• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.193-212
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• 2010

The purpose of our study was to provide effective speech evaluation items examining the variables of speech that successfully predict the speech intelligibility in CP children. The subjects were 55 children with spastic type cerebral palsy. As for the speech evaluation, we performed a speech subsystem evaluation and a speech intelligibility test. The results of the study are as follows. The evaluation task for the speech subsystems consisted of 48 task items within an observational evaluation stage and three levels of severity. The levels showed correlations with gross motor functions, fine motor functions, and age. Second, the evaluation items for the speech subsystems were rearranged into seven factors. Third, 34 out of 48 task items that positively correlated with the syllable intelligibility rating were as follows. There were four items in the observational evaluation stage. Among the nonverbal articulatory function evaluation items, there were 11 items in level one. There were 12 items in level two. In level three there were eight items. Fourth, there were 23 items among the 48 evaluation tasks that correlated with the sentence intelligibility rating. There was one item in the observational evaluation stage which was in the articulatory structure evaluation task. In level one there were six items. In level two, there were eight items. In level three, there was a total number of eight items. Fifth, there was a total number of 14 items that influenced the syllable intelligibility rating. Sixth, there was a total number of 13 items that influenced the syllable intelligibility rating. According to the results above, the variables that influenced the speech intelligibility of CP children among the articulatory function tasks were in the respiratory function task, phonatory function task, and lip and chin related tasks. We did not find any correlation for the tongue function. The results of our study could be applied to speech evaluation, setting therapy goals, and evaluating the degree of progression in children with CP. We only studied children with the spastic type of cerebral palsy, and there were a small number of severe degree CP children compared to those with a moderate degree of CP. Therefore, when evaluating children with other degrees of severity, we may have to take their characteristics more into account. Further study on speech evaluation variables in relation to the severity of the speech intelligibility and different types of cerebral palsy may be necessary.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2019

Background: Police officers' stress perception, frequency of stressful events (stressors), and police work characteristics may contribute to poor sleep quality through different mechanisms. Methods: We investigated associations of stress severity (measured by stress rating score) and frequency of stressors with sleep quality and examined the influence of police work characteristics including workload, police rank, prior military experience, and shift work on the associations. Participants were 356 police officers (256 men and 100 women) enrolled in the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress Study from 2004 to 2009. A mean stress rating score and mean frequency of stressors occurring in the past month were computed for each participant from the Spielberger Police Stress Survey data. Sleep quality was assessed using the global score derived from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index survey. Linear associations of the stress rating score and frequency of stressors with sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score) were tested. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, and smoking status were selected as potential confounders. Results: The stress rating score was positively and independently associated with poor sleep quality (${\beta}=0.17$, p = 0.002). Only workload significantly modified this association (${\beta}=0.23$, p = 0.001 for high workload group; p-interaction = 0.109). The frequency of stressors was positively and independently associated with poor sleep quality (${\beta}=0.13$, p = 0.025). Only police rank significantly modified the association (${\beta}=0.007$, p = 0.004 for detectives/other executives; p-interaction = 0.076). Conclusion: Both police officers' perception of stress severity and the frequency of stressors are associated with poor sleep quality. Stress coping or sleep promotion regimens may be more beneficial among police officers reporting high workloads.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2006

Object : Nerve growth factor(NGF) is a protein involved in neuronal survival and plasticity in the central nervous system, which might play an important role in stress, depression and suicide. This study was performed to determine whether there is an alteration in plasma NGF concentrations in depressed patients with suicidal attempt. Methods : The subjects were 32 depressed patients who attempted suicide and admitted in emergency room. Forty-four hospitalized non-suicidal depressive patients and the 30 normal controls were closely matched with the suicidal group in terms of age and sex. Individuals in all 3 groups were evaluated independently by a semi-structured interview for the purpose of establishing a DSM-IV criteria diagnosis. The severity of depressive symptoms was evaluated using Hamilton depression rating scale(HDRS). The severity of the suicidal behavior was evaluated by Weisman and Worden's risk-rescue rating(RRR) system and the Lethality Suicide Attempt Rating Scale(LSARS). Plasma NGF level was measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method. Results : There were no statistically significant differences of the plasma NGF levels among groups. LSARS and RRR did not reveal any significant correlation with ${\beta}$-NGF level in suicidal depressive patients. Conclusion : This study do not support an association between ${\beta}$-NGF and suicidal depression. However it is necessary to investigate this association through other route such as postmortem brain.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2010

