• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2018

Background: Stroke patients show abnormal walking patterns due to brain injury. In order to have the desired walking pattern, appropriate stimulation is required to activate the central pattern generator. For this reason, our study performed treadmill ambulatory training with rhythmic auditory stimulation. However we did not consider the influence of visual feedback. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the gait abilities in chronic stroke patients following either treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback (TRASVF) or treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (TRAS) alone. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were divided into two groups: A TRASVF group (10 subjects) and a TRAS group (11 subjects). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) and walking training for 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. Temporal and spatial gait parameters were measured before and after the training period. The Biodex gait trainer treadmill system measured gait parameters. Results: After the training periods, the TRASVF group showed a significant improvement in walking speed, the step length of the affected limb, and time on each foot of the affected limb when compared to the TRAS group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback improved individual gait ability more than the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation alone. Therefore, visual feedback should be considered along with rhythmic auditory stimulation training.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.692-699
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• 2008

This paper describes optimal operation method using recognition of walker's will for a robotic walker. Recently, walking aid system has been required according to the increase of elder and handicapped person. However, most of walking aid system don't have actuator for its movement. Unfortunately, standard frames have weakness for the movement to upward/download direction of slope. So, active type walking aids are interested, but it is not easy to control. In this paper, we adapt user's will system that can recognize walking direction and speed. First, FSR(Force Sensing Register) is applied to measure user's will to walk. And then, fuzzy algorithm is used for determining optimal wheel velocity and direction of the walking aid. From the result, walking aid can move smoothly and safely following the user's will. The walking aid can help user to walk more optimally. Here, all the processes are verified experimentally in the real world.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.443-449
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to identify the differences in the muscle activity of the ankle joint muscle depending on the type of footwear (sneakers, mule sneakers, slippers) worn while walking on a slope. Methods: The subjects wore each shoe (sneakers, mule sneakers, and slippers) and walked on an 18-degree slope at a speed of 110 beats/min. While walking, the muscle activities of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius were measured. Of the three walking cycles, the second walking cycle was measured except for the first and third walking cycles, which are the beginning and end, and a three-minute break was taken to prevent muscle fatigue when the type of footwear was changed. Results: When walking on a slope, there was no significant difference in the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior according to the type of footwear. However, when walking on a slope, the difference in muscle medial gastrocnemius muscle activity was significant between sneakers and mule sneakers. There was also a significant difference between sneakers and slippers, but there was no significant difference between slippers and mule sneakers. Conclusion: There was no significant statistical difference between sneakers and mule sneakers, but there was a numerical difference. Therefore, the presence or absence of the shoe collar may affect the muscle activity of the medial gastrocnemius when walking on a slope. This can lead to patellofemoral pain syndrome caused by the excessive use of the quadriceps, so it must be considered that caution is needed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.743-747
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• 2000

The coordinated mechanism of terrestrial vertebrates enables them to maneuver over all of the terrain conditions since they have a distinct ability to adapt to varying conditions. Their locomotions remain infinitely more advanced and elegant than that of present-day existing mechanical walking robots. However, the principles of existing walking robots are based more on technical rather than on biological concepts, yielding unstable locomotion with low speed. In order to apply these advanced biological phenomena to the mechanical design of 4-legged walking robot, modeling methods are introduced and mathematical equations are also introduced.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.756-768
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• 1997

In order to control a dynamic gait of quadrupedal walking robot, the equations of motion of the whole mechanism are required. In this research, the equations of motion are formulated analytically using Kane's dynamic approach. As a dynamic gait model, a trot gait has been adopted. The degree of freedom of whole mechanism could be reduced to 7 by idealizing the kinematic feature of the trot gait. Using the equations of motion formulated, the results of the redundant-joint torque analysis and the simulation of dynamic walking motion are presented.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.863-867
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• 2003

