• 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.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.656-679
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• 2022

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the fidelity of stroke stage reporting, the timeliness of the outcome measures, and the use of the core outcome set. Methods: We searched the literature using 6 domestic databases. We selected studies that used Korean medicine interventions and targeted stroke patients with motor sequelae. We examined whether the included studies reported the stroke stage and whether they used the outcome measures in the appropriate period based on the recommendations of the "Stroke Evidence Database to Guide Effectiveness". We also confirmed the use of the essential assessment tools suggested by the core outcome set. Results: Overall, 77 studies were finally selected, with 16 (21%), 55 (71%), and 6 (8%) published on the acute, subacute, and chronic phases, respectively. Only 11 of the studies directly mentioned the stroke stage. The most commonly used assessments were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Modified Barthel Index, and Manual Muscle Testing. Only 5 studies failed to apply the stage-related outcome measures at the recommended period. The outcome variables used inadequately were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Functional Ambulation Categories, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and Mini-Mental State Examination. Among the core outcome set items, some studies used liver and renal function tests, but no herbal medicine safety reporting was conducted. Conclusions: In future studies, we propose to ensure accurate reporting of the stroke stage with reliable outcome measures to deliver better clinical and research outcomes. Furthermore, in future clinical studies on stroke, a standard protocol that reflects the core outcome set should be developed.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.271-302
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• 2017

Objectives : Jakyakgamcho-tang has been used to treat muscular tension, spasm and pain. On this study, new clinical uses of Jakyakgamcho-tang were confirmed and the other pharmacological results were summarized by analysing trends of modern experimental studies and clinical studies. Methods : Papers related to Jakyakgamcho-tang were searched on PUBMED, RISS, and National Assembly Library, and classified by categories and effects of clinical application and a variety of experiment around abstract. Also, figures were used for sketching out a timeline of expressing when these papers were read and core research content was described as a digest for identifying research trends. Results : Until today, there are 104 researches about the antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects of Jakyakgamcho-tang. In total, 91 papers were analyzed in this study. In matter of subject, researches on the antispasmodic effects were 17 cases, researches on the analgesic effects were 14 cases, researches on gynecological therapeutics were 14 cases, researches on pharmacokinetics were 12 cases, researches on the constituent identification were 7 cases, studies about constituents efficacy were 6 cases, studies about interactions with drugs were 6 cases. Conclusion : The traditional use of Jakyakgamcho-tang on muscle tension, spasm and pain has proven to have effects through the experimental evidences. Other effects of Jakyakgamcho-tang such as gynecological therapeutics, anti-inflammatory effects, are now emerging as a new area in clinical use. Futhermore as an auxiliary treatment, Jakyakgamcho-tang is a good alternative for muscle cramps during maintenance of hemodialysis, myalgia or arthralgia induced by anticancer drugs, amenorrhea induced by neuroleptics.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.238-245
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• 2017

This retrospective observational study was aimed to evaluate that Daoyin Exercise therapy improves the symptoms related to lumbar disc herniation. We analyzed the medical records of 7 patients, who satisfied with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects of the study were the patients who were prescribed Daoyin Exercise Therapy and Korean medical treatments for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation at Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University from July 25th, 2016 to March 31th, 2017. The effects of Daoyin Exercise Therapy was evaluated by comparing before and after taking Daoyin Exercise Therapy through 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), Roland & Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ), Trunk Extension Flexion(TEF) Program, EuroQol five Demension Questionnaire(EQ-5D, EQVAS) of the symptoms including lower back pain. The Daoyin Exercise Therapy combined with Korean medicine treatment reduced NRS($3.357{\pm}3.038$) and RMDQ($9.50{\pm}6.364$), and improved Muscle endurance($44.429{\pm}45.136$), EQ-5D($0.09{\pm}0.12$) and EQVAS($6.571{\pm}19.260$) of the 7 patients without side effects. These results implied that Daoyin Exercise Therapy might helps to improve symptoms of patients with lumbar disc herniation by reducing the symptoms of lower back pain and improving muscle endurance, quality of life, strength enhancement and core muscles.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.461-470
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• 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure and whole-genome selection signatures of Luxi cattle to reveal its genomic characteristics in terms of meat and carcass traits, skeletal muscle development, body size, and other traits. Methods: To further analyze the genomic characteristics of Luxi cattle, this study sequenced the whole-genome of 16 individuals from the core conservation farm in Shandong region, and collected 174 published genomes of cattle for conjoint analysis. Furthermore, three different statistics (pi, F_st, and XP-EHH) were used to detect potential positive selection signatures related to selection in Luxi cattle. Moreover, gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed to reveal the potential biological function of candidate genes harbored in selected regions. Results: The results showed that Luxi cattle had high genomic diversity and low inbreeding levels. Using three complementary methods (pi, F_st, and XP-EHH) to detect the signatures of selection in the Luxi cattle genome, there were 2,941, 2,221 and 1,304 potentially selected genes identified, respectively. Furthermore, there were 45 genes annotated in common overlapping genomic regions covered 0.723 Mb, including PLAG1 zinc finger (PLAG1), dedicator of cytokinesis 3 (DOCK3), ephrin A2 (EFNA2), DAZ associated protein 1 (DAZAP1), Ral GTPase activating protein catalytic subunit alpha 1 (RALGAPA1), mediator complex subunit 13 (MED13), and decaprenyl diphosphate synthase subunit 2 (PDSS2), most of which were enriched in pathways related to muscle growth and differentiation and immunity. Conclusion: In this study, we provided a series of genes associated with important economic traits were found in positive selection regions, and a scientific basis for the scientific conservation and genetic improvement of Luxi cattle.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2024

