• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.218-223
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• 2015

Purpose: Idiopathic scoliosis is a structural lateral curvature of the spine of unknown etiology. The relationship between degree of spine curvature and cardiopulmonary function has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between scoliosis and cardiopulmonary characteristics. Methods: Ninety children who underwent preoperative pulmonary or cardiac evaluation at a single spine institution over 41 months were included. They were divided into the thoracic-dominant scoliosis (group A, n=78) and lumbar-dominant scoliosis (group B, n=12) groups. Scoliosis severity was evaluated using the Cobb method. In each group, relationships between Cobb angles and cardiopulmonary markers such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$), $FEV_1$/FVC, left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary artery flow velocity, and tissue Doppler velocities (E/E', E'/A') were analyzed by correlation analysis linear regression. Results: In group A, 72 patients (92.3%) underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and 41 (52.6%) underwent echocardiography. In group B, 9 patients (75.0%) underwent PFT and 8 (66.7%) underwent echocardiography. Cobb angles showed a significant negative correlation with FVC and $FEV_1$ in group A (both P<0.05), but no such correlation in group B, and a significant negative correlation with mitral E/A ratio (P<0.05) and tissue Doppler E'/A' (P<0.05) in group A, with a positive correlation with mitral E/A ratio (P<0.05) in group B. Conclusion: Pulmonary and cardiac function was significantly correlated with the degree of scoliosis in patients with thoracic-dominant scoliosis. Myocardial diastolic function might be impaired in patients with the most severe scoliosis.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.396-398
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• 2009

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity caused by lateral curvature of the spine. The existing braces used to correct the posture were some drawbacks such as inconvenience, tightness as well as unfitness to wear. In this study, we devised a posture guidance system in order to monitor a posture continuously and lead to pose correctly and a new method fur measuring a Cobb's angle value in third dimension based on two 3-axis accelerometers. As a result, the correlation coefficients between desired and measured angles were and standard error between desired and measured angles were 0.99, 1.32(x-axis), 0.99 and 1.10(y-axis), respectively. The devised system showed good potential for the optimal posture guide and an early detection of scoliosis.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.53-58
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• 2003

The newly developed system for measuring a contact angle on a sheet was examined to investigate reliability and reproducibility of the measured results. It was clearly confirmed that the automatic contact angle measuring system was much faster and more reliable way to determine the water resistance of a sheet, comparing with Cobb and Stockigt sizing tests. Cobb test showed less significant results with stringently sized sheets, and Stockigt test exhibited the big deviations by discrepancy of the recognition point of coloring according to different testers in spite of explicit test results. On the other hand, the contact angles measured by the automatic system were reproduced with less deviations, irrespectively of different testers. It was interesting to note that the contact angle might be able to used to predict Cobb and Stockigt sizing degree, based upon the high correlation coefficients of 0.95 and 0.97. Hereafter the automatic system will be upgraded to predict Cobb and stockigt sizing degree through the measurement of contact angle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.276-280
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of trunk side shift exercise on the Cobb's angle. Methods: Fifty-eight subjects (control group=30, scoliosis group=28) were enrolled in this study. The idiopathic scoliosis groups were divided randomly into two groups, a side shift exercise (SSE) group, and a trunk stabilization exercise (TSE) group. The SSE group performed side shift exercise on the developed chair training for eight weeks. The TSE group performed trunk stabilization exercise. A oneway ANOVA test was carried out to compare the results within the idiopathic scoliosis patient group before and after the exercises based on the different exercise methods. Results: The Cobb's angles were compared among control group and SSE group and TSE group. As a result, there was a significant difference from SSE group and TSE group(p=0.000), but there were no significant differences between the SSE and TSE groups (p=0.085). Conclusion: Side shift exercises are effective in improving the Cobb's angle. Therefore, the use of the side shift exercise chair designed in this study can replace general exercise either at work or during studies. Therefore, this method is easily accessible for busy modern students who are exposed to scoliosis or spinal disorders due to a pattern of inactivity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2007

