• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2008

Background: Traction has often been utilized to treat patients with a herniated lumbar disc. Currently, the most advanced type of traction therapy is non-surgical spinal decompression. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of decompression therapy in patients with a herniated lumbar disc based on clinical findings and symptoms. Methods: Sixty patients with herniated lumbar discs were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, a decompression group (n = 30) and a traction group (n = 30). To evaluate the impact of decompression and traction therapy on the herniated disc, the clinical symptoms for each group were evaluated prior to and after treatment using the visual analogue scale (VAS), straight leg raising (SLR), the herniation index, and the disc height. Results: The VAS score was significantly lower in the decompression group ($2.0{\pm}0.2$) than the traction group ($3.9{\pm}0.2$) following treatment. In addition, the SLR angle was significantly higher in the decompression group ($79{\pm}1.5$) than the traction group ($63.3{\pm}1.9$). The herniation index was significantly lower in the decompression group ($217.6{\pm}19.1$) than the traction group ($259.5{\pm}16.4$). Finally, the disc height was not significant differences between pre-treatment and follow-up in two groups. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that decompression therapy for the treatment of patients suffering from a herniated lumbar disc has an effect on the pain, SLR, and herniation indices, not disc heights.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2014

Background: To manage intractable cancer pain, an alternative to systemic analgesics is neuraxial analgesia. In long-term treatment, intrathecal administration could provide a more satisfactory pain relief with lower doses of analgesics and fewer side-effects than that of epidural administration. However, implantable drug delivery systems using intrathecal pumps in Korea are very expensive. Considering cost-effectiveness, we performed epidural analgesia as an alternative to intrathecal analgesia. Methods: We retrospectively investigated the efficacy, side effects, and complications of epidural morphine and local anesthetic administration through epidural catheters connected to a subcutaneous injection port in 29 Korean terminal cancer patients. Patient demographic data, the duration of epidural administration, preoperative numerical pain rating scales (NRS), side effects and complications related to the epidural catheterization and the drugs, and the numerical pain rating scales on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 30th postoperative days were determined from the medical records. Results: The average score for the numerical pain rating scales for the 29 patients decreased from $7{\pm}1.0$ at baseline to $3.6{\pm}1.4$ on postoperative day 1 (P < 0.001). A similar decrease in pain intensity was maintained for 30 days (P < 0.001). Nausea and vomiting were the most frequently reported side effects of the epidural analgesia and two patients (6.9%) experienced paresthesia. Conclusions: Epidural morphine and local anesthetic infusion with a subcutaneous pump seems to have an acceptable risk-benefit ratio and allows a high degree of autonomy to patients with cancer pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 2020

