• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.8 s.197
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• pp.122-129
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• 2007

To evaluate the effect of artificial disc implantation and fusion on the biomechanics of adjacent motion segment, a nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of whole lumbar spine (L1-S1) was developed. Biomechanical analysis was performed for two different types of artificial disc, ProDisc and SB $Charit{\acute{e}}$ III model, inserted at L4-L5 level and these results were also compared with fusion case. Angular motion of vertebral body, forces on the spinal ligaments and facet joint under sagittal plane loading with a compressive preload of 150 N at a nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of Ll-S1 were compared. The implant did not significantly alter the kinematics of the motion segment adjacent to the instrumented level. However, $Charit{\acute{e}}$ III model tend to decrease its motion on the adjacent levels, especially in extension motion. Contrast to motion and ligament force changes, facet contact forces were increased in the adjacent levels as well as implanted level for constrained instantaneous center of rotation model, i.e. ProDisc model.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.23-39
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• 2001

Dysfunction of the anterior and dorsal muscles of the trunk have been studied in relation to low back pain of many years. Many muscles of the trunk are capable of contributing to the stabilization and protection of the lumbar spine, recent evidence has suggested that transversus abdominis may be critically involved and has been the focus of rehabilitation. The delay in onset of contraction of trunk muscles associated with movement of the upper or lower limb in patients with low back pain indicates a significant deficit in the automatic motor command for control of disturbance to the spine. The function of transversus abdominis has been largely ignored in the evaluation of spinal stabilization and protection. The most essential stabilizing muscles for the lumbar column are the transversus abdominis and the multifidus. Sling exercise therapy(SET) concept consists of a system of diagnosis and treatment. The system of diagnosis involves testing the muscle's tolerance through progressive loading in open and close kinetic chains. The SET system contains elements such as relaxation, increasing the range of movement, traction, training the stabilizing musculature, sensorimotor exercises, training in open and close kinetic chains, dynamic training of the mobilizing musculature, cardiovasc+ular exercises, group exercise, personal exercise at home. Sensorimotor training is an essential element of the SET concept. The emphasis is on closed kinetic chain exercises on an unstable surface, thereby achieving optimum stimulation of the sensorimotor apparatus.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.637-644
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• 2009

We have analyzed the biomechanical characteristics of cervical spine after total disc replacement using finite element analysis. A finite element model of C2-C7 spinal motion segment was developed and validated by other experimental studies. Two types of artificial discs, semi-constraint and un-constraint, were inserted at C6-C7 segments. Inferior plane of C7 vertebra was fixed and 1Nm of moment were applied on superior plane of C2 vertebra with 50N of compressive load along follower load direction. Mobility of the cervical spine in which each artificial disc inserted was higher than that of intact one in all loading conditions. Also, high mobility at the surgical level after total disc replacement could lead higher facet joint force and ligaments axial stresses. The results of present study could be used to evaluate surgical option and validate the biomechanical characteristics of the implant in total disc replacement in cervical spine.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.248-251
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• 2005

To investigate the degeneration process in the intervertebral disc, a three dimensional (3D) poroelastic finite-element (FE) model was developed. Disc was modeled as two different regions, such as annulus modeled with fiber reinforced 20 node poroelastic ground matrix and nucleus having large porosity. Excess Von Mises stress in the disc element assumed to be a possible source of degeneration under compressive loading condition. Recursive calculation was continued until the desired convergence was attained by changing the permeability and porosity of those elements, which could be predicted from the previous iteration. The degenerated disc model showed that relatively small compressive stresses were generated in the nucleus elements compared to normal disc. Its distribution along the sagittal plane was matched well with a previously reported experimental result. Contrasts to this result, pore pressures in the nucleus were higher than those in the normal disc. Total stress indicated similar values for two different models. This new approach using poroelastic modeling could provide the explanation of the interaction between fluid and solid matrix in the disc during the degeneration process.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.98-102
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to suggest effective exercise methods for individual situations by examining changes in trunk muscle activity when plank exercise is performed using unstable support surfaces for the upper and lower limbs, respectively. Methods: Thirty-six adult males were divided into 3 groups. The subjects were divided into three groups of 12 people through a lottery. The first group was the standard plank group (Plank), the second group was the Upper Unstable Plank group (UUP), which provided instability to the upper extremities, and the third group was the Lower Unstable Plank group (LUP), which provided instability to the lower extremities. To compare the activity of trunk muscles during each plank movement, EMG was used to compare the muscle activity of the external oblique (EO), rectus abdominis (RA), and erector spinae (ES) muscles. Muscle thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) was measured using ultrasound. Results: This study showed that mean muscle activity of EO and RA was significantly increased in the UUP and LUP groups compared to the Plank group (p<0.05). ES was not significantly different among the three groups. The mean muscle thickness of TrA was significantly increased in LUP (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, when providing instability in the plank posture to enhance trunk stability, it is recommended to provide instability to the lower extremities rather than the upper extremities.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.397-409
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• 2007

