• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.445-452
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• 2015

경두개직류전류자극(tDCS)은 낮은 직류 전류 강도를 사용하여 대뇌피질의 자발적인 신경학적 활동의 흥분성을 증가 또는 감소시키는 신경조절 기법이다. 본 연구의 목적은 tDCS를 적용한 후 다양한 감각 기능의 변화를 측정하는데 있다. tDCS의 효과를 측정하기 위해 CPT 검사를 50명의 건강한 대상자에게 단일 기간(8월4일에서 8월29일), 단일 공간, 단일 맹검법으로 무작위 배정하였다. 신경전도검사는 우세 손의 말초신경 병변을 구별하기 위해 정중 감각과 운동신경을 측정하였다. 대상자들은 각 25명 씩 대뇌피질의 DLPFC의 tDCS 자극군과 대뇌피질의 DLPFC의 tDCS 위자극군으로 2개의 다른 조건 아래서 1 mA의 전류강도로 15분씩 양극 tDCS로 적용하였다. 촉각, 빠른 통증과 느린 통증을 각각 평가하기 위해 우세한 제 2수지에 2000, 250, 그리고 5 Hz의 주파수로 CPT 검사인 Neurometer$^{(R)}$를 이용하여 수치들을 기록하였다. DLPFC의 양극 tDCS 자극군의 CPT 수치들에서는 250과 5 Hz에서 통계적으로 유의한 증가를 보였다. 양극 tDCS 위자극군의 모든 CPT 수치들은 감소하였다. 이러한 결과는 DLPFC의 양극 tDCS가 건강한 대상자들의 감각 지각과 통증 역치들을 조절할 수 있다는 것을 보여준다. 따라서 본 연구는 재활과 통증 치료 분야에서 유용한 치료 방법 중 하나로 제시할 수 있을 것으로 생각한다.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.21-26
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• 2010

Background: Although quantitative sensory test (QST) is being used with increasing frequency for measuring sensory thresholds in clinical practice and epidemiologic studies, there has been no age-matched normative data in Korean adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of QST in diabetic polyneuropathy with normal range in Korean adults. Methods: The Computer Aided Sensory Examination IV 4,2 (WR Medical Electronics Co., Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.A.), with 4,2,1 stepping algorithm was used to determine vibration and cold perception threshold in 70 normal controls and 19 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy aged from 21 to 79 years. The data were used to define age-matched upper and lower normal limits and normal range of side to side difference. We also evaluated the duration of diabetes, serum HbA1C level, and findings of nerve conduction study (NCS) and QST in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Results: In normal adults, sensory thresholds slightly increased with age, and a slight side-to-side difference was observed. The diagnostic sensitivity of QST was not higher than NCS in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (36.8% vs. 42.1%, p=0.716), especially among elderly patients. Conclusions: QST might be used as a complementary test for NCS in the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Although the QST is a simple method for the evaluation of peripheral nerve function, there are some limitations. Most of all, because the QST measuring is dependent on the subjective response of patients, the degree of concentration and cooperation of the patients can significantly affect the result. And thus, attention should be paid during the interpretation of QST results in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.185-192
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate factors affecting sensitivity and preference for salty tastes of Korean adult females. Sensitivity and preference for salty tastes were determined as detection threshold concentration of NaCl solution and the optimally-preferred NaCl concentration of the bean sprout soup, respectively. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the information regarding general characteristics, self diagnosis of stress, health-related lifestyle practices, dietary habits and food preferences. Dietary intake using 24-hours recall and blood pressure were measured. Salty taste detection thresholds and optimally-preferred NaCl concentrations were 0.0197% and 0.357%, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the optimally-preferred salt concentration and age, despite no significant correlation between either sensitivity or preference for salty taste and sodium intake, which was 3,605mg/day. Those who had bread or cereal with milk as breakfast instead of a traditional Korean meal and those who preferred jjigae to soup had significantly higher NaCl preferences for bean sprout soup. Going to bed after midnight and skipping meals (${\geq}3/week$) decreased salty taste sensitivity without reaching statistical significance. Self awareness of one's own health, recent weight changes, family history of hypertension, sleep quality, getting-up time, rate of eating and other food preferences did not affect either perception. Stress level, TV watching, BMI and sodium intake did not have significant correlation to sensitivity or preference. Further research including a large number of well-controlled subjects and more accurate measurement of sodium intake should be directed to find other factors affecting salt preference and sensitivity in order to decrease Na intake and related diseases.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: In masking level difference (MLD), the masked detection threshold for a signal is determined as a function of the relative interaural differences between the signal and the masker. Study 1 analyzed the results of school-aged children with good school performance in the MLD test, and study 2 compared their results with those of a group of children with poor academic performance. Subjects and Methods: Study 1 was conducted with 47 school-aged children with good academic performance (GI) and study 2 was carried out with 32 school-aged children with poor academic performance (GII). The inclusion criteria adopted for both studies were hearing thresholds within normal limits in basic audiological evaluation. Study 1 also considered normal performance in the central auditory processing test battery and absence of auditory complaints and/or of attention, language or speech issues. The MLD test was administered with a pure pulsatile tone of 500 Hz, in a binaural mode and intensity of 50 dBSL, using a CD player and audiometer. Results: In study 1, no significant correlation was observed, considering the influence of the variables age and sex in relation to the results obtained in homophase (SoNo), antiphase (SπNo) and MLD threshold conditions. The final mean MLD threshold was 13.66 dB. In study 2, the variables did not influence the test performance either. There was a significant difference between test results in SπNo conditions of the two groups, while no differences were found both in SoNo conditions and the final result of MLD. Conclusions: In study 1, the cut-off criterion of school-aged children in the MLD test was 9.3 dB. The variables (sex and age) did not interfere with the MLD results. In study 2, school performance did not differ in the MLD results. GII group showed inferior results than GI group, only in SπNo condition.

