• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.53-65
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of Oriental medical treatment on ALS. Methods : We investigated 12 ALS patients which were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M. hospital from Oct. 14, 2008 to Nov. 14, 2008. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture, herb medication, Bee venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, Needle-embedding therapy, etc. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale. Results : After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients was improved from $28.42{\pm}7.83$ to $29.08{\pm}7.99$, and mean MRC Scale of patients was improved from $24.79{\pm}8.37$ to $25.34{\pm}8.45$. But in both cases, the variation was not statistically significant. After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score and mean MRC Scale of patients was more improved in subjects with bulbar-onset, onset age: 51-60yrs., disease duration: 24-48mo. And the results showed partially significant difference. Conclusions : We think that the results of this case be a pilot study that proves the effect of Oriental Medical treatment on ALS.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects of Oriental medical treatment on ALS. Methods : We investigated 12 ALS patients which were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M.hospital for 3 months and follow-up at 8 months after discharge. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture, herb medication, Bee venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, Needle-embedding therapy, etc and after discharge self-therapy at home. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale. Results : After 1 month, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients was $29.08{\pm}7.99$, 2 months $28.70{\pm}7.17$, 3 months $28.16{\pm}8.23$, 1 year $21.33{\pm}9.93$ and mean MRC Scale of patients was $25.34{\pm}8.45$, 2 months $25.34{\pm}8.45$, 3months $21.56{\pm}9.20$. But in both cases, the variation was not statistically significant. Conclusions : We think that the results of this case be a pilot study that proves the effect of Oriental Medical treatment on ALS.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.631-637
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• 2006

Background: Patients with COPD generally complain of very different degrees of dyspnea regardless of their pulmonary function. The study, we assessed the right ventricular ejection fraction in relation to dyspnea in COPD patient. Methods: The pulmonary function including the diffusion capacity was measured. The right ventricle ejection fraction (RVEF) was measured using a first-pass radionuclide scan by multigated acquisition (MUGA). Forty patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were stratified for dyspnea according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. Moderate dyspnea and severe dyspnea is defined as MRC 2/3 (n = 16) and MRC 4/5 (n = 24) respectively. Results: The baseline pulmonary function tests including DLCO and the resting arterial blood gas were similar in the moderate and severe dyspnea group, with the exception of the residual volume (% predicted) (moderate $160{\pm}27$, severe $210{\pm}87$, p < 0.03). The right ventricle ejection fraction was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in the severe dyspnea group ($25{\pm}8$) than in the moderate group ($35{\pm}6$). The independent factor assessed by multiple logistic regression revealed only the severity of dyspnea to be significantly associated with RVEF (p < 0.02). Conclusion: This study showed that the right ventricle ejection fraction would contributes to severity of dyspnea in patients with a similar pulmonary function.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an additional weight aquatic exercise program on the balance and lower extremity strength on aquatic environment in persons with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where thirteen subjects were in the additional weight aquatic exercise group, twelve subjects in the aquatic exercise group, and fifteen subjects in the control group. Subjects received a graded aquatic exercise program for 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy. All subjects were assessed with the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: The MRC, BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas post-treatment (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that the additional weight aquatic exercise group had significantly improved in MRC, BBS, and TUG scores compared with the aquatic exercise and control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that the additional weight aquatic exercise program improves lower extremity and balance in persons with stroke.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2015

Objective : The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is a biomechanically and anatomically complex region that has traditionally posed problems for surgical access. In this retrospective study, we describe our clinical experiences of the treatment of metastatic spinal tumors at the CTJ and the results. Methods : From June 2006 to December 2011, 23 patients who underwent surgery for spinal tumors involving the CTJ were enrolled in our study. All of the patients were operated on through the posterior approach, and extent of resection was classified as radical, debulking, and simple neural decompression. Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) was also considered. Visual analog scale score for pain assessment and Medical Research Council (MRC) grade for motor weakness were used, while pre- and post-operative performance status was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Results : Almost all of the patients were operated using palliative surgical methods (91.3%, 21/23). Ten complications following surgery occurred and revision was performed in four patients. Of the 23 patients of this study, 22 showed significant pain relief according to their visual analogue scale scores. Concerning the aspect of neurological and functional recovery, mean MRC grade and ECOG score was significantly improved after surgery (p<0.05). In terms of survival, radiation therapy had a significant role. Median overall survival was 124 days after surgery, and the adjuvant-RT group (median 214 days) had longer survival times than prior-RT (63 days) group. Conclusion : Although surgical procedure in CTJ may be difficult, we expect good clinical results by adopting a palliative posterior surgical method with appropriate preoperative preparation and postoperative treatment.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2020

