• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.391-399
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the three-dimensional moment values of the hip joint for subjects with artificial leg length alterations and subjects with unaltered leg lengths. Methods: Forty-two healthy adults (8 men, 34 women) participated in this study. The selected subjects were able to walk normally, had less than a 1 cm leg length discrepancy, and were instructed to wear shoes that fit their feet. The study participants performed 8 dynamic gait trails to measure the hip joint moment using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Kinetic and dynamic three-dimensional gait analysis data were collected from infrared cameras, and a force plate was used to standardize the weight of each subject. Results: There were significant correlations between the differences in the leg length discrepancy during right extension, right flexion, right internal rotation, and left extension in hip joint moments (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between the differences in shoe conditions during left extension, right flexion, right extension, and right internal rotation in the hip moments (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that a leg length discrepancy can affect hip joint moment, which may further exacerbate musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis in lower extremity joints. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to verify the impact of clinical interventions on differences in hip joint moment values to correct leg length discrepancies and prevent osteoarthritis in lower extremity joints.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2006

Work-related musculoskeletal disorder has been associated with long hours of computer work and prolonged periods of static posture. In clinical settings, postural correction is a common treatment approach for individuals with neck, shoulder, and back pain. This study was designed to identify the effect of Forward Head Posture Correctional Device during computer work. Twelve healthy adults (mean age, 27.4 yrs; mean height, 165.0cm mean weight, 65.8 kg) participated in the study. They had no medical history of neurological or surgical problems with their upper extremity. The subjects were asked to perform Head Forward Posture under the guidance of physical therapists and the measured angles were analyzed using a 3-D motion analysis system. Markers were placed on the C7 spinous process, tragus of the ear and forward head angle was between the line from the tragus to the C7 line and the Y-axis at the C7. The statistical significance of difference between, "without" and "with" correctional device was tested by paired t-test. A level of significance was set at ${\alpha}$=.05. In comparison of the computer work between "without" and "with" correctional device, Forward Head Angle was showed significant difference (p<.05). In conclusion, the range of Forward Head Angle was significantly decreased during computer work with the correctional device. Further research is needed to understand the nature of motor control problems in deep muscles in patients with neck, shoulder, and back pain.

• 한국지능시스템학회논문지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.341-346
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• 2012

초음파 영상 진단이 보편화되지 않은 재활 분야의 경우 초음파 영상에서 얻어지는 결과들이 전문의의 숙달 정도에 따라 주관적인 경향을 띄게 된다. 정확한 진단을 위해서는 객관적인 영상 분석이 필요하며, 정확한 자료 도출을 위한 자동화가 필요한 실정이다. 기존의 근골격계 검사에 사용되는 초음파 영상 분석의 자동화를 위해 제시된 방법은 영상에 존재하는 근막의 형태가 희미할 경우에는 정확한 근육 영역이 확보되지 않는 단점이 있다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 초음파 영상 분석을 통한 객관적인 자료 도출을 위해 복부 초음파 영상에 존재하는 근육 영역 추출의 정확성을 높일 수 있는 방법을 제안한다. 근육 영역의 추출 과정은 초기 초음파 영상의 불필요한 잡음을 제거하고, Ends-in Search 알고리즘을 적용하여 근막과 근육 영역의 명암대비를 강조한다. 전처리를 통하여 근육과 근막 영역을 강조한 초음파 영상에 Up_Down 탐색 기법을 적용하여 초기 근육 영역을 추출하고, 기존의 방법에서 근막 영역이 희미하여 정확하게 도출되지 않았던 근육 영역을 추출하기 위해 초기 추출된 근막의 형태 정보와 방향 정보를 기반으로 하는 마스크를 이용하여 희미한 근막을 추적한다. 마스크가 이동한 흔적을 이용하여 근막의 형태를 강조하고, 최종적으로 근육 영역을 추출한다. 제안된 방법을 재활 분야에서 실제 사용되는 Convex 형태의 초음파 영상을 대상으로 실험한 결과, 기존의 근육 추출 방식보다 근육 정보를 정확하게 분석할 수 있고 근육 추출에 효과적인 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2012

