• Anxiety and mood
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2021

Objective : This study examined the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among North Korean defectors during preparation for early settlement. In addition, the correlation between PTSD and other mental disorders with suicidal ideation was assessed. Methods : A total of 639 North Korean defectors aged 19-65 years were included from resettlement and training centers. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Diagnostic Scale (PDS). The prevalence of other mental disorders and suicidal ideation were assessed using the Korean version of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (K-PDSQ). Results : A total of 6.8% of North Korean defectors had a PDS score >23, which was suggestive of a diagnosis of PTSD. Prior repatriation to North Korea was significantly associated with PTSD. The defectors with PTSD had a higher prevalence of other mental disorders (major depressive disorder prevalence: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 14.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.7-31.2, panic disorder prevalence: AOR, 9.5; 95% CI, 4.6-20.0, generalized anxiety disorder prevalence: AOR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.4-13.2). No significant association was found between suicidal ideation and PTSD. Conclusion : North Korean defectors had a relatively high prevalence of PTSD and suicidal ideation during preparation for early settlement. Cohort studies are needed to assess the lasting effects of PTSD on North Korean defectors' settlement in Korea for a longer period.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.97-109
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• 2020

Purpose: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is pain referred to the head/ face from the structures in vicinity of upper cervical spinal nerves via trigeminocervical pathway. Ponticulus Posticus (PP) and Elongated Styloid Process (ESP) are anatomical structures that cause compression of vasculature present around upper cervical nerve plexus. Recently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has shown to play an essential role in identification of these high-pressure zones in the brain. The aim of this research is to study the association of ESP and PP in patients with CGH and to develop a hypothesis by CFD to analyse vertebrobasilar insufficiency as a contributing factor in occurrence of CGH. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 4500 full skull CBCT scans was done for the presence of partial or complete PP and length of Styloid Process (SP). Research was divided into two phases; In first Preliminary Phase, 150 scans that showed the presence of PP and ESP were analysed, and only 134 patients gave consent to fill the questionnaire containing 96 question items pertaining to symptoms associated with CGH. In the second phase, simulation of Vertebral and Carotid Artery was done using Fluent 14.5 Software and by CFD, pressure distribution on arteries was obtained that helped to identify high pressure regions. Results: Both PP and ESP showed a statistically significant association with CGH (p<0.001). By CFD analysis, both steady and transient phases of simulation showed drop in pressure due to constriction of internal carotid and vertebral artery by ESP and PP respectively and were found to decrease the volume of blood reaching the brain, 0.12 /0.13 mL and 0.06 mL respectively. Conclusions: Our analysis proves ESP and PP as contributing factors towards CGH. Hence for proper diagnosis and management of headache disorders, clinicians should have adequate knowledge about these anatomical structures and their resulting clinical symptoms.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.225-233
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to reveal the gait characteristics of each Sasang constitution by examining the differences in gait analysis indicators using a 3-axis accelerometer. Methods: Ninety-one participants were classified through the TS-QSCD (Two-Step Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Diagnosis) method and gait analysis was performed using a 3-Axis Accelerometer (G-WALK. BTS Bioengineering, Italy). Gait analysis in returning to the 6-meter turnaround point and 6-minute walking test were performed. The differences in the gait analysis index values were analyzed between each constitution. Results: The gait analysis of 91 subjects (37 Taeumin, 37 Soyangin, and 17 Soeumin), showed that the percent stride length/height in the Soyangin subjects was significantly higher than that of the Taeeumin and Soeuminin subjects in the spatiotemporal walking variables (p<0.05). Stride length also showed the widest tendency in the Soyangin subjects (p=0.05). In the kinesiological analysis, the range of pelvic obliquity angles in the Soeumin subjects was significantly wider than that of the Taeumin and Soyangin subjects (p<0.05). In the six-minute walking test, the Soyangin subjects walked the farthest at 309.41±35.23 m (p=0.064). Conclusions: In a comparison of the gait characteristics for each Sasang constitution using a three-dimensional accelerometer, the stride width of the Soyangin subjects was the widest compared to the Taeeumin, and Soeumin subjects, and Soyangin's walking speed showed a faster tendency than that of the Taeeumin and Soeumin subjects.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.73-89
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• 2021

