• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2009

Adenoviral vector(AdV) has been the most widely used viral vector for delivering an exogenous therapeutic gene to human. As of this date, more clinical trials utilize recombinant AdV to treat cancer and monogenic inherited disease as well as vaccine applications. However, the number of clinical trials had dropped markedly following the tragic death of a patient ongoing an AdV therapy for the treatment of an ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency(OTCD). This review is an attempt to provide the information on toxicity generated by AdVmediated gene transfer. It would serve as a sobering reality to researchers and clinicians exploring the use of AdV, as to the complications involved in human application.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1551-1560
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• 2017

The aim of this review is to analyze the trend of using Virtual Reality (VR) in addiction treatment by categorizing the types of addictions and methods of Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) for substance use disorders. VR has been utilized as a new paradigm for treating various mental and psychological problems. In recent years, a number of researches have been done to demonstrate the effectiveness of VRT for addiction treatment, specifically substance use disorders. In order to comprehend the tendency of these researches, the current study performed a systematic review of published book and journal articles using the following bibliographical databases: ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, ProQuest, and Embase. Forty-five (45) articles were retrieved; out of these researches, nicotine/smoking has garnered the highest number of studies (73%, n=33); alcohol (18%, n=8); cannabis/marijuana (2%, n=1); and other drugs such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine (7%, n=3). This paper analyzed the results of those studies, found some limitations as well as strengths, and made suggestions for further research on VRT for addiction treatment.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.271-278
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality training on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in patients with sub-acute stroke. The present study enrolled 18 patients with sub-acute stroke. All subjects were assigned into either the experimental group (n=9) or control group (n=9). Both groups received conventional occupational therapy for 30 minutes/day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. Additionally, the experimental group performed virtual reality training in each session for 30 minutes/day, and the control group conducted conventional occupational therapy in each session for 30 minutes/day. The outcome measures were performed through the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and the Korean-modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) before and after intervention. In results, the experimental group showed significant improvements in the scores of FMA and K-MBI after intervention (p<.05). The control group showed significant improvements in the shoulder/elbow/forearm, wrist, and hand sub-domains of the FMA and K-MBI (p<.05). After intervention, the experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in the total score and in the wrist and hand sub-domains of the FMA than control group (p<.05). These findings suggest that virtual reality training may have positive effects on the improvements of upper extremity function in patients with sub-acute stroke.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.69-78
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• 2016

Objective : Disaster causes psychological distress to a large number of people in a short period of time, by both direct and indirect exposure to traumatic events embedded in various realms of disaster experience. Optimal, well-planned treatment interventions should follow from the early acute period to recovery phase, extending up to several months later. In this context, there is an increasing need for systemic review to gain comprehensive insights for disaster interventions. These need to be added to public policy, and for the prevention and treatment of disaster-related psychopathology. Here, we review the published studies on psychological interventions for disaster-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Methods : Specific psychological interventions regarded as effective treatments for have been selected for this review, such as CBT (Cognitive-Behavior Therapy), Exposure Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), SIT (Stress Inoculation Therapy) and Psychoeducation. In addition, natural disasters, industrial disasters, and accidents involving aircraft and ships were also categorized as disasters, along with war and combat trauma. Results : Cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy had the strongest research support for effectiveness, and could be considered as the first-choice treatment for disaster-related PTSD. The second line of treatment is EMDR, although this treatment modality has the advantage of reaching certain treatment improvements in fewer sessions. However, the effects of SIT and psychoeducation to the survivors of disasters, remains unclear at this point. Additionally, we propose the possibilities of using virtual reality component and imagery rescripting as modified forms of traditional cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Conclusion : Cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy, deemed effective treatments for various trauma, are considered to be effective for survivors from disasters. However, the efficacy of other interventions has not yet been examined methodologically in well-designed studies, such as randomized controlled trials. In particular, future empirical studies are needed, since it is difficult to conclude that psychological interventions have similar effects on different types of disasters.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of VR training with FES on improving the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper limb joints in patients with chronic stroke. Methods : The present study makes use of a pre-post control group design. Thirty patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups according to treatment method - the VRFES group and the control group. The VRFES group received 15 minutes of VR training and 15 minutes of FES treatment. The control group received 15 minutes of conservative physical therapy and 15 minutes of VR training. All subjects received 30 minutes of treatment, three times a week, for eight weeks, which amounted to 24 sessions of training. The muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities were measured before the training and eight weeks after. Upper limb muscle strength was tested using the Digital Manual Muscle Tester while AROM was measured using the Digital Dual Inclinometer. The clinical assessment tools for upper extremity function included the use of the Manual Function Test and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test. Results : Both groups exhibited great improvements in muscle strength and upper extremity function during the intervention period. The VRFES group exhibited a significant difference in muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in comparison with the control group(p<.05). Our results reveal that VRFES is more effective for the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : VRFES treatment will be used as an important intervention for improving the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in patients with chronic stroke and achieving the functional recovery of the upper extremities.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to compare balance ability according to the immersion level of virtual reality-based training for the balance enhancement of the elderly. Methods: This study included 48 elderly people aged 65 years and older (male 16, female 32). According to the immersion level of applied virtual reality training, 16, 17, and 15 persons were randomly assigned to full immersion, semi-immersion, and control groups. The subjects who were assigned to the full immersion group and semi-immersion group received virtual reality training for 6 weeks at 20 min at a time, 3 times per week. The control group received no intervention. Balance ability was evaluated by measuring the stability limit and the tandem walking test before and after the intervention. Results: Results showed significant differences among the three groups in the limit of stability of all directions and the tandem walking test after the intervention. The results of the limit of stability showed a significantly higher value in the full-immersion group than in the control group, and the results of the tandem walking test showed a significantly lower value in the full-immersion and semi-immersion groups than in the control group. Conclusion: The results indicate that the head-mounted display equipment for applying full-immersion virtual training is the most effective in enhancing the balance ability of the elderly.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.14 no.3_1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2014

