• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.451-459
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• 2020

Background For volar soft tissue defects of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, free flaps are technically challenging, but have more esthetic and functional advantages than local or distant flaps. In this study, we compared the long-term surgical outcomes of arterial (hypothenar, thenar, or second toe plantar) and venous free flaps for volar defects of the PIP joint. Methods This was a single-center retrospective review of free flap coverage of volar defects between the distal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joint from July 2010 to August 2019. Patients with severe crush injuries (degloving, tendon or bone defects, or comminuted/intra-articular fractures), thumb injuries, multiple-joint and finger injuries, dorsal soft tissue defects, and defects >6 cm in length were excluded from the study, as were those lost to follow-up within 6 months. Thirteen patients received arterial (hypothenar, thenar, or second toe plantar) free flaps and 12 received venous free flaps. Patients' age, follow-up period, PIP joint active range of motion (ROM), extension lag, grip-strength ratio of the injured to the uninjured hand, and Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder & Hand (QuickDASH) score were compared between the groups. Results Arterial free flaps showed significantly higher PIP joint active ROM (P=0.043) and lower extension lag (P =0.035) than venous free flaps. The differences in flexion, grip strength, and QuickDASH scores were not statistically significant. Conclusions The surgical outcomes of arterial free flaps were superior to those of venous free flaps for volar defects of the PIP joint.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of clinical factors on the outcome of arthrocentesis in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with TMJ internal derangement underwent arthrocentesis using ringer's lactate. The present study evaluated the contribution of the clinical variables of age, time since onset, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain level, and range of motion (ROM) on the outcomes of TMJ arthrocentesis: age (${\leq}25\;years$, >25 and ${\leq}40\;years$, >40 and ${\leq}60\;years$), VAS pain level (${\leq}5$, >5 and ${\leq}7$, >7 and ${\leq}10$), and ROM (<25 and ${\geq}25mm$). Odds ratios (ORs) were used to describe the proportional benefit of each variable the on successful outcome of arthrocentesis. For the OR to be clinically relevant or even clinically noticeable, we assumed that the OR would need to be larger than 2. Results: Mean preoperative pain score was $6.49{\pm}1.560$ and at 6 months postoperative was $0.46{\pm}1.147$ with an average decrease of pain score 6 (P<0.001). The mean preoperactive maximum mouth opening was $26.14{\pm}4.969mm$ and mean maximum mouth opening at 6-month inerval was $38.92{\pm}3.392mm$. The mean increase in the mouth opening was a mean difference of 12.78 mm (P<0.001). Logistic regression showed that the maximum benefit occurred in patients aged <25 years (OR, 12.01; P=0.012), a VAS pain level of >7 (OR, 11.25; P=0.039), and a maximum vertical opening of <25 mm (OR, 7.70; P=0.038). Conclusion: Lavage of the superior joint space with ringer's lactate resulted in significant reduction in pain and improvement in mouth opening. Patients with a greater inflammatory component and younger patients benefitted more from arthrocentesis. Evaluation of these clinical variables helped in predictive modelling, which may provide clinicians with the opportunity to identify "at-benefit" patients early and initiate specific treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2022

This study was to investigate the effectiveness of combined Korean medicine treatment on a patient who was diagnosed on lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) with localized bone marrow edema. The patient was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopucture, cupping and herbal medicine. We evaluated patient's progress using range of motion (ROM), EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), Oswestry disability index (ODI), numerical rating scale (NRS), patient global impression of change, self-walkable distance. NRS of back pain decreased from 7 to 5, at the same time NRS of lower limb decreased from 4 to 3. EQ-5D score increased from 0.24 to 0.646. ODI score improved 80 to 62. Self-walkable distance and lumbar spine ROM also increased. As a result, clinical improvements were found in a patient. In conclusion, this study shows that Korean medicine treatment can be considered as effective conservative care for LSTV with localized bone marrow edema.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.103-112
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to report the effect of oriental medical treatments on the 4 patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. Methods : The 4 patients were treated by Bee Venom acupuncture, Dong-Qi acupuncture, acupuncture on tender points of the origin of the extensor carpi radialis and taping on the extensor carpi radialis. The state of patients was measured by visual analog scale(VAS), elbow range of motion(ROM) and patient's subjective symptom grade(PSSG). Results : After mean 9.5 times of treatments, the recovery of elbow ROM was measured and significant pain relief was seen as the average of VAS changed from 10 to 1.25 and average of PSSG changed from 2.75 to 0.5 grade. Conclusions : These results suggest that oriental medical treatments including Bee Venom acupuncture, Dong-Qi acupuncture, acupuncture, taping are effective to improve the lateral epicondylitis of the elbow.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.288-305
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• 2023

Background: The compression therapy, which is the standard treatment for lymphedema patients, may be difficult to implement and contraindicated to some patients depending on their health condition. Objects: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether kinesiology taping (KT) can be used effectively and safely in the management of lymphedema as an alternative treatment through systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: In February 2023, the literature was systematically collected through eight search engines with a combination of terms, 'lymphedema' and 'kinesiology taping.' We qualitatively analyzed the differences and safety of KT methods, and quantitatively meta-analyzed the effects of volume reduction in edema, range of motion (ROM), and pain improvement using Review Manager ver. 5. 4. To assess the risk of bias in the randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, Risk of Bias was used. Results: A total of 616 articles searched and 20 studies were selected, including 12 RCTs and eight case studies. KT intervention could not replace multilayer compression bandage (MLB), but it demonstrated similar or better results compared to compression garment (CG), with reduced pain and improved intervention comfort. Studies reported skin adverse events ranging from 2.5% to 20.68%, with a total adverse event incidence of 7.7%. There was no significant difference in the application method of KT. As a result of the meta-analysis from the 8 RCTs, the KT intervention showed a mean difference (MD) of -7.18 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) [-12.64 to -1.72] in the volume change of lymphedema, while the pain difference was MD 0.82 with CI 95% [0.50 to 1.15], in comparison to the MLB and CG intervention. Conclusion: KT therapy led to a reduction in edema size, volume, pain, and improved ROM and quality of life. KT may be a viable option for lymphedema patients who have trouble applying traditional compression therapies.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.294-303
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• 2012

