• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2009

We previously reported that $IFN-{\gamma}$ producing T cell responses induced by the combined therapy of DNA vaccine and lamivudine for one year are important for the induction of sustained virological response (SVR). However, $IFN-{\gamma}$ production is not sufficient to predict sustained viremia control in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) carriers treated. Methods: Twelve CHB carriers were intramuscularly immunized 12 times at a 4-week interval with 8mg of HBV DNA vaccine during the standard lamivudine treatment (100mg/daily/1 year). The level of cytokines during and after the combined therapy in plasma of all 12 CHB carriers treated was determined by each ELISA kit. Six out of 12 CHB carriers revisited the clinic, and their HBV DNA levels were examined. Results: The combined therapy increased plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio during the treatment (baseline vs. peak level: $41.8{\pm}8.3$ vs. $163.1{\pm}29.2\;pg/ml$; p<0.01 and $0.96{\pm}0.25$ vs. $3.58{\pm}0.86$; p<0.01, respectively), and the peak level of plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio was evoked at 6 to 10 months during the combined therapy. In particular, CHB carriers with SVR had two and three-fold higher level of the peak plasma IL-12 and plasma IL-12/p40 ratio than non-virological responders (NVRs), respectively ($218.0{\pm}41.4$ vs. $108.1{\pm}28.6\;pg/ml$; p=0.09 and $5.35{\pm}1.38$ vs. $1.80{\pm}0.29$; p<0.05, respectively), while p40 level was consistent during the combined therapy. In addition, there was no significant temporal correlation between the peak IL-12/p40 ratio and the elevation of serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT) in this study, contrast to $IFN-{\alpha}$ therapy which induced peak IL-12 level following ALT flares. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the combined therapy induces the increase of plasma IL-12 and IL-12/p40 ratio, which are associated with long-term SVR in CHB carriers.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the combined exercise program on the static balance ability of the lumbar instability of adults. Methods: The experimental group was divided into two groups and randomly. The experimental group 1 (Exp 1) applied the combined exercise program for the lumbar stabilization exercise and strengthening exercises and the experimental group 2 (Exp 2) applied the combined exercises program for the lumbar stabilization exercises and active stretching exercises. Each experiment group performed exercise program for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, 30 minutes a day. Static balance ability was measured using GOOD BALANCE system. Results: As the comparing results of static balance ability, normal standing eye open was Ant-Post and Med-Lat showed significant differences in Exp 1 (p<.05). One leg left eye open was velocity moment showed significant differences in Exp 1 (p<.05). and one leg right eye open was Med-Lat showed significant differences in Exp 1 (p<.05). Conclusion: These results show that thoracic self mobilization is immediate effective on balance and gait ability. Thus, thoracic self mobilization will help recovery of balance and gait ability in acute stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.93-101
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to investigate the effects of treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise on gait and balance in patients with stroke. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, a total of 20 patients at a rehabilitation hospital who had suffered a hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise, n = 11) or control group (treadmill gait training without the thoracic mobility exercise, n = 9). All the participants underwent comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (5 × /week for 4 weeks). Additionally, the experimental group underwent 20 min of treadmill gait training combined with 10 min of a thoracic mobility exercise (3 × / week for 4 weeks) and the control group underwent the former but not the latter. Gait and balance were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the 10-m walking test (10 MWT), timed up-and-go (TUG) test, center of pressure (COP) velocity, and COP length in the experimental group (p < .05). This group also showed a larger decrease in the 10 MWT and COP velocity than the control group (10 MWT, -3.02 sec vs. -1.68 sec, p < .05; COP velocity, -.07 mm/sec vs. .08 mm/sec, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training, combined with the thoracic mobility exercise, could be effective in improving the gait and balance of stroke patients. It could also be more effective in improving walking speed and static balance than the treadmill gait training alone.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was investigated of effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with mirror therapy on static balance, weight support and ankle movement incline with chronic stroke patients. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients participated in this study. The study design is a two-group pretest-posttest design. A total of 30 people participated in the study, and 15 people were each assigned to the experimental group and control group. Experimental group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with mirror therapy 30 minutes, and conventional physical therapy 30 minutes. Control group received conventional physical therapy 30 minutes. Both groups were conducted 5 times a week for 4 weeks. static balance and weight support was measured by force plate and ankle movement incline was measured by goniometer. Results: As a result of comparing the static balance, weight support and ankle movement incline change between experimental group and control group, statistically significant differences were found in all variables (p<.05). In the evaluation before and after the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in all variables in the experimental group (p<.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in the control group (p>.05). Conclusion: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with mirror therapy intervention improves static balance, increase paretic side weight support and ankle movement incline in chronic stroke patients. It could be an effective intervention for improve static balance, weight support and ankle movement for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.57-67
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• 2021