The aim of this study is to suggest the fitness Avatar model for increasing physical activities in individuals with SCI(spinal cord injury). With the increasing of the disable, the ratio of individuals with SCI is also increasing. Avatar is a movable image that represents a person in a virtual reality environment or in cyberspace. With the expansion of new technology, such as video games and virtual reality, there has been an increase in the interest of using virtual reality in therapy. It is not easy for individuals with SCI to access tho sports facilities due to paraplegia. The increasing physical activities based on virtual reality will be the most innovative and future-oriented approach. First, building a system and establishing a comprehensive support system is essential to activate and spread variety of physical activities for individuals with SCI. Second, providing a appropriate feedback and identifying the effect of intervention will be considered.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.381-391
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends in research on the effects of virtual reality technology applied to rehabilitation for disabled. I have collected 60 papers published in Korea(2000-2014), and analyzed it by the P.I.C.O. method. As a result, adults and the elderly are most common subjects, and projection type has been used frequently in researches. It were included mostly balance, upper extremity function, and gait that the dependent variables represents the intervention effects. I interpreted it as the ICF factors. So, research topics were the most common mobility, in contrast to educational, vocational, recreational area as dealing with the participation area is very small. In the future, we should focused on social aspects for useful intervention in real life of people with disabilities based on virtual reality technology, and virtual reality technology should be easy to apply in terms of cost and accessibility.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.369-378
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of virtual reality-based task training (VRBTT) using a smart glove on upper extremity function and activity of daily living in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with chronic stroke disease were randomly allocated to two groups: the VRBTT group (n=14) and the control group (n=15). All patients received 30 minutes of standard occupational therapy, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. The VRBTT group performed an additional 30 minutes of virtual reality-based rehabilitation training, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in upper extremity function, yielding an increase in FMA and K-WMFT (p<0.05). There was a more significant increase in the VRBTT group before and after interventions (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in MAS for the control group (p>0.05); however, there was a significant increase for the VRBTT group (p<0.05). In the activities of daily living, there was a significant difference in the values for K-MBI (p<0.05). In addition, both groups showed a significant increase for K-MBI and K-RNLI (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that VRBTT using smart gloves can have a more positive effect on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients than conventional intervention methods. A variety of virtual reality-based contents and glove-shaped wearable devices will help stroke patients in rehabilitation clinics recover and return to society.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of computer-based and virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation programs on the cognitive function, upper limb function, activities of daily living, and their impact on the prefrontal cortex in convalescent stroke patients. METHODS: Ten recovering stroke patients were assessed for their cognitive function, upper limb function, and daily living activities using the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination, the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index. The prefrontal cortex activity was measured with functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy. The virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation group utilized a program of daily living activities delivered via a laptop and Oculus Rift. The computer-based cognitive rehabilitation group performed various cognitive tasks on an all-in-one PC. Both groups underwent cognitive rehabilitation training for 30 minutes per day, three times a week, for six weeks, with identical conventional rehabilitation therapies in the hospital. RESULTS: Both programs positively impacted the cognitive and physical functions. On the other hand, the virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation program had a larger influence on improving the cognitive and physical functions of convalescing stroke patients. CONCLUSION: The virtual reality program suggests its potential to enhance cognitive and physical functions in convalescent stroke patients through increased engagement, focus, real-time feedback, and game elements, making it a promising rehabilitation approach.