• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.246-258
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• 2024

This case report describes a patient diagnosed with central post-stroke pain (CPSP) and hemiparesis due to anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery infarction. The patient was treated with Korean medicines, including moxibustion, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, Western medicine, and rehabilitation therapy for 67 days. CPSP improved based on scores on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) (from 8 to 0), paresthesia NRS (7 to 0), Manual Muscle Test (4/1 to 4+/4-),4+/4-), Korean version of the modified Barthel Index (24 to 73), National Institute of Health's Stroke Scale (7 to 0), Global Deterioration Scale (1 to 1), and Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (27 to 29). No seizures, shocks, recurrent ischemic stroke, and liver dysfunction were recorded during the treatment. A moxibustion-induced burn healed within 7 days. This case suggests that moxibustion, combined with other treatments, has the potential to improve CPSP, without severe side effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.646-662
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) with transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) on motor function improvement in stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on patients diagnosed with stroke more than 2 weeks but within 12 months of onset. A total of 22 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received EA and tDCS treatment, while the control group received sham EA and sham tDCS treatment. Assessments were conducted using the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (K-FMA) scores, grip and pinch strength tests, Box and Block test (BBT), Nine-hole peg test (9HPT), Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Korean version the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) scores. Adverse events were recorded at each intervention. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in general characteristics between the two groups. The K-FMA, BBS, and K-MBI scores of both groups increased significantly after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Although hand strength and dexterity improved after intervention in both groups, the changes were not statistically significant. In the experimental group, the lateral pinch score increased significantly after the intervention, but this increase was not significant compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. All nine reported adverse reactions were minor, with no moderate or severe adverse reactions reported. Conclusion: This study confirmed the potential effectiveness and safety of EA with tDCS in improving motor function in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.115-123
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study compared the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean version (MMSE-K) and Korean version Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MOCA), which assess cognitive function, the Fugl- Meyer Upper-Extremity Assessment (FMA), which assess the upper extremity function; and Modified Barthel Index (MBI), which that assesses activities of daily living among patients receiving inpatient treatment following a diagnosis of stroke to determine the correlations among MMSE-K, K-MOCA, FMA, and MBI. METHODS: The study assessed the cognitive function using the MMSE-K and K-MOCA, upper extremity function using FMA, and activities of daily living using MBI. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: An analysis of the differences in the MMSE-K, K-MOCA, MBI, and FMA scores according to the affected side, revealed differences in the, K-MOCA scores according to the affected side, where patients with right hemiplegia showed better cognitive function (p <.05). Correlation analysis among MMSE-K, K-MOCA, FMA, and MBI Showed significant correlations (p <.05). The results indicate that those with higher cognitive and upper extremity functions had higher performance of activities of daily living. CONCLUSION: The cognitive and upper extremity functions were correlated with the activities of daily living in stroke patients. Accordingly, applying physical therapy with a focus on improving the cognitive function and training activities of daily living could assist in the functional recovery of stroke patients significantly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of computer-based and virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation programs on the cognitive function, upper limb function, activities of daily living, and their impact on the prefrontal cortex in convalescent stroke patients. METHODS: Ten recovering stroke patients were assessed for their cognitive function, upper limb function, and daily living activities using the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination, the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index. The prefrontal cortex activity was measured with functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy. The virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation group utilized a program of daily living activities delivered via a laptop and Oculus Rift. The computer-based cognitive rehabilitation group performed various cognitive tasks on an all-in-one PC. Both groups underwent cognitive rehabilitation training for 30 minutes per day, three times a week, for six weeks, with identical conventional rehabilitation therapies in the hospital. RESULTS: Both programs positively impacted the cognitive and physical functions. On the other hand, the virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation program had a larger influence on improving the cognitive and physical functions of convalescing stroke patients. CONCLUSION: The virtual reality program suggests its potential to enhance cognitive and physical functions in convalescent stroke patients through increased engagement, focus, real-time feedback, and game elements, making it a promising rehabilitation approach.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study was to report the effectiveness of Combined Korean Medicine treatment on a intracerebral hemorrhage patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance. Methods : A 56-year-old, female patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance was treated by Korean Medicine including acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine. The effect of the treatment was evaluated by Manual Muscle Test(MMT), Modified Rankin Scale(MRS), Korean version of Modified Barthel Index(K-MBI). The gait of the patient was evaluated by 10m walk test, Timed Up&Go Test(TUG), Functional Ambulatory Category(FAC), GAITRite and Symmetry Criterion(SC). Results : After treatment, MMT, MRS, K-MBI, gait parameters and gait symmetry were improved. Conclusions : This study suggests that Combined Korean Medicine treatment might be effective for a intracerebral hemorrhage patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study is to report the improvement of a basal ganglia infarction patient with left hemiplegia and gait disturbance after treatment with Korean medicine. Methods: The patient was treated using acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. To evaluate the effect on clinical symptoms, a manual muscle test, the Modified Functional Ambulation Classification, and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index were used. Results: After 118 days of treatment, scores for all three scales improved. Conclusion: Treatment with Korean medicine appears to be effective for improving the clinical symptoms of basal ganglia infarction with hemiplegia and gait disturbance, but further research is needed to verify this.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.791-802
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• 2023