Owing to needs of biomechanical comprehension and analysis to obtain various medical treatment designs which are related with the spine in order to cure and diagnose LBP patients, the FE modeling and nonlinear analysis of lumbosacrum including a partial ilium and iliolumbar ligaments, were carried out. First, we investigated whether the geometrical configuration of vertebrae displayed by DICOM slice files is regular and normal condition. After constructing spinal vertebrae including a partial ilium, a sacrum and five lumbars (from L1 to L5)with anatomical shape reconstructed using softwares such as image modeler and CAD modeler, we added iliolumbar ligaments, lumbar ligaments, discs and facet joints, etc.. And also, we assigned material property and discretized the model using proper finite element types, thus it was completely modeled through the above procedure. For the verification of each segment, average sagittal ROM, average coronal ROM and average transversal ROM under various loading conditions(${\pm}10Nm$), average vertical displacement under compression(400N), ALL(Anterior Longitudinal Ligament) and PLL(Posterior Longitudinal Ligament) force at L12 level, strains of seven ligaments on sagittal plane at L45 level and maximal strain of disc fibers according to various loading conditions at L45 level, etc., they were compared with experimental results. For the verification of multilevel-lumbosacrum spine including partial ilium and iliolumbar ligaments, the cases with and without iliolumbar ligaments were compared with ROM of experiment. The results were obtained from analysis of the verified FE model as follows: I) Iliolumbar ligaments played a stabilizing role as mainly posterior iliolumbar ligaments under flexion and as both posterior and anterior iliolumbar ligaments of one side under lateral bending. 2) The iliolumbar ligaments decreased total ROM of 1-8% in total model according to various motion conditions, which changed facet contact forces of L5S level by approximately 0.8-1.4 times and disc forces of L5S level by approximately 0.8-1.5 times more than casewithout ilioligaments, under various loading conditions. 3) The force of lower discs such as L45 and L5S was bigger than upper discs under flexion, left and right bending and left and right twisting, except extension. 4) It was predicted that strains of posterior ligaments among iliolumbar ligaments would produce the maximum 16% under flexion and the maximum 10% under twisting. 5) It's expected that this present model applies to the development and design of artificial disc, since it was comparatively in agreement with the experimental datum.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.276-282
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• 2015

