• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of upper extremity exercise and Bandage on the edema and range of motion. Complex decongestive physiotherapy was one of the latest methods to deal with the limitation of range of motion and the edema that were the prime problems of patients with lymphedema. Methods : Twenty patients undergone mastectomy were participated in this study voluntarily. They had lymphedema on upper extremity and partial limitation of range of motion. The subjects had been treated with upper extremity home exercise and complex decongestive physiotherapy with Bandage for 4 weeks. The measure of these patients with upper extremity edema was included: the volume, arm circumfenence and range of motion. These were measured two times: before the treatment, after 4 weeks of the treatment. Results : The upper extremity edema of patients treated home exercise group and complex decongestive physiotherapy group with Bandage was definitely decreased (p<0.05). Moreover, the upper volume of those who were the same condition also significantly shrank and patients' arm circumferences of upper arm breathtakingly diminished as well (p<0.05). But home exercise group patients' arm circumferences of forearm was not remarkable(p>0.05). However, patients' range of motion who were treated with upper extremity exercise were evidently increased when compared to that of the before treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion : Complex decongestive physiotherapy and bandage performed by physical therapist increased the ROM of upper arm and reduced the edema in patients with lymphedema.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.851-859
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• 2013

This study is conducted to provide basic data through the Quantitative Sensory Testing(QST) about edema of the upper extremity with hemiplegia for subacute and chronic patients in management and treatment. For the purposes of the study group I, subacute stroke patients(n = 15) and group II, chronic stroke patients(n = 17), was targeted, it was performed difference between the unaffected side and affected side of the upper extremity volume, MPT, CST, WST, CPT, WPT and QST of VST. As the results, all measurement items showed significant differences when comparing each group of all(p<.001), group I and group II of patients affected side, there was a significant difference in the measurements, with the exception of items MPT sensory test(p<.05). In subacute than chronic numbness due to increased sensory threshold appears in the upper extremity edema was able to confirm. It was focused on the difference in sensory properties according to the edema of stroke patients through quantitative test.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.339-344
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high and low resistance exercise using an elastic band on the strength and lymphedema of upper extremity in patients with breast cancer. Methods: Seventeen female patients with breast cancer related lymphedema were randomly allocated to the high (n=9) or low (n=8) resistance exercise group. Both groups participated in the elastic band exercise program three times a week for eight weeks. For the high resistance exercise group (HR), the resistance was gradually increased, while maintaining constant intensity of exercise for the low resistance exercise group (LR). Assessments made include the upper extremity muscle strength and lymphedema before and after training. Results: After the exercise program, the HR showed significantly improved shoulder flexion and elbow flexion strength variation compared to the LR (p<0.05). Upper arm edema rate was significantly decreased in HR (p<0.05), but the difference between the two groups was not significant. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the elastic band exercise helps improve the strength and lymphedema of upper extremity in patients with breast cancer. In particular, high resistance exercise is more effective in improving muscle strength and does not exacerbate lymphedema, rather may improve upper arm edema if it is applied with a low elastic bandage or compression sleeve.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.270-279
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• 2007

Purpose: In this study, the effects of meridian massage and hand massage on the affected upper extremity of patients with a stroke were identified. Method: A nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design was used. Participants were 84 (Experimental. 1: 28, Experimental. 2: 28, Control.: 28) patients with a stroke who were hospitalized in K oriental medical center. Experimental treatment for patients in experimental group 1 was the meridian massage for 10 minutes daily for 2 weeks, and for those in experimental group 2, hand massage for 2 minutes, 30 seconds each, daily for 2 weeks. Outcome variables were upper extremity function (grip power, shoulder pain, edema, ROM), ADL, and depression. Data were analyzed using SPSS PC+ version. Results: The score for upper extremity functions and ADL were significantly higher in experimental group 1 who had meridian massage than for experimental group 2 or the control group. Experimental group 1 showed less depression than experimental 2 or the control group. Conclusion: Meridian massage can be an effective nursing intervention to improve upper extremity function and ADL, and to decrease depression in patients stroke who have had a stroke.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.134-136
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• 2007

Purpose: Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the dermis and hypodermis, mostly of streptococcal origin, and erysipelas of upper extremity following breast cancer treatment has never been reported in the Korean literature. Methods: 39-year-old female presented to our hospital complaining of fever and painful swelling of her left upper extremity. She had a history of breast cancer and was treated with breast conserving surgery with axillary lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, and radiation. On physical examination, her left upper extremity showed vesicle, bullae, local heatness and erythema with well-defined margin. With these distinctive features of a skin lesion, we gave a diagnosis of erysipelas and started treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Results: Resolution of the signs and symptoms of erysipelas occurred after 7 days of treatment. Conclusion: The diagnosis of erysipelas with distinctive feature of skin lesion is essential and we emphasize that the prevention of any trauma are very important in these patients for prophylactic measures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.171-176
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• 2018

