• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.126-135
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• 2007

This study was conducted to identify the effects of the oriental medicine Qigong Exercise on the brain power, HRV, pulsation, live blood condition among young boys and girls. The study was performed with two group(control group and experimental group) in a pre-test/post-test design. The subjects were 44 young boys and girls selected by a some middle school in Busan. The oriental medicine Qigong Exercise program consists of 80-minute sessions three times a week over 5 months. All of the subjects were examined on the congnition assessment tool, stress assessment tool, oriental medicine pulsation 3-D MAC, live blood condition analyzer Prior and post surveys were measured before and after the experiment. In the cognition assessment, the amplitude of ERS were increased afer Qigong Exercise. The Success and the Concentration were significantly increased afer Qigong Exercise, the Error was significantly decreased afer Qigong Exercise. The Cognition strength was significantly increased, but the Reponse time was not significantly decreased afer Qigong Exercise. And the Workload was not significantly decreased, the Total Score was not significantly increased afer Qigong Exercise. Among the stress assessment, RRV tachogram's ‘mean RR’ was significantly increased, ‘mean HRV’ was significantly decreased afer Qigong Exercise. SDNN was not significantly increased, Complexity was not significantly increased afer Qigong Exercise. And TP(RRV power's total power) was not significantly increased, VLF and HF was significantly increased, and LF was significantly decreased afer Qigong Exercise. ANS's norm LF was not significantly decreased, but norm HF was significantly increased afer Qigong Exercise. In the RRV's Phase Plot, RMSSD and SDSD were not significantly increased, pnn50 was not significantly decreased afer Qigong Exercise. On the whole, Parasympathetic Activity and Stress Endurance were significantly increased, but Cardiac Activity and Physical Arousal were not significantly increased afer Qigong Exercise. Cardiac Aging was not significantly decreased afer Qigong Exercise. Sympathetic Activity, Autonomic Nervous System Balance and Heart-load were not significantly decreased afer Qigong Exercise. In the pulsation, press power was increased(15%), and w/t(pressurization time / pulsation time) was decreased(20%) afer Oigong Exercise. And the live blood condition was not changed afer Qigong Exercise. As mentioned above; the oriental medicine Qigong Exercise program was identified the effects of the inspiration of the brain power, heart rate and anti-stress.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 2012

In this study, the masking effect of olfactory stimulus on the awakening state due to sound stimuli while driving using Graphic Driving Simulator was observed through the response of autonomic nervous system. The test was conducted for 11 males in their twenties. The siren of ambulance car was presented to them as auditory stimulus for 30 secs while driving in a situation of high way in the condition of both peppermint and control, respectively, and LF/HF ratio of HRV (Heart Rate Variability), the activity index of sympathetic nerve, and GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) response were examined. The test was proceeded in the order of three stages, that is, sound stimuli (test 1), driving performance, and sound stimuli (test 2), and fragrance stimulus, driving performance, and sound stimuli (test 3), and the physiological signal of GSR, HRV was measured in the whole stages. As a result of test, comparing the results of before and after auditory stimulus test (1) (p < 0.01), test (2) (p < 0.05), and test (3) (p < 0.01), driving performance test (2) (p < 0.01), test (3) (p < 0.01), and olfactory stimulus test (3) (p < 0.05), respectively, GSR response increased, showing significant difference in all the tests. It indicates that when auditory stimulus was presented to the subjects, they were in the awakening state as sympathetic nervous system got activated. As a result of comparing auditory stimulus while driving before and after presenting olfactory stimulus, there was no significant difference in GSR response. The LF/HF ratio of HRV increased, showing a significant difference only in test (2) (p < 0.05), and in driving performance test (2) (p < 0.05) in auditory stimulus, however, it showed no significant difference in olfactory stimulus. As a result of comparing auditory stimulus while driving before and after presenting olfactory stimulus, there was a decrease, showing significant difference (p < 0.05) in LF/HF ratio of HRV. That is, it means that the activation of sympathetic nervous system decreased, and that parasympathetic nervous system got activated. From these results, it was observed that while driving, the awakening level due to auditory stimulus was settled with olfactory stimulus. In conclusion, it was drawn that while driving, olfactory stimulus could have the masking effect on auditory stimulus.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.510-524
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• 2009

