• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.105-112
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of Interactive Metronome training on the plantar pressure and fall efficacy in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-two hemiplegic patients were allocated randomly to an experimental group and control group. The experimental group received conventional physical therapy and emphasized weight-bearing interactive metronome training, whereas the control group received conventional physical therapy. The training was performed three times per week, 40 minutes per each session, for a total of seven weeks. The plantar pressure was assessed using the contact area and contact pressure, whereas the fall efficacy was assessed using the FES (Fall Efficacy Scale), ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale) and FOFQ (Fear of Falling Questionnaire). RESULTS: After training, a significant increase was observed in the paretic side of the contact area and the paretic and non-paretic side of contact pressure in both groups (p<.05). The between-group differences in the changes before and after training were statistically significant in the paretic side of the contact pressure (p<.05). After training, both the FES of the between-group and ABC of the experimental group were increased significantly (p<.05), but the between-group differences in the changes before and after training were not statistically significant in the FES, ABC, and FOFQ (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Interactive Metronome training is considered an effective treatment for improving the contact pressure of the paretic side in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.15-22
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• 2011

Purpose: This research investigated falls due to obstacles that occur among elderly people by assessing changes in the values of plantar foot force, peak force, and plantar foot pressure in elderly subjects while they were stepping over obstacles of different heights. Methods: The subjects were 20 elderly people aged 70-80 years; Pressure was measured on flat ground(0 cm), and after installing obstacles of 8 cm and 12 cm using the F-scan system, which is a resistance-type pressure sensor. A one-way analysis of variance was performed to compare pressure on each part of the foot according to various heights after collecting data using the Tekscan program. The least significant difference test was used for the post-hoc analysis, A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The force value for the toe area (parts 1, and 2) and contact pressure increased significantly with the 12 cm obstacle (p<0.05). The peak force value and the peak contact pressure for part 1 increased significantly with the 12 cm obstacle (p<0.05). Conclusion: Larger changes appeared in the functions and structure of the foot while subjects walked over obstacles of different heights compared to flatland walking. This result suggests that people have safety strategies to prevent falls, and that there is a need for a more realistic approach through practice to overcome obstacles of various heights to prevent falls.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.130-135
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• 2022

Purpose: Smart insoles are wearable devices that are inserted into shoes. Smart insoles with built-in pressure and acceleration sensors can measure the plantar pressure, stride length, and walking speed. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the plantar pressure measurements of smart insoles during walking on flat ground. Materials and Methods: Twenty one subjects were included in this study. After wearing smart insoles, I-SOL^® (Gilon, Seongnam, Korea), the subjects walked a 10 m corridor six times at a rate of 100 steps/min, and the middle three steps, free from direction changes, were chosen for data analysis. The same protocol was repeated after wearing Pedar-X (Novel Corporation, Munich, Germany), an insoletype plantar pressure measurement equipment with proven validity. The average maximum pressure (P_peak, kPa) and the time at which P_peak appeared (P_time, %stride) were calculated for each device. The validity of smart insoles was evaluated by using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of P_peak and P_time between the two instruments, and Cronbach's alpha was obtained from the P_peak values to evaluate the reliability. Results: The ICC of P_peak was 0.651 (good) in the hallux, 0.744 (good) in the medial forefoot, 0.839 (excellent) in the lateral forefoot, and 0.854 (excellent) in the hindfoot. The ICC of P_time showed 0.868 (excellent) in the hallux, 0.892 (excellent) in the medial forefoot, 0.721 (good) in the lateral forefoot, and 0.832 (excellent) in the hindfoot. All ICC values showed good or excellent results. The Cronbach's alpha of P_peak measured in the smart insoles was 0.990 in the hallux, 0.961 in the medial forefoot, 0.973 in the lateral forefoot, and 0.995 in the hindfoot; all indicated excellent reliability in all areas. Conclusion: The plantar pressure measurements of smart insoles during walking on a flat ground showed validity compared to Pedar-X, and high reliability after repeated measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.948-955
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to compare plantar pressure and COP parameters in three types of arch support insole during stair descent in elderly with flatfoot. A total of 14 women elderly were recruited for this study. Pedar-X was used to obtain plantar pressure(peak pressure, mean pressure, and contact area) and COP(distance, displacement, excursion) parameters. One-way ANOVAs were used to compare peak pressure, mean pressure, and contact area, distance of COP, displacement of COP, and excursion of COP. Among the plantar pressure parameters, significant(p<0.05) differences were observed in M3 for the peak pressure, M2, M3, and M4 for the mean pressure, and M2, M3, and M6 for the contact area. Among the COP parameters, distances of COP both in the mediolateral and anteroposterior axes revealed significant(p<0.05) differences. The larger peak pressure values of type A and B insoles were observed as compared to normal insole. The larger peak pressure and shorter COP distance values of type A and B insoles were observed as compared to normal insole.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 1992

The distribution of the pressure between the sole of a feet and a supporting surface can reveal the information about the structure and fonction of the foot and the posural control of the whole body. In particular, the measurement of the vertical contact forces between the plantar surface of the foot and the shoe insole is of great importance to reveal the loading distributio patterns incurred from a particular shoe midsole design. In order to investigate the plantar surface pressure distribution, an insole-type sensor with a piezoelectric material is developed and tested. The present paper describes a new method to completely reduce both the shear force and pyroelectric effects that are normally caused from piezoelectric materials.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.1543-1548
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of manual therapy on lower extremity alignment in pelvic malalignment. The subjects were 20 adults with pelvic malalignment. They were divided into two groups: manual therapy group (n=10) and stretching exercise group (n=10). Each group performed the intervention two times per week for 4 weeks. The lower extremity alignment was measured by pelvic deviation, functional leg length inequality, and plantar pressure distribution, which were measured between pre- and post-test. In the result of pelvic deviation, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test of the manual therapy group and stretching exercise group. In the result of the functional leg length inequality, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test of the manual therapy group. In the result of plantar pressure distribution, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test of the manual therapy group. These findings suggest manual therapy improves the pelvic deviation, functional leg length inequality, and plantar pressure distribution in the pelvic malalignment.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.167-177
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• 2022

