• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2020

Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of the bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)- platelet-rich plasma (PRP) complex with hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Method: Thirty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis participated in this study. Seventeen patients in the study group underwent BMAC and PRP extraction followed by intra-articular injection of BMAC-PRP complex within affected knee. Seventeen patients in the control group underwent intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid. Knee injury, osteoarthritic outcome score (KOOS), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire were evaluated before, one month, three months, and six months after the injection. Results: There were statistically significant temporal differences in total KOOS scores in both BMAC-PRP and HA groups. However, there were no significant group difference in the study period. In the Sports and Recreational Function Scale, there was statistically significant improvement in the BMAC-PRP group compared to the HA group at three months (p=0.041). There were no side effects or complications in both groups. Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of BMAC-PRP showed better functional recovery in the OA at three months and this can be an alternative treatment in terms of functional recovery in the OA in addition to the decrease of pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of improving obesity after 4 week complex Korean medicine treatment in obese patients by retrospectively analyzing. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 44 patients who received obesity treatment at 23 Korean medicine clinics in Daejeon city. We analyzed weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, body fat mass, muscle mass, hip and waist circumference, EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), Korean version of obesity-related quality of life scale (KOQOL), and satisfaction surveys at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. Results: The weight, BMI change after 4 weeks and 8 weeks was decreased significantly. In addition, there were significant differences in fat mass, muscle mass, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Life quality scale EQ-5D and KOQOL showed decreased significantly. In the evaluation of overall satisfaction, safety, help level, recommendation intention, and revisit intention, more than 89% answered positively that they were satisfied. There were no serious side effects. Conclusions: It was significant effect on weight loss and obesity improvement after complex Korean medicine. And quality of life evaluation and satisfaction survey also show positive results.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.205-218
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• 2021

Background: Korean medicine treatment was assessed in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) according to subgroups of: sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 122 inpatients who were admitted to the Hospital of Korean Medicine for Korean medicine treatment of knee pain, and were diagnosed with knee OA based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. Analysis of patient subgroups (sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity) was carried out and treatments including acupuncture, cupping, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna therapy, medicinal steaming therapy, manual therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy were listed. The numeric rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 5-level EuroQol- 5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) scores were measured before and after treatment to assess the effects of treatment on pain and quality of life. Results: Seventeen males and 105 females were included in this study. Most patients were in their 60s. In the total study population, NRS, WOMAC, and EQ-5D-5L scores were improved statistically significant when comparing before and after treatment. The NRS and WOMAC scores improved statistically significant in the medial, patellofemoral, medial + patellofemoral, medial + lateral + patellofemoral compartment. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment significantly reduced pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, and improved the quality of life of patients with knee OA, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative to the current conservative treatments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2949-2954
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• 2013

Background: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between lifestyle behavior and quality of life (QoL) among cancer survivors in Korea. Materials and Methods: Data for a total of 471 (173 men, 298 women) cancer survivors (CS) over 40 years old were obtained from the database of the $4^{th}$ Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV). An identical number of subjects of the same age, sex, and education who had no restrictions in physical activity were randomly selected from the database and represented the control group (CG). Drinking, smoking, and exercise behavior were assessed. Results: The number of heavy drinkers was lower in CS (9.4%) than in CG (15.8%) (p<0.01); similarly, there were fewer smokers in CS (9.1%) than in CG (14.0%) (p<0.05). The percentage of individuals engaging in vigorous, moderate, and low-intensity exercise did not differ between CS (13.6%, 14.7%, and 50.0%) and CG (14.3%, 13.4%, and 49.7%, respectively). No differences in Euro QoL Questionnaire 5-Dimensional Classification (EQ-5D) scores on both drinking and smoking behaviors were noted. Compared to the non-exercisers, the low-intensity exercisers in CG ($0.91{\pm}0.10$ vs. $0.94{\pm}0.09$), vigorous-intensity exercisers in CS ($0.84{\pm}0.62$ vs. $0.91{\pm}0.11$), and low-intensity exercisers in CS ($0.82{\pm}0.22$ vs. $0.88{\pm}0.13$) scored higher on the EQ-5D. Conclusions: Although cancer survivors practiced more conscious health behavior in drinking and smoking, their engagement in exercise did not differ from that of non-cancer survivors. Since exercise engagement increases QoL in general, implementation of an educational program that promotes exercise engagement in cancer survivors may be required.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.15-25
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Koreans. Methods: A total of 9,689 adults(${\geq}19$ years, 4,036 men) from the Fourth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2007-2008) were examined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaraire (IPAQ)-short form and Korean EuroQol-5 Dimension(KEQ-5D). Results: For the physical activity by IPAQ, 'Inactive group' was 75.3%, 'Minimally active group' was 23.5%, and 'Health-Enhancing Physical Activity(HEPA) group' was 1.2%. The mean HRQOL index was $0.89{\pm}0.13$. These relations of physical activity and HRQOL remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, subjective health status, stress, depression, and socioeconomic status variables (Adjusted $R^2$ = 0.334). Conclusions: Physical activity was associated with health-related quality of life. Physically active group had higher health-related quality of life than the inactive group.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.797-805
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this clinical case is to evaluate the efficacy of traditional Korean medicine as a treatment for fibromyalgia. Methods: The patient was treated with Korean medicine therapy (herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and Chu-na therapy). We measured the status and progress of this patient using a numerical rating scale (NRS), EuroQol-5D, range of movement (ROM), and a special test. Results: After the treatments, the patient's pain was controlled and the NRS score decreased. The overall symptoms of the patient and the EQ-5D score were both improved. The ROM and special test score were also improved. Conclusions: Traditional Korean medicine may have positive effects as a treatment for fibromyalgia.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.84-87
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• 2022

