• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.69-75
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• 2005

Objective : This study is designed to find out the effect of Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy on the Post-stroke Pain. Methods : Bee venom solution was injected on Seven Points of CVA-GB2l(肩井), LI15(肩隅), Ll11(曲池), GB31(風市), ST36(足三里), GB39(絶骨), ect- every other day for 3 weeks, in twenty patients who were admitted in Dong-Seo Oriental Medical Hospital, as diagnosed by their typical pain characteristics of central pain from stroke. Result : After 3 weeks treatment, visual analogue scale of pain severity showed significant decrease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.117-127
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• 2010

Background : To demonstrate the efficacy of moxibustion therapy, randomized controled trials are required. But, clinical trials of moxibustion had limitations due to the absence of a sham moxibustion model for an appropriate placebo. Objectives : To develop a new sham moxibustion model based on the thermal characteristics of commercial indirect moxibustion, especially temperature, and to evaluate whether it could be applied in clinical trials. Methods : By applying heat insulation, we created a sham moxibustion device that was indistinguishable from a real one with the naked eye. It also stimulated heat but had inert remedial value. A clinical trial was performed on subjects to test double blinding. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, a treatment group and a sham group. Acupoint Zusanli($ST_{36}$) was used in each group for 3 times. A sham acupuncture credibility questionnaire was modified into a moxibustion credibility questionnaire and was filled out after treatment. Results : No major difference was detected in the subjects' baseline data. Most subjects and practitioners could not distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one. But, subjects who had experience of moxibustion therapy more likely to distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one than subjects who didn't have experience of moxibustion therapy. The treatment group showed a significant difference in the VAS(Visual Analog Scale) for intensity of sensation during treatment than that of the sham group. Conclusions : The sham moxibustion device in this study is proved sufficient and credible to be applied in investigations of the effect of moxibustion. But it is more appropriate for the people who don't have experience of moxibustion therapy.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2010

Purpose: We aimed to test the validity of the EQ-5D (Euro-Quality of Life-5 Dimension), a brief and simple instrument, in measuring health related quality of life in the patients with osteoarthritis. Methods: 183 participants attending the education programs for osteoarthritis patients at the Health Centers located in Seoul and Gyunggi province area during the periods of June to December in 2009 were interviewed with the EQ-5D and KWOMAC (Korean version of Western Ontario and McMaster Scale). The data were analysed with Spearman correlation coefficents and t-test by using of SPSS/WIN 12.0 version. Results: There was a negative correlation between knee pain, stiffness and difficulty in usual activity of sub category items of KWOMAC and EQ-5Dindex, while there was no correlation between these categories and EQ-VAS. Moreover, as a result of comparing the score of physical function measured by KWOMAC according to the severity degree of the EQ-5Dindex, the group of advanced stage having moderate and severe symptoms reported significantly higher scores of physical function than those of groups having no health problems. Conclusion: The EQ-5D is an acceptable and valid instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.53-62
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate duty-related incidental stress, coping method, and stress factors in 133 new firefighters. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was administrated to 133 new firefighters between April and May 2010. It consisted of 33 and 62 items concerning duty-related incident stress and coping methods, respectively. Data were analyzed by using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: New firefighters experienced the most stress when inappropriately dispatched. Duty-related incidental stress correlated with active (r = .420, p < .001) and passive coping (r = .450, p < .001). Also active coping statistically correlated with passive coping (r = .890, p < .001). Influencing factors of duty-related incidental stress were passive coping (t = 2.12, p < .05), experience of having a co-worker in a dangerous situation (t = 3.30, p < .001), having less than 6 months of work experience (t = 2.30, p < .05), and experience of having oneself in a dangerous situation (t = 2.05, p < .05). Conclusion: New firefighters need to be provided with training on active coping to prevent posttraumatic stress disorders and, social support immediately after an inappropriate and stressful dispatch.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.14.1-14.11
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study is to introduce our modified disc plication technique using MITEK mini anchors and to evaluate the clinical outcome for patients with internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Patients and methods: We evaluated 65 joints in 46 patients, comprised 32 women and 14 men, who first visited the Asan Medical Center from December 2012 to December 2016. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 79 years, with a mean age of 36.6 years. The patients presented with joint problems including pain, joint noise, and mouth opening limitation (MOL). Patients who met our inclusion criteria underwent unilateral or bilateral disc repositioning surgery with our minimally invasive disc plication technique using MITEK mini anchors and No. 2-0 Ethibond^® braided polyester sutures. The variables taken into account in this study were the range of maximum mouth opening (MMO), painful symptoms (evaluated with the visual analog scale, VAS), and the type of noise (click, popping, crepitus) in the TMJ. Results: Preoperative examination revealed painful symptoms in 50.7% (n = 35) of the operated joints (n = 69) and the presence of clicks in 56.5% (n = 39). Postoperative examination revealed that 4.3% (n = 3) of the operated joints had painful symptoms with lower intensity than that in the preoperative condition. Additionally, 17.4% (n = 12) had residual noise in the TMJ, among which two were clicking and the other 10 had mild crepitus. The intensity of the postoperative residual noise was significantly decreased in all cases compared to that in the preoperative condition. Among patients with MOL below 38 mm (n = 18), the mean MMO was 31.4 mm preoperatively and 44.2 mm at 6 months postoperatively, with a mean increase of 13.8 mm. A barely visible scar at the operation site was noted during the postoperative observation period, with no significant complications such as facial palsy or permanent occlusal disharmony. Conclusion: Subjective symptoms in all patients improved following the surgery. TMJ disc plication using MITEK mini anchors with our minimally invasive approach may be a feasible and effective surgical option for treating TMJ ID patients who are not responsive to conservative treatment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.119-130
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• 2021

