• International Journal of Contents
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2020

We sought to compare upper extremity muscle activity between handwriting on paper and touchscreen with dominant and non-dominant hands in younger adults (age 23.90±1.12) and the elderly (age 75.55±5.76). Muscle activity (percent of maximum voluntary contraction) in the biceps brachii muscle, triceps brachii muscle, flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, and extensor carpi ulnaris muscle was measured using an electromyography device. As a result, our data indicate that muscle activity is lower in younger adults than the elderly. Besides, muscle activity is lower in the dominant versus non-dominant hand, and lower when writing using a touchscreen than on paper. These results can be used to support recommending touchscreens in the elderly. Also, they can be used as baseline data for comparing the performance of non-paretic side and paretic side in patients relative to the central nervous system.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.7-11
• /
• 2005

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of variability of training on the acquisition of motor skill of closed loop type tracking task using Rotary Pursuit, and to determine if there was a bilateral transfer effect to the non-dominant hand following practice with the dominant hand. Twelve healthy volunteer students (5 males and 7 females, aged 25 to 37) were randomly divided into a constant practice group and a variable practice group. A photoelectric rotary pursuit apparatus with stop clock and repeat cycle timer by Lafayette Instrumentation Co. was used for this study. Rotary pursuit is a closed loop task in which a subject attempts to keep a photoelectric stylus on a lighted target in motion. Subjects performed the clockwise circular pursuit task while standing. Experimental procedure was divided into three sessions, namely, pre-test, training, and post-test. The constant group practiced all 60 trials at 30 rpm. Variable practice group did a varied practice session with 15 trials at speeds of 20 rpm, 26 rpm, 34 rpm, and 46 rpm. No one in either group practiced with their non-dominant arm. A Mann-Whitney test and a Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test were used for statistical analyses. The results of this study showed no different training effect between groups on the post-test with the dominant hand. However, bilateral transfer effect of rotary pursuit task between hands was demonstrated. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.511-516
• /
• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study is designing an optimal hand tool through maximum grip force study accordance to the hand grip span. Background: In order to prevent musculoskeletal diseases, studies on hand tool design are proceeding based on grip strength, finger force, and contribution of individual finger force on total grip strength. However, experimental apparatus using a tool that is actually used in work place was almost non-existent. Method: 19 males were participated in an experiment. Using the load cell inserted real plier, finger force, grip strength, and subjective discomfort rate of both hands (dominant and non-dominant) were measured in 5 different hand grip span(45mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, and 80mm). Results: There was significant difference(p<0.001) of total grip strength, individual finger force and subjective discomfort rating according to various hand grip span(45, 50, 60, 70, and 80mm). Also, statistically significant different(p<0.001) was shown between the dominant hand and non-dominant hand. In addition, individual finger force in maximum grip was in order of middle finger, ring finger, index finger, and little finger. Conclusion: Optimal grip span of pliers that exerting maximum grip strength is 50~60mm. Application: This finding is expected to be used for designing proper pliers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.77-88
• /
• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to explore an effect exerted to non-affected hand and affected hand of patients by performing training of chopsticks and grasp strength that are helpful to dexterity and grasp strength of hand together with training method of joint exercise, muscle strength build-up training, delicate hand function training. Method : By targeting 30 normal adult male/females engaged in K university, Busan for one month on April, 2015, 10 persons of hand function build-up training group, that of dexterity training group and 10 persons of control group were randomly selected. For hand function build-up training group, chopsticks training in parallel with total 20 times of grasp strength training for 4 weeks including 5 minutes of dominant hand grasp strength training, 5 minutes of non-dominant hand grasp strength training, 15 minutes of chopsticks training was performed based on 25 minutes/one time, 5 times a week. Result : First, In a comparison of dexterity of both hands by each group depending on training period, hand function build-up group and dexterity training group were represented to be effective compared with control group. Secondly, In a comparison of manipulatory ability of both hands by each group depending on training period, hand function build-up group and dexterity training group were represented to be effective compared with control group. Conclusion : It is considered that diversified and broad research covering patients with musculoskeletal disease and nervous system-related disease would be performed by securing far more test subjects after comparing a correlation between dexterity training and hand function training.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.277-283
• /
• 2021

Background and objective: This study was conducted to increase understanding of agriculture through agricultural experience programs for adolescents living in self-reliance residence hall, and to investigate changes in work performance ability through changes in hand function. Methods: There were 11 subjects, and the average age was 18.2 years, all males without disabilities. The agricultural experience program consists of a total of 10 sessions including orientation and watching videos on future agriculture, creating vegetable gardens, planting, managing each crop, harvesting, visiting the processing room, and selling at a local food store. Results: The change in agricultural literacy by the agricultural experience program positively improved from a score of 113.73 to 127.91 (p = .008). The changes by sub-item are as follows. The value and safety of agri-foods (p = .020) and agriculture and natural environment (p = .007) were significantly improved. The function and value of rural areas (p = .050), production of agricultural products (p = .160), processing and distribution of agricultural products (p = .248), and agricultural policies (p = .058) were not significantly changed. The simple function of the hands was measured by the number of pegs inserted during 30 seconds, and the assembly function was measured by the number of pegs inserted during 60 seconds. In the case of simple function, the dominant hand was improved from 14.82 to 15.83 (p = .014), andthe non-dominant hand was also significantly improved from 13.79 to 15.01 (p = .002). There was no significant improvement in the simple function (p = .153) and assembly function (p = .770) of both hands. Conclusion: It is considered that the agricultural experience program will enable youths living in self-reliance residence halls to enhance their understanding of agriculture as an occupation, and enable them to play a role as wise consumers by positively affecting improvements in their agricultural literacy and simple hand functions.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.1406-1412
• /
• 2018

