Bong-Keun Jung

A low cost wearable wireless sensing system for paretic hand management after stroke

This paper describes the design of a low cost wearable hand exercise device that can assist repetitive wrist and finger exercise for stroke patients. The design of this device was guided by neurobiological principles of motor learning, such as sensory-motor integration, movement repetition, and cognitive interaction. This pilot study tested the efficacy of a wireless sensing system in the device to serve as a facilitator of repetitive hand exercise, which is an essential part of rehabilitation after stroke. The results from healthy young adults showed that the device with a wireless sensing system yielded quantitatively better motor function with the repetitive wrist and finger joint movements.This proof-of-concept study shows potential therapeutic evidence for stroke rehabilitation as well as the potential utility of sensing system for stroke rehabilitation.

Effects of different seat cushions on interface pressure distribution: a pilot study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate pressure redistribution on the supporting area of healthy volunteers when using different cushions. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy individuals ranging in age from 19–23 years old and 20 older adults age 60 or above participated in the study. All participants lived in urban communities in South Korea. Group differences according to gender, age, and cushion types were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc analysis. [Results] Statistically significant differences in peak pressure and mean pressure were identified between age, gender, and cushion types. Peak pressure and mean pressure were higher on firm surfaces and on the air cushion than other cushion types. The pressure ratio was lower when an air cushion was used in the buttock area and was higher when it was used under the thighs compared to that in other conditions. [Conclusion] This study showed that interface pressure can be distributed differently depending on what cushions are used. Therefore, when using seat cushions, individuals should seek advice to help them choose the appropriate cushion for their needs.

Analysis of ICT accessibility policy and implementation in South Korea

This paper introduces and describes the current ICT accessibility policy and program in South Korea including web accessibility, mobile accessibility and media accessibility for building an inclusive society. Although law and regulation describe the rights for vulnerable people to access many different formats of information technology, the assurance of ICT accessibility in technology and service has not been guaranteed. Several recommendations to promote ICT accessibility for vulnerable people are proposed in this paper.

Analysis of cortical activation during three types of therapeutic activity

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to investigate changes from resting of the evoked cortical activity when participants performed three levels of therapeutic activities. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-five students participated in this study. Changes in the amplitude of 16 pairs of evoked potentials were compared for three different activities: adjunctive, enabling, and purposeful. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. [Results] Significant differences were found among the selected three activities for the Alpha 1 waveform. The complexity hierarchy was confirmed by descriptive statistics, as well as analyses of the three brain regions: central position (motor) Beta 1; parietal lobes, Beta 2, and occipital lobes, Alpha 1. In each instance, purposeful activity was confirmed as the most complex activity, followed by enabling, and then adjunctive. [Conclusion] This study will provide rehabilitation professionals with valuable information regarding what type of activity they should choose for a correct level of therapeutic challenge when they work with patients to plan meaningful interventions.

Development and Evaluation of Tip Pinch Strength Measurement on a Paretic hand Rehabilitation Device

In this study, we described the development of a methodology to measure tip-pinch strength on the paretic hand rehabilitation device and aimed to investigate reliability of the device. FSR sensors were embedded on the device, and tip pinch strength was estimated with data collected from the sensors using a developed equation while participants were demonstrating tip pinch. Reliability tests included inter-rater, test-retest, and inter-instrument reliability. B&L Engineering pinch gauge was utilized for the comparison. Thirty-seven healthy students participated in the experiment. Both inter-rater and test-retest reliability were excellent as Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were greater than 0.9 (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in tip-pinch strengths. Inter-instrument reliability analysis confirmed good correlation between the two instruments (r = 0.88, p < 0.01). The findings of this study suggest that the two instruments are not interchangeable. However, the tip-pinch mechanism used in the paretic hand rehabilitation device is reliable that can be used to evaluate tip pinch strength in clinical environment and can provides a parameter that monitors changes in the hand functions.

Effect of activities of daily living status on resuming driving after stroke

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the effect of the activities of daily living status on resuming driving after stroke. [Subjects] Thirty-one participants with stroke, who visited in Korean national rehabilitation centers, were included in this study. [Methods] The activities of daily living performance and the driving ability of the participants were assessed with the Korean-Modified Barthel Index in combination with the results obtained by using a driving simulator. [Results] Significant correlations were noted among the Korean-Modified Barthel Index, on-road driving total score, reaction time, speed anticipation tests, judgment tests, and steering wheel-pedal operation tests. Results of Stepwise multiple regression also revealed that the Korean-Modified Barthel Index total score and speed anticipation, with an R2 of 52.9%. In other words, as the Korean-Modified Barthel Index total score and speed anticipation score increased and the driving performance score also increased in patients who had suffered a stroke. [Conclusion] The activities of daily living status was positively correlated with the patients’ post stroke driving ability.

Development of Mobile Application based on ICF(International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) for Provision of Assistive Devices for People with Disabilities

Abstract This study is aimed to introduce the newly developed mobile application for effective provision of assistive devices for people with disabilities in South Korea. By combining of ICF code and ISO 9999 code, more effective way of searching user fit assistive device information and selecting appropriate assistive devices were possible. 10 people with visual impairment were recruited for an usability testing. For the data analysis, paired t-test were used and confidence interval was 95%. The result showed newly developed mobile application was more effective in comparison with on-line based assistive device information. The outcome of this study will enhance the provision of assistive devices for people with disabilities more effectively within better user understanding of their needs and compensate for their body function as well as environmental barriers. Key Words : Assistive devices, ICF, Mobile application for assistive devices 본 논문은 순천향대학교 학술연구비 지원으로 수행되었음. * Corresponding Author : Bong-Keun Jung(Soonchunhyang Univ.)Tel: +82-41-530-4872 email: jungb@sch.ac.krReceived November 27, 2013 Revised (1st January 6, 2014, 2nd January 8, 2014) Accepted January 9, 2014