• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.498-507
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thoracic flexibility exercise on sitting balance, static standing balance, gait parameters, and the fall risk of patients with chronic stroke. The participants were randomized into the control (n=12) and thoracic flexibility exercise groups (n=12). Both groups received standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. The subjects in the experimental group performed additional thoracic flexibility exercises 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The trunk impairment scale, static standing balance, gait speed, cadence, and fall risk were assessed for all the participants before and after the intervention. The thoracic flexibility exercise group showed greater improvement than did the control group on the trunk impairment scale (t=-3.57, p=.002), static standing balance (t=5.37, p<.001), gait speed (t=-3.29, p=.003), cadence (t=-2.77, p=.011), and fall risk (t=6.33, p<.001). Furthermore, the thoracic flexibility exercise group significantly improved all the outcomes compared to the baseline values (P<.05). This study showed that the thoracic flexibility exercise improved the functional ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.445-455
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• 2014

This study has targeted to comparatively analyze smoking cessation success rates and success factors among new enrollees and re-enrollees in Smoking Cessation Clinics for its efficient operation. A total of 319,908 smokers who were enrolled in the Smoking Cessation Clinics in one of 253 public health centers across the nation for more than 6 months from July 16, 2009 to July 15, 2010 were examined. According to the comparative analysis, the following results have been obtained. According to the results, it has been confirmed that it is necessary to determine why smoking cessation success rates are low and take additional efforts to increase the rates for the effective operation of smoking cessation clinics. In addition, smoking cessation success rates were higher when only BT(Behavior Therapy) was given than when both BT and NRT(Nicotine Replacement Therapy) were provided to new enrollees while they were lower when only BT was provided than when both BT and NRT were given to re-enrollees. Therefore, it is necessary to provide differentiated service types depending on the type of enrollment. Hence, it is also required for the government to take various approaches in terms of a direction for a smoking cessation policy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2006

Objective ： This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy and toxicities of the radiation therapy(RT) combined with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer(NPC). Materials and Methods ： Fifty three patients with locally advanced NPCs(AJCC stage II, III, IV) received curative RT and cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Duration of follow-up ranged from 5.5 to 201 months(median 50.8 months). Nineteen patients(35.8%) were treated with induction chemotherapy including cisplatin $100mg/m^2$ for 1 day and 5-fluorouracil $1g/m^2$ for 5 days followed by RT(Induction CTx-RT). Another 34 patients (64.2%) were treated with concurrent chemoradiation(CCRT) using cisplatin $100mg/m^2$(D1, 22, 43). Results ： Thirty-six(67.9%) and 11(20.8%) patients achieved clinical complete response and partial response, respectively. The pattern of failure was as follows：14 locoregional recurrence(26.4%) and 7 distant metastasis(13.2%). Among them, two patients(3.8%) had both locoregional and distant failure. Median overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) were 85.5 months and 87.5 months, respectively. Five-year OS rate was 57.1%. The stage(AJCC), tumor response to chemoradiation and T stage were significant prognostic factors for OS(p=0.0113, p=0.0362 and p=0.0469). The stage(AJCC), tumor response to chemoradiation were also significant prognostic factors for PFS(p=0.0329, p=0.0424). Compared to each treatment group(Induction CTx-RT vs. CCRT), there were no significant differences in OS and PFS(p=0.7000, p=0.8261). Grade 3-4 mucositis, nausea/vomiting and hematological toxicities were noticed in 35.8%, 11.3% and 13.2%, respectively. Delayed RT over 2 weeks was inevitable in 26.5%. Seventeen patients(50%) successfully completed planned 3 courses of cisplatin in CCRT group. Conclusions ： RT combined with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in locally advanced NPC showed high response rate, good locoregional control, and survival rate. As expected, frequency of acute toxicities increased, and the patient's compliance to treatment was need to be improved. Although our data could not show additional survival benefit of CCRT compare to that of induction chemotherapy followed by RT, patients' accrual and further follow-up are required due to limitation of retrospective study.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2013

Purpose: We analyzed the treatment outcomes of patients with sacral giant cell tumor. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 7 patients with giant cell tumor of the sacrum who were treated at out institution between 1990 and 2012. Results: There were 2 men and 5 women with mean age of 23.6 years. The average follow up was 52.3 months (range, 15-73 months). Six patients received surgical treatment. Intralesional curettage was performed for the 5 patients and marginal resection for another one patient. The remaining one patient was received radiation only. The patients who received radiation therapy and marginal excision had no residual or recurrent tumors. Of 5 patients with intra-lesional excision, one patient needs one more operation; two patients need two more operation for local control of the giant cell tumor. The remaining two patients failed to gain local control in spite of additional treatments. Conclusion: For the treatment of sacral giant cell tumor, intralesional resection can be one of the treatments option with minimal neurologic injury. Furthermore, radiation therapy can be recommended when complete excision or curettage is impractical.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.351-355