Purpose : We aimed to validate a new manual therapy to treat tension type headache(TTH) by applying myofascial release techniques to the scalp and to examine the changes in the quality of life and the headache characteristics after treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. Methods : Thirty patients were recruited in this study and were assigned to two groups through simple random sampling. Fifteen patients were assigned to the manual therapy group (MT) and 15 patients to the scalp myofascial release technique (SMT) group. However, five patients from the MT group and one from the SMT group were excluded. Therefore, 24 patients with TTH (10 males, 14 females) participated in the study. Patients underwent either MT or SMT. The procedures were performed by a physical therapist twice per week for 4 weeks. The quality of life [using the brief pain inventory (BPI) and the headache impact test (HIT)], and the frequency, duration, and intensity of the headache [on a visual analog scale (VAS)] were assessed before and after the treatment, and at the follow-up. Results : After 4 weeks of SMT, the frequency (p<.001), duration (p<.05), and intensity (p<.001) of the headache and the quality of life (HIT; p <.001, BPI; p<.001) significantly improved in the patients with TTH. The improvement in these parameters remained significant even after 6 months of follow-up. Similarly, After 4 weeks of MT, the frequency (p<.05), duration (p<.05), and intensity (p<.01) of the headache, and the quality of life (HIT; p<.05, BPI; p<.001) significantly improved in the patients with TTH. The improvement in these parameters remained significant even after 6 months of follow-up. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the two groups. Conclusion : It has been suggested that MT using the SMT can be used as a non-invasive treatment to treat the frequency, duration, and intensity of the TTH, and to improve the quality of life.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.25-46
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• 2019

This pilot study involved a single session of song-based music therapy to relieve the anxiety of intensive care unit (ICU) caregivers. Six caregivers of ICU patients participated in the intervention session individually. During the initial stage of the intervention, the participants' current emotional states were identified. Then they listened to familiar songs and playing a tone chime, which was intended to help them relax their body and reduce their psychological resistance. During singing experiences as an essential part of the intervention, the participants discussed the lyrics of songs in an attempt to find the meaning related to them. Also, they sang the songs with a live accompaniment in which their emotional states were reflected with changes in musical elements (e.g., tempo, dynamics, rhythm, or chords). In the final stage, they identified personal application to their everyday lives. To analyze the results, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a visual analog scale on emotional states were completed by participants before and after the session, and participants' verbal responses during the session were also recorded. According to the results, STAI anxiety scores significantly declined following the session. Also, they showed significant increases in positive emotions and significant decreases in negative emotions. This suggests that short-term music therapy can be an effective intervention for relieving the psychological distress of ICU caregivers.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.367-375
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• 2020

