• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

Objectives: Although electro-acupuncture is being utilized to reduce weight in Korea, its usefulness in obesity management has not been fully evaluated yet. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of Electro-acupuncture on thigh circumference. Methods: 12 healthy volunteers participated in this study. We measured the circumference of both thighs, and treated the thicker one with transcutaneous electro-acupuncture at 8 acupoints, 10 times in total. The electrical parameters were : 1st step frequency set was at 15Hz and the treatment proceeded for 50 minutes, 2nd step at 50Hz for 10 minutes and at 3rd step the acupunctures were removed and electrodes were attached on the lower limb at 166Hz for 15 minutes. In order to evaluate the effect of the treatment, total body weight, percentage of body fat and thigh circumference were measured 4 times. Before the treatment, after 5th and 10th treatment and 1 month after completion of the whole treating procedure. Statistical significance(P<0.05) was determined using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. We did not control diet, exercise and lifestyle of the volunteers. Results: No significant change was shown in body weight after 10 times of treatment. Yet the thigh circumference of effect group significantly decreased after 5th treatment and 10th treatment. The circumference of control group that was not treated by electro-acupuncture significantly decreased too. At first, difference between the two thighs in circumference was obvious, but no difference was left after 10 times of treatments on the thicker thigh. Percentage of body fat was significantly decreased. 1 month after having completed the treatment, there was no significant difference of body weight, thigh circumferences and percentage of body fat. Conclusion: These results suggest that electro-acupuncture effectively regulates regional fat, body fat percentage and body shape.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness and possibility of Integrative Cancer Treatment (ICT) on an advanced metastatic leiomyosarcoma patient. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with recurred and advanced metastatic Leiomyosarcoma, suffering from dyspnea, abdominal discomfort, lower limb edema. The patient refused conventional treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy but was treated with ICT including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, hypertherapy and herbal medicine for symptom management. The clinical outcomes were measured by NRS (Numeral rating scale). Results: After treatment, dyspnea, abdominal discomfort and lower limb edema was relieved from NRS 6 to 3, 7 to 3 and 7 to 6 respectively. Also, loss of body weight, decrease in abdominal, thigh and calf circumference were improved. During and after treatment, we found neither hepatotoxicity nor nephrotoxicity on laboratory findings. Conclusion: This case study suggests that ICT may improve symptom relief and life quality of leiomyosarcoma patient.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2017

This paper present a novel approach to control the lower body power assistive exoskeleton system of a HEXAR-CR35 aimed at improving a muscular strength. More specifically the control of based on the human intention is crucial of importance to ensure intuitive and dexterous motion with the human. In this contribution, we proposed the detection algorithm of the human intention using the MCRS which are developed to measure the contraction of the muscle with variation of the circumference. The proposed algorithm provides a joint motion of exoskeleton corresponding the relate muscles. The main advantages of the algorithm are its simplicity, computational efficiency to control one joint of the HEXAR-CR35 which are consisted knee-active type exoskeleton (the other joints are consisted with the passive or quasi-passive joints that can be arranged by analyzing of the human joint functions). As a consequence, the motion of exoskeleton is generated according to the gait phase: swing and stance phase which are determined by the foot insole sensors. The experimental evaluation of the proposed algorithm is achieved in walking with the exoskeleton while carrying the external mass in the back side.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Ankle Pump Exercise on lower limb edema and pain of operating room nurses. Methods: This research was arranged on the basis of the nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. The participants were 41 nurses working in the operating room in 'S' hospital in Seoul and 'H' hospital in Guri City, Korea. Data were collected from August 20 to September 30, 2012. Edema of the lower extremities was measured in terms of the girths of ankles and calves. Pain of the lower extremities was measured in terms of VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) for pain. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage mean, and standard deviation, using the chi2(p) and t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and a paired t-test. The SPSS Win 20.0 program was used for analysis. Results: Hypothesis 1 - "There are significant differences in lower extremity edema between the experimental group and the control group." - was partially supported. Hypothesis 2 - "There are significant differences in lower extremity pain between the experimental group and the control group." - was supported. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate positive practical effects of the Ankle Pump Exercise in reducing the circumference of both ankles, reducing the circumferential edema of both calves, and alleviating the pain of nurses in the operating room. Based on these findings, application of the Ankle Pump Exercise can be considered as an effective method to prevent nurses' health problems in the lower extremities that can be induced by their work during surgical operations.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2024

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between isokinetic strength training and the enhancement of physical function in older adults. It also evaluates the effectiveness of isokinetic strength training equipment. Method: This study randomly divided twenty healthy adults into two groups.The experimental group engaged in isokinetic strength training for 30 minutes, three times a week, over a four-week period. In contrast, the control group did not participate in any exercise regimen. We assessed several outcome measures including physical functions (sit-to-stand test, flexibility, Timed Up and Go test), grip strength, balance, thigh circumference, the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Additionally, the experimental group's self-perceived improvement in lower limb condition was evaluated using the Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in various aspects: reduced sit-to-stand test duration (7.00±2.05 seconds), increased flexibility (4.69±3.90 cm), improved grip strength (1.54±1.74 kg), increased thigh circumference (left: 1.29±1.19 cm, right: 1.19±1.27 cm), enhanced Timed Up and Go test performance (-1.47±0.86 seconds), better balance (eyes open stance: -8.08±4.03 cm, eyes closed stance: -0.27±0.13 cm/s), and a decrease in depression severity (-0.15±1.51 points). Furthermore, significant increases were observed in the experimental group's maximal isokinetic strength at 90°/s for both flexion (19.62±7.03 Nm) and extension (19.60±14.65 Nm) over the study period. Conclusion: The findings suggest that isokinetic strength training equipment can significantly enhance physical functions in seniors when incorporated into an exercise regimen.