• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.222-230
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to identify levels of health teacher's perception and performance on abdominal pain management in elementary schools. Methods: The participants were 207 health teachers in elementary school in B metropolitan city. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, the structured self-report questionnaire was developed based on the literatures and school health care guidelines by the researchers. The data were analyzed using the PASW 18.0 program. Results: The mean scores (${\pm}SD$) on perception and performance of abdominal pain management were $4.02{\pm}0.43$ (range 1~5) and $3.47{\pm}0.41$ (range 1~5), respectively. Their perception and performance of abdominal pain management had a statistically significant correlation (r=.27, p<.001). In a regression analysis, the performance of abdominal pain management was significantly influenced by perception of abdominal pain management, career of health teachers, self-confidence in abdominal pain management, and total number of classes in a school. The regression model explained 19% of the variance of performance of abdominal pain management. Conclusion: These findings showed that the performance levels were lower than its perception levels of elementary school health teachers on abdominal pain management for students. It suggests that the standardized abdominal pain management guideline is developed to improve the performance of school health teachers.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.462-465
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• 2001

Severe cough may contribute to serious complications such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, rib fracture, subconjunctival hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage and cough syncope. However abdominal wall hematoma is a rare complication. Because it usually presents with abdomianal pain, abdominal wall hematoma needs to be differentiated from the acute surgical abdomen. A 78-year old woman was admitted with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and a palpable mass for several days. She experienced abdominal pain after violent coughing associated with an upper respiratory tract infection. Abdominal computed tomography revealed an approximately $7{\times}4cm$ sized, ill-defined, soft tissue density lesion in the right lower posterolateral abdominal wall. An abdominal wall hematoma was diagnosed. After admission, she had persistent right lower abdominal pain and an increasing mass. The mass was surgically removed and she was discharged without complications. In summary, when a patient complains of abdominal pain after severe coughing, an abdominal wall hematoma as a differential diagnosis must be considered.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2022

Objectve: To inform a clinical usefulness of Nangan-geon (暖肝煎) decoction to treat a refractory abdominal pain especially in eldery. Methods: This case report presents an 85-year old male patient who had been suffered with a refractory abdominal pain without any abnormality in laboratory test and radiological examination for 5-years. The clinical outcome was observed by numerical rating scale (NRS) of self-reporting method. Results: Based on his previous multiple normal examination results from Western hospitals and clinical features including thin body (19.6 BMI), nocturnal pain around lower abdomen and cold-sensitivity, author diagnosed him as "deficiency and cold of liver-Qi (肝氣虛寒)" similar to intestinal spasm. After prescription with Nangan-geon (暖肝煎) for one month, all symptoms became improved notably (NRS 5), and almost completely recovered as a level of normal condition in 3 months (NRS 1). Conclusion: This study would show the potential of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) therapies for a refractory functional abdominal pain, and especially efficacy of Nangan-geon against cold-pattern of nonspecific abdominal pain in elderly patients.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.15-25
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• 2018

Purpose: To compare the Appropriateness of abdominal CT to abdominal radiography as an imaging modality in terms of the diagnostic value, medical costs and decision making times for patients presented to the emergency department with nontraumatic abdominal pain. Methods: This study used the records of 530 cases presented to the emergency department(ED) with nontraumatic abdominal pain from February to March 2012. Imaging modalities were categorized into abdominal radiography and CT (radiography first or CT first) or radiography alone or CT alone. The diagnostic value, total medical costs and effect on decision making time of the each imaging modalities were compared. Especially, in retrospective review, to evaluate the predictability of the abdominal radiography, alit was assumed that all the 530 cases performed that exam as initial imaging. Results: Among 530 cases, 255 cases underwent abdominal radiography only, 28 cases underwent abdominal CT only and the remnant 247 cases underwent abdominal CT with plain abdominal radiography. The diagnostic value was higher in the cases with abdominal CT (268/275, 97.5%) than in the cases with plain abdominal radiography (19/255, 7.5%).The number of cases predicted by abdominal radiography only as initial imaging were 39/530 (7.4%). In cases where the patients performed the abdominal CT as the first imaging modality thereby omitting the abdominal radiography, the total diagnostic imaging fee was lower than in cases with plain abdominal radiography first followed by the abdominal CT (277,140 vs. 284,226(mean, Korean Won)). Although diagnostic value of the plain abdominal radiography as first imaging modality was lower than the abdominal CT, Decision making time, average duration of hospital stay was longer and the total medical costs was higher than abdominal CT. Conclusion: As an imaging modality in the ED for patients with acute nontraumatic abdominal pain, plain abdominal radiography is an avoidable procedure when viewed in terms of the diagnostic value and total medical costs and decision making times comparing with abdominal CT.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.197-206
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• 2023

