• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.29-52
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• 2024

The aim of this review is to consolidate findings from clinical investigations spanning the past decade regarding the impact of acupuncture on Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach to PD, with the intention of informing future clinical practices and advancing the foundation for subsequent research endeavors in this area. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials exploring the effects of acupuncture on PD between January 2014 and August 2023. Databases search included PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, OASIS, KISS, KMBASE, RISS, and ScienceON. Quantitative evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was systematically reviewed, and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4.1 software. The systematic review encompassed a total of 38 RCTs involving 2,786 participants. Meta-analysis of 12 studies revealed that individuals treated with a combination of acupuncture and Western medicine exhibited notable improvements compared to those receiving Western medicine alone or sham acupuncture alongside Western medicine. However, the overall quality of the RCTs was deemed low, and no serious adverse events were reported. Across clinical investigations conducted in the past decade, acupuncture appears to hold promise as a complementary treatment for PD patients when administered alongside Western medicine. Nevertheless, this study identifies certain limitations that warrant consideration in future research endeavors. Enhanced emphasis on conducting high-quality RCTs is imperative to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in managing PD.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.140-150
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• 2010

Purpose: This study aims to find the factors that affect the degree of self-care performance in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Method: This study used a descriptive correlational design. The data were collected using a sample of 80 PD patients, from the university affiliated Parkinson Center in Busan. Pearson's correlations and multiple regression analyses were conducted using the SPSS 18.0. Results: The mean score of the self-care performance was 3.61 (${\pm}0.40$). The highest score observed of self-care performance subscale was medication subscale ($4.55{\pm}0.50$) and the lowest score was observed in the exercise subscale ($3.03{\pm}0.64$). The self-care performance had significant correlations with depression (r=-.32, p<.01), self-care knowledge (r=.28, p<.05), function of motion (r=.25, p<.05), ability of daily activity (r=.22, p<.05), self-efficacy (r=.24, p<.05), and support from medical staff (r=.24, p<.05). The significant predictors of self-care performance included depression (${\beta}=-.28$), status of employment (${\beta}=-.27$), self-care knowledge (${\beta}=-.21$), support from medical staff (${\beta}=-.28$), and educational level (${\beta}=-.28$), accounting for 34% of the variance in the self-care performance. Conclusion: Depression, self-care knowledge, medical support are significant predictors which affect the self-care performance with PD patients.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.95-105
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• 2006

The primary goal of therapeutic intervention in dysarthric speakers is to increase the speech intelligibility. Decision of critical features to increase the intelligibility is very important in speech therapy. The purpose of this study is to know the effects of pitch increasing training (PIT) on speech of a subject with Parkinson's disease (PD). The PIT program is focused on increasing pitch while a vowel is sustained with the same loudness. The loudness level is somewhat higher than that of the habitual loudness. A 67-year-old female with PD participated in the study. Speech therapy was conducted for 4 sessions (200 minutes) for one week. Before and after the treatment, acoustic, perceptual and speech naturalness evaluation was peformed for data analysis. Speech and voice satisfaction index (SVSI) was obtained after the treatment. Results showed Improvements in voice quality and speech naturalness. In addition, the patient's satisfaction ratings (SVSI) indicated a positive relationship between improved speech production and their (the patient and care-givers) satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.467-474
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• 2008

Purpose: To examine the effects of Tai Chi exercise (TCE) on depression, quality of life and self-efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Method: A nonequivalent control-group pre and posttest design was used. Of the 30 participants 15 were assigned to the experimental group and 15 to the control group. The experimental group participated in 8 weeks of TCE which included one day of exercise with instructor on site and 3 days of self-exercise at home guided by a videotape. Results: The 8 weeks of TCE were found to be significantly effective in enhancing quality of life and self-efficacy. However there was no significant difference in the level of depression. Conclusion: These results suggest that TCE has positive effect on quality of life and self-efficacy in patients with PD. Research over an extended period with the TCE intervention is recommended to identify further effects.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.341-349
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate autophagy-enhancing and neuroprotective effects of Wonji-Gobon mixture (WGM), a traditional Chinese prescription medication, in Parkinson's disease (PD) mouse models. Our investigation found that WGM increased the expression of both Beclin1 and LC3b-II proteins as measured with western blot in the BV2 cell line; both proteins play a role in autophagy. WGM also increased the autophagy expression as measured by fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis in the BV2 cell line. In 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced PD models, WGM significantly increased the amount of dopamine in a striatum-substantia nigra suspension, produced notable results in the forced swim test, and increased serotonin as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis; these results are indicative of neuroprotective effects. In summary, our findings indicate that WGM treatment has neuroprotective effects that are partially mediated by autophagy enhancement.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.323-335
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• 2022

