• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2008

Retinal prosthesis is regarded as the most feasible method for the blind caused by retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age related macular degeneration (AMD). Recently Korean consortium launched for developing retinal prosthesis. One of the prerequisites for the success of retinal prosthesis is the optimization of the electrical stimuli applied through the prosthesis. Since electrical characteristics of degenerate retina are expected to differ from those of normal retina, we performed voltage stimulation experiment both in normal and degenerate retina to provide a guideline for the optimization of electrical stimulation for the upcoming prosthesis. After isolation of retina, retinal patch was attached with the ganglion cell side facing the surface of microelectrode arrays (MEA). $8{\times}8$ grid layout MEA (electrode diameter: $30{\mu}m$, electrode spacing: $200{\mu}m$, and impedance: $50k{\Omega}$ at 1 kHz) was used to record in-vitro retinal ganglion cell activity. Mono-polar electrical stimulation was applied through one of the 60 MEA channel, and the remaining channels were used for recording. The electrical stimulus was a constant voltage, charge-balanced biphasic, anodic-first square wave pulse without interphase delay, and 50 trains of pulse was applied with a period of 2 sec. Different electrical stimuli were applied. First, pulse amplitude was varied (voltage: $0.5{\sim}3.0V$). Second, pulse duration was varied $(100{\sim}1,200{\mu}s)$. Evoked responses were analyzed by PSTH from averaged data with 50 trials. Charge density was calculated with Ohm's and Coulomb's law. In normal retina, by varying the pulse amplitude from 0.5 to 3V with fixed duration of $500{\mu}s$, the threshold level for reliable ganglion cell response was found at 1.5V. The calculated threshold of charge density was $2.123mC/cm^2$. By varying the pulse duration from 100 to $1,200{\mu}s$ with fixed amplitude of 2V, the threshold level was found at $300{\mu}s$. The calculated threhold of charge density was $1.698mC/cm^2$. Even after the block of ON-pathway with L-(1)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB), electrical stimulus evoked ganglion cell activities. In this APB-induced degenerate retina, by varying the pulse duration from 100 to $1200{\mu}s$ with fixed voltage of 2 V, the threshold level was found at $300{\mu}s$, which is the same with normal retina. More experiment with APB-induced degenerate retina is needed to make a clear comparison of threshold of charge density between normal and degenerate retina.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of intravaginal pelvic floor electrical stimulation (FES) therapy on bladder irritability symptoms in stress urinary incontinent women. Materials and Methods: The evaluation before and after treatment included the Blaivas's female Bladder Questionnaire, the quality of life questionnaires and the overall satisfaction with present voiding state using visual analogue test (VAT). All patient were treated for 20 minutes, twice a week for 6 weeks, using a new intravaginal electrical stimulator with microchip (PIC16C74). Results: After the FES therapy, the overall success rate of the SUI was 50.4.% at 9 months. The bladder irritability symptoms such as frequency, nocturia, urgency, residual urine sensation and lower abdominal discomfort were improved. In particular, the symptoms of frequency, urge incontinence, dysuria were significantly improved after the FES therapy at 9 months. The VAT score of the overall satisfaction with the present voiding state was significantly lower after the FES therapy. 73.7% of patients were satisfied with the FES therapy and complications such as hemorrhage, vaginitis, urinary tract infection and pain were not encountered. Conclusion: These results suggest that FES therapy with microchip improves some bladder irritability in SUI women. Therefore, electrical stimulation therapy should be considered as a first line therapy in SUI women with bladder irritability symptoms.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.625-642
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• 2022

