• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1153-1163
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of task-oriented activities on hand functions in patients with hand injuries. From December 2011 to October 2012, sixteen patients with hand injuries at C Hospital in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea were randomly divided into two groups. One group was subjected to task-oriented activity and the other to general exercise. Two groups performed each activity once a day, three times a week, for four weeks. The group with the task-oriented activities was provided with the tasks according to subject-preference based on the result of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). To verify the effect of intervention, the following hand function measures were used: grip strength, pinch strength, and the range of opposition and abduction, Purdue pegboard test and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Both groups showed significant increase in all of the hand function measures after 4-week activities(p<.05). The task-oriented activity group was significantly different from the control group in powers for tip pinch, lateral pinch and three-jaw chuck pinch, Purdue pegboard test and DASH(p<.05) except in grip strength and the range of opposition and abduction suggesting better improvement in hand functions. This study shows that task-oriented activities improve the hand functions more effectively in patients with hand injuries.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2019

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy with a high morbidity and healthcare-related costs. Currently there is no consensus about the best treatment option. The purpose of this prospective cohort study conducted at a single institution was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction following a mini-open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic CTS. Methods A total of 72 patients (53 female and 19 male patients; mean age, $57.8{\pm}15.3$ years; range, 24-94 years) had a mini-open carpal tunnel release performed by a single senior surgeon between June 2015 and June 2016. The patients were evaluated preoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months post-intervention. At every follow-up, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain and satisfaction were completed. Digital sensibility (using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments) was assessed and pinch and grip strengths were measured. Results Statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement was found in terms of digital sensibility, grip and pinch strength (except for 2-point pinch), BCTSQ scores and pain scores. The complication rate was minimal, and no major complications occurred. Two patients experienced recurrence. The availability of follow-up records (including patient-reported outcomes, BCTSQ and VAS scores, and the complication rate) at 1-year post-intervention varied between 69% and 74% (50-53 patients) depending on which parameter was assessed. Patient satisfaction was high (mean, $80.9{\pm}26.0$; range, 0-100). Conclusions This study demonstrates that mini-incision carpal tunnel release is clinically effective in the short and long term.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.5364-5371
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• 2015

The purpose of the study is to prevent pain and malfunction of the hand by correcting the angle of holding a smartphone. Subjects comprised of 21 healthy students. This research was conducted from April 21 2014 to April 27 2014. The three groups were as follows: first group included 7 students who held the phone at an angle of 90 degrees without a sling, and second group included 7 students who held the smartphone at an angle of 90 degrees with a sling; and the third group included 7 students who held the smartphone at an angle of 120 degrees with a sling. VAS was measured through the Finkelstein Test. Also, pain rating and muscle strength were assessed four times 30 minutes before and after the experiment for one and a half hour with pinch grip, dynamometer, and visual analogue scale. Smartphone was used. In all of the measurements, period showed a significant difference (p<.05) between both sides and a significant difference was not found between the group. In the time ${\times}$ group, pain score and grip strength were significantly different in the right side only (p<.05). According to the results of this experiment, providing support to the hand helps to increase the hand function by reducing the stress.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.227-229
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• 2017

Fibrosis of skeletal muscle following acupuncture is an iatrogenic disorder. The present case illustrates a patient with a unilateral fibrotic formation on a thumb muscle after acupuncture injection therapy with red sage. The patient in the present case was a counter-terrorism police officer with right-handedness; he noted a palpable nodule three months after injection therapy at his left first dorsal interosseous in which the acupuncture point LI4 (He Gu) is located. He also found a reduction in the strength of his left pinch grip that noticeably affected his left handgun marksmanship. However, being ambidextrous in single-hand pistol shooting is an essential requirement for counter-terrorism police officers. Based on the patient's medical history and claims, no underlying disease or trauma was found to be associated with his current complaint. During physical examination, a fibrotic formation in his left first dorsal interosseous muscle was visualized by using diagnostic ultrasound; also, as confirmed with dynamometry, the strength of his left pinch grip was significantly lower than that of the right counterpart. Because acupuncture injection therapy has three components, antiseptic practices, the mechanical action of syringe insertion, and the pharmacological effect of the sterile herb extract, any one of the components may have contributed to the present adverse event. The first dorsal interosseous muscle is small in dimension and rather vascular; thus, it is not an ideal site for intramuscular injection. When a clinician needs to treat a patient by performing acupuncture at the LI4 acupoint and injecting a herbal extract simultaneously, the clinician should only mechanically stimulate the LI4 acupoint while injecting the herbal medicine into the LI14 (Bi Noe) acupoint on the same meridian, the LI14 acupoint being located in the distal portion of the deltoid muscle and being fairly close to the universally agreed upon site on the upper arm for safe administration of an injection.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.372-378
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• 2000

The carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common entrapment neuropathy. Surgical treatments consist of conventional open technique, alternative technique using retinaculatome, and endoscopic surgery. This study compares the outcomes of surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome following conventional versus endoscopic release. The authors reviewed 56 cases of 33 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome treated surgically in our institute from January 1991 to May 1998. The follow-up evaluation was possible in 36 cases of 20 patients who had conventional release and in 11 cases of 7 patients with endoscopic release. The following parameters were evaluated for comparison : improvement of symptom, return to normal work, recovery of strength of grip and pinch, rate of complication, follow-up electrophysiologic finding. Compared with open decompression, the group of endoscopic decompression needed significantly less time to go back to work(p<0.001). Also strength of grip and pinch improved faster in the group of endoscopic decompression as well, compared with open decompression(p<0.05). These results indicate that endoscopic procedure is an excellent, minimally invasive method to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, performed by surgeons who are fully aware of the anatomy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.650-658
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• 2010

Purpose: In the case of repair for far distal parts of FDP (Flexor digitorum profundus) division, the method of either pull-out suture or fixation of tendon to the distal phalanx is preferred. In this paper, the results of a modified loop suture technique used for the complete division of FDP from both zone 1a and distal parts of zone 1b in Moiemen classification are presented. Methods: From July 2006 to July 2009, the modified loop suture technique was used for the 10 cases of FDP in complete division from zone 1a and distal parts of zone 1b, especially where insertion sites were less than 1 cm apart from a tendon of a stump. In a suture technique, a loop is applied to each distal and proximal parts of tendon respectively. Core suture of 2-strand and epitendinous suture are done with PDS 4-0. Out of 10 patients, the study was done on 6 patients who were available for the followup. The average age of the patients was 49.1 years (in the range from 26 to 67). 5 males and 1 female patients were involved in this study. There were 3 cases with zone 1a and distal parts of zone 1b. The average distance to the distal tendon end was 0.6 cm. There were 5 cases underwent microsurgical repair where both artery and nerve divided. One case of only tendon displacement was presented. The dorsal protective splint was kept for 5 weeks on average. The results of the following tests were measured: active & passive range of motion, grip strength test, key pinch and pulp pinch test. Results: The follow-up period on average was 11 months, in the range from 2 to 20 months. There was no case of re-rupture, but tenolysis was performed in 1 cases. In all 6 cases, the average active range of motion of distal interphalangeal joint was 50.8 degree. The grip strength (ipsilateral/contralateral) was measured as 88.7% and the pulp pinch test was 79.2% as those of contralateral side. Flexion contracture was presented in 2 cases (15 degree on average) and there was no quadrigia effect found. Conclusion: Despite short length of tendon from the insertion site in FDS rupture in zone 1a and distal parts of zone 1b, sufficient functional recovery could be expected with the tendon to tendon repair using the modified loop suture technique.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.17-34
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was to find out problems which occured between clothes and motor ability traits of the hemiplegic aged. The samples were 32 hemiplegic aged men and were compared with 43 healthy aged men. Motor ability of the samples were measured by ROM test, muscle power test and finger function test(grip strength, hand's coordination, lateral pinch, 3pt. pinch). Design of the clothes consisted of 25 variables and the analysis of dressing and undressing motion consist of 10 motions of dressing and undressing dress shirts and 8 motions of trousers. The results were as follows: 1. There were significant relationship between ROM and muscle power and finger function of the hemiplegic aged(P<.001). 2. There were significant differences between the nomal side's finger function of the hemiplegic aged and that of the healthy group(P<.001). 3. The designs of clothes such as tutle neck line, long sleeve, button cuffs, fastening lace, open zipper and belt of trousers gave much difficulty to the hemiplegic when dressing and undressing. 4. The most difficult motion of dressing and undressing was fastening when dressing both dress shirts and trousers. 5. There were partly significant relationship between design of clothes and ROM, muscle power, finger function of hemiplegic aged man. 6. There were partly significant relationship between the degree of difficulty in dressing and undressing motions and ROM, muscle power, finger function of hemiplegic aged man.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2022