Background: The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) for Dyspnea was developed to assess multidimensional dyspnea using two subscales (experience of dyspnea and functional limitation) and a total score. Objects: This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the FACIT-dyspnea 10-item short form questionnaire (FACIT-dyspnea-K). Methods: Subjects were 163 patients with cancer. Dyspnea-related scales (modified Medical Research Council scale [mMRC], European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 [EORTC QLQ-C30], Hospital Anxiety and Depression [HAD], and WHO Performance Scale) were used to validate the FACIT-dyspnea-K. Results: Internal consistency was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha values of 0.90 and 0.95 in factors 1 and 2, respectively. Convergence validity was determined by comparing the two factors and total score of the FACIT-dyspnea-K with conceptually related assessment tools measuring the physical and emotional effects of dyspnea, with which correlations ranged from 0.364 to 0.567. Criterion validity was established by significant differences in the FACIT-dyspnea-K score between groups when the patients were classified by performance status as assessed by the WHO performance scale. Furthermore, the FACIT-dyspnea-K showed notable correlations with other dyspnea scales (mMRC, EORTC QLQ-C30, and HAD) for cancer patients (r = 0.28 to 0.54). The test-retest reliability of the two factors and total score of the FACIT-dyspnea-K appeared to be excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96 to 0.97). Conclusion: This study supports FACIT-dyspnea-K as a valid and reliable instrument to assess the dyspnea experience of cancer patients in clinical settings.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Cervus elaphus herbal-acupuncture on patient with polyneuritis, who shows sensory disorder on both hands, severe pain on left foot and ambulation difficulty due to weakness on left leg. Methods : We treated the patient by Cervus elaphus Herbal-acupuncture. Other treatments were acupunture, herbal medication, several rehabilitative therapies without western medication. We used evaluation scale including VAS(Visual Analogue Scale), MRC(Medicak Research Council) and Thermological Difference of between hand and foot. Results and Conclusions : In the results, the symptoms were improved gradually, and VAS and MRC were also numerically improved. Thermological Difference of between feet was decreased from$4.40^{\circ}C\;to\;0.26^{\circ}C$. In this case, a patient was treated by oriental medical treatments without western medication, and relatively the relatively the result was more effective.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.1148-1159
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of combined Korean medical treatment and antibiotics on a patient diagnosed with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. Methods: The patient had been treated with antibiotics since July 2020 concurrently with Maekmoondong-tang, Banhasasim-tang, Gwakhyangjunggi-san and Bojungikgi-tang. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using scores for the numerical rating scale (NRS), the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and computed tomography (CT). Results: Following treatment, the NRS, MRC dyspnea scale and CT images significantly improved. Also, CRP levels remained in the normal range during treatment. Conclusions: Traditional Korean medical treatment combined with antibiotics could be effective for treating patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.134-140
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise therapy and bedside ergometer exercise on muscle strength, function level, and quality of life of persons in intensive care. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial Methods: Sixteen patients in the ICU were randomly assigned to either the exercise group (n=8) or the bedside cycle ergometer group (n=8). Activities in the ICU exercise group (rolling, sitting at the edge of the bed, transfer from sitting to standing, standing balance training, ambulation) and bedside cycle ergometer group were performed 5 times a week for 30 minutes during the ICU admission period. Medical Research Council (MRC) and Functional Status Scale-Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) parameters were assessed at the time of admission to the ICU, and reevaluation was assessed on the day of ICU discharge. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) was assessed at the time of discharge from the ICU. Results: MRC and FSS-ICU were significantly increased before and after intervention in both the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between MRC and FSS-ICU in the comparison of the changes before and after the intervention (p<0.05). SF-36 was compared between groups after intervention and there was a significant difference between the experimental and the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Muscle strength and functional levels improved after intervention in both the experimental and control groups. The ICU exercise group was more effective than the bedside cycle ergometer group to improve muscle strength, functional level, and quality of life performance of persons in the ICU.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report a case of Brown-Sequard syndrome caused by traumatic cervical fracture, presenting pain in the right upper extremity and back of the left hand, motor weakness in the right side and diminished pain and temperature in the left side. Methods : A patient received Korean medical treatment(acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, Silver Spike point electrotherapy(SSP)) and rehabilitation treatment. We evaluated pain with the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), motor grade with a Medical Research Council(MRC) scale, sensory function and Modified Barthel Index(MBI). Results : After treatment, the patient showed considerable improvement in NRS, motor & sensory function, and MBI. Conclusions : Korean medical and rehabilitation treatments could be effective for Brown-Sequard syndrome patients. More extensive studies should be carried out.