• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.226-233
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the exercise limit that may occur depending on changes in postural alignment by examining the significance of postural alignment changes, foot pressure, and balance of patients with stroke. Methods: In this study, 50 patients diagnosed with a stroke were selected as subjects. Imbalance of postural alignment of the trunk, pelvic tilt of trunk rotation of the body, angle of kyphotic curving of the thoracic, and angle of lordotic curving of the lumbar vertebra were measured. Foot pressure was examined by measuring average pressure and weight bearing. Balance was examined by measuring the center of pressure and limit of stability. Results: The significance of postural alignment, foot pressure, and weight bearing of the non-paretic side was examined. In addition, the significance between postural alignment and balance was examined. Conclusion: It is thought that limits of foot pressure and balance in the standing position can be caused by postural alignment. Thus, both a therapeutic intervention program and postural alignment training should be provided together in order to improve the function of patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2007

In many manufacturing occupations, industrial workers reported foot or lower leg problems such as discomfort, pain or orthopedic deformities. This study investigated the effects of two different working conditions upon assembly worker's perception of discomfort and foot pain associated with various body parts. Twenty-three male volunteers performed work in the factory. Ergonomic intervention has been to modify the flooring in an attempt to alleviate the problems associated with constrained standing and walking work. The worker's standing conditions consisted of standing on a hard floor while wearing shoe insoles. Questions were asked regarding body discomfort and foot pain. Significant differences in body discomfort and foot pain were found when comparing the overall effects of wearing shoe insoles on a hard floor (p<.05). This investigation indicated that shoe insoles reduced body discomfort and foot pain (p<.05).

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.409-419
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of foot reflexology on sleep, depression and skin temperature of the female elderly at home. Methods: This research used the non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants were 45 elders residing at home: 23 in the experimental group and 22 in the control group. The experimental group received 30-minute foot reflexology 8 times for 2 weeks. The results were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$ test, t-test with the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. Results: The results showed that foot reflexology was significantly effective in improving the quality of sleep, reducing depression, and raising the temperature of both feet. However, the temperature of both palms was not statistically significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in improving the quality of sleep, reducing depression, and raising the temperature of both feet. Therefore, it is recommended to use foot reflexology as a complementary nursing intervention for elderly women at home in community.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2024

With increasing global interest in environmentally friendly materials and the consequent rise in demand, there is a growing need for alternatives to synthetic fibers, which can cause skin diseases and other side effects. The fashion industry is emphasizing material sustainability owing to concerns about increasing carbon emissions. Moreover, consumers express a strong desire for ecofriendly and sustainable materials. Therefore, clothing brand companies are developing eco-friendly products to enhance their corporate image. Hemp fibers are recognized for their functionality and are utilized as crucial materials in the development of eco-friendly products by global fashion companies. In this study, we produced socks that effectively improve foot health using hemp stem bark extract fibers and demonstrated the positive efficacy of natural fibers through functional and wearability evaluations. Hemp stem bark extract fibers showed 99.9% antimicrobial effectiveness against bacteria responsible for sweat-induced bacterial proliferation and odor, when blended with lyocell fibers and woven into fabric to manufacture socks. Wearability evaluations of these terry cloth socks confirmed a reduction in foot odor and fatigue among the participants with a consumer satisfaction of 4.63/5. These findings confirm the effectiveness and positive impact of the natural antimicrobial properties of hemp fibers and terry cloth structure in improving foot health.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week professional body massage program (PMP) on forward head posture, neck pain, and plantar foot pressure balance in men in their 20s. Method: A total of 20 men with musculoskeletal diseases were recruited for this study. The participants were asked to take part in a PMP twice a week for 12 weeks. The cranial vertical angle (CVA) for forward head posture and visual analogue scale (VSC) for neck pain and right/left foot plantar pressure balances were extracted to compare between pre- and post-program differences. Results: CVAs before ($56.86{\pm}4.55^{\circ}$) and after ($62.72{\pm}4.57^{\circ}$) and VSCs before ($6.95{\pm}1.70$) and after ($1.70{\pm}1.56$) PMP revealed statistically significant differences. The right foot, after PMP, showed a significant increase in the plantar pressure balance from $46.17{\pm}2.95$ to $49.44{\pm}1.29%$, while the left foot decreased significantly from $53.83{\pm}2.95%$ to $50.56{\pm}1.29%$. Therefore, based on these results, it may be said that the foot pressure balance abilities were improved after PMP because the ideal foot pressure ratio is 50%. Conclusion: Consequently, it was suggested that a 12-week PMP could be utilized for improvement of forward head posture, neck pain, and foot plantar pressure balance in men in the 20s with musculoskeletal diseases.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.579-593
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of foot massage on anxiety response in preoperative patients undergoing total hysterectomy. Among the fifty patients, twenty-five were the experimental group receiving foot massage for 10-minutes and twenty-five were the control group. Subjects were admitted to a hospital in Inchon city for total hysterectomy. This study was carried out from July 10th, to September 18th, 2000. The levels of anxiety were measured by the Visual Aanalogue Scale(VAS). State Anxiety Scale, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration rate. Data were analyzed using $x^2$-test, t-test, paired t-test, unpaired t-test and ANCOVA with SPSS/pc program. The results were summarized as followings: 1. After foot massage, VAS anxiety level, state anxiety level, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration rate of the experimental group were decreased significantly than those measurements before the foot massage. 2. After foot massage, significant differences in the VAS anxiety level, state anxiety level, systolic blood pressure, pulse and respiration rate between the experimental and control groups were found. In conclusion, foot massage for 10 minutes is a useful nursing intervention that decreases anxiety in preoperative patients undergoing total hysterectomy.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.91-101
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• 2006

