• Title/Summary/Keyword: Blind Control

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The Effect of Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture(SBVP) on Cancer-Related Pain : A Randomized Controlled Trial and Double Blinded - Pilot study (암성통증에 대한 SBVP 효과 - 무작위대조시험, 이중맹검)

  • Yoo, Hwa-Seung;Kim, Jung-Sun
    • Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.21-29
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    • 2008
  • Objectives : To investigate the therapeutic effects of SBVP in the treatment of patients with cancer-related pain. Design : A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of SBVP. Setting : The study was conducted at the East West Cancer Center of Daejeon University Dunsan Oriental Hospital from March 1, 2007 to June 20, 2007. Patients : 11 patients diagnosed with cancer-related pain of over 3rd degree on the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS)(0, no pain at all, 10, worst pain imaginable) were entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of SBVP. They were randomized into Groups A and B(SBVP and control group, respectively) using the table of random sampling numbers and never informed of their affiliation by the coordinator. 5 of 6 patients in Group A and 4 of 5 patients in Group B completed the clinical trial. Intervention : SBVP(1ml/day) for group A and Normal Saline Placebo(1ml/day) for group B was injected into the abdomen acupoint, Zhong Wan(CV 12). The treatment was administered daily for five days. Outcome Measures : Degree of cancer-related pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS) before and after each treatment for "Pain right now" and "Average pain in last 24 hours". Statistical Analysis : Analysis regarding variations in NRS was carried out by applying t-tests(independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test) and Wilcoxon signed rank test with level of significance at 5%. Results : Differences in NRS of "Pain right now" for the two groups were statistically significant. The mean improvement point of SBVP was significantly higher than the control group($2.48^{\circ}{\pm}1.52$ vs $0.97^{\circ}{\pm}1.88$, p<0.05). Differences in average pain score before and after treatment in SBVP group were also significant($5.13^{\circ}{\pm}1.77$ vs $2.65^{\circ}{\pm}0.67$, p<0.05) compared with control group. The two groups showed no significant differences for long term effects in "Average pain in last 24 hours." Conclusion : Although further study will be needed on the large scale, SBVP shows potential as an effective treatment for immediate relief of cancer-related pain.

Efficacy of Electroacupuncture with Dysphagia Caused by Stroke - Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial - (중풍으로 유발된 연하 장애 환자에 대한 전침 치료의 임상 효과)

  • Kim, Min-Kyung;Lu, Hsu-Yuan;Cho, Seung-Yeon;Jung, Woo-Sang;Moon, Sang-Kwan;Park, Jung-Mi;Ko, Chang-Nam;Cho, Ki-Ho;Park, Seong-Uk
    • The Journal of Korean Medicine
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.26-40
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    • 2014
  • Objectives: This study investigated the effect of electroacupuncture on swallow function in stroke patients with dysphagia. The purpose was to determine whether electroacupuncture could improve swallow function and quality of life for patients with dysphagia caused by stroke. A pilot double-blind, randomized controlled trial design was used Methods: A total of 17 stroke patients with dysphagia were recruited to this study, 8 assigned to the swallowing electroacupuncture (SE) group and 9 to the control group. Swallowing electroacupuncture was assessed for 5 Hz electrical or sham stimulation for 20 min duration 3 times a week. Outcome measurements were DOSS, 14-item questionnaire from the SWAL-QOL, NIHSS and MBI. Assessment was carried out for baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks Results: In the 2 weeks follow up data, the study group showed significant difference in DOSS and SWAL-QOL compared with the baseline. The study group also showed significant difference in DOSS and SWAL-QOL compared with the control group. Similarly in the 4 weeks follow up data, the study group showed improvement tendency in DOSS and SWAL-QOL compared with baseline and also with the control. The NIHSS and MBI scores returned no significant differences. The swallowing electroacupuncture was well tolerated in all cases with no serious adverse effects. Conclusions: The findings from the pilot study indicated that electroacupuncture has significant effects on improvement in swallowing function and quality of life. With both inpatients and outpatients, further larger and longer-term follow-up study is needed to confirm this suggestion.

