• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.281-287
• /
• 2014

Objective: The objective of the study is to develop a portable assistance device to help elderly users reduce strain on the knee and leg muscle while the elderly are standing up. Background: The pose of standing up from a chair is a basic movement, but the elderly often have difficulty standing up due to their weak muscles. We focus on designing a solution that helps the elderly reduce physical problems and support them standing up. Method: This study consists of three parts. Part I explores the way to reduce the refrain of leg muscle while standing up from a chair. In the process of structural development, we found that the moment is minimized when user pushes down the armrests due to a decrease in the force acting on the center of mass. In part II, a user test of 20 participants was carried out to rank the order of comfort of two stimuli: the chair with fixed armrests and the chair with the four-link mechanism that we created-in three different ways; (1) to stand up without touching armrests, (2) to stand up by pushing down on fixed armrests, and (3) to stand up by pushing down on armrests and being supported by the mechanism. To examine the statistically significant differences among the rank means, a Friedman test was conducted. In part III, we analyze the results of the user test and interview feedbacks, focusing on establishing a design strategy from UPO and visualizing it in 1:1 scale. Results: In part I, we decided to develop the four-link mechanism. The bottom is lifted up as the link rises. In part II, based on the rank data, we empirically found that UPO was assessed as the most comfortable during the stimuli. The thigh angle is smaller and the bottom of UPO is separated from a seat. In part III, after assessing the results and feedbacks, we created a visualization strategy for UPO: light, friendly, and novel. Conclusion: The portable and non-mechanical UPO comprises a four-link system that lifts the user's hips while standing. It can help users avoid knee and leg muscle strain. Its universal design considers the elderly's difficulties. Application: In a future study, combining light and durable material in UPO is expected to increase its usability. And this study is an opportunity to design various types of standing assistance devices.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.257-263
• /
• 1999

It is well known that discard of seminal plasma from the semen and separation of motile sperm should be preceded before insemination for IUI or IVF. Till now, more than ten kinds of semen treatment methods have been developed. Of those, swim-up and Percoll methods have been used widely in ART laboratories as a routine semen treatment methods because of its advantages. However, there are reports that Percoll can make a genetic trouble because of its chemical structure and therefore the necessity has been arisen to substitute Percoll for other equivalent materials. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of three different sperm preparation methods (swim-up, Percoll and Sil-Select) on sperm motility, sperm recovery rate and fertilization rate. Also, the feasibility of using Sil-Select instead of Percoll in ART was evaluated. Each semen samples were divided into three fractions and motile sperm were recovered by swim-up, Percoll and Sil-Select gradient centrifugation methods. Normal and sub-normal criteria of fifteen semen samples and seventeen IVF cycles were included in these study. As results, no significant difference was found in sperm recovery rate in normal semen treated by a Swim-up, Percoll and Sil-Select method ($13.2{\times}10^6,\;17.5{\times}10^6\;and\;17.7{\times}10^6$ respectively). The initial sperm motility was 61.9% and this increased to 87.1%, 92.6% and 89.5% through Swim-up, Percoll and Sil-Select treatment, respectively. Higher motility was observed in Percoll and Sil-Select treated groups (81.5%, 79.2%, respectively) than swim-up group (66.8%) after incubation for 24hrs. In sub-normal group, sperm recovery rates were higher in Sil-Select group $(2.9{\times}10^6)$ than Percoll gradients group $(1.8{\times}10^6)$. In IVF cycles, the outcomes of fertilization using sperm treated by swim-up and Sil-Select group were similar (82.2%, 79.7% respectively). In conclusion, our results indicate that Sil-Select can be used as a substitute material for sperm preparation instead of Percoll.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.14 no.1_4
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this case report is to investigate whether an attempt to hold the repeated upright posture under blocking the patient's vision affects the deficits to push away from the paralytic side and the relapse time from down to stand up position without push away in patients with hemiplegia with pusher syndrome. Two hemiplegic patients with pusher syndrome were assessed. The task was performed 4 times per day for 6 weeks. The modified barthel index (MBI) was performed to assess activities of daily living (ADL). For assessing balance, the "balanced sitting" and "sit to stand" are analyzed using by modified motor assessment scale (MMAS). The scale for contraversive pushing (SCP) was used for determination of push away from paralyzed side. MBI, MMAS and SCP were assessed before and after trial of the task. In patient 1, total score of the scale is 0 in sitting posture and standing posture within 3 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively, In patient 2, total score of the scale is 0 in sitting posture and standing posture within 4 weeks and 6 weeks, respectively. These results demonstrated that pusher syndrome was completely resolved in at least 6 weeks. Our findings indicate that this physical therapy seems to be relevant for the hemiplegic patients with pusher syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.634-642
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The aim of the study is to find out whether effect of acupuncture is depending on the diameter of needle, which is a possible component of dose of acupuncture needling. Methods : To compare acupuncture effects in different diameters of needle, we measured the changes in muscle fatigue recovery using surface electromyogram(sEMG) in healthy 8 volunteers. Muscle fatigue was induced by 20 times sit-up for 1 min. Immediately after induction of muscle fatigue, acupuncture needle was inserted into ST36 or ST25 for 10 min by diameters of 0.20 mm, 0.30 mm, or 0.40 mm needles. The sEMG recording was followed by acupuncture for 30 min. As a control group, sEMG was recorded for the same period at rest after muscle fatigue induction. Results : In both of ST 36 and ST 25, stimulation with 0.4 mm diameter needle showed significant rapid recovery followed by short period of muscle fatigue increase. Stimulation with 0.2 mm diameter significantly suppressed the increase of muscle fatigue. Conclusions : These data suggest that acupuncture effect is, at least in part, dependent on diameter of needle. Therefore, diameter of needle is also considered to achieve effective outcome of acupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.249-264
• /
• 2004