This study was designed to develop air force mechanic parka, evaluate it, and ultimately provide functionally superior parka to the air force. The development process was 1) conducting a survey, 2) identifying problems and shortcomings of currently-supplied parkas, and 3) improving the design, pattern and materials. The newly-developed parkas were evaluated in terms of their ease of fit, clothing mobility, and insulation. Ease of fit was evaluated by subjects' sensory tests, and clothing mobility was by fitness-for-motion tests and range-of-motion tests using a Goniometer. Evaluation on insulation was conducted by thermal manikins. Findings of this study were as follows: 1. In the subjective evaluation on clothing mobility, new parkas were considered to have sufficient ease of fit while previous ones scored much lower, confirming the improvement of the new version. 2. Both subjective tests and ROM measurements on fitness for motion verified the superiority of the new parkas. 3. Insulation tests found that although insulation capability of newly-developed parkas was at a similar level to those of the previous ones, their insulation capability per unit weight was superior, demonstrating that new parkas were better at blocking heat conduction. When making changes in parka patterns and designs to enhance the mobility, it was necessary to maintain the insulation function. The new parkas developed by this study was verified to be superior to the previous ones in their insulation and clothing mobility.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2018

Background: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a common condition that includes shoulder pain and limited movement. Despite more than 100 years of AC treatment, the most efficacious treatment remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) using acupuncture for AC. Methods: Thirty participants with AC were randomly assigned to acupuncture (A) or sham acupuncture (SA) groups. The participants received 15 acupuncture sessions over 6 weeks, and follow-up occurred for an additional 4 weeks thereafter. The primary clinical outcome was the numeric rating scale (NRS) for shoulder pain 6 weeks from the baseline. Secondary outcomes included range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder, the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), the EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and the patient global impression of change (PGIC). Results: Thirty participants were enrolled out of 37 screened individuals. Recruitment was conducted between August 2014 until May 2015. A total of 28 participants (93%) completed the 6-week intervention, and 26 participants (87%) completed the study. NRS, ROM, SPADI, EQ-5D, PSQI, and PGIC scores improved in both the experimental group and the sham group after 6 weeks, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. Adverse events were reported by 12 participants, although these events were not associated with acupuncture. Conclusion: A future RCT for AC may be feasible with some modifications to the recruitment plan and the secondary outcome measurement methods.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.272-276
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• 2013

Purpose: Recurrence is one of the most common complications after primary correction for hallux valgus deformities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of Scarf osteotomy with axial decompression in the treatment of recurrent hallux valgus. Materials and Methods: From April 2006 to April 2011, 14 cases (12 patients) of recurrent hallux valgus were managed with shortening Scarf osteotomy. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were reviewed for the measurement of the hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and the amount of the $1^{st}$ metatarsal shortening. Clinical outcomes including the visual analogue scale (VAS), the AOFAS score, and the range of motion [ROM] of the 1st metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint were evaluated. Results: The mean HVA decreased from 27.9 degrees to 5.2 and the mean IMA decreased from 12.9 to 3.4. The mean VAS improved from 5.3 to 0.3 and the mean AOFAS score improved from 41 to 90. The mean amount of the 1st metatarsal shortening was 3.4 mm (2-5). The mean ROM of the $1^{st}$ MTP joint improved from 22 degrees (15-35) to 68 (55-75). Conclusion: Scarf osteotomy associated with axial decompression can be a useful revision procedure for the treatment of recurrent hallux valgus deformity.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1897-1902
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• 2019

Background: Tension-type headaches, which make up the highest proportion of headaches, are prone to develop into chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH). The characteristic of CTTH in patients is that the active myofascial trigger point (ATrP) which causes pain in the muscles of the back of the head is increased, compared to the normal headache and moves the head position forward. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial release (MFR) and posture correction in effectively improving neck function and sleep quality in the symptoms of CTTH patients. Design: Observer-blind study Methods: To reduce ATrP, MFR was applied and exercise was also applied to correct posture. The subjects of this study were 48 individuals randomly divided into three groups; The MFR group using the MFR technique; The MFR with exercise group subject to both the MFR technique and forward head position correction exercises (MFREx), and the control group. MFR and MFREx groups were given the relevant interventions twice a week for four consecutive weeks, and went through the number ATrPs, range of motion (ROM) of neck, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the intervention. A physical therapist, who was fully familiar with the measuring methods of the equipment, was the measurer and not aware of the target's condition was blinded to take measurements only before and after intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in the ATrP, Neck ROM, NDI and PSQI in the group of patients to whom the MFR technique and MFREx were applied. MFREx was more effective in increasing neck mobility. Conclusions: According to this study, the application of MFR is effective in improving neck movement and sleep quality in chronic tension headache patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2022

Gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture is a common muscle injury. This case is report on a patient with a gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture who was continuously observed with ultrasonography while receiving Korean medicine treatment. Acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture, herbal medicine, physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment were performed on a patient diagnosed with gastrocnemius partial rupture. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Range of Motion (ROM) of ankle, circumference of calf and size of hematoma by using ultrasonography. NRS decreased more than 90%, ROM of ankle joint gradually improved, calf circumference improved, and hematoma reduced by more than 90% when measured by ultrasonography. In this study, gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture was observed with ultrasonography, and it is considered that the Korean medical treatment is useful for gastrocnemius muscle partial rupture.