• The Journal of Information Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2006

Acrophobia is a symptom of feeling an abnormal fear of heights. Medications or cognitive-behavior methods have been mainly used to treat the acrophobia. In these days the virtua1 reality technology has been applied to treat such an anxiety disorders. In this thesis, an telemedicine assistant system for treatment of acrophobia using biomedical signals and virtual reality technique is proposed. I made two virtual reality simulations for treatment of acrophobia and telemedicine system for communication between doctor and patient using personal computer. A virtual environment provides patient with stimuli which arouses phobia, and exposition to such environment makes him have ability to overcome the fear. Recently, the patient can take diagnosis from a medical doctor in distance with the telemedicine system. Multimedia conference service, on-line questionary, signal transfer system are needed to configure such system. Virtual reality simulation system that composed of position sensor, head mount display, and audio system, is also included in this telemedicine system. I added virtual environment update system to this virtual reality telemedicine system for treatment of acrophobia. Former acrophobia treatment systems use only patient's score of the questionary to appraise. The new system developed in this thesis uses not only patient's score of the questionary but also biomedical signals such as HR, GSR amplitude, GSR RT to increase the objectivity and quantitativity. The experimental results show that HR and GSR amplitude are useful for decision of acrophobia. We will apply this system to the acrophobia patient in distance and be able to offer better medical treatment for mental illness in near future.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.109-121
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical trends of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on combined treatment of acupuncture and relaxation therapy. Methods: Clinical trials based on acupuncture and relaxation therapy searched and were selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). In this study we selected clinical research articles using acupuncture and relaxation therapy as intervention. Studies were assessed by Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, and Jadad scale. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials on combined treatment of acupuncture and relaxation therapy were selected, and these studies were published in China. Most studies have targeted psychiatric disorders such as insomnia and anxiety. Manual Acupuncture (MA) was the most used acupuncture treatment, and in five studies two or more relaxation therapies were used in parallel. Although the treatment result using acupuncture and relaxation therapy was superior, heterogeneity of the control group was high and it was difficult to estimate additional effects of relaxation therapy. Conclusions: Qualitative analysis revealed that the combination of acupuncture and relaxation was more effective than control in most studies. However, quality of most studies was low. Therefore, higher quality clinical research on combined treatment of acupuncture and relaxation therapy is required.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to explore factors influencing on the preventive behaviors of dementia in older Koreans enrolled in senior welfare centers to provide basic information on dementia prevention. Methods: A total of 182 older Koreans participated in this study, which employed a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using questionnaires with items related to general characteristics, depression, self-esteem, knowledge and attitudes about dementia, preventive behaviors of dementia, dementia management self-efficacy, and anxiety about dementia. Using SPSS WIN 23.0, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. Results: Living with a spouse (p=.013), a higher monthly income (p=.018), better nutrition (p=.010), not having a sleep disorder (p<.001), and higher number of participating programs (p=.001) were associated with better dementia prevention behaviors. Attitudes about dementia (��=.18, p=.006) and the number of programs older Koreans were participating in (��=.17, p=.006) influenced positively on the preventive behaviors of dementia, while depression (��=-.41, p<.001) and sleep disorders (��=-.17, p=.006) influenced negatively on dementia preventive behaviors. Overall, approximately 35% of the variability in dementia preventive behaviors was explained by these four variables in this study (F=24.97, p<.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that depression reduction, good attitudes about dementia, program participation, and good sleep should be encouraged to promote dementia prevention. In addition, effective and structured educational programs should be developed for older Koreans to encourage dementia preventive behaviors to reduce the risk of dementia.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.20-35
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• 2021

