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.

This paper aims to develop a crutched walking frame with one-wheel driving system for the walking-impaired person as the aged. The walking frame is made up of four main parts : the steering and suspension system, the driving unit using the worm gear, the sensor and the controller. The walking frame can be controlled to keep the stable attitude by using the tilt sensor that measure the tilting of frame. The experimental results without control motion and with control motion for the downhill and uphill are presented in this study. Finally, a comparison between these results is presented to show the validity of system.

This research is to develop a street-walking aid for the visually impaired, which detects front direction obstacles within 2 meters and inform the user with sound and vibration as well. This way it keeps the visually impaired from such obstacles. This aid also identifies 10 different colors quite correctly so that the visually impaired could apply it when he or she tries to match the color of his or her clothes, or he or she wants to know the color of things he or she would buy. This aid has additional function of identifying the brightness level around the user. It provides also various ergonomic design features such as optimized centroid design for minimal fatigue of hands even after long use, ideal position of back button for easy and convenient grip, easy and compact recharge, raised letters on all buttons, the usefulness of main body itself without attached white cane, non-slip hand grip, high-performance ultrasonic sensors, and wrist strap.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of walking aid on hemiplegic gait of chronic stroke patients. Twelve stroke patients participated in this study. Physiological cost index (PCI), gait speed, and climbing stairs with and without walking aid were measured and analyzed. The results showed that walking with walking aid significantly improved gait speed and reduced physiological cost index and time needed to climb stair (height 7 cm) in comparison with a walking without walking aid. In conclusion, walking aid may improve the speed and efficiency of hemiplegic gait in chronic stroke patients.

목적 : 발의 강직성 저측굴곡으로 인하여 무릎이 과신전된 뇌성마비 아동을 대상으로 발 보조기 착용이 무릎 각도와 독립적인 보행거리에 미치는 영향과 COPM을 이용하여 아동의 보조기 착용 전후의 작업수행의 차이를 알아보았다. 연구방법 : 본 실험은 개별실험연구의 반전연구 ABA' 실험설계를 이용하여 총 18회기를 실시하였다. 기초선 A에서는 발 보조기를 착용하지 않고 무릎각도와 독립적인 보행거리를 측정하였고, 캐나다작업수행측정을 실시하여 보조기 착용 전후의 작업수행의 수행도와 만족도의 변화를 알아보았다. 치료기간인 B에서는 보조기를 아동에게 착용하게 한 후의 무릎각도와 독립적인 보행거리를 측정하였다. 기초선 A'에서는 보조기를 제거한 후의 무릎각도와 독립적인 보행거리 및 작업수행의 수행도와 만족도를 보호자에게 재실시하였다. 무릎각도와 독립적인 보행거리를 평균과 시각적 분석을 이용하였고, 작업수행의 수행도와 만족도는 COPM의 점수 비교를 통하여 알아보았다. 결과 : 아동의 무릎각도는 보조기 착용 전후에 평균 11.63° 감소하였고, 독립적인 보행거리는 평균 6.97m 증가하였다. 아동이 혼자서 화장실 가기, 좋아하는 장난감을 스스로 가지러 가기, 공을 발로 차기 모두 보조기를 착용 하기 전보다 수행도와 만족도가 모두 증가하였다. 결론 : 본 연구 결과를 통하여 뇌성마비 아동의 발의 안정성이 아동의 보행거리뿐만 아니라 작업수행에도 영향을 미친다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 앞으로는 더 많은 수의 아동을 대상으로 보행거리와 아동의 작업을 수행하는데 있어서 자신감과 자율성과의 상관관계에 대한 연구도 이루어져야 할 것이다.

본 연구는 발가락 벌림 보조기(toe spreader)가 긴장성 발가락 굽힘 반사(Tonic Toe Flexion Reflex: TTFR)가 있는 양하지 뇌성마비 아동의 보행에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 12명의 TTFR이 있는 양하지 뇌성마비 아동을 대상으로 같은 날에 맨발과 발가락 벌림 보조기를 착용한 상태에서 보행분석을 실시하였다. 시간 거리 보행변수로 활보장(step length), 보장(step length), 보폭(step width)

본 연구는 강직성 편측 뇌성마비 환자의 보행 기시(gait initiation)의 특성을 파악하고, 동적 단하지 보조기(dynamic ankle foot orthosis : DAFO)가 이런 환자들의 보행 기시에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 실시하였다. 연구대상자는 19세 선천성 강직성 우측 뇌성마비를 가진 여자 대학생이었다. 연구대상자는 4개의 다른 보행 기시 조건에서 각 조건당 7회의 보행 기시를 하였는데, 각각의 보행 기시 조건은: 1) 보조기

The objective of this study was to identify the immediate effects of the short leg brace on the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. The subjects of this study were 18 hemiplegic patients who had been hospitalized or visited out-patient department of Rehabilitation Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, from January 5, 1996 through March 23, 1996. PLS(Posterior Leaf Spring) on and off changes in gait patterns were measured using ink foot print as well as by recording weight bearing distribution using a limb load monitor. The data were analyzed by the correlation and paired t-test. The findings were as follows: 1. Eighteen subjects were more weighted on the affected leg when PLS was put off(42.74%) than on(40.08%). 2. The defference in gait patterns between PLS on and off was statistically significant, with an increase in step length by 1.7cm on the involved side; a decrease in foot angle by 4.41 degree on the involved side; and a narrowing of base of support by 1.46cm when PLS were off. In conclusion, this study showed that PLS did not affect the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. Since, the evaluation method used in this study has limitations in regard to temporal distance gait values. Further studies are required to numerous experiments for subject and extensive study.