• 대한청각학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: In masking level difference (MLD), the masked detection threshold for a signal is determined as a function of the relative interaural differences between the signal and the masker. Study 1 analyzed the results of school-aged children with good school performance in the MLD test, and study 2 compared their results with those of a group of children with poor academic performance. Subjects and Methods: Study 1 was conducted with 47 school-aged children with good academic performance (GI) and study 2 was carried out with 32 school-aged children with poor academic performance (GII). The inclusion criteria adopted for both studies were hearing thresholds within normal limits in basic audiological evaluation. Study 1 also considered normal performance in the central auditory processing test battery and absence of auditory complaints and/or of attention, language or speech issues. The MLD test was administered with a pure pulsatile tone of 500 Hz, in a binaural mode and intensity of 50 dBSL, using a CD player and audiometer. Results: In study 1, no significant correlation was observed, considering the influence of the variables age and sex in relation to the results obtained in homophase (SoNo), antiphase (SπNo) and MLD threshold conditions. The final mean MLD threshold was 13.66 dB. In study 2, the variables did not influence the test performance either. There was a significant difference between test results in SπNo conditions of the two groups, while no differences were found both in SoNo conditions and the final result of MLD. Conclusions: In study 1, the cut-off criterion of school-aged children in the MLD test was 9.3 dB. The variables (sex and age) did not interfere with the MLD results. In study 2, school performance did not differ in the MLD results. GII group showed inferior results than GI group, only in SπNo condition.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.240-249
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• 2022

Background: Widespread pain partially depends upon sensitization of central pain mechanisms. However, mechanisms controlling pain distribution are not completely known. The present study sought to assess skin temperature variations in the area of experimentally-induced pain and potential sex differences. Methods: Pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured on the right infraspinatus muscle. At the end of Day 0, all participants performed an eccentric exercise of the shoulder external rotators to induce muscle soreness 24 hours after. On Day 1, participants indicated on a body chart the area of pain induced by 60 seconds of suprathreshold pressure stimulation (STPS; PPT + 20%) on the right infraspinatus muscle. Skin temperature variations in the area of referred pain were recorded with an infrared thermography camera, immediately before and after the STPS. Results: Twenty healthy, pain-free individuals (10 females) participated. On Day 0, the pre-STPS temperature was higher than the post-STPS temperature on the arm (P = 0.001) and forearm (P = 0.003). On Day 1, the pre-STPS temperature was higher than the post-STPS temperature on the shoulder (P = 0.015), arm (P = 0.001), and forearm (P = 0.010). On Day 0, the temperature decrease after STPS in females was greater than in males on the forearm (P = 0.039). On Day 1, a greater temperature decrease was found amongst females compared with males at the shoulder (P = 0.018), arm (P = 0.046), and forearm (P = 0.005). Conclusions: These findings indicate that sympathetic vasomotor responses contribute to expand pressure-induced referred pain, especially among females.

• 국제초고층학회논문집
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.347-362
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• 2022

Current vibration serviceability assessment criteria for wind-induced vibrations in tall buildings are based largely on human 'perception' thresholds which are shown not to be directly translatable to human 'acceptability' of vibrations. There is also a considerable debate about both the metrics and criteria for vibration acceptability, such as frequency of occurrence or peak vs mean vibration, and how these might vary with the nature of the vibration. Furthermore, the design criteria are necessarily simplified for ease of application so cannot account for a range of environmental, situational and human factors that may enhance or diminish the impact of vibrations on serviceability. The dual-site VSimulators facility was created specifically to provide an experimental platform to address gaps in understanding of human response to building vibration. This paper considers how VSimulators can be used to inform general design guidance and support design of specific buildings for habitability, in terms of vibration, which allow engineers and clients to make informed decisions with regard to sustainable design, in terms of energy and financial cost. This paper first provides a brief overview of current vibration serviceability assessment guidelines, and the current understanding and limitations of occupants' acceptability of wind-induced motion in tall buildings. It then describes how the dual-site VSimulators facility at the Universities of Bath and Exeter can be used to assess the effects of motion and environment on human comfort, wellbeing and productivity with examples of how the facility capabilities have been used to provide new, human experience based experimental research approaches.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.173-183
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• 2023

