• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.308-318
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• 2023

To determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating restless legs syndrome (RLS), we conducted a literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that utilized acupuncture as an intervention for patients diagnosed with RLS. Relevant clinical studies (n = 158) from seven databases (the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, KISS, RISS, and OASIS) were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed. Moreover, 6 RCTs were selected for review. In all six studies, it was indicated people who underwent acupuncture treatment showed significant improvements in their overall health. An increase in the treatment efficacy rate, sleep quality, and quality of life indicators after the acupuncture treatment was confirmed. The severity of pain as assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) scores and International RLS Study Group Rating Scale (IRLSRS) scores and the severity of RLS symptoms were significantly reduced. Any significant side effects were not reported. Acupuncture is suggested as an effective and safe treatment method for RLS. However, further large-scale RCT studies are needed to confirm our findings.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1238-1247
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• 2005

Purpose: This study aimed at developing integrated clinical performance indicators(CPIs) through the analysis of quality improvement(QI) activities of a hospital and literature review about performance measures. Method: The CPIs were developed through the following three stages; 1)Identifying preliminary CPIs 2)A staff validity test in preliminary CPIs 3)Developing final CPIs. Result: One hundred twenty-three preliminary CPIs were developed through QI activities of the target hospital for 8 years and literature review. The results of the validity test for the preliminary CPIs supported ninety-one items. Sixty-two CPIs were selected through integration, reclassification and renaming. Then, eighteen items were deleted on account of an imprecise calculation method. Finally, forty-four CPIs were confirmed. They consisted of twenty-six items at the hospital level and eighteen items at the department level. Conclusion: CPIs can be used as criteria to evaluate the performance of healthcare organizations, and to decide the quality of healthcare for customers. This study may contribute to establishing an integrated system between QI activities and performance measurement of healthcare organizations.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.73-89
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to analyze domestic and foreign studies related to the effect of Korean Medicine Treatment for Postpartum Back Pain. Methods: Clinical studies applying Korean Medicine Treatment on Postpartum Back Pain were searched using domestic and foreign search engines up to December 2022. After searching studies, we analyzed selected studies and 11 studies were selected as a result. Results: All of the patients studied in the case study showed a decrease in Postpartum Back Pain after treatment compared to before treatment and in the control study, it was found that indices evaluating Postpartum Back Pain after treatment were significantly improved in the experimental group compared to before treatment in the experimental group. It was found that the scores of the relevant indicators were more significantly improved in the experimental group than control group. Conclusions: Korean Medicine Treatment is effective for Postpartum Back Pain. In the future, studies to analyze the specific effects and safety of each Korean Medicine Treatment for postpartum back pain and well-designed studies will be needed to establish the foundation of Korean Medicine Treatment for Postpartum Back Pain.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.98-102
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• 2004

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition characterized by entrapment neuropathy of the median nerves. Clinical manifestations are the most important findings for diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic effects. But, objective indicators, such as electrophysiological findings, are also valuable supplementary tools. This study investigated the relationship between clinical grading and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of median proper palmar digital nerve (MPPDN) in CTS patients. Method: This study was done on 90 upper limbs of 53 patients with CTS (men: 6, women: 47, age: 26~69 years, mean age; 52 years). Each SNCV of MPPDN was recorded with bar electrode using antidromic method. Each SNCV was compared with clinical grading of CTS. The clinical grades of CTS were designated as follows; group 1 is mild symptoms, 2 is moderate symptoms, and 3 is severe and longstanding symptoms. Result: In thumb, the SNCV of MPPDN was not different significantly between 3 groups (p=0.817). In the index finger, the SNCV was the fastest in the group 1, but faster in group 3 than in group 2 (p=0.001). In the middle and ring fingers, SNCV was decreased in higher clinical grading groups (middle finger: p=0.015, ring finger: p=0.044). Conclusion: SNCV of MPPDN of middle and ring finger correlated with the clinical grading of CTS. SNCV of index finger was the fastest in group 1. But SNCV of thumb did not correlate with the clinical grading of CTS.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship of semen parameters in samples used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with fertilization and pregnancy rates in infertile couples. Methods: In this prospective study of Infertile couples with male factor infertility that had undergone ICSI, fractions of the same semen samples obtained for microinjection (to ensure the best predictability) were evaluated to determine the semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) on the day of oocyte recovery. Results: In total, 120 couples completed the study and were subdivided into fertilized (n=87) and non-fertilized couples (n=33). The fertilized couples were further classified into pregnant (n=48) and non-pregnant (n=39) couples. Compared to non-fertilized and non-pregnant couples, fertilized and pregnant couples showed statistically significantly higher sperm viability and percentage of normal sperm morphology, as well as significantly lower sperm DFI values. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of data from the 120 ICSI cycles showed that sperm viability, normal sperm morphology percentages, and sperm DFI were significant prognostic indicators of fertilization at cutoff values of 40%, 7%, and 46%, respectively. A sperm DFI of 46% showed sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 90%, respectively, for predicting fertilization, and no clinical pregnancies occurred in couples with a sperm DFI above 46%. Conclusion: Semen parameters from the ICSI day sample, especially sperm viability, normal morphology, and DFI, had an impact on fertilization and pregnancy outcomes in ICSI cycles.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.55-61
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• 2017

Objectives: In order to accurately measure skin moisture and accumulate normal skin moisture data, analyzing the uncertainty of the skin moisture measurement and establishing standard reference data is essential. It helps to evaluate the skin's condition and has great significance in diagnosis and treatment. In this study, the traceability of the equipment and the uncertainty of the results were analyzed for their potential use in the field of Korean medicine. The data was collected measuring skin moisture on the sole of the foot. Methods: One professional measured the moisture of the adult male's foot 10 times following a determined protocol. The standard uncertainty of repeated measurements was calculated from the mean value of 10 repeated measurements. Ten trainee participants also measured the adult male's foot following a determined protocol. The standard uncertainty by tester was calculated from the value of repeated measurements. Results: As a result of analyzing the difference between the mean and standard uncertainties in both the expert and trainees, it was confirmed that the variance in this study did not satisfy the normal distribution. In addition, the Mann-Whitney U-test was carried out, and it was found that there was no significant difference in the measured values of the two groups. The authorized uncertainty of measurements and traceability of all the equipment was not confirmed. Conclusions: This paper establishes the basis for later measurement-equipment research to provide the objective indicators to approach the dryness of plantar skin from dehydration, the Korean medicine perspective.

