• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.211-221
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study is to review clinical trials on the effectiveness of acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation. Methods : Computerized literature searches was carried out on three electronic databases, and hand-searching on some chinese medical journals in library of Kyung Hee Medical Center. Results : 1) Sixteen articles of clinical trials were collected and reviewed. Among these articles, randomized controlled trials were achieved in nine articles. 2) In three articles, statically significant results in improvement of mobile abilities, activities of daily life and Quality of life were reported after acupuncture treatment applied as a part of stroke rehabilitation. In three articles no statically significant changes were reported. 3) Among two articles about spasticity, One about the upper limbs and the results showed statically significant improvement of the spasticity after acupuncture treatment as stroke rehabilitation, and the other was about the lower limbs and the results showed no statically significant changes. 4) One article about acupuncture and postural control showed statically significant results suggesting that acupuncture promotes normalization of postural control after stroke.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.539-548
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• 2022

Objective : Although full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) has been tried as the latest alternative technique to minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interobody fusion (MIS-TLIF) since mid-2010, the evidence is still lacking. We compared the clinical outcome and safety of Endo-LIF to MIS-TLIF for lumbar degenerative disease. Methods : We systematically searched electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library to find literature comparing Endo-LIF to MIS-TLIF. The results retrieved were last updated on December 11, 2020. The perioperative outcome included the operation time, blood loss, complication, and hospital stay. The clinical outcomes included Visual analog scale (VAS) of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the radiological outcome included pseudoarthosis rate with 12-month minimum follow-up. Results : Four retrospective observational studies and one prospective observational study comprising 423 patients (183 Endo-LIF and 241 MIS-TLIF) were included, and the pooled data analysis revealed low heterogeneity between studies in our review. Baseline characteristics including age and sex were not different between the two groups. Operation time was significantly longer in Endo-LIF (mean difference [MD], 23.220 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.669-35.771; p=0.001). However, Endo-LIF resulted in less perioperative blood loss (MD, -144.710 mL; 95% CI, 247.941-41.478; p=0.023). Although VAS back pain at final (MD, -0.120; p=0.586), leg pain within 2 weeks (MD, 0.005; p=0.293), VAS leg pain at final (MD, 0.099; p=0.099), ODI at final (MD, 0.141; p=0.093) were not different, VAS back pain within 2 weeks was more favorable in the Endo-LIF (MD, -1.538; 95% CI, -2.044 to -1.032; p<0.001). On the other hand, no statistically significant group difference in complication rate (relative risk [RR], 0.709; p=0.774), hospital stay (MD, -2.399; p=0.151), and pseudoarthrosis rate (RR, 1.284; p=0.736) were found. Conclusion : Relative to MIS-TLIF, immediate outcomes were favorable in Endo-LIF in terms of blood loss and immediate VAS back pain, although complication rate, mid-term clinical outcomes, and fusion rate were not different. However, the challenges for Endo-LIF include longer operation time which means a difficult learning curve and limited surgical indication which means patient selection bias. Larger-scale, well-designed study with long-term follow-up and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm and update the results of this systematic review.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Background : Integrative cancer treatment is a holistic approach embracing body, mind, and spirit incorporating conventional treatments of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and personalized complementary treatments. Wheel Balance Therapy (WBT) of East-West Cancer Center(EWCC), Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University was developed to balance out all factors involved in cancer care based on the traditional theories of oriental medicine. Objective : This work aims to analytically review literatures on WBT and its related components. Methods : Literatures published from January 1st, 1990 to April 30th, 2011 were reviewed focusing on 4 main components of WBT; herbal medicine, immune activation, anti-cancer diet, and breathing/meditation. Data were retrieved from medical search engines and electronic data bases including Pubmed, Research Information sharing Service (RISS), Korean-studies Information Service System (KISS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korea's National Digital Library (KNDL). Results : In this review, EWCC's most commonly prescribed formulas are explored. The composition of the formulas, their use in clinical settings as well as the background studies and other therapeutic efficacies are explained. Information on incorporating anti-cancer dietary support and breathing and meditation techniques, other therapies practiced as part of the center's integrative cancer care are also covered. Conclusion : WBT based on holistic theories of oriental medicine embracing body, mind, and spirit is expected to further contribute in promotion of cancer patients' quality of life and prolonged survival time.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.459-470