Background: Understanding the stability of quantitative sensory tests (QSTs) over time is important to aid clinicians in selecting a battery of tests for assessing and monitoring patients. This study evaluated the short- and long-term reliability of selected QSTs. Methods: Twenty healthy women participated in three experimental sessions: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 months. Measurements included pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the neck, upper back, and leg; Pressure-cuff pain tolerance around the upper-arm; conditioned pain modulation during a pressure-cuff stimulus; and referred pain following a suprathreshold pressure stimulation. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Results: Reliability for PPT was excellent for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.96-0.99; MDC, 22-55 kPa) and from good to excellent at 6 months (ICC, 0.88-0.95; MDC, 47-91 kPa). ICC for pressure-cuff pain tolerance indicated excellent reliability at both times (0.91-0.97). For conditioned pain modulation, reliability was moderate for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.57-0.74; MDC, 24%-35%), while it was moderate at the neck (ICC, 0.54; MDC, 27%) and poor at the upper back and leg at 6 months. ICC for referred pain areas was excellent at 2 weeks (0.90) and good at 6 months (0.86). Conclusions: PPT, pressure pain tolerance, and pressure-induced referred pain should be considered reliable procedures to assess the pain-sensory profile over time. In contrast, conditioned pain modulation was shown to be unstable. Future studies prospectively analyzing the pain-sensory profile will be able to better calculate appropriate sample sizes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.765-771
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• 1995

치과용 핸드피스에서 발산하는 고주파수의 진동에 의한 일시적 진동감각역치 변화를 관찰하고자 치과위생병 28명을 대상으로 34,000rpm의 low-speed handpiece를 진동기구로 사용하였다. 진동에 폭로시키기 전과 후, 치과의사가 스케일링시 취하는 작업자세에 5분간 폭로시킨 후의 진동감각역치를 청력계기의 골전도진동기를 사용하여 250 Hz에서 그들이 주로 사용하는 손의 제2지두수에서 측정한 결과, 각각 $23.5{\pm}3.5dB,\;30.8{\pm}4.2dB,\;23.7{\pm}4.6dB$로 진동에 5분간 폭로시킨 후의 역치가 폭로 전에 비해 7.3dB의 유의한 증가가 있었다(p<0.001). 진동폭로 전후의 차이에 따른 분포를 보면, 10 dB 내외로 증가한 사람이 71.4%로 대부분이었고 16 dB의 증가가 가장 높았다. 진동 폭로 전의 진동감각역치와 신장, 체중, 체질량 지수와의 상관관계는 각각의 상관계수가 0.0360, -0.1657, -0.2641로 통계적 유의성은 없었으며, 흡연에 따른 차이도 흡연군(N=20)과 비흡연군(N=8)의 진동감 각역치가 각각 23.1 dB, 24.6 dB로 그 차이 가 없었다. 본 연구 결과로 볼 때 핸드피스와 같은 고주파-진동기구를 사용하는 치과의사 및 치과위생사에게서 진동감각역치의 변화가 예상되며, 말초신경병증의 원인이 될 수 있는 작업자세에 의한 장기간의 영향 및 아말감 충전시 사용하는 수은의 영향에 대해서도 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.131-137
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• 2011

신경 손상 정도를 평가하기 위한 정량적감각평가(Quantitative Sensory Testing, QST) 방법 중 하나인 전류인지역치(Current Perception Threshold, CPT) 검사는 비교적 짧은 시간 내에 3가지 감각신경, 2000 Hz(A${\beta}$ fiber), 250 Hz(A${\delta}$ fiber), 5 Hz(C fiber)에 대한 기능을 평가 할 수 있다고 알려져 있지만, 그 재현성에 대해서는 여전히 상반된 견해가 존재한다. 본 연구는 CPT 검사의 재현성을 확인하고, 재현성을 향상시키기 위한 방법을 모색하고자 하였다. 건강한 남성 지원자 10명(평균 22.4세)을 대상으로 3주 동안 1주일 간격으로 2명의 검사자가 하악신경 영역을 각각 좌우로 나누어 3회 측정하여 비교 하였다. 3주에 걸친 측정 실험에서 2000 Hz(A${\beta}$ fiber)의 CPT는 3회 모두 좌우 측정치가 차이를 보인 반면(p<0.05), 250Hz(A${\delta}$ fiber)는 1회만 유의한 차이를 보였고(p<0.05), 5 Hz(C fiber)는 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 좌우를 나누어 3회의 실험을 비교했을 때 모든 신경 검사에서 첫 회의 CPT가 가장 낮았으며, 250 Hz(A${\delta}$ fiber)와 5 Hz(C fiber)의 CPT는 첫 번째 실험과 나머지 실험사이에 유의한 차이가 있었고(p<0.05), 두 번째 실험 이후로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 상기의 결과로 보아 2000 Hz(A${\beta}$ fiber)의 CPT를 이용한 좌우 신경의 기능 비교는 적절하지 않은 반면, 250 Hz(A${\delta}$ fiber)와 5 Hz(C fiber)에서는 좌우 비교가 가능할 것으로 생각된다. 또한 반복 측정을 통해 250 Hz(A${\delta}$ fiber)와 5 Hz(C fiber)의 CPT 검사의 재현성을 높일 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.