Together with neuronal loss, the existence of insoluble inclusions of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain is widely accepted as a hallmark of synucleinopathies including Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy body. Because the α-syn aggregates are deeply involved in the pathogenesis, there have been many attempts to demonstrate the mechanism of the aggregation and its potential causative factors including post-translational modifications (PTMs). Although no concrete conclusions have been made based on the previous study results, growing evidence suggests that modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination can alter α-syn characteristics to have certain effects on the aggregation process in PD; either facilitating or inhibiting fibrillization. In the present work, we reviewed studies showing the significant impacts of PTMs on α-syn aggregation. Furthermore, the PTMs modulating α-syn aggregation-induced cell death have been discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2022

Stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, are one of the most effective treatment modalities for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and may cause various movement disorders. This review discusses various movement disorders related to stimulant use in the treatment of ADHD. We reviewed the current knowledge on various movement disorders that may be related to the therapeutic use of stimulants in patients with ADHD. Recent findings suggest that the use of stimulants and the onset/aggravation of tics are more likely to be coincidental. In rare cases, stimulants may cause stereotypies, chorea, and dyskinesia, in addition to tics. Some epidemiological studies have suggested that stimulants used for the treatment of ADHD may cause Parkinson's disease (PD) after adulthood. However, there is still a lack of evidence that the use of stimulants in patients with ADHD may cause PD, and related studies are only in the early stages. As stimulants are one of the most commonly used medications in children and adolescents, close observations and studies are necessary to assess the effects of stimulants on various movement disorders, including tic disorders and Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of the Korean neurological association
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.302-309
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• 2018

Background: Although orthostatic hypotension (OH) and cognitive impairment (CI) are common non- motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), the relationship between OH and CI remains to be clarified. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between OH and CI in PD. Methods: We recruited 192 patients who were diagnosed as PD based on the UK Brain Bank diagnostic criteria. The Hoehn & Yahr stages were ranged I to III and patients underwent extensive clinical evaluation, including brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH), tilt table test, the Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessments and the Korean version of Mini-Mental Status Examination in one month from the first clinic visit. The participants were divided into two groups according to the presence of OH (OH+ vs. OH-) and cognitive function (cognitive normal, CN vs. CI), respectively. Results: Significant relationship between OH and cognitive function (p=0.04) was found in our patients. The patients with OH+ had higher risk of CI by 2.6 times than that of OH- patients. Maximum heart rate change during tilt table test was correlated with cognitive function and white matter changes, whereas blood pressure change during tilt table test showed no correlation with those parameters. Conclusions: There was significant relationship between OH and CI in PD. Therefore, PD patients with either symptom may need periodic evaluation and proper management for OH and cognitive functions.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.891-901
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was done to develop and examine the effects of a self-management program(SMP) on physical, psychological functions, and symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD). Methods: In a two-group pre-and post-test design, a total of 40 patients were assigned to the experimental group(21) or the control group (19). The experimental group received eight weekly 2-hour sessions for 10-15 literate adults of all ages, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in muscle strength, balance, self-efficacy, depression, quality of life(QL), quality of sleep, and discomfort of constipation. It also reduced the number of participants using assistive walking devices. There were no significant changes in fear of falling and duration of sleep. Conclusion: The eight week SMP in patients with PD was found to be significantly effective in enhancing muscle strength, balance, self-efficacy, QL, and quality of sleep. It also decreased depression, discomfort of constipation, and assistive walking devices. These results suggest that a SMP can have effects on physical, psychological functions and symptoms in patients with PD. Further research with a larger sample and for a longer follow up period is needed to expand our understanding of the effects of a SMP for patients with PD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1640-1647
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• 2015

We recently reported that the antimicrobial peptide Lumbricusin (NH₂-RNRRWCIDQQA), isolated from the earthworm, increases cell proliferation in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Here, we investigated whether Lumbricusin has neurotropic activity in mouse neural stem cells (MNSCs) and a protective effect in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In MNSCs isolated from mouse brains, Lumbricusin treatment significantly increased cell proliferation (up to 12%) and reduced the protein expression of p27^Kip1 through proteasomal protein degradation but not transcriptional regulation. Lumbricusin inhibited the 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis of MNSCs, and also showed neuroprotective effects in a mouse PD model, ameliorating the motor impairments seen in the pole, elevated body swing, and rotation tests. These results suggest that the Lumbricusin-induced promotion of neural cell proliferation via p27^Kip1 degradation has a protective effect in an experimental PD model. Thus, the antimicrobial peptide Lumbricusin could possibly be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of PD.