• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.349-360
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to derive a substantive theory on lived experiences of elderly cancer patients. Methods: The data were collected from February to March 2018 through in-depth personal interviews with 14 elderly cancer patients. The collected data were analyzed based on Corbin and Strauss's grounded theory. Results: The core category was "the journey to find balance in daily lives as a cancer patient by recovering disturbed ego integrity." The core phenomenon was "shattered by suffering from cancer," and the causal conditions were "physical change" and "limitations in daily life." The contextual conditions were "decreased self-esteem," "feelings of guilt toward the family," and the sense of "economic burden." The participants' action and interaction strategies were "maintaining or avoiding social relations," "seeking meaning of the illness," "falling into despair," and "strengthening the willingness to battle the cancer." The intervening conditions were "support from health care providers and family," "dissatisfaction with health care providers," "spiritual help from religion," and "the improvement or worsening of health conditions." The consequences were "having a new insight for life," "living positively along with cancer illness," and "the loss of willingness to live." A summary of the series of processes includes the "crisis stage," "reorganizing stage," and the "ego integration stage." Conclusion: This study explored the holistic process of ego integrity impairment and the recovery experience of elderly cancer patients. This study is expected to be used as a basis for the development of nursing interventions that can support patients when coping with all stages of their cancer illness trajectory.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2021

Background: Researchers have previously commenced examining the degree of concordance between parent proxy and child self-reports on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of many disease and impairment populations. Objects: To explore the differences between parent proxy and child self-reports on the HRQOL using Korean version of KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaires for applying to elementary school children and their parents who participated for a school-based wellness program. Methods: The focus groups were recruited for a school-based wellness program by implementing the following wellness services: 1) referring to a screening session for detecting potential posture-related musculoskeletal problems and 2) recommending home exercise programs. Before a primary field testing for the program, two focus groups were formed with a group of 9 parents and their 9 elementary school children aged 8-10 years of age. The parent proxy and child self-report versions of KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaires were administered to both groups after completion of the wellness program. Item level Rasch rating scale analysis was applied to compute logit scales of KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and scatterplot of item difficulty between two reports were analyzed. Results: For fit statistics of parent proxy report, all items except 4 items (i.e., psychological well-being, mood/emotions, self-perception, parent relation) were found to be acceptable. For fit statistics of child self-report, all items except 3 items (i.e., psychological well-being, autonomy and home life) were acceptable. The relationship between two reports using ICCs were ranging from weak to very strong at p = 0.05 (i.e, ICCs = 0.011 to 0.905). Scatterplot analysis between two reports showed a major disparity on self-perception item at 95% confidence intervals. Conclusion: Both item level analyses and ICC comparisons provided a disparity between parent proxy and child self-reports of the HRQOL on self-perception item after competing a school-based wellness program. Therapist should consider the item as part of the HRQOL assessment.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Background: Neck pain is a major health problem in developed countries and has a lifetime prevalence of 50%. Major problems include a reduced cervical range of motion, muscle stiffness, dysfunction, postural changes, and decrease in psychosocial level. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of applying the upper trapezius inhibition dynamic taping to patients with chronic neck pain on their neck pain, functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture. Methods: The study design was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 patients with neck pain participated in this study and were randomly assigned to a Dynamic Taping group (n = 20) or Sham Taping group (n = 20). In both groups, basic intervention cervical pain control therapy and shoulder stabilization exercise program were performed. In addition, dynamic taping and sham taping were applied to participants in the Dynamic Taping and Sham Taping groups to inhibit the trapezius muscle, respectively. All interventions were performed three times a week and a total of 12 times for 4 weeks, and the participants' neck pain, functional impairment level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture were measured and compared before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in neck pain, functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck postural before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences between the two groups regarding the functional level and neck posture (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition dynamic taping of the upper trapezius muscle suppression is an effective method with clinical significance in reducing pain in individuals with chronic neck pain and improving the functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture.

• 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.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.25-37
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• 2023

Acetaminophen [Paracetamol, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP)] is a common over-the-counter analgesic agent as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The high doses or the long-term treatment of acetaminophen via usual gavage feeding resulted in damage of testicles that presented recoverable impairment, as well as liver and kidney. The influence of acetaminophen was examined in male golden hamsters treated with acetaminophen-containing diet feeding. They were divided into 5 groups and subjected to this experiment for 4 weeks: animals housed in long photoperiod (LP) as LP control, animals housed in short photoperiod (SP) for 4 weeks as SP control (SP4), and groups of animals treated with low, middle, and high concentrations of acetaminophen (Low, Middle, High groups). Also animals housed in SP for 8 weeks were included (SP8) to contrast testicular activities, if necessary. As results, spermatozoa filled the seminiferous tubules of the testicles of animals in LP control and SP4 groups. The aspects were seen in the animals taken diets of low and middle doses of acetaminophen. The animals who fed high dose of acetaminophen showed large or small testicles. The large testicles displayed all germ cells at the steps of spermatogenesis. The small testicles presented no sperm as the animals housed in SP for 8 weeks. Thus these results indicate that acetaminophen invokes the antigonadal effects and accelerates the regressing process of the testicles in the animals compared to the animals exposed to SP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2023

