• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2022

Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Background: Neck pain is a major health problem in developed countries and has a lifetime prevalence of 50%. Major problems include a reduced cervical range of motion, muscle stiffness, dysfunction, postural changes, and decrease in psychosocial level. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of applying the upper trapezius inhibition dynamic taping to patients with chronic neck pain on their neck pain, functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture. Methods: The study design was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 patients with neck pain participated in this study and were randomly assigned to a Dynamic Taping group (n = 20) or Sham Taping group (n = 20). In both groups, basic intervention cervical pain control therapy and shoulder stabilization exercise program were performed. In addition, dynamic taping and sham taping were applied to participants in the Dynamic Taping and Sham Taping groups to inhibit the trapezius muscle, respectively. All interventions were performed three times a week and a total of 12 times for 4 weeks, and the participants' neck pain, functional impairment level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture were measured and compared before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in neck pain, functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck postural before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences between the two groups regarding the functional level and neck posture (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition dynamic taping of the upper trapezius muscle suppression is an effective method with clinical significance in reducing pain in individuals with chronic neck pain and improving the functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.379-389
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• 2022

This study was aimed to identify importance and satisfaction of intensive care unit health care providers for Intensive Care Unit Clinical Nurse Expert (ICU CNE) roles. A questionnaire survey was performed with 138 intensive care unit health care providers between May 3 to 29, 2021. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. t-test and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). There were statistically significant differences in importance(t=2.33, p=.024) and satisfaction(t=5.43, p<.001) between physicians and nurses. The importance and satisfaction of intensive care unit health care providers were ranked in the order of advanced clinical practice, professional activity, coordination and cooperation, education and counseling and research. In the 'concentrate' area, it was found that 'Professional activity' and 'Education' should be improved. A strategy is needed to strengthen the expertise of ICU CNE and to enhance the competency in areas that need improvement.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome, a major cause of shoulder pain, involves weakness of the scapular retractor muscles. The major scapular retractor muscles are the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles; however, the latter is excluded in most studies. Objects: We aimed to measure the thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles using an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system while performing four different shoulder retraction exercises and comparing the thicknesses and ratio of the thicknesses of these muscles. Methods: The thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles was measured in 24 healthy adults using ultrasound. Muscle thickness was measured three times in the Reference posture and four times while performing four different exercises that involved scapular retraction. The averages and standard deviations of the measured muscle thicknesses were obtained and compared. The ratio of muscle thickness and rate of changes in muscle thickness between the reference posture and the four exercises were compared. Results: For both, male (n = 10) and female (n = 14), there was a significant difference in the thickness of the middle trapezius muscle between the reference posture and the four exercises (p < 0.05) and in the thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles between male and female (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the ratio of the thicknesses of these muscles. Although a significant difference in the rate of change in muscle thickness during the four exercises was noted, there was no significant difference in the ratio of change in muscle thickness. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the ratio of the thicknesses of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles and the rate of change in their thickness during exercises involving scapular retraction in healthy people in their 20s-30s.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2022

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a representative disease, and LBP is characterized by muscle dysfunction that provides stability to the lumbar spine. This causes physical functional problems such as decreased posture control ability by reducing the muscular endurance and balance of the lumbar spine. Pelvic compression using instruments, which has been used during recent stabilization exercises, focuses on the anterior superior iliac spine of the pelvis and puts pressure on the sacroiliac joint during exercise, making the pelvis more symmetrical and stable. Currently, research has been actively conducted on the use of pelvic compression belts and non-elastic pelvic belts; however, few studies have conducted research on the application effect of pelvic compression using instruments. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in trunk muscular endurance and dynamic and static balance ability levels by applying pelvic stabilization through a pelvic compression device between the LBP group and the non-LBP group. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects currently enrolled in Daejeon University were divided into 20 subjects with LBP group and 19 subjects without LBP (NLBP group), and the groups were compared with and without pelvic compression. The trunk muscular endurance test was performed with 4 movements, the dynamic balance test was performed using a Y-balance test, and the static balance test was performed using a Wii balance board. Results: There was a significant difference the LBP group and the NLBP group after pelvic compression was applied to all tests (p < 0.05). In the static and dynamic balance ability test after pelvic compression was applied, there was a significant difference in the LBP group than in the NLBP group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that pelvic compression using instruments has a positive effect on both those with and without LBP and that it has a greater impact on balance ability when applied to those with LBP.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1318-1324
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• 2010