Objectives We conducted an online survey to understand the current status of Korean Medicine clinical practice related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to develop the CTS Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). Methods A thoroughly reviewed questionnaire was distributed by e-mail to 21,719 Korean Medicine doctors between March 26 and April 30, 2021. All raw data were arranged and analyzed systematically. Results The response rate among the doctors was 4%. Of the respondents, 82.1% responded that it is necessary to develop the CTS Korean Medicine CPG. We also obtained data related to the specific diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis management methods used at various treatment sites for patients with CTS. Conclusions This online survey will be helpful in developing the CTS CPG, which will contribute to the standardization of guidelines and improvements in the reliability of Korean Medicine. Our findings will provide valuable data and resources for future clinical studies on CTS.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.11-21
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• 2021

The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of learning by running an extracurricular program to make effective learning of unfamiliar and difficult programming education possible for students in the humanities. Analysis of learning-related data for one semester of lectures that were collected from 70 humanities students in departments A and B, data collected from a creative convergence app development contest extracurricular program, and data obtained through a questionnaire show that extracurricular program activities affect academic performance. The results of the core competency diagnosis test for students that was conducted before and after participating in the curriculum showed that core competencies improved for both A and B departments after participating in the curriculum. This study shows that extracurricular program activities can help individuals improve their abilities, while also providing customized guidance to reclusive students to improve their academic performance. By carrying out customized coaching for each department to develop apps related to the major field rather than general apps, we hope for improvements in ability to solve problems by converging with the major field, computational thinking, and creative thinking, in the future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.267-273
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• 2021

Mibyeong (sub-health) is a concept that represents the sub-health in traditional East Asian medicine. Assuming that the nose sizes and shapes are related to respiratory function, in this study, we hypothesized that the nose size and shape features are related to the self-rated health (SRH) level and self-rated Mibyeong severity, and aimed to assess this relationship using a fully automated image analysis system. The nose size features were evaluated from the frontal and profile face images of 810 participants. The nose size features consisted of five length features, one area feature, and one volume feature. The level of SRH and the Mibyeong severity were determined using a questionnaire. The normalized nasal height was negatively associated with the self-rated health score (SRHS) (partial ρ = -0.125, p = 3.53E-04) and the Mibyeong score (MBS) (partial ρ = -.172, p = 9.38E-07), even after adjustment for sex, age, and body mass index. The normalized nasal volume (ρ = -.105, p = 0.003), the normalized nasal tip protrusion length (ρ = -.087, p = 0.014), and the normalized nares width (ρ = -.086, p = .015) showed significant correlation with the SRHS. The normalized nasal area (ρ = -.118, p = 0.001), the normalized nasal volume (ρ = -.107, p = .002) showed significant correlation with the MBS. The wider, longer, and larger the nose, the lower the SRHS and MBS, indicating that health status can be estimated based on the size and shape features of the nose.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.375-386
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to summarize current clinical study trends and results regarding transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment for xerostomia. Methods: Studies published from 2017 to 2022 were searched on domestic databases and PubMed. The included studies were analyzed according to the year, language, study design, diagnosis xerostomia method, and TENS treatment method. Results: Nine studies were included. There were three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three case series, one case report, one case-control study, and one cross-sectional study. Conventional TENS was used in seven studies, and acupuncture-like TENS (ALTENS) was used in one study. The most common TENS attachment site was externally on the skin overlying the parotid gland region, and the setting of TENS was 50 Hz-250 μs the most. In all nine studies, TENS was effective for xerostomia as assessed by salivary flow rate or quality of life questionnaire. Additionally, no persistent adverse events were reported after TENS treatment. Conclusions: TENS treatment for xerostomia can be considered effective and safe, so it can be used in clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.35-40
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• 2022