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• 2009

Purpose: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis tends to involve the deep soft tissues and spread caudally to the anterior chest and mediastinum, often resulting in major complications and death. It may rapidly spread into the thorax along fascial planes, and the associated diagnostic delay results in this descending necrotizing mediastinitis. So, aggressive multidisciplinary therapy with surgical drainage is mandatory. We present a very rare case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis with literature review. Methods: A 53 years old male visited our department 7 days after trauma in neck. His premorbid conditions and risk factors of necrotizing fasciitis were concealed hepatoma, trauma history, chronic liver disease, and nutrition deficit. Computed tomographic scans of the head and neck region were performed in this patient : signs of necrotizing fasciitis, were seen in the platysma, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius muscle and strap muscles of the neck. Fluid accumulations involved multiple neck spaces and mediastinum. At the time, he diagnosed as necrotizing fasciitis on his neck and anterior chest. Necrotic wound was excised serially and we treated this with the Vacuum - assisted closure(VAC, Kinetics Concepts International, San Antonio, Texas) system device. After appropriately shaping the sponge and achieving additional 3 pieces drainage tubes in the pockets, continuous negative pressure of 125 mmHg was applied. The VAC therapy was utilized for a period of 12 days. Results: We obtained satisfactory results from wide excision, abscess drainage with the VAC system, and then split thickness skin graft. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: The refined technique using the VAC system can provide a means of simple and effective management for the descending necrotizing mediastinitis, with better cosmetic and functional results. Finally, the VAC system has been adopted as the standard treatment for deep cervical and mediastinal wound infections as a result of the excellent clinical outcome.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide basic data in order to systemize the management of demand and supply of radiologic technicians, to pursue a fair regional distribution of educational institutions, and furthermore to keep reasonable medical treatment and fee. This research was carried out through the investigation of radiologic equipments and technicians according to the distribution of the population. Materials and Methods: We compared and analyzed the correlation between regional population, the number of clinics and hospitals, the number of medical imaging devices, and the number of radiologists and radiologic technicians in 5 cities without "Gu" administrative units in 2008. Results: 27,317 radiologic technicians have been produced since the administration of the national qualifying exam for radiologic technicians. About 18,000 radiologic technicians are currently working. There are 39 colleges or universities with Departments of Radiology and the admission quota is 2,120 students excluding one college. The ratio of radiologic equipments to radiologic technicians is 2.6 to 1. Conclusion: There is a dilemma in which some radiologic technicians fail to find appropriate jobs while some clinics or hospitals are in need of radiologic technicians. This dilemma is due to unreasonable regional discrepancies in pay system and welfare situation, and excessive profit-oriented recruiting system of clinics and hospitals. The increase of students of Radiologic Departments and approval of additional departments will end up with producing superfluous high academic degree holders, which is on the contrary to the government policy to produce more job opportunities. So the policy of increasing Radiologic Departments should be reconsidered.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate environmental factors contributing to childhood home slip-down injuries. Methods: Among a total of 2,812 injured children in our Customer Injury Surveillance System (CISS), we performed a prospective study on 262 children with home slip-down injuries who visited the pediatric emergency department of Asan Medical Center between March 2008 and February 2009. We made a frequency analysis on parameters such as activities just before the accident, the presence of any obstacles or lubricant materials, specific home place in the home where the injuries occurred, flooring materials on which the slip-down happened, additional objects hit after slip down, the site and kind of injury, the duration of therapy, and the disposition. Results: Walking was the most common activity just before the injury. Because rooms and bathrooms were most common places in the home for slip down injuries, laminated papers/ vinyl floor coverings and tiles were the most common flooring materials used in the places where the injuries occured. Most commonly, no obstacles caused the children to slip down, but the furniture, stairs, doorsills, wetness, or soapy fluid followed after that. Over half of the children who slipped (58%) also collided with other than the floor itself after the slip-down, most common objects hit were the edges of the furniture, and doorsills, followed by stairways. The head and neck were the most commonly injured sites, and a laceration was the most common kind of injury. Most children needed less than 1 week of therapy, only 4 children (1.53%) admitted. There were no mortalities. Conclusion: The environmental factors contributing to slip-down injuries were the bathroom, laminated papers/vinyl floors, the furniture, stairs, doorsills, and wetness or soapy fluid. Especially, the furniture, stairs, and doorsills can be both primary obstacles and secondary collision objects. For the safety of our children, we must consider these factors on housing, when decorating or remodeling our house.