Objectives: Waste treatment by incineration is gradually increasing as the emission of harmful substances has decreased owing to developments in incineration technology. However, residents living near incinerators continue to express anxiety regarding the effects on their health. Therefore, we attempted to summarize the health impact of incinerators by comprehensively reviewing the recently reported literature. Methods: Sixty-two epidemiological research papers related to incineration and health effects were selected from the Google Scholar database and analyzed (from between January 2001 and December 2019). Results: When compared to older incinerators, newer incinerators established after 2000 are considered relatively safe in terms of health effects. Nevertheless, there have been some studies that have linked them to various diseases, such as malignant tumors including soft tissue cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, reproductive disorders, respiratory diseases, and more. In addition, incinerator workers and local residents are considered to be exposed to dioxins and some heavy metals from the incinerator. Since most studies included subjects exposed to older incinerators, it is difficult to apply these results to the health impact assessment of new incinerators. However, it is not appropriate to conclude that new incinerators made with state-of-the-art technology are safe, as chronic environmental diseases caused by hazardous substances tend to appear only after prolonged exposure. Conclusions: In terms of environmental health, it is necessary to continuously monitor the health effects of incinerators. Also, there is a need to develop a research methodology that can minimize various confounders in incineration-related epidemiological study.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between clinical and quantitative sensory testing (QST) results among persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain (PIDP), inflammatory dental pain, and control group subjects to identify discriminative clinical features for differential diagnosis. Methods: Thirty-three patients (5 PIDP-a without surgical procedures 10 PIDP-b with surgical procedures, 8 dental pain patients, and 10 controls) were evaluated for clinical features and QST results. Cold pain threshold, heat pain threshold, mechanical pain threshold (MPT), mechanical pain sensitivity, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were performed. Psychological factors were assessed using Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) and a chart review was conducted to evaluate additional discriminative clinical features such as pain quality and treatment prognosis. Results: The dental pain group had lower PPT than the PIDP-b and the control group. The PIDP-a group showed higher MPT and PPT than the PIDP-b and dental pain group but the difference was not statistically significant. Differences in SCL-90-R SOM (Somatization), O-C (obsessive-compulsive), ANX (anxiety), and PSY (Psychoticism) values were statistically significant among groups. PIDP-a and PIDP-b groups showed remaining symptoms after treatment and the pain tended to spread widely, whereas, in toothache patients, symptoms disappeared after treatment. However, factors that confound the diagnosis, such as an increase in pain during chewing and a decrease in the pain threshold at the affected site, could also be identified. Conclusions: PIDP and dental pain groups have distinct clinical symptoms, but there are also factors that cause confusing in diagnosis. Therefore, various clinical examination results should be carefully reviewed and comprehensively evaluated in the differential diagnosis process.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.389-400
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• 2022

Objectives: Depression is a highly prevalent disease, and the market for antidepressant drugs continues to grow at a steady rate. Although current antidepressants are reported to be effective, because of their low remission rate and side effects, new antidepressants are needed. The use of Banhahubak-tang (BHT) to treat the symptoms of depression is supported by experimental evidence. The proposed study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of BHT in treating depression. Methods: A randomized, waitlist-controlled, parallel clinical trial will be conducted to assess the efficacy of BHT in depression. A total of 84 participants with depression will be randomized into the intervention group or waitlist-control group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the intervention group will be administered BHT three times a day for four weeks and followed up for four more weeks after therapy completion. Patients in the waitlist-control group will undergo the same intervention and follow-up after a four-week waiting period. The primary outcome is change in the Korean version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (K-HDRS) scores for major depressive disorders after four weeks. The secondary outcomes include scores on the K-HDRS, Korean Symptom Check List 95 (KSCL-95), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Korean version (STAI-K), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Korean version (STAXI-K), and the Instrument on Pattern Identifications for Depression and EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). Conclusions: This trial will provide high-quality clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of BHT in the management of depression.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.57-61
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• 2020

