• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.898-906
• /
• 2007

This study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of Processed Sulphur on Hepatotoxicity. Processed Sulphur was administered orally to rats for 28 days. We measured the body and liver weight index, heamtological and biomedical parameters. We also observed the histopathological changes of liver in rats. No significant differences in body weight, liver weight index, heamtological and biomedical parameters and histopathological changes of hepatocyte between control and Processed Sulphur fed group were found. Our data indicate that hepatotoxicity was not caused by oral medication of Processed Sulphur up to 60mg/200g/day for 28 days in rats. Therefore, Processed Sulphur appears to be safe and non-toxic in these studies and a no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in rats is established at 60mg/200g/day. The data could provide satisfactory preclinical evidence of safety to launch clinical trial on standardized formulation of mineral extracts.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.46 no.sup1
• /
• pp.22-27
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the beneficial effects of a new cognitive intervention program designed for the care and prevention of dementia, namely Learning Therapy. The training program used systematized basic problems in arithmetic and Japanese language as training tasks. In study 1, 16 individuals in the experimental group and 16 in the control group were recruited from a nursing home. In both groups, all individuals were clinically diagnosed with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type. In study 2, we performed a single-blind, randomized controlled trial in our cognitive intervention program of 124 community-dwelling seniors. In both studies, the daily training program using reading and arithmetic tasks was carried out approximately 5 days a week, for 15 to 20 minutes a day in the intervention groups. Neuropsychological measures were determined simultaneously in the groups both prior to and after six months of the intervention. The results of our investigations indicate that our cognitive intervention using reading and arithmetic problems demonstrated a transfer effect and they provide convincing evidence that cognitive training maintains and improves the cognitive functions of dementia patients and healthy seniors.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.11-23
• /
• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to explore factors related quality of life among cancer survivor in order to identify strategies for cancer survivors to go back to normal life and carry on stable and high quality life. Methods : This study used the $1^{st}$ to $6^{th}$ data of Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging(KLoSA). The sample of this study consisted of 118 cancer survivors, all of whom were diagnosed with cancer for more than 10 years later in 2016. Results : Regression analysis of major factors related to the quality of life of elderly cancer survivors showed that the results of 2006 and 2016 were different. In 2006, factors related to cancer were highly correlated with quality of life, but in 2016, it was associated with pain and depression. Conclusions : The results of this study confirm that the factors related to quality of life in cancer survivors change with survival period. Therefore, this study suggests comprehensive care strategies based on the stage of survivorship.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.16-29
• /
• 2018

Introduction: We aimed to investigate the predictive factors and optimal age for response to herbal medicine treatment for height gain in children. Methods: This retrospective chart review included 61 children (age range, 5-16 years) treated for height gain between 2011 and 2015. A predictive model was established by multiple linear regression analysis. Dependent variables were defined by the differences in percentile before and after herbal medicine treatment. The optimal cutoff value of patient age was determined by receiver operating curve analysis. Results : The age of initiation of herbal medicine therapy (p = 0.012) and administration of Forsythiae fructus (p = 0.002) were significant variables for treatment response. The adjusted R2 value was 0.231. The mean ages of the responder and non-responder groups were significantly different (p = 0.023). The optimal cutoff value of age for predicting treatment response was 9.75 years. Treatment response was better among children below 9.75 years of age. Conclusions: Patient age and administration of Forsythiae fructus were identified as determinants of response to herbal medicine treatment. Treatment of rhinitis and initiation of height gain treatment at an early age are critical for better response. These findings will provide fundamental data for further research.

• Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.361-366
• /
• 2018

Anxiety is a common preoperative problem in cesarean section candidates. Nonpharmacologic anxiety control has been demonstrated to be more suitable in pregnant women. The current study was a randomized, single-blind clinical trial which evaluated the effect of acupressure on preoperative C-section anxiety. In this study, 60 patients facing surgery were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Those patients in the intervention group received simultaneous acupressure at the Yintang and HE-7 acupoints for 5 minutes before surgery, and patients in the control group received intervention at a sham acupoint. The anxiety level of patients was preoperatively assessed twice using the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The mean anxiety scores of the two groups were shown to be insignificantly different before the intervention (p = 0.859), whereas a significant difference between the mean anxiety scores of the two groups was observed after the intervention (p = 0.001), suggesting that acupressure reduced the anxiety of patients before surgery.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.335-343
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ischemic compression treatment (ICT) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to the trigger points of the infraspinatus muscle on shoulder pain and function in patients with shoulder pain. Design: A randomized clinical trial Methods: Thirty patients with shoulder pain were randomly allocated into the ICT group (n=15) or LLLT groups (n=15). ICT was performed on three myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) of the infraspinatus muscle twice a week for 4 weeks (eight sessions), with 5 minutes of treatment per trigger point. LLLT was performed similarly. Shoulder pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain pressure threshold (PPT), and shoulder function was assessed using the Korean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, rotator cuff strength, and range of motion (ROM) of shoulder flexion and abduction. Results: Significant changes in VAS score and PPT were found after the intervention in both groups (p<0.05). Significant changes were observed in the Korean DASH score, rotator cuff strength, and ROM of shoulder flexion (p<0.05) but not in the ROM of shoulder abduction (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: This study showed that both ICT and LLLT applied on the MTrPs of the infraspinatus muscle were effective for relieving shoulder pain and improving shoulder functions in patients with shoulder pain.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.100-113
• /
• 2023

