• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.98-108
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• 1996

Korean women are now living almost 1/3 of their life after menopause. Sex-steroid hormone deficiency adversely affect various fields of physical & mental activity and quality of life during this period. Therefore, replacement of deficient hormone is thought to be natural therapeutic modality. Postmenopausal syndrome is recently redefined as an endocrinopathy with both short-and long-term sequelae, as a result of cessation of ovarian function. Hormone replacement therapy taken at or near time of menopause alleviates shot-term acute menopausal symptoms such as vasomotor disturbances and psychological problems. HRT also beneficially affects some of intermediate symptoms such as urogenital atrophy and cutaneous problems. The major benefits of long-term use were reductions in risk of long-term sequelae, that is, total fracture by 50-60%, cardiovascular disease by 50% and cerebrovascular disease by 30-40%, respectively. In addition, HRT may also positively influence Alzheimer's disease, reduce the colorectal cancer risk and increase longevity of the life. In conclusion, all postmenopausal women should consider preventive HRT when there are no contraindications.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.214-222
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• 2014

Purpose: The method of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement can be divided into the pull and introducer techniques. We compared short-term complications and prognosis between patients who underwent the pull technique and two other types of introducer techniques, the trocar introducer technique and T-fastener gastropexy technique. Methods: Twenty-six patients who underwent PEG were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively investigated the age, sex, body weight, weight-for-age Z-score, underlying diseases, PEG indications, complications, duration of NPO (nil per os), pain control frequency, and duration of antibiotic therapy. The patients were classified into three groups according to the PEG technique. The occurrence of complications was monitored for 10 weeks after the procedure. Results: The age, sex, body weight, and weight-for-age Z-score were not significantly between the three groups. Most patients had cerebral palsy and seizure disorders. Dysphagia was the most common indication for PEG. Major complications occurred in 5 (50%), 4 (66.7%), and 0 (0%) patients in group I, II, and III, respectively (p=0.005). Further, peristomal infection requiring systemic antibiotic therapy occurred in 2 (20%), 3 (50%), and 0 (0%) patients in group I, II, and III, respectively (p=0.04). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to minor complications, duration of NPO, pain control frequency, and duration of antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: The results indicate that the T-fastener gastropexy technique was associated with the lowest rate of major complications.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2019

Arthritis of hip joints deteriorates the quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Secondary to the articular inflammatory process, the shortened hip-girdle muscles contribute to the decreased joint mobility which may lead to the functional impairment. As the limitation of range of motion (ROM) usually progress slowly, clinicians regard it as a chronic condition and prescribe long-term therapy. However, by short-term intensive multimodal treatment, a 20-year-old man diagnosed as AS with severely limited hip joint ROM who relied on crutches doubled the joint angle and could walk independently only within 2 weeks. The combination included intra-articular steroid injection, electrical twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, heat, manual therapy, and stretching exercises. The management focused on the relaxation of hip-girdle muscles as well as the direct control of intra-articular inflammation. Hereby, we emphasize the effectiveness of intensive multimodal treatment in improving the function even within a short period.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.87-98
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral splints in reducing the intensity of pain in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction in both short and long-term treatment durations. Electronic databases, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, and EMBASE were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing different types of splints to non-occluding splints, behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, counseling, and no treatment. The risk of bias was assessed by using Cochrane risk of bias recommendations. Fixed and random effects were used to summarize the outcomes. The effect estimates were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) or risk ratios with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were carried out according to the treatment duration. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of short-term studies up to three months revealed no significant difference between the study groups. However, long-term studies exhibited a significant difference in pain reduction in favor of the control group. Total analysis revealed that the control group resulted in significant pain reduction (SMD 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.23, P=0.002, I²=0%). Oral splints are not effective in reducing pain intensity or improving function in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the effects of a short-term life review on spiritual well-being, depression, and anxiety in patients with terminal cancer. Methods: The study used a pre posttest quasi experimental design with a nonequivalent control group. Measurement instruments included the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual scale (FACIT-Sp12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants were 32 patients with terminal cancer who were receiving chemotherapy or palliative care at hospitals or at home. Eighteen patients were assigned to the experimental group and 14 to the control group. A sixty minute short-term life review session was held twice a week as the intervention with the experimental group. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in spiritual well-being in the experimental group compared to the control group. There were also significant decreases in depression and anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results indicate that a short-term life review can be used as a nursing intervention for enhancing the spiritual well-being of patients with terminal cancer.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.91-103
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• 2021