This study aimed to measure the grip strength of the dominant and non dominant hands of right-handed normal adults in the supination, pronation, and neutral positions of the forearms. The subjects of this study were instructed to make the standard posture suggested by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) in order to minimize the impact of changes in the posture of the body as follows. The grips strength was statistically different between groups (p<.05). In the follow up test using Scheffe test, the grips in the neutral position and supinator position did not show any difference, while the grip in the pronation was smaller than those of the above two other positions. The grips of the mainly used forearm and non-mainly used forearm of the study target did not show any statistically significant difference in the neutral, supinator and pronation positions of the forearm. This study is expected to provide basic information for studying the impact of the positions of the forearms on grip strength, assessing the prehensility of patients in clinical settings, and setting therapeutic goals.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2009

We investigated the nutritional state of B vitamins and the neuropsychological functions in 25 subjects, aged $63.1{\pm}6.3$ years, residing in rural areas of Korea. Nutritional states of thiamin, riboflavin, and pyridoxine were assessed enzymatically in the erythrocytes, and folate concentrations were measured microbiologically in the plasma and erythrocytes. A battery of composite neuropsychological test was administered to the subjects. Plasma folate was correlated with the total intelligence score (p=0.049). Folate levels in the erythrocytes were correlated with the performance intelligence scores such as block design (p=0.017) and picture arrangement (p=0.016). The red cell folate was correlated with memory scores such as general memory (p=0.009) and delayed recall (p=0.000). Although it did not reach statistical significance, verbal memory (p=0.053) was highly correlated with the red cell folate. The red cell folate was also correlated positively with the percent of conceptual level response number score (p=0.029), and negatively with the grooved pegboard test score for the non-dominant hand (p=0.010). Fine motor coordination was also influenced by folate nutrition, as finger tapping scores in both hands were significantly correlated with red cell folate (dominant hand; p=0.026, non-dominant hand; p=0.004). Other B vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin $B_6$ were not as strongly correlated with neuropsychological function test scores as folate was. These results suggest that folate nutrition influences neuropsychological function test scores significantly in humans. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between folate or other vitamin B nutrition and neuropsychological functions and the implications thereof.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.79-97
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to obtain the normative data of finger strength using the keyboard and the MIDI(Musical Instrument Digital Interface) software. A total of 92 college students (46 male and 46 female) were recruited from universities located in Seoul and Chungcheong province and an average age was 21.7(SD = 1.8). After the completion of demographic information, each participant asked to press the five keys both in ascending and descending manners with the maximum strength of individual finger. The velocity was obtained as an indicator for finger pressing force by using the MIDI software. Results showed that the individual finger velocity ranged between 77 to 97 (Maximum possible velocity = 127). Regarding male's velocity data, the maximum velocity was found in index finger of dominant hand(96.9), while the minimum strength was found in ring finger of nondominant hand(78.5). Female data appeared to be similar to male's one in terms of maximum strength in dominant index finger(92) and minimum strength in nondominant ring finger(77.5). It also found that the statistically significant differences(p < .05) on finger strength of all fingers between dominant and non-dominant hands except the thumbs(p < .05). The current findings serves as a "normative standard" that proves the validity and effectiveness of hand rehabilitation training program using the electronic keyboard connected with the MIDI software to enhance functional changes in hands.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.22-34
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of body blade and Thera band exercise on upper extremity strength, grip strength and balance of university students. Design: Single Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Method: twenty healthy adults, participated in this study, and were recruited by G University in Gimcheon Korea. The subjects were randomly divided into A group that went through Thera band exercise and B group that went through Body blade exercise. Each group had 10 subjects. All subjects did the experiment for 3 times a week for 3weeks. Spss was used for statistical analysis. Result: 1) Grip strength: After exercising, for the BE group, there were statistically significant differences in dominant and non-dominant hand. However, for the TE group, there were no significant statistical differences in both hands. 2) muscle strength: In the TE group there were no significant statistical differences in the dominant and non-dominant arm. But in the BE group there were differences which were found. 3) balance: After exercising, both groups had no significant statistical difference in medial lateral balance. In anterior and posterior balance, TE group had no statistical significant difference but BE group did. Conclusion: To improve muscle strength balance and grip strength, body blade exercise is more effective than Thera band exercise.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.63-73
• /
• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of crafts and handwriting on bilateral coordination during task performance. Methods : Randomly selected 30 college students without hand disability were invited for the study, and grouped 3(test group 1 for crafts, test group 2 for handwriting, and control group) with 10 students per group respectively. Then Jebsen-taylor hand function test, Purdue pegboard test, and Minnesota manual dexterity test were employed for evaluating changes before and after the intervention. Results : After training intervention of crafts and handwriting for two test groups, test groups showed better bilateral coordination significantly than the control group. Especially test group 1(crafts) showed a bigger difference at Jebsen-taylor hand function test, and likely test group 2(handwriting) did at Purdue pegboard test. Conclusion : It was found that crafts increase bilateral coordination, while handwriting increase hand dexterity during task performance. That is, crafts and handwriting affect tasks differently. Further studies applying various crafts and handwriting for many age groups will be helpful for identifying the better way of occupational intervention for individuals in lack of bilateral coordination.