Background: We aimed to compare interlaminar epidural steroid injections (ILESI) and bilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) on pain intensity, functional status, depression, walking distance, and the neuropathic component in patients with lumbar central spinal stenosis (LCSS). Methods: The patients were divided into either the ILESI or the bilateral TFESI groups. Prime outcome measures include the numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Beck depression inventory (BDI), and pain-free walking distance. The douleur neuropathique en 4 questions score was used as a secondary outcome measure. Results: A total of 72 patients were finally included. NRS, ODI, and BDI scores showed a significant decline in both groups in all follow-ups. Third-month NRS scores were significantly lower in the ILESI group (P = 0.047). The percentages of decrease in the ODI and BDI scores between the baseline and the third week and third month were significantly higher in the ILESI group (P = 0.017, P = 0.001 and P = 0.048, P = 0.030, respectively). Pain-free walking distance percentages from the baseline to the third week and third month were significantly higher in the ILESI group (P = 0.036, P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with neuropathic pain in the bilateral TFESI group significantly decreased in the third week compared to the baseline (P = 0.020). Conclusions: Both ILESI and TFESI are reliable treatment options for LCSS. ILESI might be preferred because of easier application and more effectiveness. However, TFESI might be a better option in patients with more prominent neuropathic pain.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.17-36
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of external preparation containing herbal extract(Sophorae Radix, Aurantii Immaturus Fructus, Schizonepetae Spica, Forsythia fructus and Portulacea Herba) on atopic dermatitis patients. Methods : A total of 33 patients who visited the Dept. of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology & Dermatology of Korean Medicine of Korean Medical hospital of Daejeon university from February 2012 to February 2013 were engaged in this study. Patients who corresponded the requirements were enrolled in the study. This study shows symptom comparisons before and after the use of this product. Effectiveness was evaluated through SCORAD(SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) Index, and the quality of life scale was conducted through Skindex-29. Results : 1. Comparison of the general changes through SCORAD Index indicated that the experimental group showed more statistically significant declines than the placebo group after the two-week use. 2. Comparison of changes in intensity criteria(Erythema, Edema, Oozing, Excoriation) through SCORAD Index indicated that the experimental group showed more statistically significant declines than the placebo group after the two-week use. 3. Comparison of changes in subjective symptoms through SCORAD Index indicated that the experimental group showed no statistically remarkable changes. 4. Comparison of changes in the body parts(Upperlimb) through SCORAD Index indicated the experimental group showed statistically significant changes after the two-week use. 5. Comparison of the general changes in quality of life through Skindex-29 indicated that the total score from experimental group showed statistically significant changes after the four-week use. Conclusions: This study, evaluated through SCORAD Index, indicated that the treatment with the external preparation containing herbal extract has a statistically marginal significance of efficacy on atopic dermatitis patients in the short term.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.77-100
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• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on the effect of herbal medicine for pediatric tonsillitis in China, and to seek better methods to treat and study for pediatric tonsillitis in Republic of Korea. Methods We searched clinical studies from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) by search formula (SU='扁桃体炎'+'扁桃炎'+'扁桃腺炎'+'乳蛾'+'喉蛾'+'蚕蛾'+'石蛾'+'珠蛾'+'肉蛾'+'乳蛾風'+爛乳風'+'tonsillitis') and (SU='中樂'+'中医樂'+'本草'+'湯'+'丸'+'散'+'方'+'顆粒'+'膠囊'+'自擬'+'herb'+'herbal'+'decoction'+'remedy'+'Chinese medicine'+'Korean medicine'+'kampo'+'formula'+'herbal drug'+'Chinese drug'+'plant'+'Chinese prescription'+'traditional medicine'+'Medicine, East Asian Traditional'+'Herbal Medicine') in professional search from January 2016 to August 2020. We analyzed the literature focusing on the treatment methods and results. Results Among 1464 searched studies, 35 randomized controlled trials were selected and analyzed. In most studies, the effectiveness of oral administration of herbal medicine on pediatric tonsillitis was significant. Most commonly used herbs were Fructus Forsythiae (連翹), Radix Glycyrrhizae (甘草), Radix Scutellariae (黃芩), Herba Menthae (薄荷), Fructus Arctii (牛蒡子), Radix Scrophulariae (玄蔘), Radix Platycodi (桔梗), Flos Lonicerae (金銀花), Radix Isatidis (板藍根), Radix Bupleuri (柴胡), Fructus Gardeniae (梔子), Rhizoma Belamcandae (射干), Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (大黃), Gypsum Fibrosum (石膏). Conclusions By analyzing the improvement of indicators such as total effective rate, cured rate, symptom disappearance time and symptom score, we found that herbal medicine treatment can help improve pediatric tonsillitis. However, additional studies are needed to solidify these findings.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.457-466
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• 2020

Introduction: This study aimed to report on the effectiveness of using Korean medicine to improve symptoms of mitral stenosis. While some patients that do not require surgery due to mild mitral stenosis are treated with medication, the medication does not always alleviate the symptoms. Thus, we administered Korean medicine treatments to those patients because there are not many case reports on using this approach to treat symptoms of mitral stenosis. Case Presentation: A 48-year-old male patient with mitral stenosis complained of symptoms, such as palpitation, dyspnea, chest pain, fatigue, and swelling in both legs. To reduce the patient's symptoms, we administered Korean medical treatments, including herbal medicine (Samulanshin-tang-gamibang) and acupuncture. To evaluate the results, we used the numeric rating scale (NRS) and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. After 17 days of treatment, the NRS score decreased for palpitation (8→2), dyspnea (8→1), chest pain (5→0), fatigue (96→2), and swelling in both legs (6→2). The NYHA class also changed from Class II to Class I. No adverse reaction was noted. Conclusion: According to the results, Korean medicine treatments can be considered to be effective for mitral stenosis patients. To confirm this finding, a prospective study is needed in the future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.98-104
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• 2012

