• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.283-295
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• 2009

Objectives : Parkinson's disease is a chronic neuron-degenerative disease. The medication of dopamine, one of the most common treatment for the disease, has effects of improving the symptom, but when taken for a long term, the medicine brings about side-effects such as the phenomenon of medicinal efficacy disappearance and dyskinesia. In addition, it doesn't have any effects in slowing down or stopping the development of Parkinson's disease. Methods : Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the clinical cases to stop or improve the development of Parkinson's disease by carrying out an independent treatment with Oriental medicine and a combined treatment with Western and Oriental medicines respectively for over 6 months. Results and Conclusions : The results of the study is expected to be an important precedent for the treatment of neuron-degenerative diseases of cranial nerve including Parkinson's disease in the future.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.653-660
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Korean medicine on patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.Methods: The charts of 47 patients diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease in the Department of Internal Korean medicine, Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Gangdong between August 2012 and July 2016 were reviewed. The Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS) was administered before and after treatment with Korean medicine.Results: Thee average UPDRS Ⅱ+Ⅲ, UPDRS Ⅱ, and UPDRS Ⅲ of the 47 patients decreased significantly from 22.26±15.15, 10.19±7.53, and 12.06±8.35, respectively, pretreatment to 16.96±13.63, 7.47±6.44, and 9.49±7.73, respectively, post-treatment. The average postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD), tremor, and bradykinesia also significantly improved post-treatment.Conclusions: These results provide evidence that Korean medicine can improve the activities of daily living and motor function of patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. In particular, Korean medicine may be effective for the treatment of PIGD, tremor, and bradykinesia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.74-74
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate whether there are significant changes in regional brain metabolism in patients with Parkinson's disease after thalamotomy using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (lH MRS). Methods: Fifteen patients with Parkinson's disease of mean age 56.5 years (7 males and 8 females; mean age, 56.5 years) that have treated with levodopa were included. All patients with tremor experienced amelioration of their symptoms on the side contralateral to the thalamotomy. As a single-voxel technique, 1H MR spectra were obtained from the volume of interested regions in thalamus and primary motor cortex. Spectral parameters were: 20 ms TE, 2000 ms TR, 128 averages, 2500 Hz spectral width, and 2048 data points. Results: We found that NAA/Cho ratios showed generally low levels in thalamus in Parkinson's disease patients with clinical improvement following thalamotomy. Conclusions: 1H MRS may be a useful utility for the aid in better understanding the pathophy-siologic process in Parkinson's disease patients on the basis of the variation of NAA/Cho ratio. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by a grant of the Center for Functional and Metabolic Imaging Technology, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (02-PJ3-PG6-EV07-0002).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.48-55
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine correlations among UPDRS, respiratory function, and senior fitness and to investigate the effects of restrictive respiratory function on these factors in Parkinson's disease patients. Methods: Subjects (n=25, Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage: 2-3, $69.3{\pm}5.9$ yrs) from D Hospital Parkinson's Disease Center at Busan metropolitan area in the Republic of Korea volunteered for this study. They performed the pulmonary function test, UPDRS, and the senior fitness test. SPSS 18.0 was used for analysis of data, and the collected data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (n=25). In addition, Independent t-test was used for determination of differences between two groups (between the normal pulmonary function group (n=10) and the restrictive pulmonary function group (n=10)). Results: Forced vital capacity (FVC (L)) showed significant negative correlation (r=-0.44, p<0.05) with H&Y stage in Parkinson's disease patients, and chair stand showed significant negative correlations (r=0.41, 0.43, 0.42, p<0.05) with FVC (L), FVC (%), and FEV1 (L). FVC (%) showed significant positive correlations (r=0.44, r=0.44, p<0.05) with right and left back scratch. In addition, the restrictive respiratory function group showed significantly lower FVC (%) (p<0.01) and was significantly slower (p<0.05) in the 8-foot up-and-go test than the normal respiratory function group. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggest that restrictive respiratory function in PD was related to H&Y stage. In addition, agility of PD patients was lower in the restrictive respiratory function group than in the normal function group.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.13 no.sup
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• pp.9-14
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate patients' demand for music and art therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and to understand how patients view the use of music and art therapy as a complementary form of treatment that can improve their quality of life and increase their self-efficacy in addition to medication. Methods: To this end, 60 Parkinson's patients visiting Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital at Daejeon University were surveyed about music and art therapy. Results: The survey demonstrated a highly positive response to the music program, with strong belief in its efficacy for Parkinson's disease and significant interest in participation. Group music therapy was perceived as effective for enhancing mental health, respiratory function, language disorders, and overall quality of life. Although the art program was also deemed effective, patients showed slightly lower interest and willingness to participate compared to music therapy. The patients preferred 60-minute sessions once a week for about 8 weeks. Conclusions: We propose the following directions for a Parkinson's music and art therapy program. First, develop a once-a-week, 8-week music and art program for Parkinson's patients. Second, design the music program to focus on improving respiratory function and quality of life. Third, the art program focuses on creating a sense of security and comfort through emotional exchange among patients and improving self-efficacy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of a training program using virtual reality on the balance and lower muscular strength of Parkinson's disease patients. Methods: The study included 22 patients with Parkinson's disease who were arbitrarily classified into 2 groups: 11 patients in the experimental group and 11 patients in the control group. Balance was measured with the Berg balance scale (BBS), the functional reach test (FRT), one-leg stance test (OLST), and the timed up and go test (TUG); whereas, lower muscular strength was measured with the sit-to-stand test (STS). Ping-Pong, bowling, and tennis were selected for virtual reality training for the experimental group, and were performed for 30 minutes 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The control group did not undergo any of the virtual reality training programs. Results: A significant difference was observed in the BBS, FRT, OLST, TUG, and STS results within the experimental group that underwent the virtual reality training program. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in the BBS, FRT, OLST, TUG, and STS values within the control groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the virtual reality training program positively affects the balance and lower muscular strength in Parkinson's disease patients. This result indicates the possibility of application of the virtual reality training program to the management for Parkinson's disease patients, and highlights the need for the development and application of more efficient virtual reality training programs in the future.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2009

