• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of gait training with the use of an electromechanical gait trainer with functional electrical stimulation (FES) for patients that had undergone subacute stroke. Methods: The study subjects included nine subacute stroke patients of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul, Korea. Outcome was measured using the timed Up and Go test, Fugl-Meyer-L/E assesment, with determination of the comfortable maximal gait speed, composite spasticity score, functional ambulatory category and Berg balance scale. All measured scores were recorded before, during, and after rehabilitation and at an eight-week follow-up. Results: Patients who received electromechanical-assisted gait training in combination with FES after subacute stroke were more likely to achieve independent walking, functional activities, balance and gait speed. Conclusion: The outcome of our gait-training program demonstrates that it may be practical to integrate FES into electromechanical gait training without any adverse effects. However, further randomized controlled studies are needed to evaluate if patient outcome after combined training is superior to outcome after the use of electromechanical gait trainer treatment alone or conventional gait training alone.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2010

Mortality rates from stroke have been declining. Because of this, more people are living with residual disability. Rehabilitation plays an important role in functional recovery of stroke survivors. In stroke rehabilitation, early prediction of the obtainable level of functional recovery is desirable to deliver efficient care, set realistic goals, and provide appropriate discharge planning. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of functional outcome after stroke using inpatient rehabilitation as measured by Functional Independence Measure (FIM) total scores. Correlation and stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed on data collected retrospectively from two-hundred thirty-five patients. More than moderate correlation was found between FIM total scores at the time of hospital admission and FIM total scores at the time of discharge from the hospital. Significant predictors of FIM at the time of discharge were FIM total scores at the time of hospital admission, age, and onset-admission interval. The equation was as follows: expected discharge FIM total score = $76.12+.62{\times}$(admission FIM total score)-$.38{\times}(age)-.15{\times}$(onset-admission interval). These findings suggest that FIM total scores at the time of hospital admission, age, and onset-admission interval are important determinants of functional outcome.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2007

The purposes of the present study were to determine the difference of functional outcome, and to identify factors associated with functional difference in patients with stroke. The sample consisted of 56 stroke patients who had received physical therapy at the physical therapy unit of the Dongeui Medical Center in Busan city between January 2000 and June 2002. Stroke patients were evaluated by physical therapists 3 times; The first day in physical therapy (PT) (T1), one month after the first day in PT (T2), and two months after the first day in PT (T3). Functional status was assessed with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) instrument, a validated instrument for documenting the severity of disability and assessing the outcome of rehabilitation treatment. Functional gain was calculated over T2-T1, T3-T1, and T3-T2. SAS statistical software was used for the analysis. The Student's t-test, paired t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA/Tukey and Scheffe), and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to examine the functional difference in variables. Repeated measures ANOVA was also used to analyze the functional difference by time (T1, T2, and T3). Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of independent variables on the difference of functional outcome as defined by the FIM score. A total of 56 stroke patients were evaluated, their average age${\pm}$standard deviation was $61.6{\pm}9.3$ years (range: 40~81 yr). The functional status of patients who received physical therapy for about 2~3 months was significantly improved (mean FIM scores, $20.5{\pm}1.8$, $28.9{\pm}1.9$, and $8.41{\pm}1.1$ points for each time period, respectively) (p<.0001). Diabetes was significantly associated with the FIM score for T2-T1 (p<.05). The type of diagnosis was significantly associated with the FIM score for T3-T1 (p<.05). Gender, smoking, and the FIM score on admission were significantly associated with the FIM score for T3-T2 (p<.05). In conclusion, gender, smoking, diabetes, the type of diagnosis, and the FIM score on admission were significantly associated with improved FIM scores. We recommend that further research should explore the functional outcome by using larger sample sizes, longer follow-up periods, and more sensitive assessment instruments.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2018