Objesctives: This study reports the effect of Korean medicine treatment on a patient with abdominal and lower back pain after a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Methods: The patient received Korean herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture treatment, and acupuncture treatment for six days. We measured the numeric rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Range of Motion (ROM), and Life-5 Dimensions scale (EQ-5D) to assess symptom changes. Results: After treatment, the patient showed decreased numeric rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), as well as augmented Range of Motion (ROM) and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions scale (EQ-5D). Conclusion: The results indicate that Korean medicine treatment is effective management for patients with abdominal and lower back pain after a laparoscopic hysterectomy.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.257-261
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• 2006

Appendicitis is a common disease in children. But left lower abdominal pain in acute appendicitis is a rare clinical feature. A 6 year-old-girl complained of left sided abdominal pain for 2 days. Past medical history was not contributory. Abdominal tenderness and guarding in left lower quadrant were noticed. Abdominal sonography and abdominal computed tomography scan demonstrated reversed position between superior mesenteric artery and vein, and a mass in the left lower quadrant abdomen suggesting appendicitis. Acute appendicitis in left lower quadrant, associated with intestinal malrotation, was found at laparatomy.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of hand acupuncture on relieving of abdominal pain. Method: Fifty-five middle school students who complained abdominal pain were selected as subjects. There were 35 students in the experimental group while 20 students were in the control group. Convenience assignment was used. The experimental group received hand acupuncture treatment which was to puncture corresponding points (epigastric pain A8, A12, A16, K9, F4, E42; lower abdominal pain A1, A4, A6, A8, J1, H2) on both the palm and the back of a hand with disposable acupuncture needles, and then to remove them after a 20-30min. recess during the subjects was in supine position on a bed. Result: Degree of subjective pain decreased statistically in the experimental as compared to the control group. No statistical significant differences were found in objective pain and comfort between experimental and control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that hand acupuncture is an effective method for reducing abdominal pain. Therefore, hand acupuncture could be considered as an independent nursing intervention for abdominal pain reduction.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.101-113
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this case study is to report clinical effectiveness of the Boheo-tang-gagambang with acupuncture, moxa and physiotherapy treatments on the after-effects of myomectomy or hysterectomy. Methods: The subjects of this study were five women who were diagnosed with uterine myoma and underwent myomectomy or hysterectomy. They mainly complained of lower abdominal pain, back pain, and pelvic pain. They received combination treatment of Korean medicine and physiotherapy. The Korean medicine included Boheo-tang-gagambang, acupuncture and moxa. The effects were evaluated through Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Results: In this study, patient's clinical symptoms, including lower abdominal pain, low back pain, and pelvic pain, improved after hospitalization treatment. Conclusions: This case report shows that the combination treatment of Korean medicine with Boheo-tang-gagambang, acupuncture and moxa may be effective for treating after-effects of myomectomy or hysterectomy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.233-236
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• 2008

There are many causes of chronic abdominal pain and abdominal protrusion. But, they are likely to be confused with diabetic thoracic polyradiculopathy. Differentiation between this self-limiting complication and abdominal herniation is important to avoid unnecessary procedure. We describe the case of 77-years-old man with 10 years history of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, who was suffering from postherpetic neuralgia for 10 months and presented with a abdominal segmental paresis and protrusion. The paraspinal electromyography showed bilateral lower thoracic radiculopathy.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2017

Purpose: This study attempts to identify the effects of abdominal strength training using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the balance ability and pain level of patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 30 patients with chronic lower back pain were randomly divided into either experimental group I (n=10), who received abdominal strength training using PNF, experimental group II (n=10), who received abdominal strengthening training, or the control group (n=10), who received conventional physiotherapy. The interventions were applied three times a week for six weeks. We measured Berg's balance scale (BBS) in order to investigate the change in balance ability, while we measured the visible analogue scale (VAS) to determine the severity of pain. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group change before and after the intervention. For the comparison of the between-group difference, we used a one-way ANOVA test. Tukey's test was used as a post hoc test. The statistical significance level was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ for all the variables. Results: Experimental group I and experimental group II showed a significant within-group change in BBS (p<0.01). A statistically significant between-group difference was observed in terms of the change in BBS (p<0.01). According to the results of the post hoc Tukey test, experimental group I and experimental group II showed a more effective change in BBS than the control group. Experimental group I, experimental group II, and the control group all showed a significant within-group change in the VAS (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant between-group difference in terms of the change in the VAS (p<0.01). According to the results of the post hoc Tukey test, the change in the VAS was more effective in experimental group I than in experimental group II and the control group. Conclusion: In this study, the application of abdominal strength training using PNF for subjects who complained of chronic lower back pain proved effective in improving their balance ability and reducing pain. We therefore believe that this training method could be applied as a useful program for patients with chronic lower back pain.