Background and Purpose : This study was to analysis effects of muscle fatigue on error of elbow joint sense. Methods : A total 19 healthy student(men = 10, women = 9) who did't have any problem of musculoskeletal system in upper extremities participated this study. we divided two groups into young group(n = 10, $19.67{\pm}.5$) and old group(n = 9, $28.56{\pm}1.5$). In order to evoke muscle fatigue of elbow flexor, we used Biodex, and participations performed concentric contraction of elbow flexor 150 numbers as well as we measured error of joint sense using by Biodex. We collected data just after, 30min, 2hour, 24hour after evoked muscle fatigue, and we finanlly acquired average value of three times measured joint sense of elbow joint. And we calculated value of percentage of error of joint sense. We analyzed collected data by repeated ANOVA, ANOVA using by SPSS ver.12.0 program. Result : This study showed that there was no significantly effects between groups and within groups, we could see that there was significantly difference among duration by each group of age, and sex(p<.05). Conclusion : The error of joint position sense presented highest value just period after evoked muscle fatigue compared after 30 min, 2 hours, 24 hours, and we can't find out interaction between duration and age and sex.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.64-71
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to select standing posture parameters that have a significant difference according to the severity of spinal deformity, and to develop a novel Cobb angle prediction model for adolescent girls with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: Five normal adolescents girls with no history of musculoskeletal disorders, 13 mild scoliosis patients (Cobb angle: $10^{\circ}-25^{\circ}$), and 14 severe scoliosis patients (Cobb angle: $25^{\circ}-50^{\circ}$) participated in this study. Six infrared cameras (VICON) were used to acquire data and 35 standing parameters of scoliosis patients were extracted from previous studies. Using the ANOVA and post-hoc test, parameters that had significant differences were extracted. In addition, these standing posture parameters were utilized to develop a Cobb-angle prediction model through multiple regression analysis. Results: Twenty two of the parameters showed differences between at least two of the three groups and these parameters were used to develop the multi-linear regression model. This model showed a good agreement ($R^2$ = 0.92) between the predicted and the measured Cobb angle. Also, a blind study was performed using 5 random datasets that had not been used in the model and the errors were approximately $3.2{\pm}1.8$. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated the possibility of clinically predicting the Cobb angle using a non-invasive technique. Also, monitoring changes in patients with a progressive disease, such as scoliosis, will make possible to have determine the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation strategies without the need for radiation exposure.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.32-37
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• 2016

Background: Previous research has shown that paramedics are exposed to risks in the form of injuries to the musculoskeletal system. In addition, there are studies showing that they are also at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and psychiatric diseases, which can partly be explained by their constant exposure to stress. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the use of shoulder straps decreases physical effort in the form of decreased heart rate and cortisol concentration. Methods: A stretcher with a dummy was carried by 20 participants for 400 m on two occasions, one with and one without the shoulder straps. Heart rate was monitored continuously and cortisol samples were taken at intervals of 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes. Each participant was her or his own control. Results: A significant decrease in heart rate and cortisol concentration was seen when shoulder straps were used. The median values for men (with shoulder straps) at 0 minutes was 78 bpm/21.1 nmol/L (heart rate/cortisol concentration), at 15 minutes was 85 bpm/16.9 nmol/L, and at 60 minutes was 76 bpm/15.7 nmol/L; for men without shoulder straps, these values were 78 bpm/21.9 nmol/L, 93 bpm/21.9 nmol/L, and 73 bpm/20.5 nmol/L. For women, the values were 85 bpm/23.3 nmol/L, 92 bpm/20.8 nmol/L, and 70 bpm/18.4 nmol/L and 84 bpm/32.4 nmol/L, 100 bpm/32.5 nmol/L, and 75 bpm/25.2 nmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: The use of shoulder straps decreases measurable physical stress and should therefore be implemented when heavy equipment or a stretcher needs to be carried. An easy way to ensure that staff use these or similar lifting aids is to provide them with personalized, well-adapted shoulder straps. Another better option would be to routinely sewn these straps into the staff's personal alarm jackets so they are always in place and ready to be used.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.105-121
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• 2011

