• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9679-9685
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• 2014

Background: When evaluating health-economics for cervical cancer prevention policies in Japan, it is important to use Japanese value settings. This study aimed to obtain preference-based measures (preference measures) for hypothesized health states among healthy Japanese women, and to examine differences between the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and standard gamble (SG) instruments. Materials and Methods: The investigation was performed among female students at a nursing university. We used written hypothetical scenarios describing three grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and eight stages of cervical cancer, both at diagnosis and after medical intervention. Preference measures were evaluated using both EQ-5D and SG. Results: We received responses from 136 women. The mean number of respondents per stage was 24.6 (SD: 2.7). At diagnosis, average EQ-5D scores for CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, IA1, IA2, IB1, IB2, IIA, IIB, III, and IV stages were 0.84 (0.14), 0.78 (0.12), 0.73 (0.10), 0.78 (0.12), 0.72 (0.12), 0.63 (0.13), 0.64 (0.12), 0.68 (0.08), 0.62 (0.13), 0.55 (0.21), and 0.18 (0.24), respectively. Using one-way analysis of variance with the Tukey-Kramer method for multiple comparisons (each stage vs. CIN1), we found significant differences for IB1 and more advanced stages (p<0.05). After medical intervention, corresponding EQ-5D scores were 0.84 (0.12), 0.81 (0.12), 0.84 (0.12), 0.80 (0.15), 0.78 (0.11), 0.64 (0.15), 0.63 (0.15), 0.71 (0.15), 0.50 (0.17), 0.52 (0.17), 0.21 (0.28). The multiple comparisons identified significant differences for IB1 and more advanced stages, excepting IIA (p<0.05). SG evaluations were more variable and relatively higher than EQ-5D evaluations. Conclusions: We obtained preference measures for three grades of CIN1-3 and eight stages of cervical cancer. In combination with appropriate sensitivity analyses, these preference measures will provide a basis for an economic evaluation of cervical cancer prevention in Japan. We suggest that EQ-5D is appropriate for cost-utility analysis of this topic.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.137-146
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study is to compare the effects between the KL-Grade and improvement of knee pain treated by Korean Medicine therapy. Methods 114 patients who received inpatient treatment from July 2014 to May 2017 in the Daejeon Jaseng of Korean Medicine Hospital were divided into 5 groups by the KL-Grade. All patients received a combination of treatment including acupunture, pharmacopunture, herbal medication. They were compared and analyzed on the basis of improvement between measuring Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC Index), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D Index) as they were hospitalized and as they were discharged. The statistically significance was evaluated by SPSS 23.0 for windows. Results After treatment, KL-Grade 0 group's Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC Index), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D Index) improvement was $2.02{\pm}1.69$, $7.50{\pm}9.67$ and $0.11{\pm}0.15$ respectively. KL-Grade 1 group's improvement was $2.09{\pm}1.23$, $11.75{\pm}13.99$ and $0.12{\pm}0.13$ respectively. KL-Grade 2 group's improvement was $1.60{\pm}1.07$ and $14.70{\pm}14.19$ respectively. But In this group, EQ-5D Index has decreased by $0.01{\pm}0.10$. KL-Grade 3 group's improvement was $1.88{\pm}1.31$, $7.81{\pm}13.35$ and $0.13{\pm}0.20$ respectively (p<0.034). In the case of KL-Grade 4, the population was not statistically significant (N=2) and therefore excluded from statistical significance. And there was no statistically significance between 4 group's improvement after treatment (p>0.05). Conclusions The above study showed that Korean medicine treatments showed significant therapeutic effects on knee pain and degenerative knee joints, but there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of degenerative arthritis (KL-Grade).

