• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1337-1345
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reports on the improvement of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis with ovarian teratoma after Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean medicine treatments, such as acupuncture and herbal medications (Gami-ondam-tang and Samulanshin-tang-gamibang). The patient's improvement was evaluated using manual muscle testing (MMT), the Mini-Mental State Exam-Korea (MMSE-K), the modified Barthel index (MBI), and the Clinical Assessment Scale in Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE). Results: After using Korean medicine treatments, the patient's MMT, MMSE-K, and MBI scores increased, and the CASE score decreased. Conclusion: This case suggests that Korean medicine can be effective in treating the symptoms of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.246-258
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• 2024

This case report describes a patient diagnosed with central post-stroke pain (CPSP) and hemiparesis due to anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery infarction. The patient was treated with Korean medicines, including moxibustion, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, Western medicine, and rehabilitation therapy for 67 days. CPSP improved based on scores on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) (from 8 to 0), paresthesia NRS (7 to 0), Manual Muscle Test (4/1 to 4+/4-),4+/4-), Korean version of the modified Barthel Index (24 to 73), National Institute of Health's Stroke Scale (7 to 0), Global Deterioration Scale (1 to 1), and Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (27 to 29). No seizures, shocks, recurrent ischemic stroke, and liver dysfunction were recorded during the treatment. A moxibustion-induced burn healed within 7 days. This case suggests that moxibustion, combined with other treatments, has the potential to improve CPSP, without severe side effects.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.98-109
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• 2024

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in physical and cognitive function according to the level of independence in performing activities of daily living in stroke patients. Design: Retrospective study. Method: This study is a retrospective study analyzing medical records. This study utilized data collected from 123 stroke patients at admission in a local rehabilitation hospital between 2019 and 2022. Stroke patients were classified into 5 groups based on the scores of the Korean Modified Barthel index (K-MBI) evaluated at the time of hospitalization at a rehabilitation hospital, and investigated the change in physical (spasticity (modified Ashworth scale), muscle strength (manual muscle test), gait ability (functional ambulation category), upper extremity function (manual function test), and balance function (berg balance scale)) and cognitive function (Korean mini mental status examination) according to the level of independence in performing activities of daily living. Result:: As a results, significant differences were observed in the physical (muscle strength, gait ability, upper extremity and balance functions) and cognitive functions of stroke patients according to the level of independence in performing activities of daily living (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in upper and lower extremities spasticity. Conclusions: Through the results of this study, we found that the physical (muscle strength, gait ability, upper extremity and balance functions) and cognitive function were influenced by the level of independence in performing activities of daily living in stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 2024

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of home-based exercise program in elderly with chronic diseases on balance, activities of daily living, depression and quality of life. Design: One group pretest-posttest design Methods: The subjects consisted of 21 elderly people over the age of 65 years with chronic diseases lived in seo-gu, Gwangju. Home-based exercise program was performed twice a week, for an hour, during 6 weeks under supervision of an experienced instructor. The home-based exercise program was structured to last a total of 1 hour, consisting of 10 minutes of warm-up, 30 minutes of main exercises, and 20 minutes of concluding exercises. For the warm-up, we performed range of motion, stretching, and flexibility exercises. The main exercises comprised of strength, weight-bearing and balance exercises, and endurance exercises. The concluding exercises were tailored to the individual's home environment and needs, including task-oriented daily living training such as getting up from bed, moving to the restroom, and walking indoors. The subjects were assessed before and after the exercise program with berg balance scale(BBS), Korean-version modified barthel index(K-MBI), euro quality of life questionnaire 5-dimensional classification(EQ-5D), and geriatric depression scale short form-Korea(GDSSF-K). The collected data was analyzed using SPSS Win 18.0 program. Results: The results showed statistically significant difference in all domains of the BBS, K-MBI, EQ-5D, GDSSF-K after the exercise program. Conclusion: These results suggest that Home-based exercise program has resulted in a significant improvement on ADL, depression and quality of life in elderly with chronic diseases.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.107-117
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• 2024

The objective of this study is to report the clinical effects of applying an integrated rehabilitation protocol to four patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries. The treatments applied included acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion, chuna manual therapy, functional electrical stimulation, and other physical therapies. The evaluation methods included American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale, functional independence measure (FIM), modified Barthel index (MBI), numeric rating scale (NRS) and other scales. All patients presented marked improvements in FIM, MBI, NRS and other scales, along with increased muscle strength in the manual muscle test. The application of our protocol resulted in clear clinical benefits and enhanced the recovery and quality of life for the patients in this study.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.118-126
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• 2024