Objectives: This paper presents the framework and protocol design for a construction industry risk management toolbox. The construction industry needs a comprehensive, systematic approach to assess and control occupational risks. These risks span several professional health and safety disciplines, emphasized by multiple international occupational research agenda projects including: falls, electrocution, noise, silica, welding fumes, and musculoskeletal disorders. Yet, the International Social Security Association says, "whereas progress has been made in safety and health, the construction industry is still a high risk sector." Methods: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employ about 80% of the world's construction workers. In recent years a strategy for qualitative occupational risk management, known as Control Banding (CB) has gained international attention as a simplified approach for reducing work-related risks. CB groups hazards into stratified risk 'bands', identifying commensurate controls to reduce the level of risk and promote worker health and safety. We review these qualitative solutions-based approaches and identify strengths and weaknesses toward designing a simplified CB 'toolbox' approach for use by SMEs in construction trades. Results: This toolbox design proposal includes international input on multidisciplinary approaches for performing a qualitative risk assessment determining a risk 'band' for a given project. Risk bands are used to identify the appropriate level of training to oversee construction work, leading to commensurate and appropriate control methods to perform the work safely. Conclusion: The Construction Toolbox presents a review-generated format to harness multiple solutions-based national programs and publications for controlling construction-related risks with simplified approaches across the occupational safety, health and hygiene professions.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.430-435
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was a virtual reality-based balance training program effective for improvement in physical function, examined the balance ability and fall efficacy of elderly women with experienced falls, intending to examine the program's usefulness as an exercise program to prevent the recurrence of a fall. Methods: The participants were 30 elderly women aged 65 or older who met the conditions. The participants were randomly assigned to either a balance training group (BT) or a virtual reality-based balance training group (VT) and received the training three times per week, 30 minutes per day, for six weeks. To measure static balance, the Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, Israel) were used. To measure dynamic balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and functional reach test (FRT) was used, and regarding fall efficacy, the Korean Fall Efficacy Scale (K-FES) was used. Results: Tetrax significantly improved after the intervention in both the BT group and the VT group (p<0.05). The comparison between the two groups was not significantly. BBS and FRT result significantly improved after the intervention in both the BT and VT groups (p<0.001), while K-FES was significantly ameliorated in the VT group only (p<.05). Comparing the groups, there were more significant changes in the BBS (p<0.05) and FRT (p<0.01) result of the VT group than the BT group. Conclusion: A virtual reality-based balance training program is considered to be usable as an exercise program to prevent recurrence of falls in elderly women.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.88-95
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• 2009

There are many assessment techniques used for occupational risk factors of MSDs in the workplaces. However, because all ergonomic assesment techniques or tools are based on theoretical background derived from workphysiology, biomechanics, psychophysics, industrial hygiene, work system, and etc, it is impossible to compare the assessment techniques. This study was conducted to compare the excess rates of risk factors among ergonomic assessment techniques and to make alternative methods. Site-visits to 6 automobile products and parts company provided data for process repeated work where the produced data was examined for evaluating the relationship between workplace lay-out and work posture by using ergonomic assessment techniques. We evaluated 157 jobs for simple repeated work and 37 jobs for manual materials handling (MMH). In simple repeated work, the exceeded rates of AC were 36.3% in OWAS method and 93.0% in RULA method. The exceeded rate for RULA method was significantly higher than those for OWAS method (p<0.05). In MMH, the exceeded rates of AC were 80.0% in NLE method and 76.5% in WAC method. Statistically significant differences were not identified in the exceeded rates for NLE and MAC methods (p<0.05). The analyzed results among ergonomic assessment techniques (OWAS, RULA, NLE/WAC) were applied to the same work places performing simple repeated work and manual materials handling simultaneously. The applied results showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) among ergonomic assessment techniques (OWAS, RULA, NLE/WAC). Exceeded rates of four ergonomic assessment techniques in decreasing order was "RULA>NLE>WAC>OWAS". The RULA method was the strongest assessment technique for automobile products and parts company. We discovered that the results could easily be overestimated or underestimated when the ergonomic assessment techniques were not applied correctly during the evaluation process. Therefore, we recommend using at least 2 methods when evaluating and analysing the results.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.71-87
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• 2011

Objective : The present study is aimed at providing basic data to help oriental medical hospitals devise efficient operational plans by analyzing the medical expenses of in-patients in an oriental medical hospital and the factors affecting such expenses. Methods : PASW 18.0 was used to analyze the medical insurance program data of 929 patients who were discharged from a university oriental medical hospital(with 105 sick-beds) during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2010 after treatment under the coverage of health insurance and medical aid. Results : 1) Of all the patients hospitalized, 63.3% were females, their mean age was 52.73 years old, and 87.7% was covered by the health insurance program. The biggest number or 31.2% of the patients were treated by the department of acupuncture, 31.5% suffered mainly from the diseases of musculoskeletal system and connective tissues, and the average length of stay at the hospital was 19.49 days. 2) There were statistically significant differences in total medical expenses by age, clinical department in charge, principal diagnosis, and number of days hospitalized while daily average medical expenses differed depending on age, type of medical security, clinical department, principal diagnosis, and number of days staying at the hospital. 3) Total medical expenses were found significantly influenced by age, type of medical security, clinical department, principal diagnosis, and number of days hospitalized(explanatory power : 95.9%), whereas type of medical security, clinical department and principal diagnosis turned out to exercise significant influence on the daily average medical expenses(explanatory power : 26.9%). Conclusion : Oriental medical hospitals are suggested to make efforts to ensure geographical and economical accessibility for their main clients, the elderly and middle-aged, as well as to improve satisfaction of the clients with the medical service provided. They are also encouraged to work out systems to specialize in treatment with a focus on chronic degenerative and adult diseases. In addition, they are expected to try to enhance people's awareness of oriental medicine in an attempt to diversify the brackets of clients and increase frequency of their utilization.