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of back muscle stretching on the flexibility of spinal column. Methods : The subjects were consisted of healthy adults (18 of females, 22 males ; mean aged 21.83) from 18 to 29. All subjects randomly assigned to the control group, back muscle stretching group. back muscle stretching group received back muscles stretching for 20 minutes per day and 3 times a week during 3 week period. Spine motion analyzer (Spinal Mouse) was used to measure the flexibility of spinal column. All measurement of each subjects were measured at pre-experiment, after 10 days, and after 21 days. Results : The results of this study were summarized below 1. The sacral tilt angle of the hip joint of control group, back muscle stretching group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment and after 10 days(p>0.5), but differency of each group occurred at after 21 days(p<0.5). the sacral tilt angle significantly increased at the back muscle stretching group rather than the control group. 2. The thoracic vertebral tilt angle of the control group, back muscle stretching group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment, after 10 days, after 21 days(p>0.5). 3. The lumbar vertebral tilt angle of the control group, back muscle stretching group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment, after 10 days, after 21 days(p>0.5). 4. The spinal tilt angle of control group, back muscle stretching group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment and after 10 days(p>0.5), but differency of each group occurred at after 21 days(p<0.5). the spinal tilt angle significantly increased at the back muscle stretching group rather than the control group(p>0.5). 5. The length of the spinal column of control group, back muscle stretching group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment and after 10 days (p>0.5), but differency of each group occurred at after 21 days(p<0.5). the length of the spinal column significantly increased at the back muscle stretching group rather than the control group(p<0.5). Conclusion : These data suggests that 3-week back muscle stretching improved the flexibility of sacrum, spinal column, and also improved spinal column lengthening. Additional randomized controlled trials to more fully investigate treatment effects and factors that may mediate these effects are needed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.5689-5697
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of scapular taping on muscle activities of the scapular rotators and anterior deltoid, ROM, shoulder pain, proprioception in subacute stroke patients. Twenty-eight patients were randomly assigned to an experimental and control groups of fourteen patients respectively. Muscle activity of upper and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, anterior deltoid was measured using surface electromyography. Visual analog scale was used for shoulder pain. Electro-Goniometry was used for shoulder elevation ROM. Assessment board was used for shoulder elevation proprioception. The muscle activity of the lower trapezius and serratus anterior increased significantly after scapular tape application (p<0.05). The AROM and PROM in the shoulder elevation significantly increased after scapular tape application (p<0.05). The VAS in the shoulder no significantly decreased after scapular tape application (p>0.05). The proprioception in the shoulder no significantly increased after scapular tape application (p>0.05). The results of this study suggest that scapular taping can be used an additional therapy for increasing muscle activity of lower trapezius and serratus anterior and ROM during shoulder elevation in subacute stroke patients.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.367-373
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of backward walking training on the balance capability(Functional Gait Assessment; FGA, Timed Up & Go Test; TUG) and gait performance(10 meter Walking Test; 10 mWT) of stroke patients. Eighteen with stroke patients were randomly allocated to an experimental and contral group of nine patients each. both groups received general neurorehabilitative physical therapy for 45 minutes per day 5 times per week during 4 weeks. The experimental group also performed additional backward walking training for 20 minutes per day 3 times per week during 4 weeks. There were signicantly increase by backward walking training in outcome of the balance capability from the FGA was increase from $17.67{\pm}1.00scores$ to $19.22{\pm}1.00scores$(p<.05), TUG was decrease from $26.45{\pm}1.37sec$ to $23.28{\pm}1.35sec$(p<.05) and 10 mWT was decreased from $21.74{\pm}1.35sec$ to $18.33{\pm}1.10sec$ (p<.05). These result suggest that backward walking training for stroke patients is effective in improving balance capability(FGA, TUG) and gait performance(10 mWT).