Objective : This study is designed to find out the effects of Sulguanjul-Bang No.1 on osteoarthritis in knee joint. Methods : 45 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint were enrolled in a short term 8-week open clinical trial. The 45 patients were taken Sulguanjul-bang No.1 two times a day before meals for 8 week. After 8 week treatment period, the following parameters were analyzed ; Visual analogue Scale(VAS) as first effective parameter, Lysholm index score, patient's global assessment, passive movement range of the knee joint. Results : Sulguanjul-bang No.1 treatment led to significant improvement in the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis as determined by all efficacy measures. After 8 weeks of therapy, there was significant improvement in VAS and Lysholm index; squat, sit down and up, crepitaion, swelling. The range of motion was improved in 6 of 9 cases. The improvement in patient's global assessment was seen in 84%. Conclusion : Sulguanjul-bang No.1 was very beneficial effect in pain relief and improvement functions on osteoarthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.345-350
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effects of ankle joint position during closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise on knee extensor strength and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: $15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion group (n=8) and ankle joint neutral group (n=8) during CKC exercise. All participants underwent conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. In addition, the experimental group ($15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion group) and control group (ankle joint neutral group) participated in a 20-minute CKC exercise program. In both groups exercise was performed three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes including knee extensor strength and balance ability (Five times sit-to-stand test, Timed up and go test, and Balancia) were measured before and after exercise. Results: Significant differences in knee extensor strength and balance ability were observed between pre- and post-exercise in all groups (p<0.05). The improvement of knee extensor strength and dynamic balance was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that $15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion during closed kinetic chain exercise is effective in improvement of knee extensor strength and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.12-22
• /
• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the trend of clinical trials conducted with the intradermal acupuncture treatment on dry eye syndrome. Methods : Through 4 foreign online databases(PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CNKI) and 3 domestic online databases(NDSL, RISS, and OASIS), we searched for clinical studies performed acupuncture treatment for dry eye syndrome from 2000 to 2020. Only randomized controlled trials(RCT) were selected and analyzed with the research method. Results : A total of 4 studies were reviewed. Cuanzu(攢竹, BL2), Taiyang(太陽, EX-HN5), and Sibai(四白, ST2) were the most frequently used acupoints in the studies. Among the evaluation indexes, Schirmer I test(SIT), tear film break-up time(BUT) were the most frequently used outcomes. In the most of the 4 studies, intradermal acupuncture treatment showed significant therapeutic effects for dry eye syndrome. Conclusions : These results suggest that it is necessary to develop more detailed standards for intradermal acupuncture treatment method as the method of intradermal acupuncture is getting more diverse, and objective tools are needed to evaluating dry eye syndrome.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2004.11c
• /
• pp.307-309
• /
• 2004

In this study, we have evaluated and classified arthritic pathology using the auscultation of knee joint sound. Six normal persons and 11 patients with knee problem were enrolled. Six patients of Group 1 needed an orthopeadic surgery because of the ruptured wounds of meniscus or ACL(Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and 5 patients of Group 2 diagnosed as osteoarthritis. Subjects were taken knee flexion and extension being seated in a chair for 20 seconds which repeated 3 times. Also subjects stood up and sit down repeatedly in the same way. After the movement of knee was divided into 18 degrees, the pitch perturbation according to partial degrees was analyzed and the DTW(Dynamic Time Warping) method was applied for normalizing a time-axis and unpaired t-test was used for statistic results among groups. As a result, the amplitude and frequency perturbations of group 2 was higher than group 1(p<0.05) and showed a characteristic 'w-shape' in angle-amplitude graph. These results suggest that the analysis of knee joint sound might assist in early diagnosis of knee joint disease.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of falls prevention exercise program to balance, falls efficacy, blood pressure and blood lipids in the elderly females. Methods: A total of twenty-six elderly women participated in this study. All subjects participated in exercise program based on pelvic stabilization and balance training on two times a week for twelve weeks. They were measured about Berg balance scale (BBS), Time up and go (TUG), Functional reach test (FRT), Sit to stand (STS) for balance, falls efficacy scale-international (FES-I) for falls efficacy, systolic blood pressure (SBp), diastolic pressure (DSp) for blood pressure, and total cholesterol (TC), triglyseride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) for blood lipids. Results: There were significant improvements of BBS (p<.05), TUG (p<.001) FRT (p<.01), and STS (p<.001) in the balance after exercise program. There was significant improvements in FES-I (p<.001) in the falls efficacy, There were no statistical differences of SBp and DSp in the blood pressure. There were no statistical differences of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the blood lipids. Conclusions: Falls prevention exercise program was meaningful increasing balance ability and falls efficacy.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of yoga and health calisthenics program in the middle aged women on physiological index and life satisfaction. Methods: This research was an one group pretest-posttest design. A pre and post measurement tool of the program was applied to measure body weight, obesity, rate of body fat, vital capacity, inhalation rate of oxygen, sit-up, grasping power, total physical response, body anteversion, body mass index (BMI), total physical strength, physical strength, health age, life satisfaction. Data collected from this tool was analyzed by SPSS in paired t-test. Results: The results were summarized as follows: yoga program group, the body weight, obesity, BMI, %body fat of the decreased. The results of pulmonary yoga group, vital capacity and inhalation rate of oxygen, total physical strength examination results showed a significant difference. Conclusion: In this study, the yoga program was effective in positive on body composition and physical strength, life satisfaction in middle aged women.