Objective : This study was designed to find the correlation between Sasang Constitution and heart rate variability(HRV). Method : There were 665 subjects (280 men and 385 women), between 39 and 72 years old. in a rural community. Sasang Constitution was diagnosed by a Sasang constitutional specialist using PSSC (Phonetic System for Sasang Constitution), face and tongue photo and checkup-list. A structured-questionnaire was used to assess the general characteristics. HRV was recorded using SA-2000 (medi-core). HRV was assessed by time domain and by frequency domain analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined on the basis of clustering of risk factors, when three or more of the following cardiovascular risk factors were included : blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride HDL-cholesterol, and abdominal obesity (waist). Because of the skewness of the data, logarithmic transformation was performed on the absolute units of the spectral components of HRV, and the resulting logarithmic values and normalized units were compared between the groups by a logistic regression. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio was used and calculated from the data laid out for a cross sectional study. Results : 1. Odds ratios of Taeeumin and Soeumin in female adults below 60 years old were significantly lower than that of Soyangin in LF norm and LF/HF ratio. Odds ratios of Taeeumin and Soeumin in female adults below 60 years old were significantly higher than that of Soyangin in HF norm. 2. There was no significant correlation between HRV and Sasang Constitution in female adults from 60 years old and over. 3. There was no significant correlation between HRV and Sasang Constitution in male adults. Conclusion : There is a statistically significant correlation between the HRV and Sasang Constitution. There is a tendency of increase in the sympathetic activity in Soyangin. There is a tendency of decrease in the parasympathetic activity in Taeeumin and Soeumin.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2010

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and controls visceral functions. The activity of the ANS has been assessed by means of the heart rate variability (HRV). It has been reported that HRV is dependent on sex, age, body mass index, and smoking, etc. However, the effects of posture and sleep deprivation on HRV have rarely been reported. Objective of our work was to find out which posture is appropriate for stable HRV. We measured the number of sleep deprivation and HRV using power spectrum in six stages for 30 minutes. Increased low frequency (LF) power and high frequency (HF) power indicate enhanced sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, respectively. We determined the LF/HF ratio to minimize individual difference. It was found that sleep deprivation by awakening up subjects was affected by posture, which resulted in changes of LF/HF. Although LF/HF varied with time, it was more stable in sitting than in supine. In conclusion, we recommend sitting posture when measuring HRV because of less sleep deprivation resulting in less variation in LF/HF.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.209-218
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• 2022

Individuals often report significant relief from pain and stress even after a single session of massage therapy; however, no previous studies have provided objective evidence supporting the effectiveness of a solitary massage therapy session. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of one-time treatment with a spinal thermal massage device reported to exert the same therapeutic effects as massage therapy in terms of pain reduction and stress relief. A man with chronic low back pain (LBP) underwent two rounds of experiments involving spinal massage treatment and bed rest, respectively. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale, and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured in real-time to examine autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Blood samples were obtained at five points during each round of the experiment to examine changes in cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Spinal massage significantly reduced pain and enhanced parasympathetic activity when compared with the bed rest condition. In addition, both epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were lower following spinal massage than following bed rest. These results are consistent with the reported effects of conventional massage therapy and support the effectiveness of one-time treatment using a spinal thermal massage device.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.68-76
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• 2012

Objectives: Sleep disorders cause changes of autonomic nervous system (ANS) which affect cardiovascular system. Primary insomnia (PI) makes acceleration of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone by sleep deficiency and arousal. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) sets off SNS by frequent arousals and hypoxemias during sleep. We aimed to compare the changes of heart rate variability (HRV) indices induced by insomnia or sleep apnea to analyze for ANS how much to be affected by PI or OSAS. Methods: Total 315 subjects carried out nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG) were categorized into 4 groups - PI, mild, moderate and severe OSAS. Severity of OSAS was determined by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Then we selected 110 subjects considering age, sex and valance of each group's size [Group 1 : PI (mean age=$41.50{\pm}13.16$ yrs, AHI <5, n=20), Group 2 : mild OSAS (mean age=$43.67{\pm}12.11$ yrs, AHI 5-15, n=30), Group 3 : moderate OSAS (mean age $44.93{\pm}12.38$ yrs, AHI 16-30, n=30), Group 4 : severe OSAS (mean age=$45.87{\pm}12.44$ yrs, AHI >30, n=30)]. Comparison of HRV indices among the four groups was performed with ANCOVA (adjusted for age and body mass index) and Sidak post-hoc test. Results: We found statistically significant differences in HRV indices between severe OSAS group and the other groups (PI, mild OSAS and moderate OSAS). And there were no significant differences in HRV indices among PI, mild and moderate OSAS group. In HRV indices of PI and severe OSAS group showing the most prominent difference in the group comparisons, average RR interval were $991.1{\pm}27.1$ and $875.8{\pm}22.0$ ms (p=0.016), standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN) was $85.4{\pm}6.6$ and $112.8{\pm}5.4$ ms (p=0.022), SDNN index was $57.5{\pm}5.2$ and $87.6{\pm}4.2$ (p<0.001), total power was $11,893.5{\pm}1,359.9$ and $18,097.0{\pm}1,107.2ms^2$(p=0.008), very low frequency (VLF) was $7,534.8{\pm}1,120.1$ and $11,883.8{\pm}912.0ms^2$ (p=0.035), low frequency (LF) was $2,724.2{\pm}327.8$ and $4,351.6{\pm}266.9ms^2$(p=0.003). Conclusions: VLF and LF which were correlated with SNS tone showed more increased differences between severe OSAS group and PI group than other group comparisons. We could suggest that severe OSAS group was more influential to increased SNS activity than PI group.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.267-274
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 20-day litter weight on behavior and heart rate variability (HRV) of piglets under stress. Methods: Forty four original litters were categorized as high litter weight (HW) litters (n = 22) and low litter weight (LW) litters (n = 22) by 20-day litter weight. From each original HW litter, three males and three females were randomly selected after weaning and the 12 piglets from two original litters with similar age of days were regrouped into one new high litter weight (NHW) litter (11 NHW litters in total). The original LW litters were treated with a same program, so that there were 11 new low litter weight (NLW) litters as well. The latencies to first fighting, fighting frequencies and duration within three hours were recorded after regrouping and the lesions on body surface within 48 hours were scored. Besides, HR (heart rate, bpm, beats per minute) and activity count (ACT), time domain indexes and frequency domain indexes of the piglets were measured in an isolation trial to analyze the discrepancy in coping with stress between the original HW and LW litters. Results: The results exhibited that piglets from the HW litters launched fighting sooner and got statistically higher skin lesion score than those from the LW litters (p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Regarding the HRV detection, compared with the HW litters, the LW litters exhibited a lower mean HR (p<0.05). In the isolation test, a highly significant higher ACT value was observed between the HW litters, compared to the LW litters (p<0.01). Significant differences were observed in standard deviation of R-R intervals, standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals, and most frequency-domain indicators: very low-frequency, low-frequency, and high frequency between the HW and LW litters as well. The difference in LF:HF was not significant (p = 0.779). Conclusion: This study suggests that compared with litters of low 20-day litter weights, litters with higher 20-day litter weight take more positive strategies to cope with stress and have stronger HRV regulation capacity; HW litters demonstrate better anti-stress and adaptation capacity in the case of regrouping and isolation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.111-118
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• 2011