Purpose: This was a pilot study to examine the clinical usefulness of the newly developed three-dimensional sweep mode extracorporeal shockwave treatment (ESWT) in patients with plantar fasciitis. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional sweep mode ESWT was performed once a week for 5 weeks in patients with plantar fasciitis who showed no improvement with the conventional conservative treatment. A 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) reading for pain from walking and at rest after walking were collected before the treatment and 8 and 16 weeks after the initial treatment. In addition, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and EuroQol-5-dimension (EQ-5D) scores before and 16 weeks after the treatment were evaluated. Results: VAS for pain for walking improved from 50.60±8.38 to 19.80±15.61 at 8 weeks after the initial treatment (p=0.008) and 9.80±9.62 at 16 weeks after the treatment (p<0.001). VAS for pain at rest after walking improved from 36.60±19.55 to 11.80±12.95 at 8 weeks after the initial treatment (p=0.052) and 8.80±8.87 at 16 weeks after the treatment (p=0.024). Preoperative FAOS increased from an average of 74.80±9.73 before the treatment to an average of 81.00±8.86 at week 16 after the procedure (p=0.49) and compared to pre-treatment levels, there was a decrease of one level in the anxiety/depression domain of the EQ-5D, post-treatment. Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study confirmed that the newly developed EWST with the smart forging sweep mode was effective in improving pain and function in plantar fasciitis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2022

This study was to investigate the effectiveness of combined Korean medicine treatment on a patient who was diagnosed on lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) with localized bone marrow edema. The patient was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopucture, cupping and herbal medicine. We evaluated patient's progress using range of motion (ROM), EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), Oswestry disability index (ODI), numerical rating scale (NRS), patient global impression of change, self-walkable distance. NRS of back pain decreased from 7 to 5, at the same time NRS of lower limb decreased from 4 to 3. EQ-5D score increased from 0.24 to 0.646. ODI score improved 80 to 62. Self-walkable distance and lumbar spine ROM also increased. As a result, clinical improvements were found in a patient. In conclusion, this study shows that Korean medicine treatment can be considered as effective conservative care for LSTV with localized bone marrow edema.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.5
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• pp.568-577
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• 2024

Objective : Post-stroke shoulder pain (PSSP) is a common complication that limits the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder, the patient's rehabilitation and in turn, affects the patients' quality of life (QoL). Several treatment modalities such as sling, positioning, strapping, functional electrical stimulation, and nerve block have been suggested in literatures, however none of the treatments had long-term effects for PSSP. In this study, the authors evaluated clinical efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation on the suprascapular nerve for PSSP, and suggested it as a potential treatment with long-term effect. Methods : This retrospective case series was conducted at a single center, a private practice institution. From 2013 to 2021, 13 patients with PSSP underwent PRF neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve. The primary outcome measure was the Visual analog scale (VAS) score. The secondary outcome measurements included the shoulder ROM, Disability assessment scale (DAS), modified Ashworth scale, modified Rankin scale (mRS), and EuroQol-5 dimension-3L questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) scores. These parameters were evaluated before PRF modulation, immediately after PRF modulation, and every 3 months until the final follow-up visit. Results : Six men and seven women were enrolled, and all patients were followed-up for a minimum of 12 months. The mean VAS score was 7.07 points before PRF neuromodulation and 2.38 points immediately post-procedure. Shoulder ROM for abduction and flexion, DAS for pain, mRS, and EQ-5D-3L demonstrated marked improvement. No complications were reported. Conclusion : PRF neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve is an effective modality in patients with PSSP, and has long-term effect of pain relief, improvement of QoL.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.285-294
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• 2015

Background: Suicide is one of important health problems in Korea. Previous studies showed factors associated with suicide in individual levels. However, suicide was influenced by society that individuals belong to, so it was required to analyze suicide in local levels. The purpose of this study was to analyze the regional disparities of suicide mortality by gender and the association between local characteristics and suicide mortality. Methods: This study included 229 city county district administrative districts in Korea. Age- and sex-standardized suicide mortality and age-standardized suicide mortality (male/female) were used as dependent variables. City county district types, socio-demographics (number of divorces per 1,000 population, number of marriages per 1,000 population, and single households), financial variable (financial independence), welfare variable (welfare budget), and health behavior/status (perceived health status scores and EuroQol-5 dimension [EQ-5D]) were used to represent the local characteristics. We used hot-spot analysis to identify the spatial patterns of suicide mortality and negative binomial regression analysis to examine factors affecting suicide mortality. Results: There were differences in distribution of suicide mortality and hot-spot regions of suicide mortality by gender. Negative binomial regression analysis provided that city county district types (city), number of divorces per 1,000 population, financial independence, and EQ-5D had significant influences on the age- and sex-standardized suicide mortality per 100,000. Factor influencing suicide mortality was the number of divorces per 1,000 population in both male and female. Conclusion: Study results provided evidences that suicide mortality among regions was differed by gender. Health policy makers will need to consider gender and local characteristics when making policies for suicides.