Background: It is known that hand strength and fingertip force are used as an indicator of muscle strength and are also highly related to the various chronic symptoms and even lifespan. To use the individual fingertip force (IFF) as a quantitative index for clinical evaluation, the IFF should be measured and analyzed with various variables from various subjects, such as the normal range of fingertip force and the difference in its distribution by disease. Objects: We tried to measure and analyze the mean maximum IFF distribution during grasping a cylindrical object in healthy adults and patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Five Force-sensitive resistor (FSR) sensors were attached to the fingertips of 24 healthy people and 13 patients with SCI. They were asked to grip the object three times for five seconds with their maximum effort. Results: The mean maximum IFF of the healthy adult group's thumb, index, and middle finger was similar statistically and showed relatively larger than IFF of the ring and small finger. It is a 3-point pinch grip pattern. All fingertip forces of patients with SCI decreased by more than 50% to the healthy group, and their IFF of the middle finger was relatively the largest among the five fingertip forces. The cervical level injured SCI patients showed significantly decreased IFFs compared to thoracic level injured SCI patients. Conclusion: We expect that this study results would be helpful for rehabilitation diagnosis and therapy goal decision with robust further study.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2 s.30
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• pp.225-247
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• 1995

Using Bi-Digital O-Ring Test which was developed by Ohmura Toshiaki, constiution classification by the vegetables' was Measured by various muscle power measurement meters and the results are as follow: 1. Pinch Gauge (Model:pc5030HPG, Japan) is the gauge to measure finger power between the thumb and the second finger, Grip Strength Dynamometer (Model: T.K.K. 5101, Japan) is to measure the hand power (hand dynamometer), Back Strength Dynamometer (Model: T.K.K. 5102, Japan) is to measure back muscle strength, Vertical jump Meter (Model: T.K.K. 5106, Japan) is to measure the height of jump. The above gauges were and its result found that the radish, potato, carrot and cucumber can influence to muscle strength was not true. 2. When the physical constitution is distinguished by the O-Ring Test method, Taeyangin's rate appeared as average 21% although it was insisted that there will be only 0.03-0.1%. This means that the physical constitution but it appears accidently according to the examinee's emotion about the material such as vegetable etc. as favor or unfavor. 3. It was found that the result of O-Ring Test is the same at any time and at any place was not true. there is no reemergence character. 4. The import of O-Ring Test mehtod to the physical discrimination disregarded that the mental factor influences absolutely to the physical heath in the ideological physi cal constitution medical science. 5. 'O-Ring Test method is a objective judgement method.' is wrong judgement. As you see on the above result, Bi-Digital O-Ring Test set the changeable voluntary muscle as the standard of the judgument, that was first mistake logically, second in spite of leass influence of mental influence by the examiner and examinee than the vegetable discrimination influence, the test disregarded the influence. Third, only grasp of some material on hand can influence to the voluntary muscle was a wrong theory disregarding the physiology. Finally the misunderstaning his subjective view as an objective view in spite of examiner and examinee's strong influence. Therefore such kind of physical descrimination method must be sublated.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1980-1991
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• 2017

Many stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation therapy require a quantitative indicator for the evaluation of body function in paretic and non-paretic regions. In this study, the impedance parameters were acquired to assess the physical status in the upper extremity of thirty six stroke patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebral hemorrhage (10 patients) and cerebral infarction (26 patients), using bioelectrical impedance. Prediction marker (PM), phase angle (PA), PM/PA, and resistance (R) versus reactance ($X_c$) were utilized to evaluate the functional status of the paretic and non-paretic regions. In addition, the hand grip strength (HGS) and the pinch strength (lateral, palmer, tip) were measured on the upper extremity of hemiplegic stroke patients. PM was distributed in inversely proportional to HGS, but PA was distributed in proportional to HGS. However, there were a number of patients with HGS of 0, regardless of the impedance parameters (PM, PA, R vs. $X_c$). Paretic and non-paretic status in upper extremity of these patients could not be analyzed using impedance parameters. At the rehabilitation therapist's instructions, they were unable to move the hand and fingers of the paretic upper extremity by cranial nerve damage, motor nerve damage, and severe cognitive decline.