• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.173-185
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• 2009

Objectives : Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is a progressive disease that causes degeneration of the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. The purpose of this case study is to improvement of oriental mediacl treatment on ALS. Methods : The patients were treated by acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, herbal medication, physical treatment. To determine the effects of Oriental medical treatment, we evaluated weekly used by Korean version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(K-ALSFRS-R), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Severity Scale(ALSSS). Results : Symptoms such as cervical and shoulder pain, knee pain, cold sweating, insomnia etc were improved after above treatment. But K-ALSFRS-R and ALSSS were no improvement after above treatment. 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.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial responses and quality of life (QOL) among Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients and their caregivers in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Purposive sample of 15 ALS patients and their 14 caregivers were recruited via Korean Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (KALSA) website. Demographic characteristics, hopelessness, quality of life, physical function, and caregiver burden were measured. Results: The mean period after being diagnosed with ALS was 57.73 months. The mean score of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale and quality of life was 21.33 (SD=11.97) and 5.70 (SD=1.23) respectively. The mean score of hopelessness was 11.87 (SD=4.72). The caregivers' mean score of McGill quality of life was 4.29 (SD=1.46), and the mean score of McGill quality of life-single item scale was 4.29 (SD=2.02). Conclusion: Since the cause of ALS has not been identified and cure is yet to be discovered, supportive care should be provided for not only quality of life but hope of patients. The findings may be used to develop knowledge based nursing intervention for patients diagnosed with ALS and their caregivers.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-42
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• 2019

Objective : This study is a report on treatment effect of Korean medical treatment to ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) patient. The purpose of this case study is to improvement of Korean medical treatment and evaluate prognosis and clinical course of ALS patients. Methods : The patient was treated by acupuncture, Su-Gi therapy, herbal medication, physical treatment. To determine the effects of Korean medical treatment, we evaluated every four days used by Korean version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (KALSFRS-R), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Severity Scale(ALSSS). Results : Before mental contraction caused by everyday life nursing management, symptoms such as lumbar pain, getting hoarse, lower limb powerless & spasticity, upper limbs powerless, neckache, tongue-tied etc. were improved after above treatment. K-ALSFRS-R and ALSSS scores were also increased till patient's mental contraction Conclusions : The Korean medical treatment is effective on local symptoms of ALS, and there is also functional improvement of ALS diagnosed by external examination. It is necessary to have more examination about ALS.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2015

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by progressive death of motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Until now, many treatment strategies have been tested in ALS, but so far only Riluzole has shown efficacy of slightly slowing disease progression. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ALS are multifactorial, with a complex interaction between genetic factors and molecular pathways. Other motor neuron disease such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and spinobulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) are also progressive neurodegenerative disease with loss of motor neuron as ALS. This common thread of motor neuron loss has provided a target for the development of therapies for these motor neuron diseases. A better understanding of these pathogenic mechanisms and the potential pathological relationship between the various cellular processes have suggested novel therapeutic approaches, including stem cell and genetics-based strategies, providing hope for feasible treatment of ALS.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with numerous causes that include genetic factors. Efforts to reveal the genetics of ALS have identified several candidate genes that are associated with familial and sporadic ALS. Here we report a Korean ALS patient who showed prominent upper motor-neuron-related symptoms with marked brain atrophy and neuropsychological deficits. The findings were highly suggestive of ALS in a patient with a likely pathogenic FIG4 variant.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.140-154
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the adjustment process of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS). Method: The data were collected from May 2007 to February 2008 through individual in-depth interviews with 4 ALS patients. The data collection and analysis were performed according to grounded theory methodology, as suggested by Strauss and Corbin. Results: 'Accepting the sick role' was the central phenomenon, which was derived from 'perceiving an intial symptom'. Therefore, the adjustment pattern was represented by using the different strategies, which were 'raising hope' and 'hoping to dye comfortably'. For taking a view of the future, ALS patients adopted the strategies of 'living positively', 'being treated hardly', 'joining in the experience', 'depending on the absolute being', 'recognizing the dying process'. Conclusion: This study provides guidance for the development of nursing interventions for patients with ALS.

• 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.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2017

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is a clinical condition characterized by unresponsiveness and lack of palpable pulse in the presence of organized cardiac electrical activity and is caused by a profound cardiovascular insult (e.g., severe prolonged hypoxia or acidosis, extreme hypovolemia, or flow-restricting pulmonary embolus). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that is characterized by progressive degeneration of all levels of the motor nervous system. Damage to the respiratory system and weakness of the muscles may increase the likelihood of an emergency situation occurring in patients with ALS while under general anesthesia. We report a case of PEA during the induction of general anesthesia in a patient with ALS who presented for dental treatment and discuss the causes of PEA and necessary considerations for general anesthesia in patients with ALS.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.113-116
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• 2019

Myasthenia gravis (MG) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are distinct disorders. ALS affects motor neurons that control muscle movement, while MG controls communication between neurons and muscles, which occurs at neuromuscular junctions. However, on rare occasions, ALS develops after MG and vice versa. The coexistence of the two diseases represents a diagnostic challenge and requires thoughtful interpretation of clinical features. We present the case of a 53-year-old Korean male who developed ALS after MG, confirmed by clinical and electrophysiological follow-up.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.119-128
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• 2010

Objectives : The objective of this study is to report the change of progress in symptoms and various scales after treated with Mountain Ginseng Pharmacopuncture(MGP) on the patients of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS). Methods : The three ALS patients who treated with MGP, were checked the change of progress by ALS Functional Rating Scale(ALSFRS), ALS Severity Score(ALSSS), grasping power on both arms and circumference of both thighs and calves. Results : After MGP treatment on three ALS patients, first case did not grow worse during MGP treated whereas she got worse rapidly during none treated period. Second case did not grow worse during treated period and third case got worse in progress by slow degrees despite of MGP treatment. Conclusions : Although MGP could not control the progress of ALS completely, MGP may help the improving of quality of life(QOL) in ALS patients and have the effect of delayed ALS progression.