• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.87-94
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• 2005

Results from previous studies revealed that metal level in the body is related to certain types of diseases. For example. serum copper level with chronic heart failure, iron and transferrin in the blood serum with acute cerebral vascular diseases, Zn in the CNS, lead with neurotoxicity, hypertension, genetic damage, arsenic with cancer skin lesion, Al with neurobehavioral function (cognitive impairment and memory disorder), and etc. The rate of stroke has increased in recent years and several metals were found to be responsible for causing stroke. This study compared several blood metal concentrations between stroke and non-stroke patients. Patients with stroke (116 samples) and non-stroke (111 samples including lowback pain and others) participated in this study. Total of 227 blood samples were collected and participants completed questionnaires regarding age, gender, occupation, residence, alcohol, smoking, and etc. To be qualified into the stroke group, patients have never experienced stroke previously. Subjects only included ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage patients diagnosed by brain CT and brain MRI. Patients with high risk of metal exposure such as herbal intake and job related exposure were excluded. 10ml of blood samples were analyzed by ICP-MS method at the Center of Nature and Science at Sangji University. Metal geometric mean (SD) concentrations in blood of study subjects showed higher values, 2.64-36.12%, than WHO reference values in Mn, Ni, Hg, Se, and As. Metal concentration in blood of stroke patients non-adjusted for potential confounders was higher except for Hg and also higher except for Ni in adjusted for potential confounders. Co was significantly higher in stroke patients (p=0.002) than non-stroke patients adjusted for potential confounders. Regression coefficient values of stroke patients was 0.17-8.25 in each metals. Odd ratio of stroke patients had 0.96 (Ni)-2.68 (Co) compared to non-stroke cases. This result means that Co increase of 1 raises the risk ratio of stroke by 2.86 times. Based on the results, metal concentration in blood seems to affect incidence of stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.623-632
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of recovery of disability on post-stroke depression in stroke patients. Methods : Fifty patients with stroke were participated in this study. The stroke impact scale(SIS) was used to assess the recovery of disability according to stroke and short form of geriatric depression scale(SGDS) was used to assess the poststroke depression(PSD). Results : The suspicious for depression were exhibited in 38%(n=19) and patients with depression were 58% (n=26) of 50 patients with stroke. In correlation between recovery of disability and depression, emotion and recovery of stroke negatively correlated with depression(p<.05). Conclusion : These results demonstrates that patients with stroke need to manage and treat emotion for the prevention and management of PSD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.181-189
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• 2003

Background : Patient, family, society and country are badly damaged by stroke (CVA : cerebrovascular accident). To reduce sequelae and return rapidly to society, treatment in the acute stage is very important. In many studies on purgation therapy (下法) used in acute stages of stroke, the changes of blood pressure, pulse and so on before and after purgation therapy were reported. However, the changes in the human body according to the day elapsed after defecation were not reported, so study was needed to confirm such changes. Methods : Seventy-six patients were studied. We observed forty-three patients at acute stroke and thirty-three patients at convalescent stroke. To confirm the importance of regular defecation in stroke patients, we analyzed blood pressure according to the day elapsed after defecation. Results : The following result were obtained. 1. In stroke group, compared with the day after defecation, the mean blood pressure of the third day after defecation increased. It increased the most in the acute stroke group. 2. Especially in stroke and acute stroke groups, compared with the second day after defecation, the mean systolic blood pressure of the third day after defecation increased significantly. 3. In the infarction group, compared with the day after defecation, the mean blood pressure of the third day after defecation increased. It increased the most in the acute infarction group. 4. Especially, in the infarction and acute infarction groups, compared with the second day after defecation, the mean systolic blood pressure of the third day after defecation increased significantly. Conclusion : In stroke patients, regular defecation is important, so we think that purgation therapy (下法) is needed in stroke patients over the third day elapsed after defecation. We think that the bowel movement control in acute stroke patients is more important than in convalescent stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2020

