• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2015

The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects' impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity ($R^2=.41$), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry ($R^2=.35$). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry ($R^2=.17$). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.948-956
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a prototype KAFO (Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis) powered by two artificial pneumatic muscles during walking. We had previously built powered AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthosis) and KO (Knee Orthosis) and used it effectively in studies on assistance of plantaflexion and knee extension motion. Extending the previous study to a KAFO presented additional challenges related to the assistance of gait motion for rehabilitation training. Five healthy males were performed gait motion on treadmill wearing KAFO equipped with artificial pneumatic muscles to power ankle plantaflexion and knee extension. Subjects walked on treadmill at 1.5 km/h under four conditions without extensive practice: 1) without wearing KAFO, 2) wearing KAFO with artificial muscles turned off, 3) wearing KAFO powered only in plantaflexion under feedforward control, and 4) wearing KAFO powered both in plantaflexion and knee extension under feedforward control. We collected surface electromyography, foot pressure and kinematics of ankle and knee joint. The experimental result showed that a muscular strength of wearing KAFO powered plnatarfexion and knee extension under feedforward control was measured to be lower due to pneumatic assistance and foot pressure of wearing KAFO powered plnatarfexion and knee extension under feedforward control was measured to be greater due to power assistance. In the result of motion analysis, the ankle angle of powered KAFO in terminal stance phase was found a peak value toward plantaflexion and there were difference of maximum knee flexion range among condition 2, 3 and 4 in mid-swing phase. The current orthosis design provided plantaflexion torque of ankle jonit in terminal stance phase and knee extension torque of knee joint in mid-swing phase.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.28-35
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine whether gender differences existed in knee valgus kinematics in college students when performing a vertical drop landing. The hypothesis of this study was that females would demonstrate greater knee valgus motion. These differences in knee valgus motion may be indicative of decreased dynamic knee joint control in females. This study compared the initial knee valgus angle and maximum knee valgus angle at the instant of impact on vertical drop landings between healthy men and women. In this study, 60 participants (30 males, 30 females) dropped from a height of 43 cm. A digital camera and two-dimensional video motion analysis software were used to analyze the kinematic data. There was significant difference in the mean knee valgus angle at initial contact landing between the two groups (Mean=$7.88^{\circ}$, SD=$4.24^{\circ}$ in males, Mean=$12.93^{\circ}$, SD=$2.89^{\circ}$ in females). The range of knee valgus angle on landing (Mean=$3.25^{\circ}$, SD=$5.72^{\circ}$ in males, Mean=$11.44^{\circ}$, SD=$6.39^{\circ}$ in females) was differed significantly (p<.05). The maximal angle of knee valgus on landing (Mean=$10.91^{\circ}$, SD=$6.89^{\circ}$ in males, Mean=$24.25^{\circ}$, SD=$6.38^{\circ}$ in females) was also differed significantly (p<.05). The females landed with a larger range of knee valgus motion than the males and this might have increased the likelihood of a knee injury. The absence of dynamic knee joint stability may be responsible for increased rates of knee injury in females. No method for accurate and practical screening and identification of athletes at increased risk of ACL injury is currently available to target those individuals that would benefit from neuromuscular training before sports participation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.168-174
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between balance control ability and leg circumference, proprioception, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in young adults. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30 university students who were enrolled in D university in Gyeongbuk province. We measured the dynamic balance and static balance using the Biorescue. The muscular strengths of the hip, knee, and ankle joints were measured using a muscle contraction dynamometer. The ROM and proprioception were measured using an inclinometer. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlations between balance control ability and variables. Results: Sway length was significantly correlated with knee and hip joint muscle strength, ROM, and proprioception of hip and ankle joints (p<0.05). Sway speed was significantly correlated with ROM and proprioception in hip joints (p<0.05). Limit of stability was significantly correlated with muscle strength and ROM in ankle joints, and proprioception in hip, knee, and ankle joints (p<0.05). Conclusion: The sway length was most related to hip extension and ankle joint plantar flexion in the range of motion and ankle joint plantar flexion in proprioception. Overall, balance training for young adults will be of effective help if the treatment focuses on the knee and hip joints, range of motion and the ankle and hip joints' proprioception.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.79-89
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine effects of auricular acupressure on knee pain, range of motion, and sleep in the elderly with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This is an experimental study designed with randomization and single-blind in a placebo-control approach. The subjects included the elderly with knee osteoarthritis who were using an elderly welfare facility. In each of the groups, 28 subjects were assigned. For the experimental group, auricular acupressure was applied to five pressure points related to the pain caused by osteoarthritis and sleep. In the case of the placebo-control group, auricular acupressure was applied to other five points than the former. The intervention lasted eight weeks. In order to examine intervention effects of auricular acupressure, joint pain, Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPTs), and extension and flexion range of motion (ROM) were measured weekly. As for the preand post-examinations, pain, sleep quality, and the time-by-sleep stage of the patients with knee osteoarthritis were measured. Results: The VAS scores in the experimental group with auricular acupressure significantly decreased through time (p<.001) and WOMAC also significantly decreased (p<.01) compared with the placebo-control group. However, there were no significant differences in PPTs. The flexion (p<.01) and extension (p<.001) ROMs measured for eight weeks improved over time. Meanwhile, sleep quality improved significantly after the intervention termination (p<.01), but there was no significant difference found in the time-by-sleep stage. Conclusion: Auricular acupressure applied for eight weeks was found to be effective in reducing joint pain, improving knee ROM, and improving sleep quality in patients with degenerative knee arthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.13-17
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of flexible flatfeet on the accuracy of knee joint motions in closed and open kinetic chain tasks. Methods: Twenty-four healthy participants were recruited for this study. The subjects were divided into two groups using a navicular drop (ND) test: flexible flatfoot group (n=12, male: 6, aged $22.00{\pm}2.22years$) and age-matched control group (n=12, males: 6, aged $22.17{\pm}1.53years$). The accuracy of knee motion was measured quantitatively by tracing through the flexion and extension motion of the knee joints in the closed kinetic chain and the open kinetic chain. Results: There was a significant difference in the accuracy index between the groups in closed kinetic chain task, but there was no significant difference in the open kinetic chain task. In addition, there was a significant difference in the accuracy index between the closed kinetic chain and the open kinetic chain task in the flexible flatfoot group. In addition, a significant negative correlation was observed between the ND and accuracy index in the closed kinematic chain task, but there was no significant relationship between the ND and accuracy index in the open kinematic chain task. Conclusion: Flexible flatfeet can affect the accuracy of the adjacent joints, such as the knee joint in the closed kinematic chain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.85-92
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of motion taping during combined lower extremity exercise application on pain, ROM, muscle strength, and WOMAC index in middle-aged women with osteoarthritis of the knee joint METHODS: The subjects were 26 middle-aged women with osteoarthritis in the knee joint. Twenty-six subjects were divided into two groups. Each group contained 13 subjects. Three subjects dropped out in the middle of the experiment. The intervention was six weeks, three times a week. The control group performed traditional physical therapy and lower extremity exercise. The experimental group was motion taping applied to the lower extremity exercise. The measurement factors were knee joint pain, quadriceps muscle strength, and WOMAC index. The pain was measured using the numeric pain scale instrument (NPSI). The quadriceps strength was measured using the 1RM method. RESULTS: In both groups, pain, muscle strength, and WOMAC index showed significant improvement according to the intervention (p < .05). In comparison between groups of the change values pre-post intervention, pain and WOMAC index showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. On the other hand, there was no difference in strength between the two groups. CONCLUSION: When performing a rehabilitation exercise program for middle-aged women with osteoarthritis of the knee, motion taping has a positive effect on pain and the WOMAC index.

