• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2013

Electrical stimulation is delivered to auditory nerve (AN) through the electrodes in cochlear implant system. Neurogram is a spectrogram that includes information of neural response to electrical stimulation. We hypothesized that the similarity between a neurogram and an input-sound spectrogram could show how well a cochlear implant system works. In this study, we evaluated electrical stimulus configuration of CIS strategy using the computational model. The computational model includes stochastic property and anatomical features of cat auditory nerve fiber. To evaluate similarity between a neurogram and an input-sound spectrogram, we calculated Structural Similarity Index (SSIM). The results show that the dynamic range and the stimulation rate per channel influenced SSIM. Finally, we suggested the optimal configuration within the given stimulus CIS. We expect that the results and the evaluating procedure could be employed to improve the performance of a cochlear implant system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of a vestibular stimulation training program on the walking ability of chronic stroke patients over a six month period. METHODS: Forty stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided randomly into a control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=20). A general exercise program was applied to Group I and vestibular stimulation training was applied to Group II(30 min, three times a week for six weeks). The changes in straight walking ability, curved walking ability, and functional walking ability were measured using a 10 m walking test figure-of-eight-walking test, and dynamic gait index, respectively. The measures before and after the program were compared using a paired t-test for a comparison of each group and an independent t-test for a comparison between groups. RESULTS: The changes in each group were examined according to the measurement period. The Experimental group showed significant functional improvement in all three tests after the vestibular stimulation training program, but the control group did not show significant improvement in any of the tests after the general exercise program. A comparison of the changes between groups revealed the experimental group to show significantly higher improvement than the control group in all tests. CONCLUSION: The vestibular stimulation training program helps improve the gait function of stroke patients. Based on the results of this study, it is expected that various vestibular stimulation training programs will be developed and applied in a range of places.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.597-604
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• 2017

This study examined the effects of vestibular stimulation training on the static and dynamic balance of patients with chronic stroke. This study was conducted from July 15th to September 6th, 2014 and 20 subjects diagnosed with stroke participated in this study. The subjects were divided randomly into Group I (general therapeutic exercise, n=10) and Group II (vestibular stimulation training, n=10). Both groups were trained for 40 minutes, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. The balance ability, static balance and dynamic balance, were evaluated using a Good Balance System and compared before-and-after intervention. In the vestibular training group, there were statistically significant differences in the left-right and anterior-posterior balance with the eyes closed and standing posture, in the left-right and anterior-posterior balance with the eyes open and standing posture, and moving time and distance. In the general therapeutic exercise group, there was no significant difference except in the left-right balance with the eyes open and standing posture. In conclusion, vestibular stimulation training had positive effects on the static and dynamic balance of chronic stroke patients, and this training can be effective in a treatment program to improve the balance ability of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 2009

It has been reported that mechanical stimulation takes a role in improving eel/ growth in skeletal system. Various research groups have been showed their own bioreactors which stimulate cell-seed three-dimensional scaffold. In this study, we hypothesized that the various conditions of mechanical stimulation would affect cell growth and proliferation. To prove our hypothesis, we designed a custom-made bioreactor capable of applying controlled compression to cell-encapsulated scaffolds. This device consisted of a circulation system and a compression system. Each parts of the bioreactor was fabricated using the rapid prototyping technology By using the rapid prototyping technology, we can modify and improve the bioreactor very rapidly For dynamic cell-culture, cell-encapsulated agarose gel was fabricated in 2% concentration. We performed dynamic cell-culture using this agarose gel and developed bioreactor in 3 days.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.167-182
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• 2002