Purpose : The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the Computer-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation Program (CoTras) on the cognitive function and daily living activities of elderly and adult stroke patients. Methods : Twenty stroke patients were divided into two groups comprising 10 elderly stroke patients and 10 adult stroke patients. The CoTras was applied as the intervention for 30 minutes at a time, three times a week, for nine weeks (i.e., a total of 27 times), to both groups. The Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination was used to assess cognitive function, and the Functional Independence Measure was utilized to evaluate daily living activities, prior to, during, and after the intervention. Results : The CoTras was demonstrated to have a statistically significant and positive effect on the cognitive function and daily living activities of stroke patients. However, the effect of the program on the restoration of weight-shifting capacity, as a component of the daily living activities of stroke patients, was without statistical significance. The program had a greater influence on improving the cognitive function and daily living activities of elderly stroke patients than adult stroke patients. Conclusion : This study makes a meaningful contribution to the literature on the topic as the intervention was demonstrated to lead to a more significant recovery of cognitive function and daily living activities in elderly stroke patients, compared to adult patients. Therefore, it is proposed that the CoTras should be used as a clinical intervention for elderly stroke patients. Future studies that evaluate the application of the CoTras, along with other occupation-based intervention programs, are warranted.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.11-18
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• 2011

Purpose : This study attempts to assist stroke patients lead independent daily life movements by providing basic data for stroke patients' successful rehabilitation program and understanding the relationship between health beliefs of stroke patients and their guardians, and patients' rehabilitation performance level and daily life movement fulfillment ability. Methods : 23 stroke patients receiving treatments at rehabilitation specializing hospital after getting diagnosed with a stroke, along with 23 guardians were selected as research subjects, and health belief was measured by modifying supplementing Byun Young-Hee(2002)'s health belief measurement tool for leg movement disorder patients. Research findings revealed the following relationship between health beliefs of stroke patients and their guardians, and patients' rehabilitation performance and daily life movement fulfillment ability. Results : The patients group's initial MBI score was $33.13{\pm}3.46$, and measurement after four weeks was $38.43{\pm}3.47$. As health beliefs got stronger, MBI score increased significantly(p<.05). Correlation analyses of factors that affect rehabilitation attendance rate showed that perceived susceptibility, seriousness and usefulness were statistically significant, and perceived disability was not statistically significant(p<.05). Guardians' health belief index(susceptibility, seriousness, usefulness, disability) had no correlation with rehabilitation attendance rate. Conclusion : In order to increase daily life movement fulfillment ability of patients who are being treated with stroke, health beliefs must be raised to increase changes in daily life movement fulfillment ability. Therefore, it is believed that managing programs that can increase health beliefs of stroke patients can allow patients obtain positive health beliefs, further increase rehabilitation performance rate of stroke patients as well as independent daily life ability.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.15-26
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• 2012

Objective : Only a few studies have investigated the life expectance and health related quality of life (HRQOL) about stroke patients. The purpose of this study is to analyze the life expectancy, preference based quality of life(QOL) and quality adjusted life years(QALYs) of stroke patients. Methods : We used data of 10,533 adults from 4th Korean national health and nutritional examination survey 2009 for evaluating HRQOL of stroke patients. We also analyzed the life expectancy for stroke patients using life table from national public health data. Finally we calculated the QALYs with and without stroke conditions and assumed the difference of QALYs. Results : The mean age of stroke patients was assumed to be 65. Lower income and less educated groups were prone to be exposed to the stroke conditions. Common comorbidities of stroke patients were ischemic heart attack, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The proportions of participants who reported problems in each of the five EQ-5D dimensions increased significantly at chronic stroke group. Participants with chronic stroke conditions had an almost 6-fold higher risk of impaired health utility(the lowest quartile of EQ-5D utility score) compared with non stroke participants, after adjustment of age, gender, income, education, comorbidity variables. The differences of life expectancy and QALYs between non-stroke and stroke group from the age of 65 till death were assumed to be 0.767 year and 3.103 QALYs. Conclusions : Although the authors analyzed the affecting factors of QOL and assumed the differences of life expectance and QALYs about stroke patients using domestic national data and statistic references, well designed cohort studies should be needed to prove the causal effects of affecting factors and to assume more correct QALY differences.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of classic heat stroke in Korea and to identify factors of prognosis for heat stroke by comparing a survival group with a non-survival group. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 27 patients with heat stroke who visited the Emergency Department of Kyungpook National University Hospital from March 2001 to February 2005. First, we divided the patients into two groups, the classic heat stroke group and the exertional heat stroke group, and compared them. Second, we compared the survival group with the non-survival group. Age, sex, cause, place where patients were found, underlying diseases, cooling time, performance of endotracheal intubation, initial Glasgow Coma Scale, initial vital sign, and laboratory findings were reviewed. Results: Five of 27 patients in heat stroke died. The classic heat stroke group had 20 patients. They were old and had more patients in the bathroom than the exertional heat stroke group had. The non-survival group showed lower blood pressure, lower initial GCS score, and higher respiratory rate than the survival group. In laboratory findings, the non-survival group also showed lower$HCO_3-$ level, lower albumin level, lower glucose level, more prolonged PT, and higher CK-MB level than the survival group. Delay in recognition of heat stroke and cooling were poor prognostic factors in heat stroke. Conclusion: The classic heat stroke group had patients who were old and found in the bathroom. Early recognition and treatment of heat stroke is important to reduce mortality. Cooling time, initial GCS score, mean arterial pressure, resipratory rate, $HCO_3-$, PT, CK-MB, and albumin seem to be meaningful when forming a prognosis for heat stroke patients.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2006

