• Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.354-361
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of injection laryngoplasty (IL) with hyaluronic acid in patients with vocal fold paralysis (VFP). Methods: A total of 50 patients with VFP participated in this study. Pre- and post-IL assessments were performed, which included analyzing the sustained vowel /a/ phonation, and the patient reading 1 Korean sentence from the "Walk" passage that comprised 25 syllables in 10 words. To investigate the effect of IL on vocal fold function, acoustic analysis (acoustic voice quality index, cepstral peak prominence, maximum phonation time, speaking fundamental frequency) was conducted and auditory-perceptual (grade and overall severity), visual judgment (gap), and self-questionnaire (voice handicap index-10) assessments were performed. Results: The patients with VFP showed statistically significant differences between pre-and post-IL assessments for acoustic and auditory-perception, visual judgment, and self-questionnaire assessments. Conclusion: The patients with VFP showed positive change in vocal fold function between pre- and post-IL measurements. The findings showed that IL with hyaluronic acid is an effective method to improve vocal fold function in patients with VFP.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disease. On the other hand, there is no treatment that can improve the thyroid function. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can improve the cellular activity. The effect of hypothyroidism is not obvious. This study examined the effects of LLLT on the thyroid gland function of a propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism mouse model. Materials and Methods Twenty-five male ICR mice were distributed into five groups of five animals each: Negative control (none PTU animal) and positive control (PTU animal) of unirradiated animals, and three experimental groups with LLLT (3J, 6J, and 12J). Each mouse was exposed to a distinct dose of a 632-nm laser once a week for three rounds. The positive control group and three LLLT groups were induced into a hypothyroidism state by PTU administration. The animals' thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine levels were measured using an ELISA kit, and their thyroid tissue was harvested and analyzed after sacrifice at the end of the experiment. The hormone level and morphological changes in the tissue of the five groups were compared. Results The thyroid hormone levels in the control group and LLLT groups were similar. On the other hand, the thyroid tissue of the LLLT groups showed some morphological changes that were similar to those of iodine deficiency thyroid. Conclusion LLLT did not affect the thyroid gland function in PTU-induced hypothyroidism mice.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.168-178
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• 2004

The purposes of this paper were to investigate the effect of active treatment compared with a conservative treatment and to provide the information for physical therapy in patients suffering from chronic neck pain. Forty female subjects who were diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy participated in this study and were divided into the conservative and active treatment groups. The active treatment group consisted of 20 patients who were treated with therapeutic modalities and active neck exercise program during the admission (15 days) and one month after discharge. The conservative treatment group consisted of 20 patients who were not received with active neck exercise program. The assessment tools were made using visual analogue scale(VAS), neck disability index(NDI) and modified Zung depression scale(MZDS). All subjects were measured three times: before the admission, at discharge, and at one month after discharge. Data were compared by groups using independent t-test. VAS, NDI and MZDS scores measured at admission and discharge were not significantly different between the groups. On the assessment performed one month after discharge, VAS and NDI scores were significantly lower for the active treatment group compared with those of the conservative treatment group(p<0.05), but MZDS score was not significantly different between the groups. In the comparison of two treatment methods for chronic neck pain, active treatment was more effective than conservative treatment. The findings of the study indicate that active treatment in chronic neck pain has a positive effect in relieving pain and restoring neck function.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the directions of neck rotation on the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and lower trapezius while rotating a shoulder externally. Methods: Twenty-five healthy males participated in this study. The subjects were asked to rotate their shoulder externally with 90° shoulder abduction and 90° elbow flexion in three different neck rotations (neutral, ipsilateral, and contralateral) in the prone position. The muscle activities of the upper and lower trapezius were measured using surface electromyography. One way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the muscle activity of the upper and lower trapezius depending on the different neck turning directions. Results: In the upper trapezius, turning the neck in the ipsilateral direction while turning a shoulder externally decreased the muscle activity significantly, but the muscle activity was increased significantly by turning the neck in the contralateral direction. On the other hand, in the lower trapezius, turning the neck in the ipsilateral direction increased the muscle activity significantly, but the muscle activity was decreased significantly by turning the neck in the contralateral direction decreased it significantly. Conclusion: When someone has an imbalance of shoulder function, turning the neck in the ipsilateral direction while turning the shoulder externally in the prone position is effective in decreasing the activity of the upper trapezius and increasing the activity of the lower trapezius. Therefore, these results could be used as basic evidence for researching patients with shoulder problems.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.143-153
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• 2024