Purpose: This research is to know whether aroma foot massage has influence on the relief of anxiety and pain during colonoscopy under conscious sedation. Method: This research was designed as a quasi-experiment of non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest. Data were collected from April 1 2005 to August 30 2005. The subjects were divided into three groups (control group, foot massage group and aroma foot massage group) with 30 persons each. Anxiety was evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), blood pressure and pulse. Pain response was measured with VAS and non-verbal pain behavior score. Sleep satisfaction was measured with a graphic rating scale. Data were analyzed through Chi-square test, t-test and repeated measure ANOVA. Results: Systolic blood pressure, pulse, subjective anxiety and pain scores from the aroma foot massage group decreased significantly. Sleep satisfaction score of the aroma foot massage group increased significantly. Diastolic blood pressure from the aroma foot massage group did not decrease. Conclusion: The results show that aroma foot massage with refined oils can increase sleep satisfaction and decrease anxiety and pain during colonoscopy under conscious sedation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to compare the foot plantar pressure and temperature changes of the developed combat boots with functional impact absorption and ventilation insole. A total of 11 male subjects(age: $21.8{\pm}2.2yrs$, height: $174.3{\pm}3.6cm$, weight: $71.6{\pm}8.6kg$, foot length: $261.0{\pm}1.0mm$) were recruited to compare the foot plantar pressure and temperature changes of the three types of combat boots: Combat boots A (generalized combat boots), Combat boots B (developed combat boots with ventilation function), Combat boots C (Application of ventilation function and impact absorption insole to combat boots B). Pedar-X and a portable thermistor temperature sensor were used to measure the foot plantar pressure parameters and the internal temperature of the combat boots, respectively. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the results of plantar pressure and temperature changes. The results were as follows: First, in the foot plantar pressure parameters, combat boots C showed the significant lower maximum foot plantar pressure in the right/left rear foot compared with combat boots A and average foot plantar pressure in the left foot compared with combat boots B. Second, after 40 minutes from the start of walking, the developed combat boots B and C showed the significant lower temperature than the general combat boots A.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2013

Background: The purposed of this study is to examine the static and dynamic plantar foot pressure in chronic low back pain patients and normal adults. Methods: The subjects were divided into a group of 30 patients with chronic low back pain and a control group of 30 healthy persons. While static posture and dynamic posture at comfortable walking speeds, the low back pain group and the control group measured their plantar foot pressure and the trajectory of their center of pressure (COP) using the Matscan(R) system. Independent t-tests were measured to compare differences in plantar foot pressure characteristics between the left side and right side of the low back pain group and the control group. Results: In the comparison of differences in plantar foot pressure characteristics between the left side and right side of the low back pain group and the control group, the anteroposterior (AP) displacement of COP showed significant differences (p<.05). Although the low back pain group and the control group did not show any significant differences in leg length, weight distribution, mediolateral (ML) displacement of COP, static contract area, dynamic contract areas (p>.05), increases in the contract area values were shown in the hind foot in general. Conclusion: In this study, it was shown that patients with chronic low back pain were walking with short AP displacement of the COP as a compensatory action to avoid pain.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2009

Purpose: This study utilized a nonequivalent control group pre-post test design to test the effects of foot massage on anxiety and sleep satisfaction response in preoperative patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Method: There were 40 subjects in the study (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group). The experimental group received foot massage once a day for 2 days before their operation. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including mean, percentage, Chi-square, and t-test. Results: There were significant differences between experimental group and control group in the level of the state anxiety, pulse rate, and sleep satisfaction. Conclusions: Foot massage was effective in reducing anxiety and improving sleep satisfaction in abdominal surgical patients before their operation. Thus, foot massage may be used as an independent nursing intervention. This intervention can be performed anywhere, requires no special equipment, is noninvasive, and does not interfere with patients' privacy.