Objective: This study reports on the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment in a patient with intracerebral hemorrhages with symptoms of hemiplegia, personality change, and aphasia. Case presentation: The patient was treated using Korean medicine, including Jayumkeonbi-tang with deer antler as herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and a limb activation exercise. To evaluate the effect on clinical symptoms, a manual muscle test, the Modified Functional Ambulation Classification, and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index were used. After 84 days of treatment, the MMT grade of the right upper and lower limbs improved from Gr. 2+/2- to Gr. 4/3~4 on average, and personality change and aphasia were gone. Conclusion: A complex treatment that includes Jaeumkunbi-tang, acupuncture, moxibustion, and limb activation exercises can be effective following an intracerebral hemorrhage resulting in hemiplegia and personality change. However, more research is needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.1131-1141
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• 2021

Objective: This study examined the case of a 63-year-old man with a history of hypertension and gout who had developed an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) of the right basal ganglia of the corona radiata. Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine (Boyanghwanoh-tang and powdered Oryeong-san extract), Western medicine (Anticonvulsants, antihypertensive drugs, psychotropic agents, and others), acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and rehabilitative therapy. Their effects were evaluated using the Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Korean version of the modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), National Institute of Health's Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: After treatment, the MMT grade improved from 3/3+ to 4+/4+. Additionally, the K-MBI score improved from 62 to 77. Conclusion: The results suggest that combined traditional Korean and Western medicine can effectively treat patients with ICH.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.151-161
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• 2019

PURPOSE: To investigate the validity of a smartphone application for post-stroke daily living activity management based on an evaluation by users and experts. METHODS: The study design adhered to the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation ADDIE (Analysis-Design-Development-Implement-Evaluation) model. We downloaded the application onto the smartphones of 33 users and 30 experts, taught them how to use it, and asked them to use the application for four weeks. The users' daily lives before and after using the application were compared based on the K-MBI (Korean Version of Modified Barthel Index) to evaluate the usability of the application. For the expert group, we investigated the content validity and reliability of the application and evaluated the usability of the application. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 software. Users' general characteristics and experts' evaluation scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Content validity was tested using the content validity index (CVI), and reliability was tested with Cronbach's alpha. Users' K-MBI scores before and after using the application were compared with the paired sample t-test. RESULTS: Users gave an average rating of 2.93 out of 4 for the application for managing the daily lives of stroke patients, while experts gave an average score of 3.14. With regard to the K-MBI scores, only the dressing score improved significantly (p<.005) after using the application, and scores for other categories slightly improved but not to significant levels. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the STROKECARE application is usable and could help stroke patients manage their daily lives.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.481-491
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• 2012

PURPOSE: This study find out the effect of improved two point discrimination (TPD), hand function and activities of daily living (ADL) performance through tactile stimulus of upper limb (U/L) in impaired characteristics of stroke METHODS: We selected 26 stroke patients in BMH who has problems with neglect, sensory and motor deficits. Patients were divided into 3 group with neglect group (NG), sensorimotor deficits group (SMG) and motor deficit group (MG). To compare each group we used assessment tools such as two point discrimination on affected side (TPDas) and unaffected side (TPDus), Manual functional test on affected side (MFTas) and unaffected side (MFTus) and Korean version modified barthel index (K-MBI). RESULTS: 1) In the NG, tactile stimulus on U/L was statistically important for TPDas (forearm, index finger tip) also SMG and MDG was statistically important for TPDas. 2) In the NG, SMG, there was statistically important for MFTas, MFTus and in the MG. K-MBI also was statistically importance. Among three group, there was an statistically important difference for TPTus (forearm, thenar, hypothenar), MFTas and MFTus. We analyzed the relationship among TPD, MFT and K-MBI and There was negative relationship between TPD, MFT and There was positive relationship between TPD and K-MBI CONCLUSION: In impaired characteristics of stroke patients, tactile stimulus on U/L influenced on two point discrimination, hand function and ADL's. And we also found relationship among somatosensory, hand function, and ADL performance.