• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2003

Objectives : To compare the reduction of thigh circumference between electro acupuncture treatment group and no treatment controlled group. Method : Trial was carried out 24 volunteers for 2 weeks. Volunteers were divided into 2 groups ; electro acupuncture and very low calorie diet group(n=8) or only very low calorie diet group(n=9). The main outcome of measure was the reduction of thigh circumference(cm) per weight loss(kg). Result: The main outcome measure showed no significant difference(p=0.14). There was no significant difference in weight loss(p=0.67) either.

• Journal of Sleep Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.43-47
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• 2018

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in people with epilepsy (PWE), and confers medical and seizure-related consequences when untreated. Positive airway pressure, the gold-standard for OSA management, is limited by tolerability. As serotonin is involved respiratory control and amelioration of seizure-induced respiratory events, this study aims to determine whether serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) may represent a potential therapeutic option. Methods: A retrospective study of 100 PWE and OSA ${\geq}18$ years of age was conducted. The primary outcome measure was OSA severity as function of SRI use, with rapid eye movement (REM)-related OSA as a secondary outcome. Results: Older age and depression were more common in those taking an SRI. There was no association between SRIs and OSA severity. However, the SRI group was less likely to have REM-related OSA. Conclusions: In PWE and OSA, SRI use is associated with reduced risk of REM-related OSA, and may represent a potential management strategy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.519-530
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to develop outcome indicators in clinical trials of herbal drugs effective for asthma. cough and sputum. To accomplish the objective, this study collected outcome indicators developed and used according to conventional medical concepts. Methods : Our research group reviewed SCI papers concerned with developing outcome indicators to evaluate amelioration of asthma, cough and sputum. We also reviewed clinical trials of herbal drugs effective for them. Results : To evaluate asthma, objective as well as subjective methods were chosen according to the purpose of each trial. Objective methods were PEF, FEVl, serum IgE, peripheral eosinophil counts, and so on. Subjective methods were symptom scores, symptom diaries, quality of life measures, etc. To evaluate cough and sputum, objective and subjective methods were also chosen. Objective methods were tussigenic challenges, sputum induction and computerized methodology, and subjective methods were similar to the methodology evaluating asthmatic symptoms. Conclusions : It is desirable for a clinical trial evaluating herbal drugs for asthma, cough and sputum to use objective and subjective outcome indicators together. However, biological outcome indicators, a kind of objective methods, can not be chosen as the purpose of trial. Valid and reliable subjective outcome indicators are needed to develop good clinical trials of herbal drugs effective for asthma, cough and sputum.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1322-1327
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• 2000

Objectives : To assess the surgical results for patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms and factors related to prognosis of patients. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 47 patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms and assessed the types of surgical treatment and prognosis of 44 patients who received surgical treatment from January 1986 to March 1999. Results : The 47 patients presented altogether 108 aneurysms with male to female ratio of 1 : 3.7, and average age 54.9 years(range 33-81 years). Common locations for multiple aneurysms were P-com(31%), MCA(30%) and Acom( 15%). The postoperative good and poor outcomes were 30 cases(68%) and 11 cases(25%), respectively and there were 3 deaths(7%). The analyzed results for 44 surgically treated patients were as follows ; 1) The size of aneurysm was relevant to frequency of rupture ; the lowest for lesions less than 1cm(21%), rising to 85% for lesions greater than 3cm(p<0.05). 2) The surgical outcome was significantly correlated with preoperative clinical status of the patients(p<0.05). 3) The good outcome was associated with surgery within 7 days(especially 24 hours) after clinical onset of symptoms but not with type of operation and laterality of aneurysms. Conclusion : With regard to the surgical treatment for multiple aneurysm cases, surgeons should consider the salient factors in a good prognosis such as patient's preoperative status, size of aneurysm, timing of surgery, and type of operation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a topical herbal gel application for the treatment of chronic shoulder pain. Methods : We compared the effects of Dapureo gel, which contains several herbal medicines known to improve shoulder pain, with those of placebo gel by double-blind method. 30 participants were randomized - 15 were assigned to treatment group and the other 15 were assigned to control group. Either Dapureo gel(treatment group) or placebo gel(control group) was applied topically by themselves, once a day for 2 weeks. Primary outcome was daily visual analogue scale(VAS) changes for shoulder pain which was self-reported for 2 weeks. Secondary outcome was the difference in the total shoulder pain and disability index(SPADI) which was measured at a baseline and 2 weeks after the treatment. Results : Primary outcome: Subjects of treatment group showed statistically significant improvement in VAS compared to control subjects continuously from the second day(p <0.05) to the fifteenth day(p <0.001). The treatment group showed 31% of pain reduction on the fifteenth day, while the control group showed only 7%. Secondary outcome: In terms of SPADI changes, the treatment group showed improvement compared to the control group(p <0.01). Conclusions : These results suggest that the topical herbal gel treatment used in this study is effective in improving chronic shoulder pain.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2006

Objectives : Only a few prospective studies of panic disorder are available. This study investigated naturalistic outcome of panic disorder patients at twelve months after the initial diagnosis. Methods : A total of 84 subjects were diagnosed with panic disorder by diagnostic interview, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) and Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADISIV). Among them, 80 subjects could be evaluated by means of Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) at follow-up interview after twelve months. Treatment continuation was also examined at follow-up interview. Results : At initial intake, 80 patients were classified into 22% with mild, 33% with moderate-to-marked, and 45% with severe symptoms on the basis of their PDSS total score. At twelve months, 20% of patients reached remission, 65% had mild and 15% had moderate-to-marked symptoms. Initial panic symptom severity, presence of agoraphobia, panic symptom duration before diagnosis, number of comorbid Axis I disorders were associated with significantly higher PDSS total score at twelve months. Forty six percent of total patients continued medication and 23% have stopped treatment by clinician's recommendation and 31% have selfdiscontinued their medication. At twelve months, all three groups were improved but self-discontinuation group had significantly higher PDSS total score. Conclusion : In the one-year naturalistic outcome study of panic disorder patients, high percentage of patients achieved remission or had mild symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.258-264
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• 2010