Objectives: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common impairment of gastrointestinal motility and causes a delay in postoperative recovery, as well as an increased length of hospital stay, but no single strategy has a significant recuperative effect on POI. Studies of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) have reported improvements in bowel function after surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of TKM on postoperative ileus in gastric cancer patients. Methods: We used six databases to search for studies published from January 1, 2007, until May 11, 2022. The included studies were those reporting gastric cancer patients who received TKM treatment after gastrectomy through indicators related to POI. Results: The search identified 27 RCTs that used herbal medicine (Daegeonjung-tang and Gami-leejoongtang), herbal medicine combined with acupuncture (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, acupuncture and moxibustion, electroacupuncture, warm needling, transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA), low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation (LEAS), moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine as treatments for POI. The time to first flatus was shortened by herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). The time to the first defecation decreased significantly in response to the herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: TKM could be a promising option for preventing and resolving POI in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.69-83
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• 2022

Objective : This study aimed to confirm the possibility of the clinical application of oral motor facilitation technique (OMFT) protocol and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with Wallenberg syndrome. Methods : One patient with Wallenberg syndrome was treated with OMFT and NMES applied 40 times each, 5 days a week, twice a day for 4 weeks. The Comprehensive Oral-Facial Function Scale (COFFS), Korean-Mann Swallowing Ability Assessment (K-MASA), and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) were used to compare the changes before and after the intervention. Data analysis was used to compare the score changes before and after the intervention. Results : Orofacial function and swallowing ability improved after the intervention in the individual who participated in this study. Among oral motor functions, relatively greater functional improvement was observed in tongue movement compared to other functions, which was evaluated to the extent that pharyngeal swallowing was possible. Conclusions : Early swallowing rehabilitation using systematic OMFT and NMES of exercise intensity confirmed the possibility of improving oral motor function and dysphagia. In the future, complementary studies on the effects of interventions applying the OMFT and NMES will be needed.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.188-197
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• 2020

This study was to investigate the effects of joint mobilization with two different electrotherapy methods on shoulder external rotation range of motion and pain in mastectomy patients. Thirty mastectomy patients were divided into STMG (joint mobilization+pain scrambler therapy, n=15) and TENMG (joint mobilization+transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, n=15). The measurements were performed shoulder external rotation range of motion (ROM), pain (VAS). In both groups, there was a significant difference in the shoulder external rotation ROM, pain after intervention (p <.05). STMG was more decrease in VAS score than TENMG (p <.05). There was no significant difference in shoulder external rotation ROM between the two groups. In order to decrease the pain of mastectomy patients, it was confirmed that STMG was more effective than TENMG.. It is thought that a control group is added to confirm various differences, and more subjects are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of microamperage electrical stimulation on the number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) in rat skin. Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into electrical stimulation and control group. Bach animals hair on the back was removed. The electrical stimulation group received an positive rectangular positive electrical stimulation with $500{\mu}A$, while the control group was given the same treatment without electricity. The rats were sacrificed at 4 and 7 day of stimulation, respectively. The biopsy specimens were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and stained with silver nitrate. The AgNOR were counted using a light microscope and computerized image analysis system and calculated as the mean number of AgNOR per nucleus in the epidermal keratinocyte. In control skin, the mean AgNOR count of epidermal keratinocyte at 4 and 7 day were 1.67 and 1.72, whereas electrical stimulated rat had mean AgNOR counts of 2.0 and 2.14, respectively. A Student's t-test showed a significantly higher mean AgNOR number at 4 ana 7 day in the electrical stimulated rats than control rats (p<0.05). The microamperage electric current stimulation increased the epidermal AgMOR expression in incisional wound skin. These results suggest that the microamperage electrical stimulation may promote migration and proliferative activity of epidermal keratinocyte in surgical wound.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.539-548
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• 2019