Purpose: Pes planus is a common foot deformity that involves the loss of the medial longitudinal arch. The medial longitudinal arch deformity is usually asymptomatic; however, it can lead to an increased risk of pain and injury. Low-Dye taping is designed to treat plantar heel pain and pes planus. However, low-Dye taping is relatively complex, and a considerable amount of time is required to apply the tape correctly. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of two different types of taping (low-Dye taping and modified Mulligan taping) on arch reformation, plantar pressure, and gait characteristics in participants with asymptomatic flexible pes planus. Methods: Twenty subjects (9 males and 11 females; mean age = 21.95 years) with asymptomatic flexible pes planus voluntarily participated in this study. Arch reformation was evaluated using navicular height measurements. Changes in plantar pressure distribution were measured using BioRecue equipment. Gait parameters were measured using spatiotemporal data collected during consecutive gait cycles using a G-WALK device. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the three different conditions (i.e., bare foot, low-Dye taping, and modified Mulligan taping) for each variable. Results: Navicular height was significantly increased in subjects who underwent the two types of taping compared to those who experienced the bare foot condition. The plantar pressure was significantly shifted to the posterolateral area after modified Mulligan taping compared with the bare foot condition. There were no significant differences in the gait parameters. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that modified Mulligan taping has a similar effect to low-Dye taping, and modified Mulligan taping is a simpler method than low-Dye taping.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely on their upper limbs for body-lifting activity (BLA). While studies have examined the electromyography (EMG) and kinematics of the shoulder joints during BLA, no studies have considered foot position during BLA. Objects: This study compared the effects of different foot positions during BLA on the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion in individuals with SCI. Methods: The study enrolled 13 mens with motor-complete paraplegic SCI, ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) A or B. All subjects performed BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest and on the floor independently. Surface EMG was used to collect data from the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii. The peak plantar pressure was measured using pedar-X and the knee flexion angle with Image J. Borg's rating perceived exertion scale was used to measure the physical activity intensity level. The paired t-test was used to compare the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion between the two feet positions during BLA. Results: The activity of the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii and rating perceived exertion decreased significantly and the peak plantar pressure and knee flexion angle increased significantly when performing BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest compared with on the floor (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that individuals with SCI may perform BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest for weight-relief lifting to decrease the shoulder muscle activities and the rating perceived exertion and to increase the peak plantar pressure and the knee flexion angle.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.269-279
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• 2023

Purpose : The most effective intervention for flat foot is strengthening exercises for the intrinsic and extrinsic of the foot. Additionally, visual feedback is necessary for movement accuracy. However, the effectiveness of the intervention when combined with visual feedback was not revealed. To confirm this, the research was to investigate the effect of visual feedback and a complex exercise program on navicular bone height, plantar pressure, and lower extremity alignment. Methods : The twenty eight adult men and women with flat foot were randomly assigned to group 1 (n=14) and group2 (n=14), group1 performed complex exercises with visual feedback, and group 2 performed only complex exercises. Both groups performed a 40 minute compound exercise program three times a week. Navicular drop test, plantar pressure test, and lower extremity alignment test were performed equally in both group. Results : As a result of comparing the change in navicular height within the group according to the intervention, both groups showed a significant difference before and after the exercise (p>.05). There was not significant difference comparing the difference between the groups in the navicular height (p>.05). Comparing the change in plantar pressure within groups, there was not significant difference in the change in plantar pressure in both groups (p>.05). Coparing the difference before and after exercise between groups, there was not significant plantar pressure (p>.05). Comparing the change in leg alignment within the group, there was a significant difference in the change in ankle before and after exercise in group 1 (p<.05), but there was not significant difference in group 2. There was not significant difference in pelvic tilt and knee tilt before and after exercise in both groups (p>.05). Comparing the before and after exercise difference between groups, there were not significant in all variables of leg alignment (p>.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that complex exercise applied to patients with flat foot were effective in increasing the height of the navicular bone and ankle angle, but there was no effect due to visual feedback.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2000

Pressure distributions of the soft tissue are valuable for understanding and diagnosing the disease characteristics due to the mechanical loading. Our system measures dynamic pressure distributions in real-time under the general PC environment, and analyzes various foot disorders. Main features of the developed system are as follows: (1) With the resistive pressure sensor matrix of 40${\times}$40 cells, the data is sent to the PC with the maximum sampling rate of 40 frames/sec. (2) For each frame, contact area, pressure and force are analyzed by graphic forms. Thus, various biomechanical parameters are easily determined at specific areas of interests. (3) A certain stance phase can be chosen for the analysis from the continuous walking, and the detailed biomechanical analysis can be done according to an arbitrary line dividing anterior/posterior or medial/lateral plantar areas. (4) The center of pressure (COP) is calculated and traced from the pressure distribution data, and thus the movement of the COP is monitored in detail. A few experiments revealed that our system successfully measured the dynamic plantar distribution during normal walking.