Objective : The objectives of this study were to analyze the outcome and hemorrhagic risk of intravenous (IV) argatroban in patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting beyond six hours of ischemic symptom onset. Methods : Eighty patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the hospital beyond six hours from ischemic symptom onset were retrospectively analyzed. We could not perform IV thrombolysis or intra-arterial thrombolysis because of limited time window. So, IV argatroban was performed to prevent recurrent thrombosis and progression of infarcted area. The outcome was assessed by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and related hemorrhagic risk was analyzed. Also, each outcome was analyzed according to the initial stroke severity, subtype, and location. Results : The median NIHSS was 8.0 at admission, 4.1 upon discharge, and 3.3 after three months. A good outcome was achieved in 81% of patients upon discharge and 88% after three months. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in only two patients (3%). IV argatroban was effective regardless of initial stroke severity, subtype, and location. Conclusion : IV argatroban may be an effective and safe treatment modality for acute ischemic stroke presenting beyond six hours of ischemic symptom onset.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.209-230
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to describe the details and to assess the clinical evidence of acupuncture and moxibustion for non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods : We searched seven databases including Korean, English, and Chinese databases through July 2016. Studies using acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular-acupuncture, acupressure for non-specific chronic neck pain were included. Only controlled clinical trials or randomized clinical trials were assessed. Study design, number of subject, inclusion criteria, intervention, and results were extracted. In addition, details of intervention including needle type, retention time, acupoints were analyzed. Results : Total 64 studies(39 acupuncture, 9 laser, 6 pharmaco-acupuncture, 3 electro-acupuncture, 3 auricular-acupuncture, 3 moxibustion, 1 acupressure) were included. Among 39 acupuncture studies, 35 used acupuncture as sole intervention. Sham treatment was the most common intervention for control group, followed by no intervention. Various outcome including pain, disability, quality of life, range of motion was used as outcome measurement. The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion was different depending on the type of control and outcome measurement. The most commonly used method in acupuncture for neck pain was GB21, SI3, GB20, LI4, BL11 acupoints, 10~30 mm insertion depth, 20~30 retention time, and 1~2 times per week. Conclusions : Analyzing the details of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment could be helpful for researches and clinics. Further studies should consider the characteristics of study design, intervention, and outcome to assess the effect of TKM.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.332-343
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• 2016

Objectives: Study purpose was to investigate perception on diet, diet problems and related factors among young adult women using focus group interviews (FGI) based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Methods: Eight groups of FGI were conducted with 47 female undergraduate or graduate students. Guide for FGI included questions regarding perception on optimal diet, diet problems and cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors of SCT. FGI were video, audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed by themes and sub-themes. Results: Subjects showed irregular eating habits (skipping breakfast, irregular meal time) and selection of unhealthy foods as the main diet problems. Regarding cognitive factors related to optimal diet, subjects mentioned positive outcome expectations (e.g., health promotion, skin health, improvement in eating habits, etc.) and negative outcome expectations (e.g., annoying, hungry, expensive, taste). Factors that promoted optimal diet were mainly received from information from mobile or internet and access to menu or recipes. Factors that prevented optimal diet included influence from friends, lack of time and cooking skills. Behavioral factors for optimal diet included behavioral capability regarding snacks, healthy eating and smart food selection. Subjects mentioned mass media (mobile, internet, TV) as the influential physical environment, and significant others (parents, friends, grandparents) as the influential social environment in optimal diet. For education topics, subjects wanted to learn about healthy meals, basic nutrition, disease and nutrition, and weight control. They wanted to learn those aspects by using mobile or internet, lectures (cooking classes), campaign and events. Conclusions: Study results might be used for planning education regarding optimal diet for young adult women. Education programs need to focus on increasing positive outcome expectations (e.g., health) and behavioral capability for healthy eating and food selection, reducing negative outcome expectations (e.g., cost, taste) and barriers, making supportive environments for optimal diet, and incorporating topics and methods found in this study.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.5-15
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• 2006

Purpose: The objectives of this study was to measure the outcomes of interventions on the health and social welfare of the elderly in a rural community in Korea. The project involved integrating services of one public health center with that of one social welfare agency, which were under different administrative structures. Method: A single group pretest-posttest design was used for this research. Seventy-five elderly residents living alone in a rural community participated in the study. All of them had coverage of free basic medical care and social welfare services by the government. Major activities for the intervention included: developing partnerships among community leaders/institutes; forming committees of community residents; educating care providers and volunteers; developing 8 integrated service programs and instruments; and organizing the networks. The 20-month intervention was care-managed by a public health nurse whom collaborated with social worker, and was assisted by volunteers. The t-test was utilized to analyze the outcome variables including the elder's health, social welfare and quality of life. A major limitation of this study was the lack of a control group. Results: The outcome of the intervention was shown by improved elder's health, social welfare needs, and quality of life. Integrating the services of public health centers with those of social welfare agencies is an effective way to improve the health of the elderly in the community. Conclusion: Developing community capacity with such integrated services will pay an important role in improving the health of the elderly who live alone.