Recently, during the multi-level fusion with pedicle screws, interspinous spacer are sometimes substituted for the most superior level of the fusion in an attempt to reduce the number of fusion level and likelihood of degeneration process at the adjacent level. In this study, a finite element (FE) study was performed to assess biomechanical efficacies of the interspinous spacer combined with posterior lumbar fusion with a previously-validated 3-dimensional FE model of the intact lumbar spine (L1-S1). The post-operative models were made by modifying the intact model to simulate the implantation of interspinous spacer and pedicle screws at the L3-4 and L4-5. Four different configurations of the post-op model were considered: (1) a normal spinal model; (2) Type 1, one-level fusion using posterior pedicle screws at the L4-5; (3) Type 2, two-level (L3-5) fusion; (4) Type 3, Type 1 plus Coflex$^{TM}$ at the L3-4. hybrid protocol (intact: 10 Nm) with a compressive follower load of 400N were used to flex, extend, axially rotate and laterally bend the FE model. As compared to the intact model, Type 2 showed the greatest increase in Range of motion (ROM) at the adjacent level (L2-3), followed Type 3, and Type 1 depending on the loading type. At L3-4, ROM of Type 2 was reduced by 34~56% regardless of loading mode, as compared to decrease of 55% in Type 3 only in extension. In case of normal bone strength model (Type 3_Normal), PVMS at the process and the pedicle remained less than 20% of their yield strengths regardless of loading, except in extension (about 35%). However, for the osteoporotic model (Type 3_Osteoporotic), it reached up to 56% in extension indicating increased susceptibility to fracture. This study suggested that substitution of the superior level fusion with the interspinous spacer in multi-level fusion may be able to offer similar biomechanical outcome and stability while reducing likelihood of adjacent level degeneration.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.512-519
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of a novel tissue engineering approach to regenerate intervertebral disc. In this study, thermosensitive scaffold (chitosan-Pluronic hydrogel) and nanofiber were used to replace the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus of a degenerated intervertebral disc, leading to an eventual regeneration of the disc using the minimally invasive surgical procedure and organ culture. In preliminary study, disc cells were seeded into the scaffolds and cellular responses were assessed by MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on these results, we could know that tissue engineered scaffolds might provide favorable environments for the regeneration of tissues. Organ culture was performed in fresh porcine spinal motion segments with endplates on both sides. These spinal motion segments were classified into three groups: control (Intact), injured NP (Defect), and inserting tissue engineered scaffolds (Insert). The specimens were cultivated for 7 days, subsequently structural stability, cell proliferation and morphological changes were evaluated by the relaxation time, quantity of DNA, GAG and histological examination. In these results, inserting group showed higher relaxation time, reduced decrement of DNA contents, and accumulated GAG amount. Consequently, the tissue engineered scaffolds used in this study seen to be a promising base scaffolds for regenerative intervertebral disc due to its capacity to absorb external dynamic loading and the possible ideal environment provided for disc cell growing.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.224-232
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the fear of daily activities questionnaire (FDAQ) for low back pain patients. Seventy-three subjects with low back pain were participated in this study. The subjects completed ten standardized self-administered questionnaires that measure fear of specific daily activities. The reliability of the acquired data was determined by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ for internal consistency. Constructive validity was analyzed by factor analysis, and concurrent validity was acquired from comparison FDAQ scores to the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. The test-retest reliability of the Korean version of the FDAQ showed good ICC (2,1)= 0.96 (95%CI 0.94.0.98) and Cronbach's alpha value was 0.93. Factor analysis suggested two factors solution consisting of spinal loading and spinal movement/posture, it explained 76.1% of the total variance. The concurrent validity was moderately related with pain and disability. Therefore, the Korean version of the FDAQ is a useful method for measuring the fear of daily activities of patients with low back pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.56-66
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• 1999

The purpose of this study focused how to show physiological responses comparing exercise group and non exercise group for progressive maximal wheelchair ergometer exercise loading in complete paraplegia. It also examined the various factors which would be influenced physiological responses. Sixteen subjects have been investigated in this study, and the subjects are divided into two groups as follows: 1) exercise group (7 subjects) 2) non exercise group (9 subjects). Each test was terminated by physical exhaustion and/or an inability to maintain a flywheel velocity. The results were as follows: 1) No difference was noted in pulmonary function test between two groups. 2) $\dot{v}$ Emax value during maximal exercise was significantly different between the groups (p<0.05). The mean $\dot{v}$ Emax of exercise group was $69.67{\ell}/min$, non exercise group was $41.47{\ell}/min$. 3) $\dot{v}$ $O_2max$(${\ell}/min$) value during maximal exercise was significantly different between the groups (p<0.05). The mean $\dot{v}$ $O_2max$(${\ell}/min$) of exercise group was $1.72{\ell}/min$, non exercise group was $1.15{\ell}/min$. 4) $\dot{v}$ $O_2$ max(ml/kg/min) value during maximal exercise was significantly different between the groups (p<0.05). The mean $\dot{v}$ $O_2max$($ml/kg{\cdot}min$) of exercise group was $25.99ml/kg{\cdot}min$, non exercise group was $18.61{\ell}/min$. 5) Maximal heart rate(HRmax) value during maximal exercise was significantly different between the groups (p<0.05). The mean HRmax of exercise group was 180.43 beats/min, non exercise group was 175.00 beats/min. 6) $\dot{v}\;E/\dot{v}\;O_2$ value during maximal exercise was not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). The mean $\dot{v}\;E/\dot{v}\;O_2$ of exercise group was $36.36{\ell}/{\ell}\;O_2$, non exercise group was $45.46{\ell}/{\ell}\;O_2$. Considering the results which explore the exercise group with paraplegia has shown the maximal aerobic power compared with non exercise group, regular and consistent physical training is highly assumed as a main factor to improve cardiopulmonary fitness.