• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.3099-3102
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• 2012

Aim: We conducted the present study to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among bone cancer patients after surgical treatment in one large teaching hospitals in China, and assess the risk factors for improving the physical or mental HRQoL. Methods: 344 eligible adult patients who were admitted to the hospital with malignant bone tumors during the period of Jun. 2008 to Dec. 2011, and a reference group with 361 health cases was recruited in the same hospital during the same period. All 344 patients were followed up for one year. The HRQoL before treatment and after one year was evaluated with the Medical Outcome Short Form 36 (SF-36). Results: All 8 domains of HRQoL had the lowest scores greatly improved over the first year after discharge. However, the patients still had significantly lower scores in every domain than the reference group one year after discharge. Age and type of surgery were associated with HRQoL in the mental domain. Conclusion: The HRQoL of patients with malignant bone tumors greatly improved one year after the treatment. This study also highlighted the utility of HRQoL assessment for prognostic evaluation of patients after surgical treatment for bone cancer.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권6호
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• pp.757-766
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• 2020

Objective : Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a severe and life-threatening disease. Although commonly performed, the effect of timing in surgical treatment on patient outcome is still unclear. With this study, we aim to provide evidence for early surgical treatment in patients with SEA. Methods : Patients treated for SEA in the authors' department between 2007 and 2016 were included for analysis and retrospectively analyzed for basic clinical parameters and outcome. Pre- and postoperative neurological status were assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). The self-reported quality of life (QOL) based on the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) was assessed prospectively. Surgery was defined as "early", when performed within 12 hours after admission and "late" when performed thereafter. Conservative therapy was preferred and recommend in patients without neurological deficits and in patients denying surgical intervention. Results : One hundred and twenty-three patients were included in this study. Forty-nine patients (39.8%) underwent early, 47 patients (38.2%) delayed surgery and 27 (21.9%) conservative therapy. No significant differences were observed regarding mean age, sex, diabetes, prior history of spinal infection, and bony destruction. Patients undergoing early surgery revealed a significant better clinical outcome before discharge than patients undergoing late surgery (p=0.001) and conservative therapy. QOL based on SF-36 were significantly better in the early surgery cohort in two of four physical items (physical functioning and bodily pain) and in one of four psychological items (role limitation) after a mean follow-up period of 58 months. Readmission to the hospital and failure of conservative therapy were observed more often in patients undergoing conservative therapy. Conclusion : Our data on both clinical outcome and QOL provide evidence for early surgery within 12 hours after admission in patients with SEA.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aims to report the effectiveness and safety of Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods : A 73-year-old man who had suffered from severe facial pain for one year and who had had a healthy tooth extracted due to the pain is reported. He could not eat or sleep due to the severe pain. Acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, herbal steam, and herbal medicines were used for the treatment. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and adverse events were checked daily, and other outcomes (Baseline Evaluation, Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], Short Form Health Survey 36-Bodily Pain [SF-36 BP], and Patient Global Assessment [PGA]) were measured at hospital admission and discharge. During the follow-up examinations, his pain was evaluated roughly, without using any formal measurements, on the basis of a global assessment. Results : All measured parameters, including pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction were noted to have improved at the time of discharge compared to admission: VAS from 10 to 1.5, NRS from 7-8 to 1-2, and SF-36 BP from 0 to 22.5, and the patient's global assessment was somewhat improved. He did not take any analgesics after discharge and noted only mild adverse events, like pain where the acupuncture and thread embedding acupuncture needles were inserted. His pain relief was maintained for 6 months. Conclusion : Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture might be a safe and effective treatment for TN. In the future, larger sample sizes and high quality randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm its efficacy and safety.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.210-218
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• 2016

