• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.43-47
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this preliminary study was to use hand function tests to Hand dexterity levels provided by the type of compression garment and compression bandages in asymptomatic subjects and to collect baseline data for the comparison of hand functions in the patients with chronic arm lymphedema. Methods: The subjects of this study were 32 healthy volunteer female with a mean age of 45.8 years. Grip strength and hand functions were tested in three conditions-no compression, compression garment, and compression bandages-using the nine-hole peg test (NHPT), the box and block test (B&BT), Minnesota Manual Dexterity test (MMDT), and the hand-held Jamar dynamometer. Results: The grip strength was significantly low in the bandage condition (p<0.05). The performance in both compression groups (i.e., bandage and compression garment) decreased as the thickness of the compression material increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that grip strength and hand function scores are influenced by the characteristics of the compression applied. Future study is needed to determine the level of hand function between patients with chronic arm lymphedema and healthy individuals.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.699-702
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• 2011

Purpose: Venous stasis ulcer is the most severe form of chronic venous insufficiency and this commonly appears in the lower limb. Pharmacological therapy, reconstruction of the venous system, surgical management, cellular therapy and compression therapy are known as the treatments of venous stasis ulcer, but relapses are common, which make it a typical chronic wound. We report here on a case of recurrent venous stasis ulcer that healed with compression therapy without any other treatment. Methods: A 35-year-old man with a 13 years history of venous stasis had developed an ulcer on the distal third portion of the lower left limb which was developed 12-year before enrollment in this study. He had been treated with vacuum assist closure, 2 times of cell therapy and 3 times of skin graft for 8 years, but the lesion recurred. From November, 2008 compression therapy was done with the 3M $Coban^{TM}$ 2 Layer Compression System (3M, St. Paul, USA). The ulcer at that time was oval shaped and $3{\times}4$ cm in size. A comfort layer bandage was applied from the proximal phalanx of the great toe to the knee. A compression layer bandage was applied on the previous layer with it being overlapped one half the width of the comfort layer bandage. The dressing was changed every 4 days and the change was recorded with photography. Results: A total of 12 $Coban^{TM}$ 2 Layer Compression Systems were used. The size of the ulcer decreased to $2.5{\times}2.5$ cm in one month, to $2{\times}2$ cm in 2 months, it was $1{\times}1.8$ cm in size at 3 months and it completely healed in 4 months. Conclusion: The venous stasis ulcer was completely healed using the 3M $Coban^{TM}$ 2 Layer Compression System. This method was easy to apply, made the patient comfortable and it provided an excellent compression effect. As in the previous studies, this compression therapy has been proven to play an important role for the treatment and prevention of venous stasis ulcer.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.288-305
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• 2023

Background: The compression therapy, which is the standard treatment for lymphedema patients, may be difficult to implement and contraindicated to some patients depending on their health condition. Objects: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether kinesiology taping (KT) can be used effectively and safely in the management of lymphedema as an alternative treatment through systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: In February 2023, the literature was systematically collected through eight search engines with a combination of terms, 'lymphedema' and 'kinesiology taping.' We qualitatively analyzed the differences and safety of KT methods, and quantitatively meta-analyzed the effects of volume reduction in edema, range of motion (ROM), and pain improvement using Review Manager ver. 5. 4. To assess the risk of bias in the randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, Risk of Bias was used. Results: A total of 616 articles searched and 20 studies were selected, including 12 RCTs and eight case studies. KT intervention could not replace multilayer compression bandage (MLB), but it demonstrated similar or better results compared to compression garment (CG), with reduced pain and improved intervention comfort. Studies reported skin adverse events ranging from 2.5% to 20.68%, with a total adverse event incidence of 7.7%. There was no significant difference in the application method of KT. As a result of the meta-analysis from the 8 RCTs, the KT intervention showed a mean difference (MD) of -7.18 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) [-12.64 to -1.72] in the volume change of lymphedema, while the pain difference was MD 0.82 with CI 95% [0.50 to 1.15], in comparison to the MLB and CG intervention. Conclusion: KT therapy led to a reduction in edema size, volume, pain, and improved ROM and quality of life. KT may be a viable option for lymphedema patients who have trouble applying traditional compression therapies.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was to compare the effects of early ambulation to usual care of late ambulation in patients with transarterial chemoembolization on back pain, discomfort, and puncture site complications. Methods: A nonequivalent control pretest-posttest design was used. Total 40 patients were recruited from a gastrointestinal unit of an urban general hospital in Seoul, South Korea. The experimental group began to ambulate after 4 hours of bed rest with a compression bandage after receiving transarterial chemoembolization. The control group stayed in bed with a compression bandage overnight. Results: Back pain was not significantly different between the two group. The experimental group reported significantly lower discomfort than the control group. There was no incidence of bleeding complications on puncture site between two groups. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that early ambulation with four hours of bed rest after femoral sheet removal did not cause bleeding complications compared to the usual care and even decreased patients' level of discomfort due to bed rest. Repetitive research on the effect of short bed rest is warranted for its clinical utilization.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.62-73
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• 1999