A stroke is a condition where an ischemic injury occurs in the brain tissue due to blockage or rupture of cerebral blood vessels. The damage to the brain nerve cells caused by a stroke is irreversible. Significant recovery is generally observed within the first six months after the onset, but the natural recovery rate decreases after six months. Therefore, intensive rehabilitation therapy is necessary within the first six months of the onset. This case report presents three cases of patients in the sequelae phase of stroke, where treatments based on integrative medicine system between traditional Korean medicine and Western medicine were applied. The treatments included scalp acupuncture from traditional Korean medicine and rehabilitation exercises and electrical therapy from Western medicine. In this case report, we evaluated the Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and the patients' subjective symptom interviews before and after the implementation of the integrative treatment. As a result, significant improvements in MMT and MBI were observed in acute stroke cases, whereas the improvement was minimal in cases with chronic progression. However, in all cases, the patients expressed high satisfaction with the treatment during the interviews.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.646-662
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) with transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) on motor function improvement in stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on patients diagnosed with stroke more than 2 weeks but within 12 months of onset. A total of 22 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received EA and tDCS treatment, while the control group received sham EA and sham tDCS treatment. Assessments were conducted using the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (K-FMA) scores, grip and pinch strength tests, Box and Block test (BBT), Nine-hole peg test (9HPT), Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Korean version the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) scores. Adverse events were recorded at each intervention. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in general characteristics between the two groups. The K-FMA, BBS, and K-MBI scores of both groups increased significantly after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Although hand strength and dexterity improved after intervention in both groups, the changes were not statistically significant. In the experimental group, the lateral pinch score increased significantly after the intervention, but this increase was not significant compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. All nine reported adverse reactions were minor, with no moderate or severe adverse reactions reported. Conclusion: This study confirmed the potential effectiveness and safety of EA with tDCS in improving motor function in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.937-950
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated Korean medicine in treating a case of cognition impairment after stroke with diabetes. Methods: A patient was treated with acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine (Yukmijihwang-tang (Liuweidihuang-wan)) for 69 days. Rehabilitation and speech therapy were also provided. Results: The degree of improvement in symptoms was evaluated using the Korea mini-mental state examination (K-MMSE), the Korean version of the modified Barthel index (K-MBI), the functional independence measure (FIM), the manual muscle test (MMT), HbA1c, average fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c), and changes in insulin usage. After 66 days of treatment, the MMSE-K increased from 8 to 18, the K-MBI score increased from 13 to 69, and the FIM score increased from 30 to 62. The MMT score increased from left upper extremity Gr.2+P and left lower extremity Gr.2P to left upper extremity Gr.3+F and left lower extremity Gr.3+F. HbA1c changed from 7.1% to 6.5%. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Korean medicine therapy can be effective in improving cognition following traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage and diabetes.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2014

Objective : This study intends to suggest an effective clinical intervention method for stroke patients by applying a trunk stabilization training program to a single stroke patient and investigating and analyzing the effects of the program on postural control and activities of daily living. Methods : The subject of this study was a 75 year-old female stroke patient hospitalized in C Hospital located in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. As for the research design, A-B-A reversal design was used with a single subject design; and the research period was a total of five weeks from April 21, 2014 to May 23, 2014. As for the research process, a total of 15 sessions were carried out including three sessions of baseline(A), nine sessions of an intervention period(B), and three sessions of maintenance(A'); and the trunk stabilization program was applied during the intervention period. To evaluate the participant's postural control and activities of living life, the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke(PASS) and the modified Barthel Index(MBI) were used. Visual analysis was used in which collected data were plotted on a graph, using Microsoft Office Excel 2013. Results : In the postural control test, the mean scores improved from 11.7 in the baseline phase to 14.8 in the intervention phase and 15.3 in the maintenance phase. In the evaluation of activities of daily living, the score improved from 66(medium dependence) during the baseline period to 80(low dependence) after intervention and at the maintenance phase. Conclusion : It was found that the trunk stabilization training program showed effects on the stroke patient's postural control or alignment, and furthermore a beneficial improvement in the patient's performing the activities of daily living, as well.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2002

Objectives : Stroke is a chronic condition that may carry significant negative impact on the quality of life in patients. Research, treatment and rehabilitation on stoke, however, have focused on physical aspects, neglecting its psychiatric aspects and quality of life. So, aim of this study is to compare quality of life in stroke patients and healthy controls by using WHO Quality of Life(QOL) Scale that evaluates the domains of physical health, psychological health, social relationship and environment. Additionally, relationship between clinical factors in patients with stroke and their quality of life were explored. Methods : 98 patients in acute stage of stroke and 24 healthy controls were recruited in this study and WHO QOL Scales were completed. Total scores and scores of domains of WHO QOL Scale in two groups were compared. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to examine the relationship between quality of life and the clinical characteristics in patients with stroke. Results : Total scores and scores of all domains of WHO QOL scale in patients with stroke were decreased compared to those in healthy controls. Clinical characteristics including the depression, anxiety, social support system showed significant correlation with quality of life in general and most of subscales of QOL. And male patients have higher level of quality of life than female patients. But, physical disabilities rated with Barthel's index did not show significant correlation with quality of life. Multiple regression revealed that the severity of depression, anxiety, gender, and level of social support system were factors directly affecting the quality of life in the patients with stroke. Conclusion : Quality of life in patients with stroke was poorer than that of healthy controls. The severity of depression, anxiety, gender, and the level of social support system were related to the quality of life in the patients with stroke.