate the feasibility of a sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The sit-to-stand assistive chair was developed to assist the sit-to-stand movement by rising up of the chair by a pneumatic cylinder. After the user is seated on the chair, if the pneumatic cylinder pulls the seat plate when standing up, the spring of the pneumatic cylinder, which has been stretched, assists in rising the rear end of the seat plate so that the user can stand conveniently and comfortably. A feasibility test was performed in 10 heathy adults. The electromyographic muscle activation of the trunk and lower extremity muscles was analyzed, which included the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius when standing up from sitting using the developed chair and standing up without using the developed chair. Results: As a result, the sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder was developed. In the feasibility test, the use of the developed chair had a decrease in rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior activation compared to those who did not use the device in the healthy adults. Conclusions: The sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder may be helpful to reduce the activation of the rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior muscles when performing a sit-to-stand movement. Through the results, the efficacy of the sit-to-stand assistive chair can be confirmed. In the future, further studies are warranted to investigate for the safety and efficacy of its use in the elderly population or those who are disabled.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2013

In this study, we present how our assistive technology service worked in the public funds delivery system through the center of professional assistive technology in Gwangju. In detail, among total 253 applicants for assistive device support business for disabled, 28 clients and 28 clients failed to get the support because of self-withdrawl and insuitability, respectively. The left 225 clients finally got the chance to use the assistive device; especially, 28 clients will get the alternative device which was recommended through the assistive technology professionals. Therefore, this work is believed to be a good example of how mediation of professionals in assistive technology center leads to the efficient use of public funds.