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a cognitive enhancement brain yoga program on short-term memory and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels according to the cognitive state in men aged 20-29 years. Methods : Thirty healthy volunteers aged 20-29 years were divided into four groups: brain yoga group, yoga group, combined exercise group, and control group. Seven people were assigned randomly per group. A single-session intervention was conducted over 50 min and consisted of three parts: warm-up, main exercise (brain yoga, yoga, combined exercise, or non-exercise), and cool-down. Serum BDNF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and short-term memory was evaluated using the forward number span test before and after the intervention. Results : BDNF levels significantly increased within the brain yoga group after the intervention (from 28874.37±5185.57 to 34074.80±7321.12, p=.003), whereas there were no significant differences pre-and post-intervention in the other groups. The inter-group comparison showed a significant interaction between the brain yoga group and the combined exercise group (p=.036) but no significant interaction between any of the other groups. Forward number span scores were significantly increased in the brain yoga group (from 9.43±9.83 to 23±7.92, p=.012) and theyoga group after the intervention (from 13.43±9.41 to 24.14±8.45, p=.011), whereas there were no significant changes after the intervention in any other groups. Conclusion : Our findings showed that a single-session, 50-minute brain yoga exercise improved short-term memory and increased serum BDNF levels in healthy men aged 20-29 years and that yoga improved only short-term memory in healthy men of this age group.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 1994

This study was performed to investigate the biostimulation effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the fungus, Candida albicans, during the short term of cell cycle. Samples were divided into 6 groups which were P7, P9, P11, P15< CW and CO. All samples were irradiated for 1 minute with 2 hours of elapsed time during about 27 hours of the cell cycle of Candida albicans, and the optical density was assessed by spectrophotometry every 2 hours. It was found that there was no difference between the control and any other groups irradiated with 2 hours of short interval.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.152-159
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• 2003

Background : Hyperlipidemia is the one of the major risk factors causing the atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. Treatment of hyperlipidemia with drugs has been confirmed the effects of therapy showing a decreased incidence of coronary artery disease. Simvastatin is a new drug of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and the short-term hypolipidemic effects and safety of simvastatin is evaluated in patients with hyperlipidemia. Methods: We studied 63 patients (39 males and 24 females, mean age 58) for 12 weeks whose plasma levels of total cholesterol were higher than 240 mg/dL or higher than 220 mg/dL with ischemic heart disease. Simvastatin was administered 20 mg/day and measured lipid profile at 12 week interval. Result: 1) Simvastatin significantly reduced the level of the plasma total cholesterol(-29.3%), LDL-cholesterol(-36.9%) and triglyceride(-13%)(p<0.05) but the level of HDL-cholesterol was not changed after 12 weeks simvastatin therapy. 2) the clinical symptoms and laboratory examination before and after simvastatin treatment showed no particular abnormal findings in short term follow up. Conclusion: These results suggested that short-term simvastatin therapy in patients with hyperlipidemia seeems to be very effective and safe.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of short-term treadmill walking with high-heeled shoes on electromyography activities of the medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior in healthy young females. Methods: Fifteen healthy females were recruited for this study. To measure muscle activation, the subjects were asked in random order to walk on a treadmill using either high-heeled shoes or barefoot conditions. The shoe heel height for high-heeled walking was 7 cm. The walking speed on the treadmill was 4 km/h, and the inclination rate of the treadmill was 10%. The subjects performed treadmill walking in the barefoot and high-heeled walking conditions for 5 minutes. Electromyography data were collected from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, and soleus on both firm and foam surfaces and during eyes-open and-closed conditions while standing. Results: Tibialis anterior activity was significantly different before and after the walking task while standing on a foam surface with eyes closed (p<.05). Conclusion: This finding suggests that the activity of the tibialis anterior may be lowered after high-heeled walking. Therefore, high-heeled shoes contribute to harmful effects at the ankle joints, increasing the risks of falling and musculoskeletal injury.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.29-34
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short term effects of the traction and decompression device, which is a newly developed domestic medical device, on pain and functional activity in patients with chronic low back pain with or without radicular pain. Methods: Forty patients with chronic low back pain were included and allocated to decompression (n=20) and traction groups (n=20). They received decompression or traction therapy for 20 minutes a day, 3 days per week for two weeks. For evaluating pain and functional activity, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for low back pain and the Oswestry back pain disability index (ODI) were obtained on pre-treatment, and at 6, 12 and 15 days after treatment. Patients'satisfaction levels were measured 15 days after treatment. Results: VAS was significantly decreased at 12 days and 15 days post-treatment compared to pre-treatment in both groups (p<0.05). ODI was significantly decreased at 12 days and 15 days post-treatment compared to pre-treatment in the decompression group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the VAS and ODI scales (p>0.05). Patients' satisfaction levels were significantly higher in the decompression group than in the traction group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that decompression therapy might be effective for increasing functional activity in patients with low back pain and could provide patients with higher satisfaction than traction therapy. This study provided validity data for the therapeutic effects of the decompression device in patients with low back pain and it will be useful for medical cost development and patient education of this device.