• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 1996

Narcolepsy is characterized by sleep attack with excessive daytime sleepiness(EDS), cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucination. Paradoxically, narcoleptics tend to complain of frequent arousals and shallow sleep during the night time despite their excessive sleepiness. However, nocturnal sleep fragmentation in narcoleptics is relatively ignored in treatment strategies, compared with sleep attack/EDS and cataplexy. In our paper, we attempted to investigate further on the poor nocturnal sleep in narcoleptics and to discuss possible treatment interventions. Out of consecutively seen patients at Seoul National University Sleep Disorders Clinic and Division of Sleep Studies, we recruited 57 patients, clinically assessed as having sleep attack and/or EDS. Nocturnal polysomnography and multiple sleep latency test(MSLT) were done in each of the subjects. We selected 19 subjects finally diagnosed as narcolepsy(mean age $26.0{\pm}18.3$ years, 16 men and 3 women) for this study, depending on the nocturnal polysomnographic and MSLT findings as well as clinical history and symptomatology. Any subject co-morbid with other hypersomnic sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or periodic limb movements during sleep was excluded. Sleep staging was done using Rechtschaffen and Kales criteria. Sleep parameters were calculated using PSDENT program(Stanford Sleep Clinic, version 1.2) and were compared with the age-matched normal values provided in the program. In narcoleptics, compared with the normal controls, total wake time was found to be significantly increased with significantly decreased sleep efficiency(p<.01, p<.05, respectively), despite no difference of sleep period time and total sleep time between the two groups. Stage 2 sleep%(p<.05), slow wave sleep%(p<.05), and REM sleep%(p<.01) were found to be significantly decreased in narcoleptics compared with normal controls, accompanied by the significant increase of stage 1 sleep%(p<.01). Age showed negative correlation with slow wave sleep%(p<.05). The findings in the present study indicate significant fragmentation of nocturnal sleep in narcoleptics. Reduction of REM sleep% and the total number of REM sleep periods suggests the disturbance of nocturnal REM sleep distribution in narcoleptics. No significant correlations between nocturnal polysomnographic and MSLT variables in narcoleptics suggest that nocturnal sleep disturbance in narcoleptics may be dealt with, in itself, in diagnosing and managing narcolepsy. With the objective demonstration of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of nocturnal and daytime sleep in narcoleptics, we suggest that more attention be paid to the nocturnal sleep fragmentation in narcoleptics and that appropriate treatment interventions such as active drug therapy and/or circadian rhythm-oriented sleep hygiene education be applied as needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.1020-1026
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• 2021

This report describes the efficacy of using Yangshimtang-gamibang for a sleep disorder caused by a traffic accident. We treated a patient with Yangshimtang-gamibang for 12 days for sleep disorder caused by a traffic accident. To evaluate the results, we used the Korean Modified Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (KMLSEQ) to measure sleep disorder. The degree of sleep disorder was also evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The generic health status was evaluated using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale. Improvements in the NRS and EQ-5D scale scores were observed after the treatments. The change in the KMLSEQ score indicates that the patient's sleep disorder was relieved. The results of this case study suggest that Yangshimtang-gamibang may be an effective treatment for sleep disorders caused by traffic accident.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.18-21
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• 2001

The change of sleep pattern is one of the most often altered normal physiological functions in elderly people. Besides normal change of sleep, insomnia and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) are (one of) the main complaints. In addition, parasomnia is also frequent in this age group. Several parasomnias frequently found in the elderly are reviewed. Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), and REM sleep behavior disorder are the most frequent parasomnias in old age. Most parasomnias could be diagnosed by polysomnography, and be treated easily. Therefore, early and precise diagnosis and management for parasomnia in aging people are needed.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.41-50
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• 2020

Napping is a natural and universal phenomenon. There are some differences depending on the age, but they are common throughout life. As research on naps in sleep medicine has recently increased, negative perceptions about naps are gradually decreasing with development of new and positive perspectives. First, naps relieve fatigue and sleepiness and increase arousal, improving cognitive abilities. Even in the process of memory consolidation, which allows retention of learned memory content, a period of short daytime sleep shows the same results as nocturnal sleep. In addition, evidence of the contribution of sleep to emotional regulation is increasing. The role of the nap has been extended recently to areas associated with immunity and pain. However, naps can disturb sleep at night. There are also concerns that habitual naps in old age are linked to cardiovascular risk and increased mortality. Various aspects and values of naps are being gradually unveiled. However, compared to that of night sleep, research on naps is insufficient, and more research on naps is required.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 2023

Periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) are prevalent in various sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movements disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), and narcolepsy. PLMS has been hypothesized to be related to the decline of dopaminergic transmission. In RLS, PLMS is suggested to be related to iron deficiency and symptom severity. PLMD is a rare sleep disorder, and the role of PLMS in PLMD has not been clearly investigated yet. PLMS in OSA, which remain after proper PAP therapy, may need further management. The clinical relevance of PLMS in RBD and narcolepsy have not been investigated thoroughly and need further studies. Whether PLMS are to be considered as a mere symptom of individual sleep disorders or not can be elucidated through studies investigating the efficacy of therapeutic approaches to reduce PLMS in various sleep disorders.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 1998