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of meta-analysis regarding exercise using Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) as well as to compare effect size according to outcomes. Methods: Electronic databases including the Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), the National Assembly Library and the DBpia, HAKJISAand RISS4U for the dates 1990 to January 2014 were searched for 'meta-analysis' and 'exercise' in the fields of medical, nursing, physical therapy and physical exercise in Korea. AMSTAR was scored for quality assessment of the 33 articles included in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and ${\chi}^2$-test. Results: The mean score for AMSTAR evaluations was 4.18 (SD=1.78) and about 67% were classified at the low-quality level and 30% at the moderate-quality level. The scores of quality were statistically different by field of research, number of participants, number of databases, financial support and approval by IRB. The effect size that presented in individual studies were different by type of exercise in the applied intervention. Conclusion: This critical appraisal of meta-analysis published in various field that focused on exercise indicates that a guideline such as the PRISMA checklist should be strongly recommended for optimum reporting of meta-analysis across research fields.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic interventions for chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP) in adults aged 18-64 years. Methods: We searched for potentially relevant randomized controlled trials and non-randomized controlled trials through five Korean electronic databases (i.e., Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Medical Database, KoreaMed, and National Assembly Library) published from January 2010 to May 2019. Two investigators independently selected the studies based on the criteria and assessed risk of bias in the included studies. We estimated the effect size of interventions using Comprehensive Meta Analysis 3.3. Results: Of 10,151 studies, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria and 15 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Exercise reduced low back pain (Hedges's g=-1.53, 95% CI: -2.22 to -0.85) and pain-related disabilities (Hedges's g=-0.92, 95% CI: -1.40 to -0.45). We found that taping was effective in decreasing low back pain (Hedges's g=-1.12, 95% CI: -1.51 to -0.73) and pain-related disabilities (Hedges's g=-0.50, 95% CI: -0.93 to -0.07). Manual therapy yielded a marginally significant reduction in low back pain (Hedges's g=-2.32, 95% CI: -4.64 to 0.00), the therapy was not effective in decreasing pain-related disabilities. Conclusion: Although there was little evidence for the effectiveness of manual therapy in adults with CLBP, exercise and taping were effective to relieve pain and pain-related disabilities. Based on these findings, we suggest the development of non-pharmacologic interventions or a nursing intervention protocol for the CLBP management. Also, nurses should consider implementation of effective non-pharmacologic interventions for CLBP.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this review is to analyze the studies using syndrome differentiation questionnaire in cancer patients. Methods: We searched electronic databases including Pubmed, google scholar, Cochrane library, CNKI, KISS, RISS and OASIS. Key words used for searching were cancer, Korean medicine, pattern identification, and questionnaire. Studies using a symptom differentiation questionnaire to cancer patients were selected. Results: 35 studies were enrolled. A total of 17 questionnaires was used. Most of the types of included studies were observational studies, followed by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and validation studies. The purposes of using questionnaires were rrelation analysis, outcome measurement, evaluating adverse events, subgroup analysis, and questionnaire development. The most used questionnaire was Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ), and it was used 8 times, Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification II (QSCC II) was used 5 times, Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ), TCM-Symptom Complex Differentiation Questionnaire (TCM-SCDQ), Yin Deficiency Questionnaire were used 4 times, and Qi Blood Yin Yang Deficiency Questionnaire was used twice. BCQ is a questionnaire diagnosing and evaluating yang deficiency, yin deficiency, and blood stasis. It has high reliability, validity, and optimal cut-off value. Conclusion: BCQ is the most used syndrome differentiation questionnaire in cancer-related studies. So, BCQ could be recommended in syndrome differentiation-related cancer studies.