Purpose: Purpose: This study was to study the effect of foot bathing on menopausal symptoms and sleep disorders in female subjects in their 50s with menopausal symptoms. Methods: After 12 weeks of foot bath therapy three times a week, pre- and post-menopausal signs were measured. Results: Subjects with hot flashes, heart discomfort, sleep problems, depression, irritability, anxiety, physical and mental fatigue, sexual problems, urination problems, vaginal dryness, and joint and muscle discomfort significantly improved after than before(p < .001). Subjective sleep quality, sleep incubation period, sleep duration, sleep disturbance score, sleep drug use, and sleep dysfunction significantly decreased after foot bath than before(p < .001). Habitual sleep efficiency increased considerably. Conclusions: The subjects showed overall improvement in menopausal symptoms and sleeping quality after a foot-bath. Therefore, foot bath therapy is evaluated as a natural healing therapy suitable for improving menopausal symptoms and sleep.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.151-159
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the structural relationships between fear of missing out, addictive tendencies toward social network services (SNSs), and depression in colleges. Methods : The target subjects were students in colleges across gyeongnam & busan, to whom the purpose of the study was explained and who spontaneously agreed to participate. A survey was conducted with 302 participants over 31 days from March 7, 2022, and data from 299 responses was analyzed. Results : 1. Women felt a higher fear of missing out than men. 2. Women showed greater inability to control their use of SNSs, more SNS-related disorders in daily life, and greater immersion in and tolerance of SNSs when compared to men. 3. Women were more depressed than men. 4. Positive correlations were observed between the fear of missing out and SNS-addictive tendencies, between the fear of missing out and depression, and between SNS-addictive tendencies and depression. Conclusion : A comprehensive review of these findings suggests that women had overall higher levels of isolation fear, SNS-addictive tendencies, and depression than men. Based on this, universities should provide gender-specific educational programs around these issues; this student cohort will ultimately work in healthcare, and this kind of awareness will be essential for treating patients. Considering that the current situation poses unusual challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study's results can serve as basic data for planning educational programs in the future. Over the coming years, comprehensive and continuous education and counselling relating to the fear of missing out, SNS addiction, and depression will be urgently required.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.331-341
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• 2022

This systematic review evaluates current evidence regarding the feasibility of using needleless jet injection instead of a conventional local anesthetic needle. EBSCO, ProQuest, PubMed, and Scopus databases were used to identify relevant literature published in English from 2005 to 2020. Ten studies were selected. Five of them were randomized clinical trials, 3 case-control studies, and 2 equivalence trials. Using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist, 6 studies scored between 67% and 100%, and 4 studies scored between 34% and 66%. According to Jadad's scale, 2 studies were considered strong, and 8 studies were considered moderate in quality. The results of the 10 studies showed differences in patient preference for needleless jet injection. Needleless injection technique has been found to be particularly useful in uncooperative patients with anxiety and needle phobia. Needleless jet injection is not technique sensitive. However, with needleless jet anesthesia, most treatments require additional anesthesia. Conventional needle anesthesia is less costly, has a longer duration of action, and has better pain control during dental extraction. Needleless jet anesthesia has been shown to be moderately accepted by patients with a fear of needles, has a faster onset of action, and is an efficient alternative to conventional infiltration anesthesia technique.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.102-130
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• 2022

Objectives: The persistence and unpredictability of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and new measures to prevent direct medical intervention (e.g., social distancing and quarantine) have induced various psychological symptoms and disorders that require self-treatment approaches and integrative treatment interventions. To address these issues, the Korean Medicine Mental Health (KMMH) center developed a field manual by reviewing previous literature and preexisting manuals. Methods: The working group of the KMMH center conducted a keyword search in PubMed in June 2021 using "COVID-19" and "SARS-CoV-2". Review articles were examined using the following filters: "review," "systematic review," and "meta-analysis." We conducted a narrative review of the retrieved articles and extracted content relevant to previous manuals. We then created a treatment algorithm and recommendations by referring to the results of the review. Results: During the initial assessment, subjective symptom severity was measured using a numerical rating scale, and patients were classified as low- or moderate-high risk. Moderate-high-risk patients should be classified as having either a psychiatric emergency or significant psychiatric condition. The developed manual presents appropriate psychological support for each group based on the following dominant symptoms: tension, anxiety-dominant, anger-dominant, depression-dominant, and somatization. Conclusions: We identified the characteristics of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and developed a clinical mental health support manual in the field of Korean medicine. When symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder, doctors of Korean medicine can treat the patients according to the manual for the corresponding disorder.