This was a clinical trial study to aid the recovery of elderly female alcoholic liver disease patients by providing a balanced nutritional supplement comprising soymilk. All patients gave their consent before enrolling. The average demographics of the subjects were age 81.57 years, height 150.43 cm, weight 52.67 kg, and body mass index 24.15 kg/m². An increase in the daily consumption of fruits and fruit juice was observed after the patients had started taking the balanced meal as compared to before. Intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and cholesterol decreased after consuming soymilk, whereas vitamin B₁₂, niacin, folic acid, and dietary fiber significantly increased (P<0.05). Blood cholesterol and BUN levels showed a decreasing tendency. Our results indicate that consuming soymilk in a balanced diet for female patients afflicted with alcoholic liver disease helps improve their nutritional status by increasing the nutrients lacking in the body.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.3-106
• /
• 2023

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in Korea and the world. Since 2004, this is the 4th gastric cancer guideline published in Korea which is the revised version of previous evidence-based approach in 2018. Current guideline is a collaborative work of the interdisciplinary working group including experts in the field of gastric surgery, gastroenterology, endoscopy, medical oncology, abdominal radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology and guideline development methodology. Total of 33 key questions were updated or proposed after a collaborative review by the working group and 40 statements were developed according to the systematic review using the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and KoreaMed database. The level of evidence and the grading of recommendations were categorized according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation proposition. Evidence level, benefit, harm, and clinical applicability was considered as the significant factors for recommendation. The working group reviewed recommendations and discussed for consensus. In the earlier part, general consideration discusses screening, diagnosis and staging of endoscopy, pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine. Flowchart is depicted with statements which is supported by meta-analysis and references. Since clinical trial and systematic review was not suitable for postoperative oncologic and nutritional follow-up, working group agreed to conduct a nationwide survey investigating the clinical practice of all tertiary or general hospitals in Korea. The purpose of this survey was to provide baseline information on follow up. Herein we present a multidisciplinary-evidence based gastric cancer guideline.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.63-79
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Korean traditional acupuncture Theory, Sa-am's 5 phases acupuncture method was originated in 1644-1742, in the middle of the Cho Sun dynasty. This study was to verify the effect of Sa-am Acupuncture Treatment on dysmenorrhea of Women. Methods : The subjects were 49 volunteers who were suffering for dysmenorrhea, employed using Measure of Menstrual Pain (MMP) questionnaire. Subjects were divided into two groups including Sa-am acupuncture treatment group(n=23) and minimal acupuncture treatment group(n=26). They had agreed to take part in tIris experiment, with didn't take any anodyne drugs. In the acupuncture group, subjects were stimulated at $GB_{41}$, $SI_3$, $GL_{66}$, $SI_2$(Small intestine jung-guk) and $SP_6$. In the control group, subjects were needled at $L_{10}$, $S_{40}$, $P_5$, $G_{40}$ points have any effect on dysmenorrhea. A total of 5 acupuncture sessions were performed for each patient depending on the individual menstruation cycle. The MMP score by using 7 questions and the Menstrual Symptom Severity List(MSSL-D) were measured before and after menstruation cycle. Collected data were analyzed as frequency, percentage, paired t-test, independent t-test using SPSS 10.0 WIN Program. Results : Acupuncture treatment produced a significant improvement on dysmenorrhea in two groups, but a statistically significant difference was not shown in the acupuncture group compare to control group. Conclusions : Based on the above results, it was verified that Acupuncture Treatment was effective in decreasing the symptom of Dysmenorrhea.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.93-100
• /
• 2006

This paper aims at the development and clinical evaluation of the wireless gyro-mouse system. The wireless gyro-mouse system is a computer interface with gyro-sensor and wireless communication, for the patients with upper-extremity disabled from the traffic accident or stroke to use the computer software i.e. internet browser. In the development, we focused on, firstly, to make the system wireless for the patients to manipulate the mouse easily even on the bed or wheelchair, secondly, to insert the gyro-sensor into a headband for easy don-and-doff and aesthetic appearance, thirdly, to devise a click switch in case of $C5{\sim}C6$ patients and a head nodding detection in case of C4 patients for sending click message to computer operating system. We performed evaluation experiment for patients with upper-extremities disabled from spinal cord injury. The results show that the displacement error of the cursor position against the target position during linear (vertical/horizontal) movement manipulation decreased with trial number. The click rate per minute also increased with trial number. This indicates the developed wireless gyro-mouse system would be more useful to the patients with repetitive use.