This study was designed to examine the effects of complex breathing exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation of Quadriceps Femoris muscle on pulmonary function and cerebral cortex activity in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After collecting samples from 20 patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease aged 60 to 80, 10 patients each were randomly placed in an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group conducted complex breathing exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation of Quadriceps Femoris muscle, and the control group only conducted complex breathing exercise. As a pretest, pulmonary function and cerebral cortex activity were measured. The intervention program was applied to each group for 30 minutes, once a day, for 4 days a week, for 6 weeks, and the posttest was carried out the same way as the pretest. As a result, both groups showed significant differences in FEV1.0(Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second)(p<.001)(p<.05), and there were significant differences between the groups as well(p<.05). When comparing alpha waves in each domain of cerebral cortex, both of the experimental and control groups showed significant differences in Fp1, Fp2, F3 and F4 domains (p<.01)(p<.05). During the 6-week experiment, complex breathing exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation of Quadriceps Femoris muscle improved pulmonary function of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and in relation to cerebral cortex activity, a positive breathing change was found due to the increase of alpha waves in the forehead domain. Therefore, it is considered that applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation of Quadriceps Femoris muscle to patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease additionally along with complex breathing exercise will bring a better therapeutic effect.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.29-35
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to compare acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(ALTENS) with conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(C-TENS) for crossover effect in healthy subjects. Forty subjects recieved ALTENS(20 persons), C-TENS(20 persons) to one upper extremity. Each technic was applied to the motor point of the wrist extensor muscle group for twenty-minutes. With the subject placed in supine the technics were applied at 80 Hz, 2-10 mA(ALTENS) and 10 Hz, 4-12 mA(C-TENS). Results revealed: (1) a significant difference between the pretreatment and posttreatment in each group(p<.05) (2) no significant difference between ALTENS and C-TENS(p>.05). In conclusion, there was no difference between ALTENS and C-TENS for crossover effect.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2011

Objective : The aim of this study was to provide the method to measure physiologic response using equipments and auditory stimulation, and the physiologic response features of adult psychiatric disorders through a systemic review. Methods : The systemic review was executed using PubMed. The key words for search were "auditory stimulation, auditory startle, electromyograph, skin conductance, heart rate, psychiatric disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, depression". 8 studies were used for data analysis, and all of levels of evidence were level II. The substances of the review were subject(population), auditory stimulation, measure equipments and physiologic response features of psychiatric disorder. Results : 1. The subjects for the studies were anxiety disorder(4) and schizophrenia(4). 2. Auditory stimulation was used in 8 studies and visual stimulation with auditory stimulation was used in 2 studies to induce physiologic response. 3. Every study used electromyograph, and skin conductance was used in 2 studies and heart rate was used in 2 studies with electromyograph to measure physiologic response. 4. The subjects for the studies, schizophrenia and anxiety disorder(PTSD, OCD) have different physiologic response features with the normal control group. Conclusion : All studies used simple tones as an auditory stimulation and electromyograph to measure physiologic response. Psychiatric disorders indicated larger response, shorter and delayed habituation. The objective and systematic study using physiologic measure to investigate the sensory feature of psychologic disorders.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.53-69
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• 2021

Sleep disorders, increasingly prevalent in the general population, induce impairment in daytime functioning and other clinical problems. As changes in cortical excitability have been reported as potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying sleep disorders, multiple studies have explored clinical effects of modulating cortical excitability through non-invasive brain stimulation in treating sleep disorders. In this study, we critically reviewed clinical studies using non-invasive brain stimulation, particularly transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), for treatment of sleep disorders. Previous studies have reported inconsistent therapeutic effects of TMS and tDCS for various kinds of sleep disorders. Specifically, low-frequency repetitive TMS (rTMS) and cathodal tDCS, both of which exert an inhibitory effect on cortical excitability, have shown inconsistent therapeutic effects for insomnia. On the other hand, high-frequency rTMS and anodal tDCS, both of which facilitate cortical excitability, have improved the symptoms of hypersomnia. In studies of restless legs syndrome, high-frequency rTMS and anodal tDCS induced inconsistent therapeutic effects. Single TMS and rTMS have shown differential therapeutic effects for obstructive sleep apnea. These inconsistent findings indicate that the distinctive characteristics of each non-invasive brain stimulation method and specific pathophysiological mechanisms underlying particular sleep disorders should be considered in an integrated manner for treatment of various sleep disorders. Future studies are needed to provide optimized TMS and tDCS protocols for each sleep disorder, considering distinctive effects of non-invasive brain stimulation and pathophysiology of each sleep disorder.