The purpose of this article was to provide basic knowledge and treatment principles of patient with lymphedema, which was usually not treated at all, or the treatment given didn't work efficiently. Lmphedema is defined as an abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid, edema, and chronic inflammation within an extremity. Lmphedema may be classified as either primary results from defects with aplasia, hypoplasia, and hyperplasia in the lymphatic system at birth or secondary is caused by known precipitating factors such as cancer, infection, inflammation, radiation, surgery, or trauma etc. There are essentially several conservative treatment methods which has been utilized successfully to treat lymphedema in Samsung Medical Center. We used following procedures: CPT (Complex Physical therapy) or CDP (Complex Decongesitive Physical therapy) such as skin care, MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage), compression with short-stretch bandage, exercise, elevation, elastic stocking, and pneumatic compression. Our experiences shows that conservative treatments can significantly reduce lymphedema and prevent different complications.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.103-109
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• 2009

Purpose: Cases of male external genitalia lymphedema are relatively uncommon in the clinical physical therapy field. Of more than two thousand clinical cases treated by the author in the lymphedema treatment center, only 4~5 cases of male external genitalia lymphedema were encountered. The present case report presents the experience and treatment results of male external genitalia lymphedema from urological cancer. Method: This case was a 47-year-old man, who was treated with complex decongestive physical therapy consisting of manual lymph drainage, compression bandage (including the external genitalia), remedial exercise, skin care. Result: The results were relatively good. The clinical experience would suggest that early treatment and education can reduce the external genitalia lymphedema. However, the treatment efficacy remains limited. Therefore, early treatment is vital for more successful outcomes. Conclusion: The relief of symptoms and a decrease in male external genitalia lymphedema may be the best result from long-term conservative management.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.339-344
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high and low resistance exercise using an elastic band on the strength and lymphedema of upper extremity in patients with breast cancer. Methods: Seventeen female patients with breast cancer related lymphedema were randomly allocated to the high (n=9) or low (n=8) resistance exercise group. Both groups participated in the elastic band exercise program three times a week for eight weeks. For the high resistance exercise group (HR), the resistance was gradually increased, while maintaining constant intensity of exercise for the low resistance exercise group (LR). Assessments made include the upper extremity muscle strength and lymphedema before and after training. Results: After the exercise program, the HR showed significantly improved shoulder flexion and elbow flexion strength variation compared to the LR (p<0.05). Upper arm edema rate was significantly decreased in HR (p<0.05), but the difference between the two groups was not significant. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the elastic band exercise helps improve the strength and lymphedema of upper extremity in patients with breast cancer. In particular, high resistance exercise is more effective in improving muscle strength and does not exacerbate lymphedema, rather may improve upper arm edema if it is applied with a low elastic bandage or compression sleeve.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2022

Background : Lymphedema is a progressive disorder characterized by the impairment of lymph flow from tissues to the blood circulation system. This occurs as a result of damage to the lymphatic system. Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is a multimodal, conservative therapeutic approach that is used for the management of lymphedema. CDT consists of a combination of compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and skin care. Purpose : This study aimed to provide a review of available physical therapy interventions as well as general care guidelines for patients with lymphedema. Methods : The recommendations and guidelines for physical therapy management, medical management, and general information were reviewed from the following sources: 1) The American Physical Therapy Association, 2) The Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, and 3) The International Society of Lymphology. This review contains general information, including the medical management and the importance of physical therapy in lymphedema. Physical therapy management should be based on an assessment of the patients' presenting impairments, including based on inclusion or exclusion of physical therapy interventions. This review also outlines a step-by-step approach that starts with disease diagnosis and progression all the way through to rehabilitation as an outpatient. Conclusion : Depending on the patients' journey to recovery and the requirement for rehabilitation, physical therapy interventions should focus on the patients' needs including pain, appearance, physical function and general rehabilitation. We hope that this review will provide information on evidence-based physical therapy and general care to patients with lymphedema.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.649-655
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• 2018

Objective: This paper reports the possibility of using of a locking horizontal mattress suture technique in repairing lacerations that are difficult to suture with staples. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively over a 6-month period regarding the routine repair of scalp lacerations: those in areas injured by a high energy blunt mechanism, continued to bleed after pressure, nonlinear or damaged skin repaired with a locking horizontal mattress technique, and simple interrupted technique. The effects of the two techniques used to repair scalp lacerations on wound healing, complication rate, and patient satisfaction were examined. The categorical variables are expressed as the number and percent. A Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with scalp lacerations presented for care. Wound closure was accomplished with the locking horizontal mattress sutures in 40.5% (n=15) (median length, 5.0 cm; interquartile range [IQR], 4.0-7.0 cm). Simple interrupted sutures (median length, 4 cm; IQR, 3.0-5.0 cm) were used in 59.5% (n=22) (P=0.015). The frequency of additional bandage compression (P=0.008), frequency of exudative hemorrhage (P=0.018), and suture mark frequency at suture removal (P=0.047) were significantly lower in the locking horizontal mattress group. Conclusion: The locking horizontal mattress suture, which has the advantage of a horizontal mattress suture, may be one of the ways that can be used alternatively to treat scalp lacerations that difficult to suture with staples.