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.83.1-83.10
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• 2018

Objective: We aimed to propose a set of quality indicators (QIs) based on the clinical guidelines for cervical cancer treatment published by The Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and to assess adherence to standard-of-care as an index of the quality of care for cervical cancer in Japan. Methods: A panel of clinical experts devised the QIs using a modified Delphi method. Adherence to each QI was evaluated using data from a hospital-based cancer registry of patients diagnosed in 2013, and linked with insurance claims data, between October 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014. All patients who received first-line treatment at the participating facility were included. The QI scores were communicated to participating hospitals, and additional data about the reasons for non-adherence were collected. Results: In total, 297 hospitals participated, and the care provided to 15,163 cervical cancer patients was examined using 10 measurable QIs. The adherence rate ranged from 50.0% for 'cystoscope or proctoscope for stage IVA' to 98.8% for 'chemotherapy using platinum for stage IVB'. Despite the variation in care, hospitals reported clinically valid reasons for more than half of the non-adherent cases. Clinically valid reasons accounted for 75%, 90.9%, 73.4%, 44.5%, and 88.1% of presented non-adherent cases respectively. Conclusion: Our study revealed variations in pattern of care as well as an adherence to standards-of-care across Japan. Further assessment of the causes of variation and non-adherence can help identify areas where improvements are needed in patient care.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.15-21
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare the rehabilitation effects of hydrotherapy and Bobath therapy. Methods : The study was performed with patients of hemiparesis caused by cerebral stroke. The participants were divided into two groups based on random sampling method. One group received hydrotherapy while the other received Bobath therapy. Each rehabilitation program lasted 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. Pertinent indicators-Berg's balance scale (BBS), gait parameter, and static balance analysis-were recorded before andafter the programs, as well as every 2 weeks during the rehabilitation programs Results : There was showed a significantly increase of BBS score. Static open and close showed statistically significant in interaction by time and groups. There was significant differences of gait velocity. Conclusion : These findings in this study that the hydrotherapy was effective therapy in improving balance and gait velocity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1161-1166
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• 2009

Purpose : Kawasaki disease—the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children—incidence is increasing yearly. Therefore, we evaluated the predictive indicators of coronary complications of Kawasaki disease based on clinical and laboratory data. Methods : Between January 2005 and March 2008, of the 201 children with Kawasaki disease treated at the Gil Hospital of Gachon University of Medicine and Science, 51 had coronary artery lesions (Group II) and 150 had no lesions (Group I). The reasons for coronary artery lesions were deduced from the clinical and laboratory data. Results : Analysis of the 2 groups revealed that fever duration and days of fever after and before initial intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG) treatment were significantly longer in Group 2 than in Group I. IVIG infusions were statistically higher in Group II than in Group I. As per the laboratory data, C-reactive protein (CRP) value was significantly higher in Group II. Collectively, >10 days of fever duration, >48 h of fever duration after, and >10 days of fever before IVIG treatment increased the risk of coronary artery lesions 6-, 5-, and 3.5-fold, respectively. Furthermore, additional IVIG courses and higher CRP level increased the risk of coronary artery lesions 4-fold and 2-3-fold, respectively. Conclusion : The following 3 factors were responsible for increased risk of coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki disease: fever duration and days of fever after and before IVIG treatment. To identifythe predictive indicators of coronary complications, it is necessary to further elucidate the relationship between well-known forecasting factors.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.311-316
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• 2020

Biomarkers used in dogs with heartworm disease include N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), which are associated with damage to the myocardium. Pulmonary hypertension is one of the clinical signs of canine heartworm disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the change in the concentration of each biomarker, severity of pulmonary hypertension and the correlation between biomarkers according to the severity of clinical signs. Five healthy dogs and 10 heartworm-infected dogs were recruited for the study. The heartworm-infected group was classified based on the history, clinical signs, and blood assay, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography after confirming the infection according to the results of the commercial ELISA kit (SNAP test, IDEXX Laboratories, Maine, USA). NT-proBNP was higher in the severely infected group than the control group (p < 0.05); cTnI was also higher in the severely infected group than the control group (p < 0.05). The pressure gradient of pulmonary hypertension was higher in the severe group than the mild group (p < 0.05). The severity of pulmonary hypertension was correlated with NT-proBNP (r = 0.818, p < 0.01), cTnI (r = 0.894, p < 0.01). When the correlation of the two serum values for each group was examined, a correlation was not found in the mild group (r = 0.707, p = 0.182), but a correlation was found in the severe group (r = 0.9, p < 0.05). NT-proBNP and cTnI were significantly increased and correlated with severe clinical signs. Pulmonary hypertension was significant higher in the severe group than in the mild group (p < 0.05). Evaluation of blood biomarker concentration and severity of pulmonary hypertension and referring to each correlation between these indicators may be helpful to assess the severity of the heartworm disease.