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model, created by the World Health Organization, provides a theoretical framework that can be applied in the diagnosis and treatment of various disorders. Objects: Our research purposed to ascertain the relationship between structure/function, activity, and participation domain variables of the ICF and pain, pain-associated disability, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods: Two-hundred patients with chronic LBP (mean age: 35.5 ± 8.8 years, females, n = 40) were recruited from hospital and community settings. We evaluated the body structure/function domain variable using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Roland-Morris disability (RMD) questionnaire. To evaluate the activity domain variable, we used the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBDS). For clinical outcome measures, we used Short-form 12 (SF-12). Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to ascertain the relationships among the variables (p < 0.05). All the participants with LBP received 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy 3 days/week for 4 weeks. Results: There were significant correlations between the body structure/function domain (NPRS and RMD questionnaire), activity domain (ODI and QBDS), and participation domain variables (SF-12), rending from pre-intervention (r = -0.723 to 0.783) and postintervention (r = -0.742 to 0.757, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The identification of a significant difference between these domain variables point to important relationships between pain, disability, performance of ADL, and quality in participants with LBP.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.142-153
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• 2023

Background: Cognitive impairment has been reported to be closely associated with poor oral health, and the relationship is bidirectional, as older adults with poor oral health and chewing function are at a higher risk of cognitive decline (CD). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether masticatory discomfort in Korean elderly increases the risk of daily living difficulty (DLD) related to CD and whether there is a difference in risk according to gender and age. Methods: The data used were obtained from the Korean Community Health Survey (2019). The final analysis included 22,154 people aged 65 years and older who completed the survey and responded to all items on the variables used in the study. Chi-square test, trend test, and complex sample logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis, to clarify the purpose of this study. Results: As masticatory discomfort increased, the elderly's DLD tended to increase (p-for trend, p<0.001). For logistic regression, adjusting for all covariates, participants who reported masticatory discomfort as "discomfort" (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.11~3.50) and "severe discomfort" (AOR=2.95, 95% CI=2.49~3.50) had a more than a two-fold increased risk of CD-related DLD compared to participants who reported "no discomfort at all." In age-stratified analyses, elderly men aged 75~84 years and elderly women aged 65~74 years had the highest risk of developing CD-related DLD. Conclusion: Oral care interventions to improve masticatory function in older adults may slow CD and improve CD-related DLD. We hope that this study will raise awareness among caregivers and clinical professionals regarding the importance of oral care for older adults with CD.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.23-32
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• 2023

Interest in Serious Games for Healthcare (SGHs) that can improve health through games is increasing. Digital Therapeutics (DTx) is a treatment that must be approved for effectiveness and safety, so it should follow the traditional drug distribution method, but SGHs are wellness products that are more flexible in terms of adoption and diffusion than DTx. SGHs are effective because it can provide customized services through continuous monitoring and feedback. When SGHs are applied to cognitive impairment treatment or behavioral correction, malfunctions and side effects are minor. This study developed research model based on the Valence Framework, gathered data from 142 undergraduates, and demonstrated that only the perceived benefits have a statistically significant positive (+) effect on SGHs acceptance intentions. Based on these results, this study suggests that SGHs companies should promote benefits in accepting SGHs for general users and they need for a distribution and analytics platform strategy based on a data-driven approach.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.69-85
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• 2023

Depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders and is associated with dysfunction of the neuroendocrine system and alterations in specific brain proteins. Boophone disticha (BD) is an indigenous psychoactive bulb that belongs to the Amaryllidacae family, which is widely used in Southern Africa to treat depression, with scientific evidence of potent antidepressant-like effects. The present study examined the antidepressant effects of BD and its mechanisms of action by measuring some behavioural parameters in the elevated plus maze, brain content of corticosterone, brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), and neuroblast differentiation in the hippocampus of Balb/c mice exposed to the five day repeated forced swim stress (5d-RFSS). Male Balb/c mice were subjected to the 5d-RFSS protocol to induce depressive-like behaviour (decreased swimming, increased floating, decreased open arm entry, decreased time spent in the open arms and decreased head dips in the elevated plus maze test) and treated with distilled water, fluoxetine and BD. BD treatment (10 mg/kg/p.o for 3 weeks) significantly attenuated the 5d-RFSS-induced behavioural abnormalities and the elevated serum corticosterone levels observed in stressed mice. Additionally, 5d-RFSS exposure significantly decreased the number of neuroblasts in the hippocampus and BDNF levels in the brain of Balb/c mice, while fluoxetine and BD treatment attenuated these changes. The antidepressant effects of BD were comparable to those of fluoxetine, but unlike fluoxetine, BD did not show any anxiogenic effects, suggesting better pharmacological functions. In conclusion, our study shows that BD exerted antidepressant-like effects in 5d-RFSS mice, mediated in part by normalizing brain corticosterone and BDNF levels.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.164-177
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• 2024

Background: Neck and jaw pain is common and is associated with jaw functional limitations, postural stability, muscular endurance, and proprioception. This study aimed to investigate the effect of jaw and neck pain on cranio-cervico-mandibular functions and postural stability in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs). Methods: Fifty-two patients with TMJDs were included and assessed using Fonseca's Questionnaire and the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index. An isometric strength test was performed for the TMJ depressor and cervical muscles. The TMJ position sense (TMJPS) test and cervical joint position error test (CJPET) were employed for proprioception. Total sway degree was obtained for the assessment of postural stability. Deep neck flexor endurance (DNFE) was assessed using the craniocervical flexion test. The mandibular function impairment questionnaire (MFIQ) was employed to assess mandibular function, and the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured for forward head posture. Results: Jaw and neck pain negatively affected CVA (R² = 0.130), TMJPS (R² = 0.286), DNFE (R² = 0.355), TMJ depressor (R² = 0.145), cervical flexor (R² = 0.144), and extensor (R² = 0.148) muscle strength. Jaw and neck pain also positively affected CJPET for flexion (R² = 0.116) and extension (R² = 0.146), as well as total sway degree (R² = 0.128) and MFIQ (R² = 0.230). Conclusions: Patients with painful TMJDs, could have impaired muscle strength and proprioception of the TMJ and cervical region. The jaw and neck pain could also affect postural stability, and the endurance of deep neck flexors as well as mandibular functions in TMJDs.