Recently, U-Healthcare is receiving attentions as a research for reducing the manpower, time in treatment, and etc. Although fundamental technologies, such as sensing, measuring, and etc. are sufficiently investigated. However, Technologies of IT/Medical convergence, which graft IT technologies to medical area, are still in germ. For this, we present a novel healthcare system, which can be applied to the middle sized medical environment, such as private hospital, home, or etc., by means of pre-verified technologies and the expert system. There exist IT element technologies are sufficiently developed in the fields, such as network, database or etc. due to the remarkable developments in IT technologies, and the healthcare is a mission-critical environment. Therefore, it is important not only to investigate novel approaches but also to utilize verified technologies for the U-Healthcare solution. Presented solution provisions automated medical services based on expert system by utilizing the measured data, such as body fat, blood pressure, blood glucose, and etc., in order to provide convenient treatment environment to doctors and nurses. In addition, since people, who do not have medical knowledge, can self-diagnose themselves, it is expected to cut medical costs in various areas. Especially, since each devices communicate with each other through standardized Bluetooth technology, Presented healthcare system is an extensible solution which can easily accept various medical devices. As a result of this, we can safely say that the self measurement and diagnosis services in U-Healthcare are now enhanced by reducing medical cost through our healthcare system.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.283-295
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• 2018

This study is to establish the direction of special education curriculum by linking the demands of the health industry and the university curriculum. For this, we conducted a questionnaire survey for 4 months from 18 January to 9 May, 2017. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used for the reliability of the study, frequency analysis was used mainly for the contents of the study, and chi-square test, variance analysis and T test were applied to the study. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.891. Variance analysis, T test and chi-square test show some significant differences. The results of this study are as follows: 35% of practitioners and 22% of convergent intellectuals are desirable in institutions. Practical needs of practitioners are creative practicality, medical policy (58%). It will be necessary to conduct a nationwide survey in the future.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.21-30
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• 2016

Objective : In October 2016, the most powerful earthquake, magnitude 5.1 and 5.8 struck the city of Gyeongju in Korea. Although it did not take a toll, this implicates potential disaster in the future. Taking this earthquake, this paper considers the healthcare system responding to disaster in non-government organization and other countries, and investigates the roles of occupational therapist in disaster management. Methods : This paper reviews literature related to healthcare system and roles of occupational therapist in disaster response. Results : Humanitarian recovery mission of Red Cross impacted and facilitated the recovery of vulnerable population including children, elderly and people with disabilities in disaster response. It was also emphasized by occurring large population with disabilities after disasters so that the concept of rehabilitation and occupational therapist's role was required. Occupational therapy practitioners play an important role in the stage of disaster preparedness, response and recovery and their target population is children, elderly and people with disabilities. Conclusion : The most of NGO and counties take the concept of rehabilitation into healthcare system responding to disaster. However, the system in Korea stays in emergency level. It is important to take the humanitarian recovery and rehabilitation concept to disaster relief. the survivors would be able to return to their normalcy and health life.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.310-321
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the level of understanding of hospice palliative care (HPC) and shared decision making (SDM) among middle-aged adults. Methods: Data were collected from 90 middle-aged adults living in D city using a self-reported questionnaire. The SPSS program was used to analyze the data. Results: Among the participants, 76.7% were aware of the HPC while 82.2% of the participants were not aware of SDM. Among all, 85.6% responded positively for needs of HPC, and 77.8% of participants for SDM. Participants with Christian faith (Protestants and Catholics), high income level and present illness were better aware of HPC than others. The most needed services were nursing care and treatment along with systematic counseling and explanation provided by the medical staff. There was also a significant relationship between the HPC factors, gender, income, current health status and current illness status. Participants with high income level were well aware of SDM. Stronger SDM needs were observed among participants with professional jobs or current illness. Conclusion: For continued discussion on HPC and SDM, it is necessary to implement and promote various education programs for medical staff and the public.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.171-209
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• 2022

There were also many medical-related rulings in 2021, among which the rulings reviewed in this paper are as follows. The first relates to a case in which the medical record, which is the primary judgment data regarding the presence or absence of medical negligence, has been modified. The court judged whether there was negligence on the basis of the first written medical record without considering the contents of the medical record that was later modified. Next, the ruling on the case of asking for liability for damages for prescription of anti-obesity drugs recognized negligence related to prescription, but denied liability for property damage by denying a causal relationship, and recognized only alimony for violation of the duty of explanation. The a full-bench ruling on the scope of subrogation of the National Health Insurance Corporation, which subrogates the claims for compensation for medical expenses against the perpetrator of the patient, changed the existing precedent that had taken the 'deduction method after offsetting negligence' and judged it as 'the method of offsetting negligence after deduction'. In addition, in the ruling on whether or not there was negligence, the court was not bound by the medical record appraisal result. Lastly, in relation to the National Health Insurance Service's disposition of reimbursement for medical care benefit costs, we reviewed the ruling that discretion should be exercised even when a non-medical person makes a refund to a medical institution opened by a non-medical person. And we also reviewed the ruling that the scope of reimbursement for medical institutions jointly using facilities and manpower specifically should be determined.