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate female labor workers' occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms and to identify the effects of their occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms on their health-related quality of life. Methods: A survey was conducted through direct interviews using a musculoskeletal symptoms questionnaire, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS), and the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey(SF-36). Subjects were 112 female labor workers in three factories in D city who were selected by convenience sampling. Results: Factors significantly affecting health-related quality of life were found to be: occupational stress(${\beta}$=-.36); degree of pain, with medium pain(${\beta}$=-.31) and extremely severe pain(${\beta}$=-.24); duration of pain, with more than 1 week-less than 1 month(${\beta}$=-.25) and more than 6 months(${\beta}$=-.16); frequency of pain, with once per 2-3 months(${\beta}$=-.22); responses to pain such as medical leave, use of worker's compensation insurance, task change, etc.(${\beta}$=-.16), and Slightly difficult(${\beta}$=-.16) versus Not hard at all. These variables demonstrated that health-related quality of life is 48%(F=11.72, p<.001) in female workers. Conclusions: To improve female labor workers' health-related quality of life based on the above results, occupational health managers should reduce the workers' occupational stress, develop and apply health interventions regarding musculoskeletal symptoms, prevent the early onset of musculoskeletal symptoms, and protect and promote the workers' health.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.251-266
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• 1997

In order to test scaling assumption, and to assess the validity, reliability, and acceptability of the Short form 36(SF-36) health survey questionnaire, we conducted a survey. Samples were 296 workers who had been employed in small sized companies. All scale passed for item internal consistency(100% sucess rate) and item discriminant validity(100% success .ate). Reliability coefficients were ranged from the lowest 0.51 to the highest of 0.85. For 87.5% of the total workers, inconsistent responses were not observed. Only 3.0% of the total workers failed two or more checks. Factor analysis was performed using principal axis factor method and quartimax rotation. In this survey, the SF-36 retained available psychometric properties even when used in a generally healthy worker group. But further study with some consideration to develope health status measurement is expected : first, the definition of health status should be rationalized. Second, the measurement of outcome is an important consideration in evaluations of quality of care. But ambiguities hinder understanding of this important topic. Third, internal consistency should be interpreted with caution as an indication reliability because it ignores potentially important sources of variation that can occur over time.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.84-90
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined the effects of social distancing in COVID-19 on musculoskeletal problems and the quality of life. Methods: One hundred and thirty-five subjects participated in this study and responded to an online survey on stress from the social distancing in COVID-19, computer and smartphone usages, musculoskeletal pain, and quality of life. The stress from social distancing was assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were provided to assess the musculoskeletal pain, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) was provided to assess the quality of life. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and independent t-test were used for data analysis. Results: Statistically significant, but low positive correlation stress from the social distancing (VAS) and NDI (r=0.19, p<0.05) and ODI (r=0.18, p<0.05), and negative correlation between stress from the social distancing (VAS) and SF-36 (r=-0.17, p<0.05). The NDI score was significantly greater in the group with high stress than in the group with low stress from social distancing (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study is meaningful in that it evaluated, through the physical therapy approaches, the potential side-effects on physical and mental health in various social changes caused by COVID-19. The results of this study may be used as basic data in future studies related to COVID-19.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제8권3호
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• pp.134-140
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise therapy and bedside ergometer exercise on muscle strength, function level, and quality of life of persons in intensive care. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial Methods: Sixteen patients in the ICU were randomly assigned to either the exercise group (n=8) or the bedside cycle ergometer group (n=8). Activities in the ICU exercise group (rolling, sitting at the edge of the bed, transfer from sitting to standing, standing balance training, ambulation) and bedside cycle ergometer group were performed 5 times a week for 30 minutes during the ICU admission period. Medical Research Council (MRC) and Functional Status Scale-Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) parameters were assessed at the time of admission to the ICU, and reevaluation was assessed on the day of ICU discharge. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) was assessed at the time of discharge from the ICU. Results: MRC and FSS-ICU were significantly increased before and after intervention in both the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between MRC and FSS-ICU in the comparison of the changes before and after the intervention (p<0.05). SF-36 was compared between groups after intervention and there was a significant difference between the experimental and the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Muscle strength and functional levels improved after intervention in both the experimental and control groups. The ICU exercise group was more effective than the bedside cycle ergometer group to improve muscle strength, functional level, and quality of life performance of persons in the ICU.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.159-166