Effect of Micronutrient Supplementation on the Growth of Preschool Children in China

  • Han, Junhua;Yang, Yuexin;Shao, Xiaoping;He, Mei;Bian, Lihua;Wang, Zhu
    • Nutritional Sciences
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    • v.5 no.3
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    • pp.155-160
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    • 2002
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of micronutrient supplementation on the growth of preschool children in China. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 156 growth retarded preschool children who were randomly assigned to the following five groups : supplemental control (S-control; n=28); zinc supplementation (+Zn; 3.5mg Zn/day, n=34); zinc and calcium supplementation (+ZnCa; 3.5mg Zn + 250mg Ca/day, n=37); zinc, calcium and vitamin A supplementation (+ZnCaVA; 3.5mgZn + 250mgCa + 200gVA/day, n=28); and calcium and vitamin A supplementation (+CaVA; 250mgCa + 200gVA/day, n=29). Another 34 children of normal height were selected as a normal control (N-control). Supplementation continued for twelve months. After supplementation, the height gains in the +Zn group (7.84cm per year) and the +ZnCa group (7.70 cm per year) were significantly higher than that in the S-control group (6.74 cm per year, P<0.05). The weight gain in the +ZnCaVA group (2.55kg per year) and the +CaVA group (2.57 kg per year) was also significantly higher than that in the S-control group (2.19 kg per year, P<0.05). The average number of days of illness in each group taking supplements was lower than that in the S-control group (13 days per year compared with 23 days per year). No significant differences in bone maturity were observed between the groups. In conclusion, in this study Zinc and Zinc + Calcium supplementation improved the height gain, and vitamin A improved the weight gain, in growth retarded preschool children, but these supplements did not affect the maturity of bone. Micronutrient supplementation also lowered the morbidity of these children.

The Effect of Acupuncture on Relieving Pain after Inguinal Surgeries

  • Taghavi, Rahim;Tabasi, Kamyar Tavakoli;Mogharabian, Nasser;Asadpour, Akram;Golchian, Amir;Mohamadi, Shabnam;Kabiri, Azade Ataran
    • The Korean Journal of Pain
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.46-50
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    • 2013
  • Background: Postoperative pain is one of the most prevalent and bothersome issues found in the surgical department. Nowadays, there are various methods of acupuncture used for relieving pain without the complications found in some routine postoperative analgesics. These methods could be especially useful for high risk patients prone to complications from analgesics, such as transplantation recipients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of electro-acupuncture on postoperative pain control after inguinal surgeries. Methods: Ninety male patients, who were referred to our department with indications of inguinal surgery, were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups, such as acupuncture and control. We used electro-acupuncture for the acupuncture group and no actual acupuncture (but placed needle electrodes similar to the acupuncture group) for the control group. Postoperative pain was quantified by a blind observer in both groups using a visual analogue scale (VAS) standard score before being compared. Results: Pain intensity and analgesic use were significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.05). In the acupuncture group, the VAS pain scores were significantly lower than the control group at 0.5, 1 and 2 hours post operation. When the opioid related side effects were compared for each group, the results showed that the number of subjects who experienced dizziness in the acupuncture group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Acupuncture in patients, after inguinal surgery, can reduce the need of analgesics, which also directly reduces the complications that may occur when analgesics are used in relieving pain postoperatively.

A pilot study of augmented reality-based postural control training in stroke rehabilitation

  • Park, Yu Hyung;Lee, Chi Ho;Kim, Hang Jin
    • Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.13-19
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    • 2014
  • Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Augmented Reality-based Postural Control (ARPC) training on balance and gait function in patients with stroke. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty participants who experienced a stroke were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to the ARPC (n=10) or control group (n=10). Subjects in both groups received conventional physical therapy for 60 min per session, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. In addition, subjects in the ARPC group received ARPC training for 30 min per day, 3 days per week, for 4 weeks. The participants watched established normal postural control patterns on a head-mounted display and repeated the movements in ARPC training. Outcome measurements were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) before and after 4 weeks of training. Results: Of the 20 randomized participants, only 18 completed the 4-week training program. The ARPC group showed significant improvement in the BBS and 10MWT after training (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the control group did not exhibit improvement in either variable. In addition, the ARPC group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group in the 10MWT (p<0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed between the groups for the BBS. Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed the benefits of ARPC training on dynamic balance and functional gait ability. Additionally, this study may provide evidence supporting the use of an ARPC training program for improving balance and gait ability in patients after a chronic stroke.