This paper aims at the development of shoes measuring the performance of walking or running, which is equipped with electronic devices. In the in-sole of the shoes, a piezoelectric sensor is inserted for measuring the number of steps and the speed of walking. The measured signals are processed by the one-chip microprocessor and related electronic devices. Using the data, the momentum and calories of walking and running are calculated, and the results are transmitted to the displaying system composed of LCD by the RF telecommunication system.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.462-467
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• 2005

In this paper, we analyzed normal gait acceleration signal by time series analysis methods. Accelerations were measured during walking using a biaxial accelerometer. Acceleration data were acquired from normal subjects(23 men and one woman) walking on a level corridor of 20m in length with three different walking speeds. Acceleration signals were measured at a sampling frequency of 60Hz from a biaxial accelerometer mounted between L3 and L4 intervertebral area. Each step signal was analyzed using Box-Jenkins method. Most of the differenced normal step signals were modeled to AR(3) and the model didn't show difference for model's orders and coefficients with walking speed. But, tile model showed difference with acceleration signal direction - vertical and lateral. The above results suggested the proposed model could be applied to unit analysis.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2023

Purpose: Hallux valgus (HV) is one of the most common chronic foot disorders, occurring when the first toe deviates laterally toward the other toe. HV impairs muscle strength and affects gait function (postural sway and gait speed). Thus, this study aims to investigate using the FDM system the effect of wearing braces on gait while wearing a virtual reality (VR) device. Methods: This study was conducted on 28 healthy adults with HV of 15 degrees or more. To compare differences in walking, depending on whether a toe brace can be worn, the subject walked without wearing anything, walked after wearing the VR device, and walked after wearing the VR device and the toe brace, and the FDM system was used for the gait ability measurement analysis. Results: As a result of a one-way repeated analysis of variance, the walking speed-related variables (cadence, velocity, etc.) in the HV group were higher during comfortable walking. In addition, walking while wearing a VR device and walking while wearing a VR device and a toe brace demonstrated more significant values in terms of six gait parameters (double stance phase, loading response, stage, stage, stage, and stage). The maximum pressure of the forefoot was significantly reduced when walking while wearing a VR device and a toe brace compared to comfortable walking, but in all variables, there was no statistically significant difference between walking while wearing a VR device and walking while wearing a VR device and a toe brace. Conclusion: Orthosis with a VR device during gait (OVG) and gait with a VR device (GVR) affect gait in HV patients. However, there was no significant difference between GVR and OVG. Thus, it is necessary to conduct experiments on various HV angles and increase the duration of wearing the toe brace.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.249-257
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface on the balance and walking ability of individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental group (n=8) and control group (n=8). All the participants underwent a typical physical therapy program for 30 min a day. Moreover, the experimental group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on an unstable surface, whereas the control group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on a stable surface. Both groups performed the exercises five times a week for three weeks. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance. The gait variables were measured using the GAITRite system (CIR System Inc., Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability. Results: Both groups showed a significant intragroup improvement in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). In the intergroup comparisons after the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study applied additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed a significant improvement in the patients' balance and walking abilities. Therefore, trunk exercise on an unstable surface may be applicable as an intervention method to improve the balance and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of postural control training on balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen chronic stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group (n=9) or a control group (n=9). All participants received 60 minutes of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the experimental group additionally received a postural control training for 30 minutes, while the control group additionally performed a treadmill training for 30 minutes. These 30-minute training sessions were held five times per week for three weeks. Balance was assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS) and walking ability (gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limb support) was assessed using the GAITRite system. RESULTS: Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention for both groups (p<.05). Post-intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on measured outcomes (p<.05). The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the gait speed (p=.01; 95% CI .08-.16), cadence (p=.04; 95% CI .34-4.79), step length (p=.02; 95% CI 1.50-5.17), double limb support period (p=.04; 95% CI -2.18 to -.14), and BBS (p=.01; 95% CI 1.04-6.74) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that postural control training may be beneficial for improving balance and walking ability of patients with chronic stroke.