• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.205-218
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• 2021

Background: Korean medicine treatment was assessed in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) according to subgroups of: sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 122 inpatients who were admitted to the Hospital of Korean Medicine for Korean medicine treatment of knee pain, and were diagnosed with knee OA based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. Analysis of patient subgroups (sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity) was carried out and treatments including acupuncture, cupping, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna therapy, medicinal steaming therapy, manual therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy were listed. The numeric rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 5-level EuroQol- 5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) scores were measured before and after treatment to assess the effects of treatment on pain and quality of life. Results: Seventeen males and 105 females were included in this study. Most patients were in their 60s. In the total study population, NRS, WOMAC, and EQ-5D-5L scores were improved statistically significant when comparing before and after treatment. The NRS and WOMAC scores improved statistically significant in the medial, patellofemoral, medial + patellofemoral, medial + lateral + patellofemoral compartment. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment significantly reduced pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, and improved the quality of life of patients with knee OA, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative to the current conservative treatments.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.151-160
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• 2020

Background: Blood stasis (BS) is commonly used for pattern identification in traumatic injuries, including traffic accidents (TAs). Various studies have identified the efficacy of Korean medicine treatments for TA patients, but studies focusing on the BS-based herbal medicine (BSHM), including Tongdo-san (TDS), are rare. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective observational study, conducted from August 24^th, 2018 to December 27^th, 2018, which included 40 TA patients. Participants underwent routine Korean medicine treatments including acupuncture, electronic moxibustion, cupping, physical therapy, and herbal medicine. In the herbal medicine treatment, participants took BSHM with more than 3 days including taking TDS. The primary outcome measures were the scores from a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS). Secondary outcome measures included scores from EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and EQ-VAS questionnaires, the BS and cold/heat indices, and safety assessments. Results: There were significant improvements in the VAS, NRS, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS scores, and BS index after treatment. In the sub-analysis, VAS, NRS, EQ-5D, and EQ-VAS scores were higher in groups with a higher BS index. The moderate and severe BS index groups showed more improvement than the minor BS index group, and there was a significant difference in the EQ-5D scores. There was no significant differences observed in cold/heat index groups scores. Conclusion: BS is associated with TA-related symptoms. BSHM, including TDS, may significantly reduce BS, pain, and discomfort.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the M&L Trauma Psychotherapy Program on: Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R-K); Euro QOL-5 Dimension (EQ5D); Five-facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ); and psychological tests. Methods: Eight middle-aged women subjected to domestic violence participated in the two-day M&L Trauma Psychotherapy Program. The Program was executed 5 times 2 days for about 3 hours. We evaluated IES-R-K, EQ5D, FFMQ, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), State-Trait Anger Expression inventory (STAXI) and SUDS before the Program and for four weeks afterwards, to analyze the effects of the M&L Trauma Psychotherapy Program. Results: The scores of IES-R-K, BDI, STAI-S, STAI-T, Hwa ST and Hwa CT decreased significantly (p<0.05). EQ5D scores increased significantly (p<0.05) and overall physical condition scale (VAS) increased. In the FFMQ scores, all five facet scores increased slightly. Scores of SUDS decreased significantly right after the program, and remained decreased four weeks later, rather than before the Program (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results suggested that the M&L Trauma Psychotherapy Program improved post-traumatic stress, quality of life and mindfulness skills, and had positive responses to psychological problems - depression, anxiety, anger and distress.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.113-124
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• 2018

This study is designed to report three cases of postoperative care after hip surgery using conventional Korean Medicine treatments including phototherapy. Three patients undergone hip fracture surgery were treated with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and phototherapy. We used Visual analogue scale (VAS), EuroQol five dimension scale (EQ-5D), and hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS) to evaluate treatment effectiveness. After the treatment, VAS score was improved in all three cases, while EQ-5D and HOOS showed different results by items. EQ-5D (pain/discomfort) and HOOS (pain, symptoms, activities of daily living) were improved in all three cases. EQ-5D (self-care) and HOOS (quality of life) showed improvements in two cases. EQ-5D (mobility, usual activities, anxiety/depression) and HOOS (sports/recreation) were improved in one case. Conventional Korean Medicine treatments including phototherapy can be effectively used to alleviate pain and symptoms after hip fracture surgery.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2023

Background: Golf is a popular sport involving overhead activity and engagement of the rotator cuff (RC). This study aimed to determine to what level golfers were able to return to golf following RC repair, the barriers to them returning to golf and factors associated with their failure to return to golf. Methods: Patients preoperatively identifying as golfers undergoing RC repair at the study centre from 2012 to 2020 were retrospectively followed up with to assess their golf-playing status, performance and frequency of play and functional and quality of life (QoL) outcomes. Results: Forty-seven golfers (40 men [85.1%] and 7 women [14.9%]) with a mean age of 56.8 years met the inclusion criteria, and 80.1% were followed up with at a mean of 27.1 months postoperatively. Twenty-nine patients (76.3%) had returned to golf with a mean handicap change of +1.0 (P=0.291). Golf frequency decreased from a mean of 1.8 rounds per week preinjury to 1.5 rounds per week postoperatively (P=0.052). The EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) index and visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) score were significantly greater in those returning to golf (P=0.024 and P=0.002), although functional outcome measures were not significantly different. The primary barriers to return were ipsilateral shoulder dysfunction (78%) and loss of the habit of play (22%). Conclusions: Golfers were likely (76%) to return to golf following RC repair, including mostly to their premorbid performance level with little residual symptomatology. Return to golf was associated with a greater QoL. Persistent subjective shoulder dysfunction (78%) was the most common barrier to returning to golf.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2020