Effects of Treadmill Gait Training Combined with Muscle Tone Control Technique on Gait Ability in Patient with Chronic Stroke (근긴장도 조절기법을 병행한 트레드밀 보행훈련이 만성 뇌졸중 환자의 보행능력에 미치는 영향)

  • Dong-Hoon Kim;Kyung-Hun Kim
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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    • v.11 no.3
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    • pp.147-157
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    • 2023
  • Purpose : Stroke patients exhibit considerable variations in gait patterns. Stroke patients generally show abnormal muscle tone and gait. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of treadmill gait training combined with muscle tone control technique (TM) on gait ability in patient with chronic stroke. Methods : A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 36 patient with chronic stroke. They were randomly allocated 2 groups; treadmill gait training combined with muscle tone control technique group (TM group; n=18) and conservative treatment group (CG group; n=18). The TM group received 15 minutes muscle tone control technique and 15 minute treadmill gait training. In the conservative treatment group received 30 minutes conservative physical therapy. Each group performed 30 minutes a day 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome gait ability were measured by gait measurement system (Optogait, Microgate, Italy) and 10 m walking test (10MWT). An independent t-test was used to statistically analyze the pre-test and pos-ttest gait ability results. Results : Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of outcome in gait ability during intervention period. TM group showed significant differences in gait ability as compared to the CG groups (p<.05). TM group showed significant differences in 10MWT as compared to the CG groups (p<.05). Our results showed that TM was more effective on gait ability in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : Our findings of this study confirmed that the treadmill gait training combined with muscle tone control technique provided significant improvements on gait ability in patient with chronic stroke. Therefore treadmill gait training combined with muscle tone control technique may positive influenced gait ability. This study will be able to be used as an intervention data for recovering gait ability in patients with chronic stroke.

New Revocable E-cash System Based on the Limited Power of TTP

  • Yan Xie;Fangguo Zhang;Kim, Kwangjo
    • Proceedings of the Korea Institutes of Information Security and Cryptology Conference
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    • 2002.11a
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    • pp.266-269
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    • 2002
  • As a simulation or replacement of analog money in cyber space, the e-cash was introduced by using cryptographic primitives. Since a perfect anonymity system causes some illegal activities, such as money laundering, blackmailing, and illegal purchase, a revocable electronic system was paid a great attention to control the anonymity. In general, Trust Third Party(TTP) is introduced to detect any dubious user and coin, namely user tracing and coin tracing. In this paper we propose a new revocable anonymity e-cash system, and verify the security requirement as well. In our scheme a user first withdraws the e-coin from bank by using blind signature, and then TTP verifies the bank's signature and records the tracing information.

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Study of PD Location in Generators by PD Pulses Propagation

  • Cheng, Yang-Chun;Li, Cheng-Rong;Wang, Wei
    • Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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    • v.7 no.5
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    • pp.252-256
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    • 2006
  • When a partial discharge takes place at the stator of a generator, the electrical pulse will propagate along the stator bars and the capacitor chains formed by the end part of the stator winds. On the first path, the pulse propagates as a travel wave at slow speed. On the second path, the pulse propagates at quick speed. Based on the data of the experiments on a real 50 MW steam generator, the author has found the pulses can propagate by magnetic field of the stator winding. It was studied that how to locating the partial discharge by signals coming from the different paths, including the features of signals on the two paths at time domain and frequency domain, the measurement frequency rang of the signals, the blind area, the advantage and disadvantage of this method.

WAVELET-BASED DIGITAL WATERMARKING USING HUMAN VISUAL SYSTEM FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

  • Sombun, Anuwat;Pinngern, Quen;Kimpan, Chom
    • 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2004.08a
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    • pp.800-803
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    • 2004
  • This paper presents a wavelet-based digital watermarking technique for still images. The digital watermarking considering human visual system (HVS) to increase the robustness and perceptual invisibility of digital watermark. The watermarking embedding is modified discrete wavelet transform (DWT) coefficients of the subbands of the images. The human visual system is number of factors that effect the noise sensitivity of human eyes that is considered to increase the robustness and perceptual invisibility of digital watermark. The watermark detection is blind watermark ( original image is not required ). Experimental results successful against attacks by image processing such as add noise, cropping, filtering, JPEG and JPEG2000 compression.

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Design of TV Control Gesture Commands for Visually Impaired People (시각장애인을 위한 TV 조작용 제스처의 설계)

  • Hwang, Inwook;Kim, Hyunchul;Kang, Wan-Sik;Ahn, Choonghyun
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers Conference
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    • 2014.06a
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    • pp.12-14
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    • 2014
  • 본 논문에서는 시각장애인들의 TV 시청시 리모콘이나 별도의 기기의 착용없이 TV 조작이 가능한 제스처 명령의 설계를 소개한다. 시각장애인들의 TV 시청 및 조작 현황 및 수요를 알아보기 위해 저시력 및 전맹 장애인들을 대상으로 설문조사와 그룹 인터뷰를 수행하였으며 현재 시중에 적용된 좌표 포인팅 방식 제스처에 대한 평가 또한 이루어졌다. 이 결과를 바탕으로 현재 시판중인 동작인식 시스템에서 인식가능하며 시각장애인들의 사용성을 고려한 TV 조작 맨손 제스처를 제안한다.

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