• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.158-162
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• 2018

Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most intractable complications after surgery. Patients suffer from physical impairment, as well as psychological depression. Moreover, a recent study revealed that cellulitis significantly increased the risk of BCRL, and cellulitis has been suggested as a risk factor of BCRL development. We describe a patient treated with stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) without steroid for relief of symptoms and reduction of the arm circumference of breast cancer-related infectious lymphedema in a month. We measured the arm circumference at four locations; 10 cm and 5 cm above and below the elbow crease, numeric rating scale (NRS) score, lymphedema and breast cancer questionnaire (LBCQ) score on every visit to the pain clinic. A serial decrease of the arm circumference and pain score were observed after second injection. In the middle of the process, cellulitis recurred, we performed successive SGBs to treat infectious lymphedema. The patient was satisfied with the relieved pain and swelling, especially with improved shoulder range of motion as it contributes to better quality of life. This case describes the effects of SGB for infectious BCRL patients. SGB could be an alternative or ancillary treatment for infectious BCRL patients.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate correlation between degree of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and neurocognitive function along with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Korean patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods : Participants were 115 elderly subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment in this retrospective study. WMH in brain MRI were rated with standardized visual rating scales (Fazekas scales) and the subjects were divided into two groups according to Fazekas scale. Cognitive function was evaluated with Korean version of the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K), and BPSD was evaluated with Korean neuropsychiatric inventory (K-NPI). Independent t-test was performed to analyze the relationship between the degree of WMH and neurocognitive functions & BPSD. Results : Especially, the group with high severity of WMH showed significantly lower language fluency (p<0.05). In addition, the group with high severity of WMH showed significantly higher score in K-NPI. Conclusions : There was a significant association between WMH and neurocognitive test related with executive function. Moreover, WMH seems to affect BPSD severity. Evaluation of WMH would provide useful information in clinical settings.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2019

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the associations of anxiety symptoms with behavior and attention in elementary school children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods : A total of 195 elementary school children with ADHD participated in the study. The Korean Version of ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) and Behavior Assessment System for Children(BASC-2) were used to measure the children's behavior. Anxiety and attention was assessed with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) and ADHD Diagnostic System (ADS), respectively. Children with ADHD were categorized to two groups of ADHD with low anxiety (ADHD-LA) and ADHD with high anxiety (ADHD-HA) according to the total STAIC scores. Scores on K-ARS, BASC-2 and ADS were compared between two groups of ADHD-LA and ADHD-HA. Results : The Scores on K-ARS total and both subscales in ADHD-HA group were significantly higher than ADHD-LA group. Scores on the BASC-2 subscales including hyperactivity, aggression, conduct problem, anxiety, depression, somatization, withdrawal, attention problems were also significantly higher in ADHD-HA group compared to ADHD-LA group. In contrary, scores on ADS subscales were not significantly different between the both groups. Conclusion : Our study identified that the anxiety accompanied with ADHD was associated with the negative behavioral aspect in children with ADHD. However, the performances on attention task were not affected by the anxiety comorbid with ADHD. Future studies to reveal underlying mechanism are needed for further understanding the association with anxiety and ADHD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.709-722
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) in alleviating the side effects of lung cancer patient undergoing immunotherapy. Method: A 43-year-old man, who was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, received pembrolizumab treatments. The patient was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine (Geoeoyangpye-tang) to control various uncomfortable symptoms. The degree of pain was measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS). The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC LC-13 questionnaire) were used to assess the change in the quality of life. Results: After the TKM treatment, the flank pain and arthralgia based on the NRS were significantly improved. Various uncomfortable symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia, and loss of appetite were also significantly improved, based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13. The size of the primary tumor was decreased during treatment. The disease status was stable radiologically after two months from discharge.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2019

Objectives: Parkinson's disease is the neurodegenerative disease that affects both motor and non-motor function, including postural instability. Camptocormia is an abnormal condition in which the thoracolumbar spine bends forward during walking or standing. However, the treatment options are limited and often not effective. The purpose of this study was to report on the Korean medical treatment of a Parkinson's disease patient with postural instability who presented with camptocormia. Methods: We used Korean medical treatment including herbal medicine (Jemageopung-tang), acupuncture and pharmacopuncture therapy to the patient who was admitted to the hospital for 21 days. The clinical symptoms were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and walking time without assistance. Results: After treatment, the UPDRS Parts 2 and 3 scores were decreased from 5 to 3 and 20 to 9, respectively. Also, the walking time without assistance was improved. Conclusion: This study suggested that Korean medical treatment could be an effective option for treating Parkinson's disease with postural instability.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2021