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.1349-1360
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of quality of life (QoL) and its related factors in patients with Korean Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). With data collected by Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey in 2013, general and disease-related variables, pulmonary function test, and EuroQol-5Dimension (EQ-5D) were analyzed. The mean of EQ-5D index was 0.916 in patients with COPD and 0.941 in non-COPD. The EQ-5D index and its sub dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activity, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) of COPD patients were significantly lower than that of non-COPD. However, difference in COPD patients' airway limitation was significant only for self-care of EQ-5D (${\chi}^2=9.50$, p=.013). The related factors of QoL in COPD patients were age, gender, level of education, quartile of household income, smoking status, and number of comorbid diseases. Based on the results, it is important to pay close attention to COPD patients' QoL as well as comprehensive interventions which possibly improve their QoL.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.479-489
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• 2014

Objectives: This study intended to determine significant factors that influence the health-related quality of life ("HRQoL"; EuroQol 5 Dimension health-related quality of life (EQ_5D) & EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ_VAS)) of the elderly in Korea. Methods: This study was based on 3,903 subjects aged 65 years or more who participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), 2010~2012. The HRQoL was analyzed by various factors (general characteristics, health habits, mental health, chronic diseases, nutrient intakes). SPSS statistics for complex samples (Windows ver. 21.0) was used. Results: The HRQoL was higher in the males, those with higher educational level or higher income level while it was lower in those belong to single households. In particular, the EQ_5D was significantly higher in the group who reported walking practice, moderate physical activity (male), and the group who reported no vigorous physical activity (female). The EQ_VAS was significantly higher in the group who reported walking practice. Both EQ_5D and EQ_VAS were significantly lower in the group with stress, melancholy, suicidal thinking, and osteoarthritis. EQ_5D was significantly lower in the group with < 75% Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) in energy intake, and with < Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) in iron or niacin intake. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that i) higher educational level (male), and good self-rated health status significantly increased the EQ_5D, ii) age, alcohol intake (male), melancholy (female), suicidal thinking, osteoarthritis, and niacin intake deficiency (male) significantly decreased the EQ_5D, iii) higher income level (male) and good self-rated health status significantly increased the EQ_VAS, and iv) age (male), stress, suicidal thinking (female) and osteoarthritis significantly decreased the EQ_VAS. Conclusions: This study suggested that general characteristics, mental health, osteoarthritis, and niacin intake were associated with the HRQoL. Prospective research of long-term control is needed to establish the causal relationship between factors and the HRQoL.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2020

Objectives : Acute low back pain syndrome causes pain and poor quality of life. There are various studies of SBV (Sweet bee venom) pharmacopuncture, but few have identified the therapeutic effects for patients unable to walk due to acute back pain. This case series report three cases of acute low back pain syndrome treated with SBV pharmacopuncture combined with Korean Medicine (KM) treatments. Methods : Three acute low back pain syndrome patients with no other acute abnormalities in the imaging were treated by KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine and physical therapy. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using Numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 dimension index (EQ-5D) and EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Results : Patients who were unable to walk due to acute back pain were able to walk. There were significant improvements of NRS, ODI, EQ-5D and EQ-VAS after treatment. The patients experienced an average 90% decrease in low back pain after inpatient KM treatment for about 8 days. NRS decreased by an average of 78.9%, ODI decreased by an average of 49.4%, and EQ-VAS increased by an average of 92.6%. In the case 1, EQ-5D decreased in all categories, but in the case 2, it decreased in all categories except for pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, but in the case 3, it decreased in all categories except anxiety/depression. There was no serious side effect after treatment of SBV pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture may be effective for acute low back pain syndrome patients. However, randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to confirm the clinical effects of these interventions.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2019