Objective : In a variety of thoracolumbar diseases, corpectomy followed by interbody bone graft and anterior instrumentation has allowed direct neural decompression and reconstruction of the weight-bearing column by short segments fusion. In this study, we compared spinal stability of the two different anterior thoracolumbar instruments : Z-plate and Kaneda device representing plate and two-rods type, respectively. Methods : A retrospective review was performed for all the patients with thoracolumbar diseases or traumas treated with anterior corpectomy, autologous iliac bone graft, and fixation with instruments from 1996 to 2000. For the anterior instrumentation, Z-plate or Kaneda device was used for 24 [M:F=5:9, average age=37] and 12 [M:F=9:3, average age=41] patients, respectively. The plain AP and lateral flexion-extension films were taken immediately after surgery and at each follow-up. The sagittal and coronal Cobb's angles at the operation segments were used to observe the change of initial fixation status. The surgical time length and bleeding amount of the two groups were compared. Intra-operative and post-operative instrument associated complications were evaluated. Student t-test was used for statistical analysis and p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results : Mean follow-up durations for Z-plate and Kaneda device were 24 and 21 months, respectively. The fusion rate was 91% for Z-plate and 100% for Kaneda device. Two cases of Z-plate group showed instrumentation failure during the follow up period, in which additional surgery was necessary. The mean differences of sagittal Cobb's angles among the AP images immediate after surgery and at follow-up were 7 and 2 degrees for Z-plate and Kaneda device, respectively [p<0.05]. The mean differences of coronal Cobb's angles were 5 and 2 degrees for Z-plate and Kaneda device, respectively [p<0.05]. No Intra-operative complication has occurred in both groups. There was no difference in surgery time and bleeding amount between two groups. Conclusion : We think that Kaneda device [rod type] is stronger than Z-plate [plate type] to keep the spinal stability after anterior thoracolumbar surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.142-147
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• 2014

Objective : A thoracolumbar burst fracture is usually unstable and can cause neurological deficits and angular deformity. Patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture usually need surgery for decompression of the spinal canal, correction of the angular deformity, and stabilization of the spinal column. We compared two struts, titanium mesh cages (TMCs) and expandable cages. Methods : 33 patients, who underwent anterior thoracolumbar reconstruction using either TMCs (n=16) or expandable cages (n=17) between June 2000 and September 2011 were included in this study. Clinical outcome was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale and Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS) for functional neurological evaluation. The Cobb angle, body height of the fractured vertebra, the operation time and amount of intra-operative bleeding were measured in both groups. Results : In the expandable cage group, operation time and amount of intraoperative blood loss were lower than that in the TMC group. The mean VAS scores and LBOS in both groups were improved, but no significant difference. Cobb angle was corrected higher than that in expandable cage group from postoperative to the last follow-up. The change in Cobb angles between preoperative, postoperative, and the last follow-up did not show any significant difference. There was no difference in the subsidence of anterior body height between both groups. Conclusion : There was no significant difference in the change in Cobb angles with an inter-group comparison, the expandable cage group showed better results in loss of kyphosis correction, operation time, and amount of intraoperative blood loss.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2009