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to report the effectiveness of the Korean medicine Beewha-eum as a treatment for functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods: A patient diagnosed with a spleen-stomach deficiency-cold pattern in Korean medicine was treated with herbal medicines, including Beewha-eum. Symptom severity was assessed using the degree of self-reported dyspepsia (%), self-reported energy level, amount of food intake (%), total parenteral nutrition rate (cc/hour), body weight (kg), Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI-K), functional dyspepsia-related quality of life questionnaire (FD-QoL), and short form 36-item health survey (SF-36) score. Results: After treatment, the symptom severity of self-reported dyspepsia decreased from 100% to 10 to 15%, and the self-reported energy level increased from 20 to 80. The amount of food intake increased from 5% to 100%, and the total parenteral nutrition rate started from 60 cc/hour end in week 5. Body weight increased from 53.1 kg to 62 kg. The NDI-K score decreased from 105 to 31. The FD-QoL score increased from 19 to 68. The SF-36 score also increased from 102 to 116. Conclusion: The results suggest that the Korean medicine Beewha-eum could be an effective option for treating FD.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.17-28
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of gluteal muscle strengthening exercises (GMSE) with ankle joint pumping exercises (AJPE) on thigh swelling, gait ability, and pain level in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: A total of 38 patients who had undergone total hip replacement surgery >1 week prior participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to a group that performed only GMSE (CG; n = 19) and a group that performed GMSE and AJPE (EG; n = 19). The CG group performed GMSE for 30 min, and the EG group performed GMSE for 30 min followed by AJPE for 15 min. Exercises were performed five times a week, for a total of 20 times over 4 weeks in both groups. Thigh swelling (thigh size), 10 m walking test (10MWT) and timed up and go test (TUG) results, pain level (visual analogue scale, VAS) scores, Short Form 36 health survey (SF-36), and hip outcome scale (HOS) scores were evaluated before and after the intervention. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of intervention, significant differences were observed in the thigh size, 10MWT, TUG, VAS, SF-36, HOS before and after intervention in both groups (p < . 05). However, only thigh size showed a significant interaction between group and measurement time (p < . 05). CONCLUSION: GMSE combined with AJPE might be effective in improving the gait ability and pain level in patients with total hip arthroplasty, and GMSE may be more effective in improving thigh swelling and gait ability than GMSE without AJPE.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.57-67
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Abexol is a mixture of primary aliphatic alcohols purified from beeswax (Apis mellifera), that produces anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and gastroprotective effects, as well as it is safe and well tolerated. To investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of Abexol (suspension versus tablets) in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods: Monocentric study, open-label, randomized design, with two parallel groups receiving Abexol tablets (150 mg/d) or Abexol suspension (75 mg/d) for 8 weeks. Primary efficacy variable (significant improvement in the total score of Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale [GSRS]). Significant reduction in the intensity of the gastrointestinal-symptoms and the reduction in the consumption of antacids are considered secondary efficacy variable. Short form-36 (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire was evaluated as collateral variable. Data were analyzed as per intention to treat. Results: A significantly decrease in the overall score of the survey was observed with respect to the baseline level (p < 0.001) of 81.4% in the Abexol suspension group and 77.9% in the Abexol tablets group. At the end of the trial, most gastrointestinal-symptoms disappeared or reduced significantly. The frequency of consumption of neutralizing antacids was low. The significantly improvement in the perception of the state of health obtained in the Abexol is in correspondence with the improvement achieved in some of the components evaluate in the SF-36 questionnaire. Both treatments were safe and well tolerated. Conclusions: Abexol suspension showed efficacy and safety similar to Abexol tablets in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, but using half the dose.