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on chronic pains and factors that affected EA effects. The responses of wide dynamic range (WDR) cells to electrical stimulation of $A{\delta}$ & C afferent fibers were used as an index of pain in rats with chronic pains induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant or peripheral nerve injury. In rats with chronic pains, low (2Hz) and high (100Hz) frequency EA stimulation applied to zusanli caused the inhibition of WDR cell responses in about 60% of rats and the inhibitory actions were dependent on the stimulus strength. EA stimulation also induced an excitation of WDR cell responses in 23.9% of rats and no effect in 15.8% of rats. However, it seemed that in normal rats compared to the rat with chronic pains, the incidence of which EA stimulation caused the excitation or no effect was high. Reversible spinalization almost completely blocked EA-induced inhibitory or excitatory effects. EA stimulation more frequently induced the excitation of WDR cell responses in lightly anesthetized (0.6%) rats and the enhanced responses of WDR cells were inhibited by EA stimulation in the rat anesthetized with 1.5% enflurane. These experimental findings suggest that in rats with chronic pain, EA stimulation inhibited WDR cell responses to slow $A{\delta}$ and C fiber stimulation and EA-induced inhibitory action was under the control of descending inhibitory system and degree of anesthesia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve balance ability in acute stage stroke patients. METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 subjects diagnosed with hemiparesis caused by stroke. The experimental group consisted of 15 patients that underwent rTMS for 15 mins and the control group consisted of 15 patients that underwent sham rTMS (for 15 minutes). A 70-mm figure 8 coil and a Magstim Rapid stimulator was used in both groups. Patients in the experimental group received 10 Hz rTMS applied to the hotspot in the lesioned hemisphere in 10-second trains with 50-second intervals between trains, for 15 minutes (total 2,000 pulses). Both groups received conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Static balance ability analysis was performed using the Gaitview system to measure pressure rate, postural sway, and total pressure, and dynamic balance ability analysis was performed to measure pressure variables using a balance system. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in post-training gains for pressure rate, total pressure in static balance, and overall stability index in dynamic balance between the experimental group and the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that high frequency rTMS may be beneficial for improving static and dynamic balance recovery in acute stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was determine the effect of Balance Trainer training with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on spasticity and balance in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with hemiparetic stroke were recruited and randomly divided into the Balance Trainer training with TENS group (n=15) and Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (n=15). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with TENS for 30 minutes a day, 5 days per a week during 4 weeks and the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS for the same period. Spasticity and balance were assessed by ability (static balance, dynamic balance) and were measured before and after the 4-week programs. Results: The result of spasticity and dynamic balance were improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group showed significantly greater improvement in spasticity of the gastrocnemius & dynamic balance, compared to the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (p<0.05). The Balance trainer training with TENS group showed a significant improvement in static balance, especially during the eye-closed condition (p<0.05). Conclusions: The Balance Trainer training with TENS was effective in improving spasticity and balance in subjects with chronic stroke. Based on these results, it is suggested that Balance Trainer training with TENS could clinically be used more actively in conjunction with conventional physical therapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate how neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) affects the balance ability of patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty owing to osteoarthritis. Methods : Thirty patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty were randomized to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group received conventional physical therapy for 50 minutes and NMES treatment for 30 minutes, whereas the control group received conventional physical therapy for 50 minutes and active range of motion (AROM) exercises for 30 minutes. Within-group and between-group changes in static and dynamic balance ability before and after the 4-week intervention were analyzed. Results : In the within-group comparison, sway velocity in the center of gravity and total distance were significantly improved in both the experimental and control groups (p<.05), with no significant differences between the groups (p>.05). In the within-group comparison, both the experimental and control groups showed significant improvement in the functional reach test and movement velosity (p<.05). In the between-group comparison, the experimental group showed a significantly better improvement than the control group in the functional reach test (p<.05), but there was no significant difference in the movement velosity test (p>.05). Conclusion : In this study, NMES improved the static and dynamic balance in patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty. Compared with AROM exercises, there was a greater effect on dynamic balance partially; however, the overall effect was similar. Therefore, NMES may be one option among various interventions to improve the balance ability in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty. In particular, this method may be effective when it is difficult to apply balance training for patients with total knee arthroplasty in a clinical setting.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 1999

Somatostatin (SOM) is one of the major neuropeptides in dorsal root ganglion cells, but its role in spinal nociceptive process has not been well known. In present study we aimed to investigate the effect of SOM on the response of dorsal horn neurons to the various types of peripheral nociceptive stimuli in anesthetized cats. Using carbon-filament microelectrode, the single cell activities of wide dynamic range neurons were recorded from the lumbosacral enlargement after noxious mechanical (squeeze), thermal (radiant heat lamp) and cold (dry ice) stimulation to the receptive field. Sciatic nerve was stimulated electrically to evoke $A\;{\delta}-$ and C-nociceptive responses. SOM analogue, octreotide $(10\;{\mu}g/kg),$ was applied intravenously and the results were compared with those of morphine (2 mg/kg, MOR). Systemic SOM decreased the cellular responses to the noxious heat and the mechanical stimulation, but increased those to the cold stimulation. In the responses to the electric stimuli of sciatic nerve, $A\;{\delta}-nociceptive$ response was increased by SOM, while C-nociceptive response was decreased. On the other hand, MOR inhibited the dorsal horn cell responses to all the noxious stimuli. From the above results, it is concluded that SOM suppresses the transmission of nociceptive heat and mechanical stimuli, especially via C-fiber, while it facilitates those of nociceptive cold stimuli via $A\;{\delta}-fiber$.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.285-292
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 8 direction incline and rotation exercise on pain and dynamic balance in the patients with chronic low back pain(CLBP). 20 patients who were diagnosed with CLBP were included for the study. 10 patients(experimental group) were treated by modality{Hot Pack(H/P), Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation(TENS), Ultra Sound(U/S)} and then performed 8 direction incline and rotation exercise. The other 10 patients(control group) were only treated by modality. The therapeutic intervention was taken three times a week for 6 weeks. Dynamic balance was assessed by Star Excursion Balance Test(SEBT) and pain was assessed by Visual Analog Scale(VAS). VAS scores of both groups were decreased. However, the experimental group was more significantly decreased than the control group. The dynamic balance of both groups was significantly increased in anterior, posterior, medial, lateral direction. But experimental group was more significantly increased than the control group. In conclusion, 8 direction incline and rotation exercise was effective on pain and dynamic balance in CLPB.