Objective : To characterize perioperative biomechanical changes after thoracic spine surgery. Methods : Fifty-eight patients underwent spinal instrumented fusions and simple laminectomies on the thoracolumbar spine from April 2003 to October 2008. Patients were allocated to three groups; namely, the laminectomy without fusion group (group I, n = 17), the thoracolumbar fusion group (group II, n = 27), and the thoracic spine fusion group (group III, n = 14). Sagittal (ADS) and coronal (ADC) angles for adjacent segments were measured from two disc spaces above lesions at the upper margins, to two disc spaces below lesions at the lower margins. Sagittal (TLS) and coronal (TLC) angles of the thoracolumbar junction were measured from the lower margin of the 11th thoracic vertebra body to the upper margin of the 2nd lumbar vertebra body on plane radiographs. Adjacent segment disc heights and disc signal changes were determined using simple spinal examinations and by magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical outcome indices were determined using a visual analog scale. Results : The three groups demonstrated statistically significant differences in terms of angle changes by ANOVA (p<0.05). All angles in group I showed significantly smaller angles changes than in groups II and III by Turkey's multiple comparison analysis. Coronal Cobb's angles of the thoracolumbar spine (TLC) were not significantly different in the three groups. Conclusion : Postoperative sagittal balance is expected to change in the adjacent and thoracolumbar areas after thoracic spine fusion. However, its prevalence seems to be higher when the thoracolumbar spine is included in instrumented fusion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stage-based training, including core exercises, on scoliosis patients. METHODS: Two patients with scoliosis participated in the study. Both patients participated for eight months and were trained for an hour three times a week. The training program consisted of stretching and strengthening, as well as core exercises, and was divided into five stages. The Cobb angles and trunk lengths of the subjects were measured after one month, two months, and four months of training. Measurements were also taken after the subjects completed training. All of the measurements were taken using Formetric 4D. RESULTS: The Cobb's angle of subject A, which was $41^{\circ}$ before training, measured $30^{\circ}$ following training. The Cobb's angle of subject B also improved from $41^{\circ}$ prior to training to $34^{\circ}$ after training. Furthermore, the trunk lengths of both subjects improved. The trunk length of subject A increased from 438 mm to 450 mm and, and the trunk length of subject B increased from 433 mm to 458 mm. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that stage-based training and core training can be used as effective treatments for scoliosis patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2016

PURPOSE : The purpose of this study to suggest the exercise programs for improving the function and structure by applying the Masan university scoliosis program exercise method and electrical therapy method to the scoliosis patient. METHODS : The subjects were 18 patients who were diagnosed with scoliosis. They were randomly assigned either to a Masan university scoliosis program exercise group (n=11) that received Masan university scoliosis program exercise program or to a electrical therapy group (n=7). Flexibility, static balance, dynamic balance, and spinal angles were measured by using one leg standing with closed eyes, functional reach test, and Cobb's angle, respectively. The chest expansion were calculated using differences of chest circumference between maximum inspiration and maximum expiration. RESULT : Masan university scoliosis program group before and after the intervention there was a difference in the static balance, spine angle(p<.05). Masan university scoliosis program group before and after the intervention there was a difference in the flexibility, static balance, spine angle, chest expansion (p<.05). CONCLUSION : These results revealed that Masan university scoliosis program exercise program improved flexibility, static standing balance, spine angle, used as scoliosis management and intervention. Therefore, it is expected to be used as a method for the treatment and prevention in the process of rehabilitation of patients with scoliosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.13-16
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The Fukuda test can be used at home and in school to diagnose scoliosis at an early stage and prevent serious curvature of the spine. This study aimed to use the Fukuda test to detect scoliosis. An additional aim was to invoke the national interest in imbalanced postures and habits, which result in scoliosis, by providing data obtained in periodic assessments. METHODS: The study consisted of 35 idiopathic scoliosis patients (22 in right lumbar spinal region and 13 in the left lumbar spinal region). The distance of displacement and angle of displacement were measured following the Fukuda test. A correlation analysis was then used to examine the distance of displacement and angles of displacement and rotation with regard to the direction of the curve in scoliosis. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation (p<0.00) between the direction of the curve in scoliosis and the angle of displacement, but there was no correlation between the cobb's angle and distance of displacement or between the cobb's angle and angle of rotation. CONCLUSION: The Fukuda test did not capture changes in spinal curvature such as the cobb's angle, or subsequent changes in the muscles. Thus, the Fukuda test is not suited to examining the direction or status of the thoracic curve in scoliosis patients. Simple methods to objectively measure scoliosis need to be developed.