Objective: Many drug or non-drug therapies are reported to be effective in reducing the severity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of color and pattern on the severity of ADHD in young ADHD patients. Method: We randomly assigned 30 children into two groups and had them participate in 15-minute block play sessions once in a week. The experimental group used blocks with green (3G, Munsell color system) circle patterns on them, while the control group played with plain white blocks. We also provided a set of playing cards with the corresponding patterns. This trial continued for 4 weeks and 29 children (96.7%) completed. The primary outcome measurement was the ADHD rating scale-IV and was evaluated on every visit. Results: After the trial, ADHD score decreased in both groups but not significantly ($34.4{\pm}8.0$ to $30.0{\pm}4.3$; $34.0{\pm}6.0$ to $30.3{\pm}3.2$). However, there were significant differences in 4 items of ADHD rating scale between the two groups. These consisted of 3 inattention (Q3, Q7, Q15) and 1 hyperactivity-impulsivity (Q12) items and the reduction between the first and final visits was significant (p=0.0240, p=0.0498, p=0.0237 and p=0.0012 respectively). Conclusion: Repeated exposure to a green circle pattern might not influence the total score of ADHD rating scale but reduced 3 inattention items and 1 hyperactivity-impulsivity significantly in children with ADHD. Proper visual stimuli are partially helpful for pediatric ADHD.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.91-98
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• 2022

Objectives: Comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) is effective in children with chronic tic disorders. This study aimed to assess the effect of group-based CBIT (group-CBIT) on tic severity and comorbid symptoms. We compared the efficacy of group CBIT with that of a control. Methods: Thirty children with chronic tic disorder or Tourette's disorder were enrolled in this study. Eighteen were assigned to the group-CBIT for eight sessions, and 12 were assigned to the control group. Tics and comorbid symptoms were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Rating Scale-IV, Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, and the Korean-Children Behavioral Checklist. We compared the pre- and post-intervention results of each group and determined the difference in the pre- and post-intervention results between intervention and the control group. Results: The YGTSS motor and vocal tic interference, global impairment, and global severity scores decreased in the intervention group only. Group CBIT was superior in reducing the motor tic interference, impairment score, and global severity score to the control group. Conclusion: The group-CBIT showed an improvement in tic symptoms, especially in reducing the level of interference and impairment of tics.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.194-200
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• 2018

Objectives : The significance of leukoaraiosis on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is uncertain, but it is often seen with vascular risk factors or in the context of cognitive impairment. We aimed to investigate the effect of leukoaraiosis on the severity and course of delirium. Methods : Periventricular hyperintensity and deep white matter hyperintensity on brain MRI were rated in 42 patients with delirium by semiquantative visual rating scale. Correlations between their grades and the scores of Korean version of Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (K-DRS-R-98) were analyzed, and the interaction effects between the groups according to the levels of leukoaraiosis and two evaluation points were also analyzed. Results : The grade of deep white matter hyperintensity in the occipital lobe was positively correlated with the scores on the total, severity items, cognitive items, and non-cognitive items of K-DRS-R-98. The cognitive items scores of K-DRS-R-98 in the low grade group of periventricular hyperintensity showed significantly steeper decrease than the high grade group. Conclusions : A difference in severity or recovery speed of delirium according to the level of leukoaraiosis may result from disruption in brain functional connectivity. Our results have a clinical implication in that the severity and course of delirium can be possibly predicted using the level of leukoaraiosis.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.409-421
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• 2014

Objectives The aim of this study was to report a improvement of tension type headache severity after using the Melonis Pedicus. Methods 3 Taeeumin patients, suffering from headache, treated with Melonis Pedicus, herb medicine, and acupuncture. After the treatment, Severity of headache was evaluated by Numerical Rating Scale(NRS). Also we checked the reponse of the Melonis Pedicus, and vital sign. Results & Conclusions After using the Melonis Pedicus, the severity of headache decreased from NRS 8 to NRS 1(case1), from NRS 10 to NRS 7(case 2), and from NRS 8 to NRS 6(case 3). And there was not any adverse effect. In conclusion, this study shows that using Meloni Pedicus can be effective treatment for Taeeumin tension type headache patient.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.104-115
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• 2018