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the care burden and life quality in family caregivers of community-dwelling patients using home mechanical ventilator(HMV) in Yeognam region. Methods : Survey performed to family caregivers of the patients using HMV in Yeognam region, Korea. The questionnaire is composed with patient care and the burden on caring. Korean version of Short Form Zarit Burden Interview(K-ZBI-12) and 3-Level version of EuroQol-5 Dimension applying Korean weight(KEQ-5D-3L) were also investigated. Statistical significance was accepted for p<.05. Results : A total 98 out of 150 questionnaires were analyzed. The K-ZBI-12(33.08±10.34) had a correlation with KEQ-5D-3L(0.71±0.25) negatively(p=.038). Patients' age, duration of HMV, financial burden and professional caregivers' care time had correlations with K-ZBI-12 positively(p<.05). KEQ-5D-3L correlated duration of HMV negatively(p=.017). Invasive ventilator group had lower KEQ-5D-3L than the non-invasive ventilator group(p=.008). K-ZBI-12 was lower in more than one caregiver care of patients than in one(p=.001). Conclusion : This study revealed high care burden and low quality of life in family caregivers of the patients with HMV in Yeongnam region, Korea. Efforts are needed to continually identify the needs of patients and their families, and the socioeconomic support and medical services associated with HMV.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.15-25
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Koreans. Methods: A total of 9,689 adults(${\geq}19$ years, 4,036 men) from the Fourth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2007-2008) were examined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaraire (IPAQ)-short form and Korean EuroQol-5 Dimension(KEQ-5D). Results: For the physical activity by IPAQ, 'Inactive group' was 75.3%, 'Minimally active group' was 23.5%, and 'Health-Enhancing Physical Activity(HEPA) group' was 1.2%. The mean HRQOL index was $0.89{\pm}0.13$. These relations of physical activity and HRQOL remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, subjective health status, stress, depression, and socioeconomic status variables (Adjusted $R^2$ = 0.334). Conclusions: Physical activity was associated with health-related quality of life. Physically active group had higher health-related quality of life than the inactive group.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of M&L Self-Growth Meditation Program with Euro QOL-5 Dimension (EQ5D), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and psychological test. Methods: 6 middle-age women have participated in the eight weeks of the M&L Self-Growth Meditation Program, and the program was executed once a week for about two hours. We evaluated EQ5D, FFMQ, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) before and after the program in order to analyze the effects of M&L Self-Growth Meditation Program. Results: 1) EQ5D scores increased significantly (p<0.05), and overall physical condition scale( VAS) increased. 2) In the FFQM scores, value of Nonreactivity increased significantly (p<0.05), and total score increased. 3) Scores of BDI and STAI-S decreased significantly (p<0.05), and STAI-T, STAXI-S, STAXI-T, STAXI-O, STAXI-Su, and STAXI-R decreased. Conclusions: The results suggested that M&L Self-Growth Meditation Program improves the quality of life and mindfulness skill and has a positive responses to psychological problems-depression, anxiety, and anger.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.71-79
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• 2018

Objectives The aim of this study is to observe the effectiveness of complex Korean medicine treatment applied to the patients with degenerative meniscal tear and the correlation among clinical effectiveness, body mass index (BMI) and Kellgren-Lawrence grade (KL-grade). Methods The study participants were 38 patients who had been diagnosed with degenerative meniscal tear. Participants were classified by BMI, KL-grade and treated with acupuncture, electroacupuncture and pharmacopuncture. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC Index) and EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D Index). Results Both NRS and WOMAC scores were significantly reduced after treatment (p<0.001). The EQ-5D for assessing quality of life showed further improvement (p<0.05). A statistically significant correlation was observed between the BMI and NRS, EQ-5D. KL-grade was correlated with WOMAC. Conclusions These results show that complex Korean medicine treatment to the patient with degenerative meniscal tear may be effective as a conservative therapy. Further research is required to confirm the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.84-87
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• 2022

Purpose: This was a pilot study to examine the clinical usefulness of the newly developed three-dimensional sweep mode extracorporeal shockwave treatment (ESWT) in patients with plantar fasciitis. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional sweep mode ESWT was performed once a week for 5 weeks in patients with plantar fasciitis who showed no improvement with the conventional conservative treatment. A 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) reading for pain from walking and at rest after walking were collected before the treatment and 8 and 16 weeks after the initial treatment. In addition, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and EuroQol-5-dimension (EQ-5D) scores before and 16 weeks after the treatment were evaluated. Results: VAS for pain for walking improved from 50.60±8.38 to 19.80±15.61 at 8 weeks after the initial treatment (p=0.008) and 9.80±9.62 at 16 weeks after the treatment (p<0.001). VAS for pain at rest after walking improved from 36.60±19.55 to 11.80±12.95 at 8 weeks after the initial treatment (p=0.052) and 8.80±8.87 at 16 weeks after the treatment (p=0.024). Preoperative FAOS increased from an average of 74.80±9.73 before the treatment to an average of 81.00±8.86 at week 16 after the procedure (p=0.49) and compared to pre-treatment levels, there was a decrease of one level in the anxiety/depression domain of the EQ-5D, post-treatment. Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study confirmed that the newly developed EWST with the smart forging sweep mode was effective in improving pain and function in plantar fasciitis.