Purpose : Forward head posture (FHP), characterized by the anterior positioning of the head relative to the spine, is a common postural deviation that can lead to neck pain, reduced mobility, and muscle imbalances. Recently, high-frequency deep heat therapy (HFDT) has been gaining attention for the intervention of FHP. This research aims to investigate the efficacy of HFDT in comparison to instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM) for treating FHP among 30 young adults. Methods : Participants were randomly assigned to either the HFDT or IASTM group. The study focused on examining changes in neck joint mobility, pain thresholds, rounded shoulder distance, lower trapezius muscle strength, and neck dysfunction. Measurements were taken before and after the interventions. Paired t-tests were used for within-group analyses, and independent t-tests were employed for between-group comparisons. The statistical significance level α was set to .05. Results : Statistically significant improvements were observed across all measured parameters in both groups (p<.05). The HFDT group showed significantly greater enhancements in neck joint mobility, pain thresholds, rounded shoulder distance, lower trapezius muscle strength, and neck dysfunction parameters. Specifically, HFDT was more effective than IASTM in improving neck joint mobility, right upper trapezius pain threshold, left rounded shoulder distance, and right lower trapezius strength. The only exceptions were neck flexion range of motion, left upper trapezius pain threshold, right rounded shoulder distance, and left lower trapezius strength, where no significant differences were found between the groups. Conclusion : The findings suggest that HFDT, by combining the benefits of high-frequency therapy and manual therapy, effectively alleviates upper trapezius muscle pain and tension, enhances neck mobility, and strengthens lower trapezius muscles. Thus, HFDT could be considered a valuable intervention for clinicians aiming to address FHP and associated musculoskeletal problems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.5-8
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• 2018

Patients who have the head and neck cancer are usually treated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or combinations of them. These treatments can induce variable degree of aspiration with dysphagia. The type and severity of aspiration depends on the size and location of the original tumor, the structures involved, and the treatment modality used for treatment. The management of aspiration after the head and neck cancer's treatment begins with an accurate evaluation for the cause and mechanism of aspiration through modified barium swallow (MBS) and fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing (FEES). Then, the clinician can use postures, maneuvers, and exercises to treat the swallow disorder and to help the patient achieve optimal function. To achieve optimal swallowing without aspiration, multidimensional rehabilitation by various medical personnel is definitely necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2018

Postoperative airway aspiration is not uncommon in patients with head and neck cancer. Airway aspiration has serious consequences, such as swallowing disorders, nutrition-related health problem, or reducing the quality of life due to maintenance of tracheal or nasogastric tubes. The postoperative oropharyngeal defect due to the surgery may interfere with normal swallowing reflex, or the laryngeal dysfunction caused by radiation therapy may cause severe airway aspiration, which may lead to complications such as dyspnea and pneumonia. Complete removal of the disease is also important in the treatment of head and neck cancer, but it is necessary to select a method to avoid and predict the occurrence of airway aspiration according to the treatment method. The most important factor to prevent airway aspiration after surgery is to preserve the proper volume of the oropharynx and to preserve at least one of the cricoarytenoid joint function. It is also the most effective way to reduce additional complications by seeking appropriate surgical treatment according to airway aspiration status. The purpose of this study is to review the operative methods that can induce airway aspiration and consider the prevention and treatment strategy through review of the literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.52-55
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• 2011

Hyperfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) can cause severe dysphagia. This condition referred as cricopharyngeal dysphagia may occur after head and neck surgery due to altered muscle spasm and stenosis of the pharyngo-esophageal segment. Among various treatment options available, Botulinum toxin A (Botox) injection offers a nonsurgical treatment which is useful especially for debilitated patients, and there has been a recent increase in the clinical use of Botox by otolaryngologists for managing such conditions. A 55-year-old male with base of tongue (BOT) cancer suffered from severe dysphagia after total glossectomy and neck dissection treatment. Videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) showed inability to pass food through the UES due to cricopharyngeal spasm. After injection of 10 U of Bot ox into each cricopharyngeus muscles (total 20 U) via EMG-guided percutaneous injection, swallowing function had improved and oral nutrition was possible, with food passing through the UES visualized on VFSS and FEES.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.225-230
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• 2001

Morphological characteristics of the asymmetric mandible in 135 adult male patients were investigated. Panoramic X-ray images were recorded. Age, ramus height, antegonial notch height, condylar height, coronoid process height, ramus body height and condylar neck angle were calculated and measured. Statistical analysis of unpaired two-tailed t-test and correlation coefficients was performed to find the morphologic differences between short ramus height side and the other. Condylar height and ramus body height in short ramus height side were smaller than those of the other side. Antegonial notch height, coronoid process height, condylar neck angle showed no differences. Condylar neck height was correlated with condylar neck angle.

• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2015

As smart phone became popular, its excessive uses cause adverse effects called smart-phone syndrome such as Turtle-neck syndrome in physical side and smart-phone addiction in mental aspects. Turtle-neck syndrome incurred by incorrect posture when you watch smart-phone, which causes a serious health problems. However, these syndromes can be detected by gyro-sensor and timer, and prevented by correcting the posture and halting the function with smart-phone application (App). Thus, this paper proposes App that helps user to realize bad posture and addiction to smart-phone, and to acquire the correct habit by inducing user to stretch neck or to stop operation with warning message. If we tried to adjust bad posture and addiction in using smart-phone through this application, the social losses from smart-phone syndrome would be minimized as a result.