With increasing interest in health promotion and quality of life, growing attention has been focused on the beneficial effects of urban green area. However, very few evidence-based approaches have been conducted on the health-related benefits of urban greenery. Therefore, this study examined the health-related benefits of green areas using physiological and psychological indices to obtain evidence-based data on these benefits. Twenty male university students were selected as subjects. Data were collected when participants viewed landscapes in a green area or an urban area for fifteen minutes. This research was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of School of Medicine, Chungnam National University. Physiological data in the green area revealed significantly decreased heart rates, significantly increased high-frequency value of heart rate variability, an index of parasympathetic activity, and reduced salivary cortisol concentration, a stress hormone, compared to the urban area. Psychological tests showed the green area significantly reduced the negative mood state and psychological symptoms, and significantly increased the positive mood state. Our data provided evidence for the health-related benefits of green areas, and the findings of this study support that green areas can play a critical role in health promotion for urban residents, by positively affecting autonomic nervous and endocrinal activities.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1066-1071
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• 2010

To evaluate the effect of horticultural therapy (HT) on the emotional improvement of depressed patients, computer-based heart rate variability (HRV) was compared with self-report scale (SRS) known as existing subjective evaluation method. SRS included four test areas: mental stress scale (MSS), physical stress scale (PSS), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and Beck depression inventory (BDI). HRV was itemized into four parameters: standard deviation of the N-N intervals (SDNN), square root of mean squared difference of successive N-N intervals (RMSSD), total power (TP), and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio). Thirty patients with depression at the same mental hospital participated in this study. 15 patients of the treatment group received HT once a week for three months, but the control group did not during the same period. As a result, the emotional improvement in treatment group was clearly identified through HRV as well as SRS. The significant difference was shown at three test areas (MSS, BAI, and BDI, $p$ < 0.001) in SRS and at one parameter (total power, $p$ < 0.05) in HRV. There was noticeable increase in SDNN, RMSSD, and LF/HF ratio in treatment group after HT activity, but no significant difference. Although all parameters of HRV did not show significance, the possibility of HRV as an objective evaluation method to HT was recognized in this study. These results also implied that HT was efficient in the mental and physical regeneration of the depressed patients in both subjective and objective evaluation methods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1394-1401
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 12 wk of aerobic exercise on lipid profiles, antioxidant enzyme activities, oxidative products, and autonomic nervous activity (ANA) in children with obesity. We studied 16 children with obesity and 19 age-matched normal weight controls over a period of 12 wk, during which time moderate intense running exercise was performed. Measurements included peak oxygen uptake, body composition, blood lipid profiles, ox-LDL, 8-OHdG, SOD, GPx activities, total mRNA, and ANA. There were no differences in body weight between periods in the OW group, but body weight increased after 12 wk in OR and CO groups. There were no differences in WHR between periods in the OR and CO groups, but the WHR values decreased after 12 weeks in the OW group. In the obese group, the baseline TG was higher than in the controls (p<0.05), while the ANA level was lower. There were differences in antioxidant enzyme gene expressions between periods in all groups. In conclusion, oxidative damage and antioxidant enzyme activities in obese children were found to be similar to those of normal weight children. However, TG was higher and ANA was lower in obese children than in normal weight children. These results indicated that increased TG and decreased ANA levels begins in childhood in obese patients. Also, regular aerobic exercise may modify the antioxidant enzyme gene expression in early life.