• Journal of health informatics and statistics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.290-299
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the change in weight and heart rate associated with the use of phentermine through meta-analysis based on the published literatures. Methods: Eight electronic databases, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and five domestic databases were used to search the literature. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the change in weight and heart rate with the use of phentermine compared with placebo were included in this study. The fixed-effect model weighted by the Mantel-Haenszel method was used in the meta-analysis, and the random-effects model was used when heterogeneity was present. Results: We included 12 studies comprising 677 patients. The change in weight observed with the use of phentermine (SMD = -1.37, 95% CI: -1.55, -1.19) was statistically significant compared with that observed with placebo. As per the subgroup analysis results, the change in weight by publication year, country, phentermine dosage, follow-up check was not heterogeneous. The change in heart rate observed with the use of phentermine (SMD = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.92) was significant compared with that observed with placebo. Conclusions: Weight loss and increased heart rate were confirmed in phentermine compared with placebo.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2015

Objective : To synthesize and identify the studies that delineated the relationship between quality of life and other factors in stroke patients in South Korea. Method : Electronic databases were searched, including KISS, NDSL, National Assembly Library and KmBase. The search terms included stroke, quality of life and correlation, relationship. Only papers published in Korean were included. Results : Twelve studies, from 256 references screened, were included. All studies were non-experimental and correlational analysis. A correlation coefficient between Quality of Life and ADL .293~.622, Depression -.804~-.533, Cognition .090~.610, Quality of Sleep .107, Quality of Satisfaction .367, Fatigue -.260, MAL(Quality of Movement .208, Amount of Use .364), Family Support .824, Pain -.306, Motivation for Rehabilitation .51~.86, Balance .740, Self-efficacy .388 were analyzed respectively. Conclusion : The quality of life of stroke patients was influenced by multiple factors. Occupational therapists need to consider the functions of upper extremity and activities of daily living as well as depression, cognition, sleep, family support, pain, and self efficacy to improve quality of life of stroke patients.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2013

Purpose: To identify an associations between health care workers' uniforms and health care-associated infection. Methods: Electronic databases, including Ovid-Medline, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, KMbase, and KoreaMed, were searched. The search terms included doctor, nurse, health care worker/staff/assistant, clothing, (white) gown, uniform, (neck)tie, and attire. Only papers published in English and Korean were included. Results: 16 studies were selected from 1,900 references screened. All of the studies were non-comparative studies except for one. Four were conducted with doctors, six with nurses, one with health care workers including physiotherapists and one for medical staff plus visitors in a neonatal intensive care unit. Doctors more frequently changed their uniforms than neckties; therefore, the degree of contamination was more serious in neckties. The cuff zone was more likely to be heavily contaminated than other areas of long-sleeve gowns. Coats become contaminated quickly once worn, and colony counts reached a similar level within the first few hours after wearing them. Wearing a plastic apron or protective clothing did not prevent the bacterial contamination of nurses' uniforms, and the best way to decrease the contamination was changing to newly laundered uniforms before starting every duty. Conclusion: Healthcare workers' uniforms are a potential source of health care-associated infection although there was no robust evidence. The government must establish standards for laundering of uniforms or a requirement for institutions to provide a laundering service for healthcare workers' uniforms.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.70-76
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• 2019

Background: An excessive pronated foot is defined as a flattening or complete loss of the medial longitudinal arch. Excessive foot pronation is considered to have high risk factors of overuse injuries in the lower limb. Various treatments have been investigated in attempts to control excessive pronation. Objects: This meta-analysis identifies the effects of an anti-pronation taping technique using different materials. Methods: The electronic databases used include MEDLINE, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Science Direct, the Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), the Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), the Korea National Library, and the Korean Medical Database (studies published up to July 31, 2019). The database search used the following keywords: "foot drop" OR "foot arch" OR "foot pronation" OR "flat foot (pes planus)" AND "taping" OR "support." Eight eligible studies were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of anti-pronation taping in study and control groups. Results: The overall random effect size (Hedges'g) of the anti-pronation taping technique was 0.147 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -.214 to .509). When the effect (Hedges' g) was compared by the type of tape material, rigid tape (RT; Lowdye taping) was .213 (95% CI: -.278 to .704) and kinesiotape (KT; arch support taping) was -.014 (95% CI: -.270 to .242). Based on this meta-analysis, it was not possible to identify the extent to which anti-pronation taping was effective in preventing navicular drop, improving balance, or changing foot pressure. Only three of the eight eligible studies applied KT on excessive pronated feet, and the outcome measure areas were different to those of the RT studies. The KT studies used EMG data, overall foot posture index (FPI) scores, and rear foot FPI scores. In contrast, the RT studies measured navicular heights, various foot angles, and foot pressure. Conclusion: This review could not find any conclusive evidence about the effectiveness of any taping method for patients with pronated feet. Future studies are needed to develop the anti-pronation taping technique based on the clinical scientific evidence.