Objectives To observe the pain reduction effect of Korean medical treatment combined with supine JS cervical therapy on neck pain and headache caused by whiplash injury. Methods The medical records of 30 patients suffering from neck pain and headache caused by traffic accidents from August 1, 2020 to October 30, 2020 were studied. 15 patients receiving supine JS cervical therapy combined with Korean medical treatment were assigned to group A and another 15 patients receiving Korean medical treatment but without Chuna therapy were assigned to group B. The following patient data were analyzed retrospectively - age, sex, and number of admission days, neck pain and headache visual analogue scale (VAS), and neck disability index (NDI). Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS 25.0. for Windows. A p-value≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results Both neck pain and headache VAS score in group A and B showed a statistically significant decrease. The changes in neck pain and headache VAS score in group A was statistically significant higher compared to those of group B. NDI in group A showed a statistically significant decrease, but NDI in group B did not decreased statistically significant. Conclusions Korean medicine treatment effectively reduces neck pain and headache. Especially, the pain reduction effect is better in patients receiving Korean medicine treatment combined with supine JS cervical therapy than in those receiving Korean medicine treatment without supine JS cervical therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2024

Purpose: This study was performed to identify and investigate the therapeutic effects of low-level laser (LLL) combined with a light-emitting diode (LED) on post-operative wound healing and functional recovery after hand orthopedic surgery. Methods: The study subjects were twenty patients who had passed the acute inflammatory phase after hand orthopedic surgery and were assigned equally to an experimental or a control group. Phototherapy was administered three times weekly for two weeks. Changes in wound length, edema, pain, and hand function were measured. Results: Significant differences in wound length, edema, pain, and hand function were observed between the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). However, no significant intergroup difference was observed (p>0.05). Nonetheless, a comparison of results showed changes in the experiment group over the two-week study period were significantly greater than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that combined LLL plus LED phototherapy positively influences post-operative hand rehabilitation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2008

We have compared the antitumor effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT), using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) as the photosensitizer, combined with cisplatin (CDDP) on AMC-HN3 human squamous cell carcinoma. AMC-HN3 cells were cultured and then incubated with various concentrations of CDDP and ALA. 632 nm diode laser was given at $6.0J/cm^2$ followed by incubation for 24 hours. The evaluation of cell viability was done by MTT assay. In vivo CDDP was injected intraperitoneally 24 hours prior to PDT. The anti-tumor effects of each treatment were measured by tumor volume change. Cell viability were 44.29% for the cisplatin-mediated chemotherapy group $(6.25{\mu}g/ml)$, 77.22% for ALA-PDT group, and 15.06% for the Combination therapy group. In vivo, the antitumor effect of photodynamic therapy was enhanced by combination of Cisplatin-mediated chemotherapy. Photodynamic therapy combined with administration of Cisplatin appears to enhance antitumor effect and to be a useful treatment modality.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 2022

Purpose: Smoking is a way of coping with anxiety and stress. This study aimed to identify the effects of forest-thermal combined therapy on anxiety and depression in smokers who desire to quit smoking. Methods: Thirty participants were included in the study, 15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. Those in the experimental group participated in a three-day forest-thermal combined therapy program. The program includes forest walks, meditation and thermal therapy in the charcoal kiln. Results: Before and after the program, physiological indicators such as cortisol, heart rate variability, and serotonin anxiety level using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), and stress level using the psychosocial well-being index (PWI) were measured in both groups. The differences in STAI (p=.012) and PWI (p=.006) scores between the experimental and control groups were statistically significant. However, cortisol, heart rate variability, and serotonin were not significantly different between the two groups after the program. Conclusion: These results show that forest-thermal combination therapy effectively reduces anxiety and stress in smokers. It suggests that forest-thermal therapy can potentially increase smoking cessation rates.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2023

Objective: This study aims to analyze the effect of regular exercise through the combined walking-oriented aerobic and resistance exercises using EX1 in young adults. Design: Experimental one group pre and post test Methods: Participants comprised17 healthy young adults. All subjects performed a combined exercise program for 10 times using EX1. We measured quadriceps muscle thickness using ultrasound. Additionally, the hand grip strength test, and sit and reach test were performed before and after the exercise. Through paired t-test, we investigated whether there was a statistically significant difference in the measurement results after exercise program. Results: The rectus femoris muscle contraction ratio showed significant difference after exercise(P< 0.01). In the sit and reach test, flexibility showed significant difference after exercise(P < 0.01). The hand grip strength test also showed significant difference after exercise(P < 0.05). Conclusions: Healthy young adults can effectively perform various exercises commonly performed in daily life using EX1.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.355-364
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study is to test the effects of elastic band exercise accompanied by Swiss ball exercise on lower limb muscle strength, balance and pain in middle-aged women with osteoarthritis. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-five participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=18), which performed elastic band exercise combined with Swiss ball exercise, and the control group (n=17), which performed elastic band exercise only. Both groups did a 30-minute session of exercise three times a week for eight weeks and were assessed for lower extremity muscle strength, static and dynamic balance, and pain levels before the first therapy session. All participating patients underwent outcome assessment after eight weeks of therapy without any additional treatment. Results: The experimental group made a significant increase in muscle strength of the lower extremities, static and dynamic balance ability, and pain level (p<0.05). The control group made a significant improvement in lower limb muscle strength, dynamic balance ability and pain level (p<0.05) with no such improvement in static balance ability. The exercise group made a significant increase in static and dynamic balance ability and pain level compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrated that both Swiss ball exercise and elastic band exercise were effective for middle-aged women with osteoarthritis and found that elastic band exercise combined with Swiss ball exercise produced more significant effects on their balance and pain.