This study examined whether the difference in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocities can predict the prognosis of stroke and whether the prognostic impact differs among stroke subtypes. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or acute ischemic stroke patients, who underwent a routine evaluation and transcranial Doppler (TCD), were included in this study. The MCA asymmetry index was calculated using the relative percentage difference in the mean flow velocity (MFV) between the left and right MCA: (|RMCA MFV-LMCA MFV|/mean MCA MFV)${\times}100$. The stroke subtypes were determined using the TOAST classification. Poor functional outcomes were defined as a mRS score ${\geq}3$ at 3 months after the onset of stroke. A total of 988 patients were included, of whom 157 (15.9%) had a poor functional outcome. Multivariable analysis showed that only the MCA asymmetry index was independently associated with a poor functional outcome. ROC curve analysis showed that adding the MCA asymmetry index to the prediction model improved the discrimination of a poor functional outcome from acute ischemic stroke (from 88.6% [95% CI, 85.2~91.9] to 89.2% [95% CI, 85.9~92.5]). The MCA asymmetry index has an independent prognostic value for predicting a poor short-term functional outcome after an acute cerebral infarction. Therefore, TCD may be useful for predicting a poor functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.336-343
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• 2019

Epilepsy surgery revealed dramatically improved seizure outcomes over medical therapy in drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Children with epilepsy, however, have multiple epileptic focuses which require multilobar resection for better seizure outcome. Multilobar resection has not only the several severe surgical complications, such as hydrocephalus and shunt-related craniosynostosis, due to intracranial volume reduction. Isolation method (disconnection surgery) was progressively studied over epileptic focus removal (resective surgery) for seizure control. This concept was first introduced for functional hemispherotomy, and its primary principle is to preserve the vital vascularized brain that is functionally disconnected from the contralateral healthy brain. Currently in most epilepsy centers, the predominant disconnection surgical methods, including functional hemispherotomy, are continually being refined and are showing excellent results. They allow the functional isolation of the hemisphere or multi-lobe, affected by severe epilepsy. This review describes recent findings concerning the indication, surgical technique, seizure outcome and complications in several disconnection surgeries including the functional hemispherotomy for refractory pediatric epilepsy.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical manifestations, the patterns and the functional outcome of the amputations due to the diabetic foot complications. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients (50 feet) of diabetic foot amputations were followed for more than 1 year. The mean age was 62.5 years, and the mean follow-up period was 46 months. Retrospective analysis was performed using chart review and interview with the patients. The outcome was assessed with modified AOFAS scale. Results: The diabetic foot lesions were infection in 45 feet, gangrene in 35 feet and ulcer in 15 feet. Toe amputation was most commonly performed procedure (23 cases) followed by below knee and ray amputation. Postoperative modified AOFAS score was average 51.5 points, and 94% were satisfied with outcome. Minor amputations showed better outcome than the major amputations. Conclusion: Overall postoperative functional outcome was encouraging with high patient satisfaction rate (94%). Better outcome was obtained with the minor amputations.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliable factors influencing the surgical outcome of the patients with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and to improve the functional outcome of these patients. Methods : A total of 256 consecutive patients who underwent surgical intervention for traumatic ASDH between March 1998 and March 2008 were reviewed. We evaluated the influence of perioperative variables on functional recovery and mortality using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results : Functional recovery was achieved in 42.2% of patients and the overall mortality was 39.8%. Age (OR=4.91, p=0.002), mechanism of injury (OR=3.66, p=0.003), pupillary abnormality (OR=3.73, p=0.003), GCS score on admission (OR=5.64, p=0.000), and intraoperative acute brain swelling (ABS) (OR=3.71, p=0.009) were independent predictors for functional recovery. And preoperative pupillary abnormality (OR=2.60, p=0.023), GCS score (OR=4.66, p=0.000), and intraoperative ABS (OR=4.16, p=0.001) were independent predictors for mortality. Midline shift, thickness and volume of hematoma, type of surgery, and time to surgery showed no independent association with functional recovery, although these variables were correlated with functional recovery in univariate analyses. Conclusion : Functional recovery was more likely to be achieved in patients who were under 40 years of age, victims of motor vehicle collision and having preoperative reactive pupils, higher GCS score and the absence of ABS during surgery. These results would be helpful for neurosurgeon to improve outcomes from traumatic acute subdural hematomas.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of group exercise, manual therapy, and a home exercise program on VAS (visual analogue scale), ROM (range of motion) of shoulder, and functional outcome in adhesive capsulitis. Methods: The study was conducted with 45 patients. All subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group exercise (n=15), manual therapy (n=15), home exercise (n=15). The subjects performed an intervention program 3 times a week for 4 weeks a total of 12 times. Outcome measurements were VAS, ROM, and Constant-Murley score outcome measures. Measurements were taken four times, at baseline, 4 weeks later, 8 weeks later, and 12 weeks later. Results: VAS, ROM of the shoulder, and functional outcomes showed improvement in all groups at the final follow-up (p<0.05). VAS and ROM showed greater improvement with group exercise and manual therapy than home exercise, however, there were no significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). Functional outcomes showed the greatest improvement in group exercise at the final follow-up. This improvement was greater than with manual therapy or home exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion: Group exercise and manual therapy were more effective for improving pain, ROM, and function than home exercise in adhesive capsulitis. In particular, group exercise is more effective in functional recovery than other physiotherapy interventions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.296-312
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• 1998