Background: Sleep accounts for approximately one-third of a person's lifetime. It is a relaxing activity that relieves mental and physical fatigue. Pillows of different sizes, shapes, and materials have been designed to improve sleep quality by achieving an optimal sleep posture. Objects: This study aimed to determine which pillow provides the most comfortable and supports the head and neck during sleep, which may enhance sleep quality. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adults (19 males and 9 females) with an average age of 29 years participated in this cross-sectional study. This experiment was conducted while the participants laid down for 5 minutes in four different pillow conditions: (1) no pillow (NP), (2) neck support foam pillow (NSFP), (3) standard microfiber filled pillow (SFP), and (4) hybrid foam pillow (HFP). The head-neck peak pressure, cranio-vertebral angle in supine (CVAs), cranio-horizontal angle in supine (CHAs), chin-sternum distance (CSD), and muscle tone of sternocleidomastoid were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The head-neck peak pressure was the highest in the NSFP condition, followed by the NP, SFP, and HFP conditions. The CVAs, CHAs, and CSD of the SFP were lower than those of the other pillows. Muscle tone was the highest in the NP condition, followed by the of NSFP, HFP, and SFP conditions. The participants subjective comfort level in both the supine and side-lying postures was highest in the HFP condition, followed by the SFP and NSFP conditions. Conclusion: This study can be used to establish the importance of pillow selection for high-quality sleep. The results of this study, suggest that a hybrid pillow with a good supportive core and appropriate fluffiness can maintain comfort and correct cervical spine alignment during sleep.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2014

Background: This case study is to describe the manual therapy for the patient with posttraumatic stress (PTSD), sleep disturbance, and pain such as chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: The patient who participated in this study was a 60 year-old male PTSD patient with CLBP. His CLBP is not from any genetic or family history but a sequelae of torture that he had gone through about 30 years ago. Prior to the intervention, it was assessed that the PDS-K score was 16, PQSI-K was 12, SLR-90-R was low, VAS score was 10, and KODI socre was 25. The intervention was conducted through manual therapy (myofascial release, muscle energy technique, lumbar stabilization) twice a week for eight weeks in total. Results: After eight week-intervention, the PDS-K, SLR-90-R, VAS, and KODI score were improved whereas PQSI-K was not sufficiently fast improved. Conclusions: The manual therapy is substantially effective in dealing with PTSD and CLBP.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.2113-2118
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• 2020

Background: Patients with stroke have core muscle weakness and limited rib cage movement, resulting in restrictive lung disease. Objectives: To examine the comparison of effects of rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise and diaphragmatic breathing exercise on the pulmonary function and chest circumference in patients with stroke. Design: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-four patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise group) and control group (diaphragmatic breathing exercise group). Patients in the experimental group underwent rib cage joint mobilization for 15 min and diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 15 min. The control group underwent diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 30 min. Both groups underwent exercise thrice a week for 4 weeks. The pulmonary function and chest circumference were measured using the MicroLab spirometer and a tape measure, respectively. Results: After the intervention, the pulmonary function and chest circumference significantly improved in both groups. These improvements were significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the control group. Conclusion: Rib cage joint mobilization combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercise improves pulmonary function and chest circumference in patients with stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.613-623
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• 2022

This study developed a functional prototype jacket designed to reduce loads on the upper extremities of workers performing repetitive motions in the same posture for extended periods of time. Dynamic taping lines were applied to the upper extremities, and three dimensional (3D) supporters were inserted in the abdomen and back waist areas corresponding to the core muscles. Clothing pressure on the upper-extremity dynamic taping lines was set to two levels (proto P1 and proto P2), and the 3D supporters were designed in three types (proto FW, proto FW/BW, proto FW/BW/BBX). According to the subjective pressure perceived on each part of the upper extremities, the level proto P1 pressure was preferred. The proto FW/BW/BBX 3D supporter was rated as excellent, and the perceived pressure was ranked as satisfactory. The prototype jacket performed upper-extremity load reduction when the upper-extremity clothing-pressure level was set to 1.8 kPa, 2.1 kPa, and 2.4 kPa on the upper arm, forearm, and wrist regions, respectively, and when 3D supporters were installed in the abdomen and back of the waist with the addition of a back band.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.459-472
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• 2024

Hyperpolarized (HP) carbon-13 (¹³C) MRI represents an innovative approach for noninvasive, real-time assessment of dynamic metabolic flux, with potential integration into routine clinical MRI. The use of [1-¹³C]pyruvate as a probe and its conversion to [1-¹³C]lactate constitute an extensively explored metabolic pathway. This review comprehensively outlines the establishment of HP ¹³C-MRI, covering multidisciplinary team collaboration, hardware prerequisites, probe preparation, hyperpolarization techniques, imaging acquisition, and data analysis. This article discusses the clinical applications of HP ¹³C-MRI across various anatomical domains, including the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, breast, liver, kidney, pancreas, and prostate. Each section highlights the specific applications and findings pertinent to these regions, emphasizing the potential versatility of HP ¹³C-MRI in diverse clinical contexts. This review serves as a comprehensive update, bridging technical aspects with clinical applications and offering insights into the ongoing advancements in HP ¹³C-MRI.