Bertolotti's syndrome is a rare spinal disease and it is known to cause low back pain due to a lumbosacral transitional vertebra. There has been rare study of Bertolotti's syndrome. This study reports the effects of Korean medicine treatment on the patient who was diagnosed on Bertolotti's syndrome. The patient was treated with Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and Chuna manual therapy during 40 days. Numerical rating scale (NRS), Euroqol five dimension (EQ-5D) index, Oswestry disability index (ODI), lumbar range of motion were used for assessment. After treatment, low back pain NRS decreased from 3 to 2, and low limb pain NRS decreased from 5 to 2. EQ-5D index, ODI and lumbar range of motion also were improved. This study shows Korean medicine treatment can be an effective care for Bertolotti's syndrome.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1255-1264
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of Korean medicine on a patient with non-small cell lung cancer with pleural metastasis who had been treated with afatinib. Method: A 61-year old female patient with non-small cell lung cancer with pleural metastasis was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicines, including Yijung-tang, Haengso-tang, Samchulkunbi-tang, Paeamju-bang (Feiai zhu fang), to control various symptoms caused by afatinib. The degree of pain was assessed by a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the quality of life was determined with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC LC-13). Results: After receiving acupuncture and herbal medicines, the patient showed improvement in her back and chest pain, according to the NRS score. Similarly, the Korean medicinal treatments significantly relieved her nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hemoptysis, and alopecia. However, the EORTC QLQ-C30 assessment suggested that Korean medicinal treatments did not significantly improve the global health status of this patient. Conclusion: Korean medicine could be useful in relieving some of the symptoms occurring after conventional afatinib treatments.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.417-422
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• 2021

In this study, poly isocyanurate foam (PIR), poly urethane foam (PUR), and phenol foam (PF) of organic insulation materials were selected, and investigated using a cone calorimeter, as per ISO 5660-1. Standard materials (PMMA) were used to standardize the fire hazard assessment, and the fire risk was classified and evaluated by Chung's equations-III and IV. The fire performance index-II value of Chung's equations-II was the highest value with PF of 14.77 s²/kW. And the PUR was 0.08 s²/kW, the lowest value of fire performance index-II value. The fire growth index-II value was the lowest value with PF of 0.01 kW/s². And the PUR was 1.14 kW/s², the highest value of fire growth index-II value. The fire performance index-III (FPI-III) of Chung's equations-III had the lowest value for PUR (0.11) and the highest for PF (20.23). The PUR showed the highest value of the fire growth index-III (FGI-III) as 14.25, while the PF exhibited 0.13 regarded as the safest materials. The fire risk index-IV (FRI-IV) value of Chung's equation-IV was in the following order: PUR (130.03) >> PIR (19.13) > PMMA (1.00) > PF (0.01). Therefore, it was concluded that the fire risk associated with PF is the lowest, whereas that associated with PUR is the highest.

• Journal of Family Relations
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.143-160
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to empirically verify the difference between traditional gender role attitude and realistic dual earner attitude. Most preceding studies analyzed gender role attitude by summated rating scale while few studies have been conducted on the difference between traditional gender role attitude and dual earner attitude. Method: By using the 9th Korea Welfare Panel Data (year 2014), this study extracted households of married couples and with children in working age (18 through 64 years of age) who are the main subjects in work-family relationship. First, this study classified traditional group and modern group in their gender role attitude and passive group and active group in their dual earner attitude and by crossing these attitudes, drew out 4 gender role/dual earner attitudes. For analysis, this study investigated frequency of attitude types through descriptive statistics. By conducting ANOVA, study verified if there are significant differences in the satisfaction with family relationship depending on the types of gender role/dual earner attitudes. Lastly, study examined the effect of socio-economic status and demographic characteristics on the types of gender role/dual earner attitudes by conducting multi-nominal logistic regression analysis. Results: As the result of analysis, first, half of respondents belonged to 'equal-role-oriented type' who has modern gender role attitude and active dual earner attitude. However, there were not a few 'dual-earner-avoiding type' who has modern gender role attitude but passive dual earner attitude and 'incongruous attitude type' who has traditional gender role attitude but active dual earner attitude. Next, 'incongruous attitude type' had significantly low level of satisfaction with overall family life, relationship with spouse and relationship with children than other attitude types. Lastly, those whose incomes belong to poor strata, those who are high school graduates and lower, males and those who are over the age of 60 had significantly higher probability of belonging to 'incongruous attitude type.' Conclusion: The results of analysis demonstrate that the difference between gender role attitude and dual earner attitude is an important matter and since 'incongruous attitude type' exhibits low level of satisfaction with family relationship, scrupulous policy approaches are required for those who have high possibility of belonging to 'incongruous attitude type.'

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.168-176
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• 2020

Objectives : Loneliness and poor sleep quality are common phenomena in old age and are associated with negative physical and mental health. However, little is known regarding the relation between loneliness and sleep quality. The aim of this study was to examine the association of loneliness and sleep quality among the elderly living alone. Methods : This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 1,090 subjects who are the community-residing elderly living alone. Sociodemographic status, medical condition, cognition, mood disorder, sleep quality and levels of loneliness were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a specific semi-structured interview conducted by trained nurses. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data regarding sociodemographic variable and loneliness. Univariate and Multivariate regression analyses were applied to examine the association between loneliness and sleep quality after adjustment for multiple confounding variables. Results : The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) mean score of "lonely group" (9.2±4.2) was significantly higher than that of "not lonely group" (7.3±3.7) (student-t test, p<0.001). Loneliness was significantly associated with PSQI (standardized β=0.065, p=0.025), sleep disturbance (standardized β=0.086, p=0.005), use of sleep medication (standardized β=0.065, p=0.034) after adjustment for possible confounding variables including sex and mood disorder. Conclusions : Loneliness was associated with sleep disturbance and this finding implied negative impact of loneliness on sleep quality of older adults. Public health promotion efforts to reduce loneliness may improve sleep quality and mental health in the elderly living alone.