• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2003

Background: Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) can directly assess motor neuron populations in muscle and quantify the degree of physiologic and/or pathologic motor neuron degeneration. A high degree of reproducibility and reliability is required from a good quantitative tool. MUNE, in various ways, is being increasingly applied clinically and statistical MUNE has several advantages over alternative techniques. Nevertheless, the optimal method of applying statistical MUNE to improve reproducibility has not been established. Methods: We performed statistical MUNE by selecting the most compensated compound muscle action potential (CMAP) area as a test area and modified the results obtained by weighted mean surface-recorded motor unit potential (SMUP). Results: MUNE measures in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients showed better reproducibility with sizeweighted modification. Conclusions: We suggest size-weighted MUNE testing of "neurogenically compensated"CMAP areas present an optimal method for statistical MUNE in ALS patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.279-283
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• 2001

We had one female ALS patient. The patient was diagnosed with ALS by EMG and Symptoms. We diagnosed the patient as Jinshang(筋傷) and Pishenyangxu(脾腎陽虛). We gave Shaoyaogancao-tang jiami(芍藥甘草湯加味) and Sijunzi-tang he Lizhong-tang jiami(四君子合理中湯加味) based on the differentiation of symtoms. We report the changes of the ALS patient's disphagia, lalopathy, and hypotonia after two months treatment with Riluzole and oriental medical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.354-363
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between characteristics of severe ALS patient-caregiver couples and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in family caregivers. Methods: The participants in this study were 89 pairs of ALS patients using ventilators and a family caregiver. The characteristics of the ALS patients and caregivers, Korean-Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised, Zarit Burden Interview and SF-36 were measured in this study. The data were collected from August 2008 to April 2009. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and canonical correlation were used for data analysis. Results: The physical component summary and mental component summary of the HRQoL score for family caregivers were $147.49{\pm}31.63$ and $129.09{\pm}35.83$, respectively. HRQoL for caregivers was related to characteristics of the ALS patient-caregiver couples, such as patient's gender, caregiver's age, gender, marital status, daily time spent in caregiving and burden with one significant canonical variable. The significant variate showed that the lower the age, the time spent in caregiving and the burden of caregivers, the higher the HRQoL of caregivers. Conclusion: The support systems for caregivers considering caregiver characteristics such as demographics and burden should be implemented to improve the HRQoL of caregivers.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2003

목적 : 대표적인 motor neuron disease(MND)이면서 가장 치명적인 신경퇴행성 질환인 ALS의 발생 양상과 한방치료효과에 대하여 연구하였다. 방법: 상지대학교 부속 한방병원에 래원한 ALS 환자들의 성별, 연령, 발병일, 발병양상, 래원 당시의 병태양상 등을 분석하였고, 이 중 3개월 이상 입원치료를 통하여 치료과정 평가가 가능하였던 18명의 환자들의 치료 전과 치료 후의 변화양상을 평가하였다. 결과 : 외국의 보고에 비하여 여성 환자가 많았고 발병 연령도 유의하게 낮았으며 상지에서 최초의 증상이 발현되는 비율이 상대적으로 높았다. Bulbar From의 비율도 높았고, 대부분의 환자가 여성인 것도 특이하였다. 환자들이 생각하는 질병의 발생원인 중 약 80%가 stress나 정신적 충격 등을 지적하여 정신적 불안상태가 유관함을 추정할 수 있었다. 한방치료가 ALS를 호전시키지는 못하였으나 진행을 억제하였고, 국소적인 주소증을 완화시키며 심리적 안정 상태를 유지하는데 도움이 된다고 평가되었다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.225-235
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• 2007

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is Motor Neuron Disease(MND) that reveals muscle relaxation, bulbar palsy, extremities weakness, Pneumonia, in severe case, leads to death. Objectives : Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is one of the incurable disease. In Oriental medicine, Wei symptom is similar as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, so we diagnosed it as Wei symptom and treated in Oriental medical system. Methods : The patient was treated by acupunture, moxibustion, herb medication, physical treatment. The improvement of the patient was judged by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS), Grasping power on right arm, circumference of thigh and calf. Result : The patient had better condition for a while but the sputum irritated breathing and the day before he discharged vital sign was not stable and could not breath well. Conclusion : It is necessary to have more examination about the incurable syndromes such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and keep the patient's life better and expand their lives.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.177-181
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• 2012

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the major neurodegenerative diseases that involves degeneration at all levels of the motor system- from the cortex to the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Patients with ALS often have difficulty of ambulation for dental treatment though they have poor oral hygiene state. General anesthesia may cause respiratory problem due to its high sensitivity to muscle relaxant and weakened upper airway. In this case report, 38-year-old female patient with ALS required many dental treatments. Conscious sedation with intravenous target controlled infusion method was successfully employed and patient was discharged without any complications.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2004

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects motor neurons. The characteristic features of this devastating disorder are the simultaneous presence of upper and lower motor neuron (LMN) signs with progression from one region of the neuraxis to the next and eventual death, typically from respiratory compromise. Electrophysiological studies are an indispensible part of the ALS evaluation, especially serving as an extension of the clinical examination, and most useful in identifying LMN dysfunction. Not only may electrodiagnostic studies reveal characteristic changes in those regions clinically manifesting signs, but it also serves to disclose asymptomatic areas of involvement.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2014

Objects : This study is a report on treatment effect of the case that treated by using of oriental medical treatment to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) patient. Methods : The patient diagnosed with ALS was treated by using of acupuncture, physical therapy, Su-gi therapy, thermotherapy and herbal medicine during 180 days. K-ALSFRS-R score was used as the tool of treatment effect. Results : Despite the K-ALSFRS-R score reduction, the oriental medical treatment maintain the respiratory function and a speech. Conclusions : The oriental medical treatment is effective on local symptoms of ALS, but there were no functional improvement of ALS in this case study. It is necessary to have more examination about ALS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.247-252
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the clinical effects of acupuncture therapy and Ecklonia cava extract on sleep disturbance in ALS patients. Methods : In this study one patient received acupuncture therapy and took Ecklonia cava extract. The effects of the combined administration of these treatments were evaluated using Numeric Rating Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results : The NRS score for sleep disturbance decreased from 10 to 1 and the PSQI score decreased from between 12~13 to 8. After treatment, the patient stopped taking sleeping pills and antidepressant. Conclusions : Combined administration of acupuncture therapy and Ecklonia cava extract could be effective in improving sleep disturbances in ALS patient.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.661-665
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• 2000

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness resulting in paralysis. ALS is characterized by both upper and lower motor neuron damage. Diagnostic tests include magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) electromyogram(EMG), muscle biopsy, and blood tests. In order for a definitive diagnosis of ALS to be made, damage must be evident in both upper and lower motor neurons. When three limbs are sufficiently affected, the diagnosis is ALS. There is no cure for ALS. We recently experienced one case of ALS, The patients was diagnosed as ALS by EMG and Symptoms. We diagnosed her as Wea jeung and treated by Herbal-medication based on the differentiation of symtoms. we report change of his symptoms through both western medical treatment and oriental medical treatment.