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing stroke in community-dwelling adults. Methods : This study used raw data from the community health survey in 2016. Among the 228,452 subjects who participated in the survey, 225,003 (98.5%) of them were included in the analysis of this study. The sociodemographic characteristics were selected as gender, age, region, income, marital status, and comorbidity was selected as osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction and arthritis. Health-related quality of life was assessed by EuroQol-5 Dimension(EQ-5D) and the subcategory of EQ-5D (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) were included in the analysis. Dependent variables were stroke, and the independent variables were the 16 variables described above. Statistical analysis was performed using binomial logistic regression analysis. Results : In sociodemographic variables, stroke was predicted by men, aging, and lower income levels. In comorbidity variables, stroke was predicted by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and myocardial infarction. In sub-domains of health-related quality of life, stroke was predicted by self-care, usual activities, mobility, anxiety/depression, and pain/discomfort. Conclusion : These finding suggest that it is needed development of a customized health promotion program for the improvement of self-care and activities of daily living in community-dwelling stroke survivors.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.247-255
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to compare kinesio tapping with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to single intervention in chronic stroke patients. 29 stroke patients were divided into taping group (n = 10), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group (n = 10), and taping with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group (combined group n = 9). The intervention period was 5 times (30min) per week for 4 weeks. Timed Up & Go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used for balance evaluation. Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) and 10-meter walk test were used for gait evaluation. The quality of life evaluation was performed using the EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D). There were significant improvements in TUG, BBS, FGA, 10-meter walk test, and EQ-5D in all three groups (p <.05). In the comparison of the intervention effects between the three groups, the combined group showed a significant increase in FGA compared to the other two groups. This study showed that taping with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is more effective for FGA than single methods. However, there was no difference between the three groups except for FGA. Therefore, more subjects and intervention period will be needed in future studies.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.47-63
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral Disc on MRI accompanying or not High-intensive zone(HIZ) by Korean Medical Combination Treatment Methods : 324 patients who received inpatient treatment from January 2017 to September 2017 in the Daejeon-Jaseng of Korean Medicine Hospital were divided into 2 groups by High-intensive zone(HIZ) confirmed with a Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging. All patients received a combination of treatment including acupunture, chuna manual therapy, pharmacopunture, herbal medication. They were compared and analyzed on the basis of improvement between measuring Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ5D Index), physical examination as they were hospitalized and as they were discharged. The statistically significance was evaluated by SPSS 18.0 for windows. Results : After treatment, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ5D Index), physical examination was improved respectively. But there was no statistically significance between 2 group's improvement after treatment. Conclusions : After inpatient treatment by Korean Medical Combination Treatment, Most patient's pain, disability and Health Related Quality of Life was improved significantly. But there was no statistically difference between accompanying or not High-intensive zone(HIZ). So We think that future research of higher quality and correct statistics shall be necessary.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.455-465
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life of adults using the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey. The study was conducted with 11,211 adults, and the health-related quality of life was defined using the EuroQol group's EQ-5D and physical activity using GPAQ. Data analysis was performed using the SAS 9.4 program, the general characteristics and degree of physical activity of the subject, Chi-square for KEQ-5D index, and Logistic Regression Analysis for the relationship between physical activity and quality of life. As a result of the study, the general characteristics of the subjects were marital status, educational status, occupation, smoking, alcohol consumption, economic status, stress, chronic disease, chronic disease treatment, physical activity due to leisure and physical activity due to occupation, depending on gender. There was a difference (p<0.05). As for the quality of life related to physical activity and health, the quality of life was significantly lower by 37% in the 'minimum physical activity group' of occupational physical activity (p<0.05). The results of this study are expected to be provided as basic data for physical activity-related health policy establishment and physical activity programs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.231-243
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• 2023

Background: Diabetic polyneuropathy is the most common complication in diabetics, occurring in 50% of all cases. About 10-20% of all diabetics are accompanied by neurological pain, showing a tendency to increase with age. Clinical aspects are very diverse, from mild abnormalities on nerve conduction tests to severe abnormalities in all sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves; however, sensory symptoms usually precede motor symptoms. Patients typically express sensory symptoms, such as positive and negative symptoms, which decrease the quality of life and have marked clinical implications, such as increased morbidity and mortality. Although Western medical drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and narcotic analgesics, are used for diabetic polyneuropathy, a standard treatment has not been established. Case report: A 65-year-old male with paresthesia and pain due to diabetic polyneuropathy was treated with Uchashinki-hwan, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture for 10 days. We used the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System, EuroQol-5 Dimension, and Visual Analog Scale to evaluate symptoms. Subsequently, the Neuropathy Scoring System, EuroQol-5 Dimension, and subjective discomfort improved. Conclusion: The present case report suggests that combined Korean medicine treatment might be an effective treatment for paresthesia and pain with diabetic polyneuropathy. Several follow-up studies should be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of the treatment.