Central venous stenosis is a rare cause of unilateral breast edema occurring in hemodialysis patients that needs to be differentiated from other differential diagnoses, including, but not limited to, inflammatory breast carcinoma, mastitis, lymphedema, and congestive heart failure. All reports of similar cases in the available literature have described improvement or resolution of the edema after treatment. Herein, we report and discuss the pathophysiology of breast edema formation in a patient who presented with massive left-sided breast edema 7 years after being diagnosed with central venous stenosis. Medical and minimally invasive therapy had not been successful, so she underwent reduction mammoplasty to relieve the symptoms.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of upper extremity volume, pain, and range of motion after participation in thera-band exercises according to the hand grip type in patients with breast cancer with upper extremity edema. We also aimed to determine the most efficient type of grip. Methods : The subjects were 10 female patients diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer who had stage 2 lymphedema. Randomly, 5 patients each were allocated to the experimental and control groups. For six weeks, the patients in both the experimental and control groups exercised daily. In both groups, manual lymph drainage was applied for 1 hour. Afterward, patients in the experimental group placed their hands in the thera-band ring and exercised with their fingers outstretched. Patients in the control group exercised while holding the thera-band ring with a finger. Both the experimental group and the control group underwent measurements of the circumference of the upper extremity, pain, and range of motion of the shoulder joint at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6 before and after exercise. Results : The upper arm circumference decreased by more in the experimental group in all weeks than before than that in the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference at 6 weeks. Compared with the difference between pre-exercise and 6 weeks post-exercise, the change in pain significantly decreased in the experimental group and showed a statistically significant difference. The shoulder range of motion increased in extension, external rotation, and internal rotation compared with that in the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference. Although the operating range increased in flexion and abduction, there were no statistically significant differences. Conclusion : In this study, we found that thera-band exercises with an open-hand grip are more efficient than thera-band exercises with a closed-hand grip in edema reduction, pain, and range of motion. In addition, it was found that it was more effective to continue the thera-band exercises with open-hand grip extended for at least 6 weeks rather than for a short time.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.280-290
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• 2022

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of complex decongestive therapy applications on upper extremity function in breast cancer patients who developed adhesive capsulitis after lymphedema. Methods: Thirty patients who developed adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema were divided into two groups as study (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Both groups received 20 minutes of exercise five days a week for three weeks using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, as well as a hot pack and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) treatment to the shoulder joint. The study group received 45 minutes of intensive decongestive therapy along with the adhesive capsulitis treatment. The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain, circumference, and volumetric measurements were used to assess edema, and the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems Questionnaire (DASH: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) was used to assess upper extremity functionality. The shoulder range of motion was evaluated. Results: Both groups had improvements in pain (P < 0.001), shoulder joint range of motion (P < 0.001), and upper extremity functionality (P < 0.001) after the treatment. There was a significant decrease in circumference and volumetric measurements in the study group (P < 0.001). However, no differences were seen in measurements in the control group. Conclusions: The results showed that complex decongestive therapy was beneficial in reducing lymphedema in breast cancer patients who acquired adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema. Consequently, the authors believe that supplementing conventional physiotherapy with complex decongestive therapy will benefit patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.152-155
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• 2005

Purpose: The lower extremity edema (LEE) is a common distressful symptom in advanced cancer patients and is hard to manage. We analyze the characteristics of LEE in patients with advanced cancer to provide the basic information of causes and adequate management. Methods: Physical examination, assessment of the location and severity of edema, blood chemistry (albumin, creatinine), Doppler Sono for patients with suspecting deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and abdomen CT scan for patient with suspecting lymph edema were performed. Severity of edema was classified according to NCI lymph edema scaling and improvement was defined as lowering at least 1 grade of edema after management. Results: Among 154 patient who had been admitted to Hospice Ward from Mar 2003 to Jan 2004, 33 had LEE, and 6 had both upper extremity edema and LEE except generalized edema. Their underlying cancers were stomach (7), lung (6), biliary tract (5), liver (5), colorectal (5), pancreas (2), and others (9). There were 12 patient with grade I, 20 patients with grade II, and 7 patients with grade III edema. The causes were hypoalbuminemia (11), lymph edema (10), DVT (7), obstruction of inferior vena cava (IVC) or portal vein (6), and dependent edema (5). The common managements were including leg elevation and diuretics. Elastic stocking was applied for patients with DVT and leg massage and pneumatic compression was used for lymph edema. The 2/3 patients were improved after management. Conclusion: The incidence of LEE in terminal cancer pts was high (25.3%) and their causes were variable including lymph edema, DVT, hypoalbuminemia and dependent edema. Active noninvasive management according to causes could result in good palliation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.104-108
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• 2018

Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone, characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a nerve block method that is used for treatment of neuropathic pain in the head, neck and upper extremities, especially trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia and complex regional pain syndrome. SGB can modulate and stabilize the sympathetic nervous system, which prevents it from overexcitation and improves symptoms of syncope. The authors report a patient who was treated for pain and edema of both upper extremities with SGB, then showed improvement in recurrent syncope followed by chest pain and overall quality of life.