Background: To investigate the differences of locomotor dynamics between Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with tremor dominant symptom and patients with postural instability dominant symptom. Methods: 66 subjects with PD were classified into two subgroups, tremor-dominant group and postural instability and gait disorder group by Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS). The spatial, temporal and electrodynamic gait parameters were recorded automatically using computerized 3-D motion analysis system with electrogoniometer. Results: There was no significant difference in cadence, pelvic tilt range, hip flexion range, knee flexion range and ankle dorsiflexion range. Postural instability and gait disorder group showed decreased gait velocity, short stride length, decreased range of motion in pelvic obliquity, pelvic rotation and ankle plantar flexion. Conclusions: There was meaningful difference in locomotor dynamics between Parkinson's disease(PD) patients with tremor dominant symptom and patients with postural instability dominant symptom.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.254-263
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• 2015

Objectives: The present study assessed the prevalence of the potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in Korean elderly patients with Parkinson's disease. In addition, this study examined risk factors that affect PIM use. Method: A retrospective, observational study was conducted using Korean National Health Insurance claims database of 2009. PIM use in Parkinson's disease patients aged 65 years or older was examined based on 2012 Beers Criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors for PIM use. Results: Among 5,277 elderly patients with Parkinson's disease, 88.9% of patients used PIM(s) at least once. The average number of PIM items used per patient was 4.2. PIM use ratio, the proportion of total amount of PIMs to all medications per patient, was 12.6%. Frequently used PIM therapeutic classes were benzodiazepines (32.7%), first-generation antihistamines (19.2%), and prokinetics (17.5%). Individual PIMs most commonly used included chlorpheniramine (11.4%), levosulpiride (10.9%), diazepam (9.0%), and alprazolam (7.6%). Women (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.16), medical aid (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.15-1.21), and long-term facilities (OR 2.43, 95% CI 2.22-2.65) were shown to be risk factors associated with PIM use. Of particular, wide variation in PIM use was associated with the types of healthcare facility. Conclusion: The PIM prevalence was very high in elderly Parkinson's disease patients. Nationally effective and systematic efforts to identify and prevent PIM use should be made to ensure patient safety and to improve quality of care in the elderly.

• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2022

Through the development and dissemination of embedded devices, studies that may help patients are rapidly emerging. Recently, as wearable devices have become one of the ways to diagnose diseases in daily life, they are being studied as a way to assist severely ill patients to lead their daily lives. Among them, a method of detecting and giving signals to detect and solve symptoms using acceleration sensors to diagnose Parkinson's disease is being studied, and there is no study to measure and analyze various factors that can affect Parkinson's disease. To solve them, we designed and developed a wearable device, P-Band, with various sensors capable of diagnosing related symptoms, including acceleration sensors capable of diagnosing Parkinson's disease. In this paper, the overall structure of the P-Band and the description and operation method of the measurable sensors are presented. In addition, it was confirmed that the symptoms of Parkinson's patients could be determined complexly through the results measured in actual patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.441-451
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of the study was to investigate and compare the differences between Parkinson's disease rating, balance, fall and gait scales. Results : Parkinson's disease rating scales include the Hoehn-Yahr Scale and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The Hoehn-Yahr Scale can measure disease rates easily; however it is not sensitive enough to evaluate the disease's process and management. UPDRS's advantage is in it's higher inter-reliability score; however it is more complicated to use. Parkinson's balance scales are comprised of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). BBS has the advantage in that it is cheaper to measure and simple in use. ABC's advantage is especially in it's ability to measure higher functional levels; however it is more difficult measure responses due to scores appearing in both extremes. The Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) and The Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE) are Parkinson's fall scales. FES's leverage over SAFE is that it is simpler to measure; however it does not coincide with responses which proves disadvantageous in measuring balance loss in high-level Parkinson's patients. SAFE's advantage is in it's simpler use and ability to be utilized without encountering the fear of fall; however it's at a disadvantage in regards to its use with multilateral aspects providing insufficient inspection. Lastly, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) are Parkinson's gait scales. DGI is advantageous in its ability to test gait ability when exposed to a variety of external environments; however it is disadvantageous in that it registers higher scores with activities. FGA's advantage is in it's dynamic balance test; however it at a disadvantage with those unable to walk. Conclusion : A researcher of Parkinson's patients must choose each scale while considering their positive and negative characteristics.