The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of fabric ankle-foot orthosis on spatiotemporal gait parameters, compared to a barefoot condition in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Eleven children with spastic cerebral palsy participated in this study. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured with the GAITRite system. Fabric ankle-foot orthosis significantly improved Timed Up and Go test time and gait velocity. There was no significant difference in cadence. The step time significantly improved in both the more and less affected foot compared to the barefoot condition. The step length of the affected foot also significantly improved, but there was no significant difference in the step length of the less affected foot. There was significant improvement in the stride length of both the affected and less affected foot, but no significant difference in single stance or double stance. The fabric ankle-foot orthosis could improve stability, and selective control of the joint and promote better walking in children with cerebral palsy. Consequently, the fabric ankle-foot orthosis might be an alternative assistive device for neurological populations as a primary role instead of the typical ankle-foot orthosis.

본 연구는 산업용 열교환기 및 상용 파이프의 최적 설계를 위하여 열교환기 내의 사각형 단면 파이프의 shear-thickening 비뉴톤 유체의 압력강하 및 대류 열전달률을 수치해석적으로 수행하였다. shear-thickening 유체의 구성 방정식은 기존의 비뉴톤 유체 멱법칙을 보완한 확장 멱법칙 모델을 채택하였다. 파이프 내의 압력강하를 의미하는 마찰계수와 확장 레이놀즈 수의 곱은 기존 연구의 비교자료와 비교할 때 뉴톤 유체 영역과 멱법칙 영역에서 각각 0.018% 및 0.06% 내에서 일치함을 보였고, 대류 열전달률을 의미하는 뉴셀트 수는 문헌치와 비교할 때 뉴톤 유체 영역과 멱법칙 영역에서 각각 0.025% 및 0.14% 내에서 일치함을 보였다. 비뉴톤 확장 멱법칙 유체 모델의 형태를 띠는 shear-thickening 유체를 열교환기 또는 상용파이프 내의 사각형 단면 파이프 내에서 사용하면 유동지수(n)에 따라서 뉴톤 유체보다 최대 160%의 압력강하를 증가시켰고 최대 14%의 대류 열전달 감소를 발생시킬 수 있었다.

The present case study highlights the effects of a novel Comprehensive Hand Repetitive Intensive Strengthening Training (CHRIST) on morphological changes and associated upper extremity (UE) muscle strength and motor performance in a child with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP). The Child, a 10-year-old girl with spastic quadriplegic CP, was treated with CHRIST for 60 minutes a day, five times a week, for 5 weeks. The CHRIST was designed to improve motor function and strength. Clinical tests including the modified Wolf Test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, and Pediatric Motor Activity Log questionnaire were used to determine motor function. Ultrasound imaging was performed to determine the changes in the cross-section area (CSA) of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and triceps brachii (TRI). Muscle strength was measured with a dynamometer at pretest, and post-test, and 3-month follow-up. Ultrasound imaging data showed that the CSAs of both ECR and TRI muscles were enhanced as a function of the intervention. These changes were associated with muscle strength and motor performance and their effects remained even at a 3-month follow-up test. Our results suggest that the CHRIST was effective at treating muscle atrophy, weakness and motor dysfunction in a child with spastic quadriplegic CP.