Objectives: Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core symptom in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The complexity of behavioral patterns has called for the creation of phenotypically homogeneous subgroups among individuals with ASD. The purpose of this study was 1) to investigate the different types of RRBs and 2) to explore whether subgroups created by RRBs would show unique levels of functioning in toddlers and young children with ASD. Methods: A total of 313 children with ASD, aged 12-42 months were included in the analysis. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised was used to obtain information on the different types of RRBs by grouping 15 items into six categories. The Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scale, a parent-reported questionnaire, was used to measure adaptive functioning. A portion of the children were analyzed separately for verbal-related RRBs based on their expressive language level. Two-step cluster analysis using RRB groups as features was used to create subgroups. Analysis of covariance while covarying for age and language was performed to explore the clinical characteristics of each cluster group. Results: Sensory-related RRBs were the most prevalent, followed by circumscribed interests, interest in objects, resistance to change, and repetitive body movements. A subset of the children was analyzed separately to explore verbal-related RRBs. Four cluster groups were created based on reported RRBs, with multiple RRBs demonstrating significant delays in adaptive functioning. Conclusion: Heterogeneity of RRBs emerges at a young age. The different patterns of RRBs can be used as valuable information to determine developmental trajectories with better implications for treatment approaches.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2021

Purpose : This study was conducted to examine the knowledge of, attitude toward, and education requirements for dementia that students majoring in occupational therapy have and to determine the correlations between knowledge of and attitude toward dementia according to the degree of dementia education provided in a university. Methods : From January 2021 to February 2021, 150 students majoring in occupational therapy in Daejeon, Jeollanam-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do were enrolled in this study and surveyed using a questionnaire. The students who participated understood the purpose of this study and agreed to participate. For data analysis, SPSS version 20.0 was used. Results : The subjects scored, on average, 18.64 ± 3.23 of 30 points Knowledge of dementia. The subjects had many correct answers in the items on dementia assessment, diagnosis, and treatment and care, whereas they had few correct answers in the items on the risk factors of dementia. In terms of attitude toward dementia, the subjects scored 37.38 ± 8.32 on the stability subscale and 48.26 ± 9.11 on the knowledge subscale; thus, they had higher scores on the knowledge subscale. The subjects had high educational requirements regarding the cognitive activity and activities of daily living of occupational therapy for dementia. The subjects' knowledge of dementia had a positive correlation with their attitude toward dementia according to the degree of dementia education (p<.05). Conclusion : The students majoring in occupational therapy had high educational requirements of the cognitive activity and activity of daily living for dementia. When they had more education of dementia, their attitude toward dementia had a positive correlation with their knowledge of dementia. Therefore, it is considered that students majoring in occupational therapy need to have professional education in their university curriculum.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.1245-1254
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the clinical characteristics and symptoms of patients with reflux esophagitis (RE) visiting a Korean medicine hospital. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with an RE diagnosis who visited a Korean medicine hospital from June 15, 2020, to April 15, 2021. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and the results of a symptoms questionnaire. Results: Our sample included 1,151 patients (711 females). The median age was 58 years; the most common age bracket was 60-69 years. A total of 837 patients (72.7%) presented with symptoms lasting more than one year, and 1,035 (89.9%) had been prescribed medications for more than three months before visiting a Korean medicine hospital. Belching (77.6%) and acid regurgitation (70.9%) were the most frequent symptoms, followed by epigastric pain (61.6%) and throat globus (58.5%). Throat globus was the most bothersome symptom, and 72.4% of the patients experienced the symptom on more than five days in the preceding two weeks. Patients with a longer symptom duration were older (p<0.01) and more likely to be overweight (p=0.03). Patients experiencing symptoms for more than five years were more likely to report throat globus (p=0.02), hoarseness (p<0.01), and coughing (p<0.01). Conclusions: Most RE patients visiting a Korean medicine hospital were females in their sixties with chronic and refractory RE. Atypical symptoms (belching, epigastric pain, and throat globus) were common. Throat globus was highly prevalent in severe cases, suggesting that it warrants attention when treating RE patients.