• Advances in biomechanics and applications
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.57-66
• /
• 2014

The purpose of the study was to investigate the kinematics between the double collar-tie and double underhook Thai Boxing clinching positions. Ten amateur mixed martial arts athletes executed six knee strikes for both clinching positions with their dominant limb directed towards a target. A standard two-dimensional video motion analysis was conducted, and the results showed a statistical significant difference at the hip joint angle and the angular acceleration of the knee and ankle. Within both clinching positions, there was a statistically significant correlation between the hip and knee joint angles, hip and knee angular velocities, and hip angular acceleration. Between both clinching positions, there was a statistically significant correlation at the knee joint angle, knee angular velocity, and hip angular acceleration. This study demonstrates the importance of the hip and knee joint movements in both clinching positions, which implies the applications of strength training and flexibility at these joints for sports performance and injury prevention. It is suggested that future studies analyzing the non-dominant leg are warranted to fully understand the Thai Boxing clinch.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.109-120
• /
• 2010

Objective : This study was to investigate the clinical effect of Rubiae Radix pharmacopuncture on knee joint pain. Methods : The patients were treated by Rubiae Radix pharmacopuncture, Acupuncture, herbal medicine. To evaluate the effect of the treatment, The patient's symptoms were assessed by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) Score, Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score(KOOS) and physical examinations. Results : In all cases, the pain was reduced significantly according to improvement of VAS score, KOOS and active Range Of Motion(ROM) of knee joint. VAS score and KOOS of all cases were decreased. In two cases, ROM of knee joint has improved. But in one case, ROM of knee joint has still been restricted. But there are no noticeable changes in physical examinations. Conclusion : These results suggest that Rubiae Radix pharmacopuncture might be an effective method to treat patients with knee joint pain. But, It's necessary to have more observations and experiments with Rubiae Radix pharmacopuncture.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.171-179
• /
• 2002

It is well known that the geometry of the articular surface plays a major role in the kinematic and kinetic analysis to understand human knee joint function during motion. The functionality of the knee joint cannot be accurately modeled without considering the effects of sliding and lolling motions. We Present a 3-D human knee joint model considering sliding and rotting motion and major ligaments. We employ more realistic articular geometry using two cam profiles obtained from the extrusion of the sagittal Plain view of the representative Computerized Tomography image of the knee joint compared to the previously reported model. Our model shows good agreement with the already reported experimental results on Prediction of the lines of force through the human joint during gait. The contact point between femur and tibia moves toward the Posterior direction as the knee undergoes flexion, reflecting the coupling of anterior and Posterior motion with flexion/extension. The anterior/posterior displacement of the contact Point on the tibia plateau during one gait cycle is about 16 mm. for the lateral condyle and 25 mm. for the medial condyle using the employed model Also. the femur motion on the tibia undergoes lateral/medial movement about 7 mm. and 10 mm. during one gait cycle for the lateral condyle and medial condyle. respectively. The developed computational model maybe Potentially employed to identify the joint degeneration.