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to find out predictors influencing on the clinical course of stroke during the first 4 weeks after the onset through statistical research, especially whether the blood glucose level after stroke and the stroke with Diabetes Mellitus correlate with functional impairments and neurological outcome or not. METHOD During 7 months period(from 1-1-1997 to 7-31-1997), 32 selected patients prognosed as acute cerebral thrombosis were studied by using Modified Barthel Index, PULSES profile in an attempt to correlate Diabetes Mellitus and hyperglycemia(more than $120mg/d{\ell}$, $150mg/d{\ell}$) with functional impairment and neurological outcome and to evaluate the influence of sex, the side of hemiparesis and age at admission, 1 week and 4 weeks after admision(admitted within 2 days after the onset). RESULT 1. The sex, side of hemiparesis and age had no significant effect upon functional impairment during first 4 weeks after the onset, but recurrent-stroke resulted in significantly higher degree of functional impairment than first-stroke during first 4 weeks after the onset. 2. The patients with Diabetes Mellitusin in acute cerebral thrombosis resulted in significantly higher degree of functional impairment than the patients without Diabetes Mellitus in acute cerebral thrombosis during first 4 weeks after the onset. 3. The patients with hyperglycemia in acute cerebral thrombosis resulted in significantly more severe neurological outcome than the patients without hyperglycemia in acute cerebral thrombosis within 2 days after the onset. CONCLUSION The study suggested that recurrent-stroke and Diabetes Mellitus were the poorer prognosis factors of functional impairment in acute cerebral thrombosis patients during first 4 weeks after the onset. and the poorer prognosis factor of neurological outcome in acute cerebral thrombosis patients was hyperglycemia within 2 days after the onset.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2011

Objective : We retrospectively evaluated the prognostic factors that can influence long-term survival in patients who suffered acute large cerebral infarction. Methods : Between June 2003 and October 2008, a total of 178 patients were diagnosed with a large cerebral infarction, and, among them, 122 patients were alive one month after the onset of stroke. We investigated the multiple factors that might have influenced the life expectancies of these 122 patients. Results : The mean age of the patients was $70{\pm}13.4$ years and the mean survival was $41.7{\pm}2.8$ months. The mean survival of the poor functional outcome group ($mRS{\geq}4$) was $33.9{\pm}3.3$ months, whereas that of the good functional outcome group ($mRS{\leq}3$) was $58.6{\pm}2.6$ months (p value=0.000). The mean survival of the older patients (270 years) was $29.7{\pm}3.4$ months, whereas that of the younger patients (<70 years) was much better as $58.9{\pm}3.2$ months (p value=0.000). Involvement of ACA or PCA territory in MCA infarction is also a poor prognostic factor (p value=0.021). But, other factors that are also known as significant predictors of poor survival (male gender, hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, a previous history of stroke, smoking, and dyslipidemia) did not significantly influence the mean survival time in the current study. Conclusion : Age (older versus younger than 70 years old) and functional outcome at one month could be critical prognostic factors for survival after acute large cerebral infarction. Involvement of ACA or PCA territory is also an important poor prognostic factor in patients with MCA territorial infarction.