Background: Intraosseous anesthesia (IO) allows the anesthetic solution to be injected directly into the cancellous bone. The anesthetic solution immediately reaches the periapical region, and thus the axonal area of the nerve, where it can temporarily disable the sodium pump. The effect is felt almost without any time delay, and only a small amount of anesthetic solution is required. Methods: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of IO using the AnestoⓇ device after infiltration anesthesia (IA) and/or inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia (IANB) failed to work in symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (hot tooth). The 33 patients included in the study were treated additionally with 1.7 ml articaine hydrochloride with 1:100,000 epinephrine hydrochloride (UltracainⓇ D-S, Sanofi-Aventis, Frankfurt, Germany) IO. Results: The electrical pulp test showed that 95.76% of the volunteers reacted positively to the combination of IANB or IA with the IO. In women, the additive IO was effective at 97.22%. In men, the IO led to pain elimination in 94.00% of cases. The duration of the IO was less than a quarter of an hour (13.03 min). The IO worked longer in women than in men (13.61 min vs. 12.33 min). Overall, more than every third tooth that needed trepanation was located in the posterior area of the mandible (36.4%). Treatment of hot teeth in this area was associated with an increased pulse rate and increased residual pain. There was a moderate correlation (Spearman-Rho [IRI] = 0.280) between the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and bone density, and a significant correlation (IRI = 0.612) between subjective residual pain and bone width. The IO resulted in a moderate, transient increase in the pulse rate by approximately 20 bpm. This is similar to the temporary increase in heart rate after conventional anesthesia techniques in non-preloaded patients and can be considered clinically irrelevant. Conclusion: IO with the AnestoⓇ device as an extension and deepening of local pain elimination is recommended for the treatment of hot teeth.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.16-31
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of clinical practice for gout in Korean Medicine (KM). Methods : On-line survey was adopted for this study, targeted at KM Doctors who were registered in the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire included the general status of treatment, pattern identification and treatment method according to three stages given: acute, chronic and asymptomatic hyperuricemia stage. Results : Data from a total of 384 respondents was analyzed. Participants who responded most were in their 40s, working in KM clinics located in Seoul. Acupuncture and herbal medicines were the top priority treatments in preparing recommendations in clinical practice guidelines for gout, and where clinical trials were considered essential. As of the past year, the average number of first visits per month was 86.7%, and the average treatment duration was less than 1 month, accounting for 72.9%. As for the diagnostic method used for gout patients, the "diagnosed by clinical pattern" response was the highest, and the "blood and urine test" response was the highest as the diagnostic equipment used. As for the evaluation scale being used, the "VAS/NRS" response was the highest. Regardless of the gout stage, acupuncture was the most commonly used treatment method for gout patients, and bee venom pharmacopuncture was the highest for the pharmacopuncture used. In the case of herbal medicine, it was found that a wider variety of herbal medication uninsured in health insurance and herbal prescription were used for the staged treatment of gout than herbal medication in national health insurance coverage. In clinical practice, "acupuncture treatment three times a week" was the most common, and the "acupoints in the limb" were the most frequently used; LR3 and SP3 were the most frequently used acupoints. Conclusions : It is suggested that this survey should be helpful to develop clinical practice guideline for gout that reflects actual clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.879-887
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• 2022

In this study, we tried to confirm whether the mechanical sequential elevation method of the body pressure measuring bed actually induces segmental motion for each part of the spine. To this end, a lateral X-ray examination was performed, and it was confirmed that the sequential pressure device induces a step-wise segmentation of the spine by mechanically lifting each part of the spine vertically. Then, pain, walking ability, and depression scale were measured and analyzed in subjects who were aware of back pain. VAS(p<0.05) and ODI(p<0.05) for 10 days tended to decrease in average after bed use. In the gait ability test(p<0.05), as the number of times of bed use increased, the moving time in the test decreased and the moving distance increased. In addition, GSDDF(p<0.05) decreased after bed use. As a result, it was confirmed that the spinal segmentation caused by the heat and acupressure provided by the bed affected gait and depression as well as pain relief.