Various heavy metals have been known for causing ischemic stroke. In order to describe the causative relationship between the blood levels of various heavy metals and stroke patients, 116 patients with stroke and 111 patients without stroke were selected from one Oriental medical hospital in Wonju, Korea. Total of 9 kinds of metals such as As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in blood from patients with and without stroke. There were no significant differences in the means of metal concentrations between the stroke and nonstroke patients except for the mean of Co concentration. In the case of Co, the means for stroke and non-stroke patients were 0.44 ug/l and 0.40 ug/l showing a significant difference at the level of p-value=0.05. The odds ratios for each metal ranged from 0.96 to 2.86. Most odds ratios were not significant but the odds ratio for Co, $2.86{\pm}1.49$ was significant, indicating that Co increases the risk of stroke by 2.86 times. In order to identify the specific risk level of stroke increased by a multiple interaction of metals, regression coefficients and odds ratio for a pair or multiple pair of metals were reanalyzed. However, all of regression coefficients and odds ratios were not significant. In conclusion, Co showed the significant level in blood from patients with stroke. In addition, the odds ratio of stroke was significantly different from other metals. Thus, it is considered that Co among various metals analyzed in this study is the important metal for increasing the risk of stroke.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.542-552
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate dietary habits and food compliance in stroke patients. One-hundred sixty eight elderly stroke patients and 97 young patients with first -ever stroke admitted to Asan Medical Center between 1994 and 1998 were studied. Using a structured interview, we assessed food intake. food consumption frequency and compliance to low salt, low meat hight fish and high fruit and vegetable diets. These results were analyzed with X$^2$, t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SAS package program. Salted food intake and cholesterol-containing food frequency were increased whereas frequency of fruits and vegetables intake was decreased in young stroke patients compared to the elderly. Meat intake and cholesterol-containing food frequency were increased in the males compared to the females in elderly stroke patients. and fish intake and cholesterol-containing food frequency were higher in the males than the females in the young. In patients with high economic status, frequency of fruits and vegetables was elevated. Also compliance the low meat and high fruit and vegetable diet in young patients was lower than that in the elderly. When the life-style risk factors influencing the food intake of frequency of fruits and vegetables was affected by education in young stroke patients. In elderly stroke patients, meat intake frequency of cholesterol-containing foods and fruits and vegetables were influenced by sex and /or income. Our results suggest that dietary intake of salt meat ,cholesterol-containing foods. fruits and vegetables in stroke patients may vary with age, sex the presence of risk factors or economic status therefore guidelines and nutrition education should by formulated to prevent stroke recurrence based on dietary habits and risk factors of individual patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

Objectives : This study investigated stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions in both sexes. Methods : 307 patients with acute stroke within 14 days onset were included, who were admitted to Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from October 2005 to May 2007. Stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions in both sexes were examined. Results : Mean age was higher among women than men (64.82${\pm}$10.21 years versus 62.18${\pm}$11.52 years for the 137 female and 170 male patients, respectively, p=0.037). There were no significant differences in stroke type, ischemic stroke subtypes, or stroke risk factors except smoking and Sasang constitutions. Current smoking was more frequent in male patients (p<0.001). Stroke complications, especially urinary tract infection (UTI), were significantly more common in women (p=0.002). Conclusion : Sex does not seem to influence stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, or stroke risk factors except current smoking and Sasang constitutions. UTI should be taken into consideration to manage female stroke patients. Smoking cessation is indicated to prevent stroke in men.