Objectives : Disturbance of sleep with or without sleep apnea may impair the memory function. Sleep deficiency, sleepiness, sleep apnea and emotional problem in sleep disorders can induce an impairment of memory function. Methods : In this study, the polysomnographies were administered to 58 sleep apnea patients and 38 sleep disorder patients without sleep apnea. Their clinical symptoms were quantitatively evaluated. Short term and long term memory were evaluated before and after polysom no graphy with Digit symbol test and Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test. And correlations among various sleep, repiratory and clinical variables were statistically studied in order to explore which variables may influence on memory function. Results and Conclusions : Results are as follows. Depth of sleep cis positively correlated with memory function. As sleep apnea increases and average saturation of blood oxygen decreases, memory function is more impaired. Emotional depression, high blood pressure, obesity or alcohol impaired memory function. However, daytime sleepiness was not significantly correlated with memory function. The possible mechanisms how above factors influence on the memory function were discussed.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.5-8
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• 2002

Stroke is a leading cause of death in most developed countries and some developing countries including South Korea. It is well known that stroke has is related in some way with several sleep disorders. At first, the onset time of stroke varies according to circadian rhythm. Early morning is the most prevalent time and late evening the least. The changes of blood pressure, catecholamine level, plasminogen activity and aggregation of platelet during sleep have been suggested as possible mechanisms. Sleep apnea (SA), a representative disorder in the field of sleep medicine, is found in more than 70% of acute stroke patients compared to 2-5% of the general population. Various sleep related breathing disorders occur after stroke and snoring is a distinct risk factor for stroke. So the relationship between stroke and SA is obvious, but the cause and effect are still not clearly known. Also, stroke may cause many sleep related problems such as insomnia, hypersomnia, parasomnia and changes in sleep architecture. Patients, family members and even medical personnel often ignore stroke-related sleep problems, being concerned only about the stroke itself. The clinical impacts of sleep problems in stroke patients may be significant not only in terms of quality of life but also as a risk factor or prognostic factor for stroke. More attention should be paid to the sleep problems of stroke patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.275-282
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze acupuncture treatment methods and acupoints used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or obstructive sleep apnea-hypoapnea syndrome (OSAHS). The data were retrieved from January 2010 to May 2022 from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database. The search terms included "adult," "obstructive sleep apnea," "obstructive sleep apnea hypoapnea syndrome," "acupuncture," and "electro-acupuncture." Clinical trials for acupuncture treatment of OSA or OSAHS were included in this review (4 non-randomized controlled studies, 1 was a case report, and 10 randomized controlled studies). For OSA and OSAHS treatment, the acupoints that were most frequently used included REN23, LU7, ST40, EX9, LI11, and DU20. Compared with the control or Western treatment group, the treatment outcome measures of participants in the acupuncture treatment group significantly improved. In some studies, participants in the acupuncture group did not have side effects and the treatment was cost-effective. The data analyzed in this review suggest that acupuncture is an effective treatment for OSA or OSAHS.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.65-73
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• 2013

The subjects were composed of 308 children who visited the department of pediatrics, ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ korean medicine hospital from January 2010 to May 2013. Results 1. Among 308 patients, there were 188 boys and 120 girls; their ratio was 1.57:1. The age distribution showed that 38.3% were in the age less than 1 years, 38.0% in 1 years, 7.8% in 2 years, 5.2% in 3 years, 3.3% in 4~5 years, 4.5% in 6~10 years, 2.9% in 19~21 years. 2. It was found that 36.7% of the sleep disorder was caused without motivation, 17.2% caused by negligent accidents, 13.9% by traffic accidents, 10.4% by the unfamiliar environment, 8.1% by separation from parents, 7.5% after suffering disease, and 6.2% by irritating sound. 3. The sleep onset insomnia accounts for 17.2% of sleep disorder, sleep maintenance insomnia for 67.5%, poor sleep quality 24.4%, and daytime sleep disorder takes 19.8%. The ratio of sleep onset insomnia in adolescence comprises larger proportion (44.4%) than it of any other age groups. 4. The symptoms complicated with sleep disorder are the respiratory infection which takes 25.3%, being easily startled 18.2%, anorexia 14.6%, soft stools frequency 13.0%, greenish stools 10.7%, and skin rash 10.7%. Conclusions The causes of sleep disorders, changes of sleeping patterns, and complicated diseases show diversity in children and adolescence. Further study of sleep disorders in children and adolescence should be progressed as well.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.47-52
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• 2016

Changes in core body temperature are closely related to initiation and maintenance of sleep, and are influenced by various factors such as air temperature, room temperature, clothing, human activities, and medications. These factors are closely related to sleep fragments, insomnia and other sleep disorders. Understanding the effect of the temperature related to human surroundings on the core body temperature and sleep, will be useful for understanding the physiology of sleep and to treat sleep disorders.