The objective of this study is to report the effectiveness of active postoperative rehabilitation on clavicular fracture by oriental medical interventions and to suggest the importance of proper rehabilitation after operation. A female patient, 43 years old, who had operation for right distal clavicular fracture was treated by oriental medical rehabilitation. We evaluated the consequence by checking numeric rating scale(NRS), shoulder range of motion and shoulder pain and disability index(SPADI). The pain of the patient was decreased and the shoulder range of motion was advanced. SPADI score was decreased. Postoperative-oriental medical rehabilitation can be effectively used for a patient on postoperative state of clavicular fracture. Further studies are needed to set up a rehabilitation protocol with oriental medical interventions after operation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2007

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of fresh versus frozen reconstituted botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for the treatment of adductor type spasmodic dysphonia. Materials and Methods: After reconstitution with normal saline, BTX-A was used within 4 hours or it was kept frozen in a consumer grade freezer at about $-25^{\circ}C$ for up to 4 months. Thirty patients with spasmodic dysphonia were randomly assigned and treated with the either fresh or frozen BTX-A. About 83% of injections resulted in a satisfactory outcome with 5.3 months of mean action duration. Treatment outcomes and side effects of total 161 injections were compared along the duration of keeping BTX-A frozen. Results: There were no statistical differences in the duration of action, self-rated satisfaction score, and the duration of hoarseness and/or aspiration between fresh and frozen BTX-A treated groups. No significant side effects were observed and the frozen BTX-A were proved to be free of bacterial contamination. Conclusion: After being reconstituted and kept frozen, BTX-A may be safely used for more than 4 months without significant loss of its effectiveness or additional side effects.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.405-414
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• 2002

In this paper, we propose a new objective speech quality measure using noise masking threshold for speech quality assessment of mobile telephone network environments, and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method through the experiments. For such a purpose, well known objective speech quality measures such as BSD and PSQM are first evaluated for digital mobile telephone network environments. However, these conventional methods does not have good performance under mobile networks environments compared to literary results. To be mote effective objective speech quality measure under mobile telephone environments, the proposed method employs human psychoacoustic masking effect. The DMOS, instead of MOS, is used as a subjective speech quality measure for performance evaluation. The performance comparison are carried out with speech data collected from digital mobile telephone environments. As results, the proposed measure have and average 4% higher performance, in terms of correlation, than existing objective speech quality measures such as BSD and PSQM.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.873-879
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• 2005

Impact and process evaluations were performed in order to verify the effectiveness of a public health nutrition program developed for child-bearing aged women in Korea. Participants included 58 high school girls who were divided into two groups. Each group received four 50 - 60 minute nutrition education lectures regarding healthy eating, osteoporosis, constipation and nutrition labeling in every two weeks. Each session took 50- 60 minutes. Regarding nutrition knowledge, there was a significant increase of degree of perception (p = 0.0004) , but no change in degree of accuracy after implementation (p = 0.9522) . Nutrition education was also effective in attitude change, showing more participants were ready to change their eating behaviors in terms of meal regularity (p = 0.0455) and less processed food intake (p =0.0143) . After implementing nutrition education, effective behavioral changes were observed in milk consumption (p =0.0037) and meal regularity (p = 0.0882) as well as daily activity such as stair use (p = 0.0701) . However, nutrition education had no effect on body mass index and perceived health status. In process evaluation conducted by a 9 item questionnaire, grand mean score was $4.17 \pm$0.72 out of 5. Proportion of items with scores higher than 4 ranged $68-91\%$. These results suggest that the nutrition education program used in this study was effective and useful. For a wider use of this program, more research was recommend for a strategy development of program diffuse. (Korean J Nutrition 38(10): 873$\sim$879,2005)