Introduction The aim of this study was to report significant improvement of Dyshidrosis(Pompholyx) patient who was diagnosed with 'Soyangin chest-bind symptomatic pattern' based on Sasang Constitutonal medicine. Methods The patient was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, as well as western medicine. To evaluate the results of this treatment, the patient assessed discomfort of dyshidrosis by using Numeral Rating Scale(NRS), percentage(%) and we assessed severity of dyshidrosis by using Dyshidrotic Eczema Area and Severity Index(DASI). Results At the time of admission, the degree of discomfort in the dyshidrosis symptoms was NRS 8 and the severity of dyshidrosis was DASI 16(moderate). After the treatment, her symptoms was improved(NRS 0, DASI 0). Sleep, digestion and defecation condition were also improved. Discussion The patient who had frequent recurrence showed a significant improvement of dyshidrosis and accessory symptoms without any side effects, who was treated with Hyeongbangdojeok-san, acupuncture and western medicine.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 1996

To assess premenstrual changes in adolescents, a self rating retrospective premenstrual assessment from(PAF) and a prospective daily rating form(DRF) were administered to 230 high school students who reported premenstrual changes. The results were as follows 1) According to typological categories of retrospective premenstrual assessment form, the most commonly reported changes in mood and behavior were major depressive syndrome(40.0%), impulsive syndrome(20.9%). Especially among the subtype of depressive syndrome, hostility feature and withdrawal feature were most frequent. The most commonly reported changes in physical condition were general discomfort(73.5%), fatigue(33.9%). 50.9% of all subjects reported impaired social function. 2) 41.2% of the subjects who met the criteria for typological categories of retrospective premenstrual assessment form were confirmed by prospective daily rating form. 3) According to different criteria of percent change method of assessing symptom change, 38.7% of all subjects had at least one mild premenstrual change and 23.5% had at least one moderate premenstrual change. 4) Using prospective daily rating form, overall psychological changes were confirmed more frequently than physical changes. Of the mild premenstrual changes, 'low energy, tired & weak', 'less or impaired work' were most common changes. Of the moderate premenstrual changes, the most common change was 'low energy, tired & weak'. 5) As attitude toward menstruation, 44.9% of the subjects with confirmed premenstrual changes had more negative attitude(disgusted) toward menstruation. 6) The subjects with confirmed mild or moderate premenstrual changes had only dysphoric mood changes or both physical and dysphoric mood changes, but did not have only physical changes. These results suggest that retrospective reports of premenstrual changes were partially confirmed by daily prospective ratings. A substantial number of adolescents appeared to experience premenstrual changes, and the most common confimed premenstrual change of mild or moderate severity was 'low energy, tired and weak'.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2010

This study investigated the characteristics of two aerodynamic indices, PTP (Phonation threshold pressure) and PTF (Phonation threshold flow) in patients with ADSD (adductor spasmodic dysphonia) and to see if two new aerodynamic indices can differentiate between normal and ADSD group. Additionally, PTP and PTF values were compared in terms of overall severity of ADSD in the patient group. The severity of ADSD was rated on a 7-point rating scale by two experienced speech language pathologists. The Kay Elemetrics Phonatory Aerodynamic System (PAS) (Kay Elemetrics Corp., Lincoln Park, NJ) was used to collect PTP and PTF measurements from 16 female normal subjects, 31 female patients with ADSD. Significantly lower PTF values (P< 0.05) were observed in ADSD when compared to those of normal control. Also, significantly lower PTF values in severe ADSD patients (P<.001). However, PTP could not distinguish patients with ADSD from control groups (P=0.119) and among the ADSD groups according to the severity (P=0.177). Consequently, PTF was more sensitive than PTP which might differentiate between normal speakers and ADSD and among different levels of severity within ADSD, suggesting that PTF could be a useful diagnostic parameter to measure the aerodynamic function of ADSD and provide the neurolaryngeal dysfunction in patients with ADSD.