• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.194-205
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• 2023

Objectives : This study investigated the current utilization status of thermotherapy devices in Korean medicine (KM) institutions and identified areas for improvement and further development, as perceived by KM doctors (KMDs). Methods : An online survey was conducted, targeting KMDs primarily engaged in clinical patient care. The questionnaire included items about respondents' clinical practices, the extent of thermotherapy device usage, their opinions on these devices, and perceived improvement needs. The collected data underwent quantitative analysis. Results : From the 1,025 respondents, data from 862 respondents who provided complete responses were analyzed. On average, respondents utilized thermotherapy treatments for 80% of their patients. Infrared (IR) phototherapy unit, electrical moxibustion apparatus, and heater-based thermotherapy devices were predominantly owned by respondents, with IR being the most frequently used. The average satisfaction score for current thermotherapy devices was 79. A significant concern raised was the necessity for improved health insurance coverage and efficacy evaluation. Conclusions : This research has confirmed that the extensive use of thermotherapy devices by KMDs in treating primarily musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal ailments - common conditions among patients in KM institutions. The main areas identified for improvement encompass safety, cost-effectiveness, and device efficacy. Future enhancements in thermotherapy devices should address these crucial aspects.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.153-157
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• 2024

Septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint is a rare condition, especially in adolescents, who often present with nonspecific symptoms that can mimic more common conditions such as musculoskeletal chest pain, costochondritis. Here, we report a case of septic arthritis in a 17-year-old girl and highlight the challenges in diagnosing and managing this condition in adolescents. Initially presenting with acute chest pain diagnosed as transient nonspecific chest pain, the patient's subsequent visits to the emergency department unveiled escalating symptoms, including high fever, prompting advanced imaging. Ultimately, the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint was confirmed, with blood culture growth revealing Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Diagnostic delays have been attributed to the absence of typical symptoms and patient reluctance to be hospitalized. Our case emphasizes the importance of considering rare infectious etiologies in adolescents with chest pain and emphasizes the need for heightened suspicion in unusual anatomical sites. Further research is required to elucidate the pathogenesis and risk factors associated with this condition to aid in prompt diagnosis and treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study is a data analysis study to determine the physical health problems and reasons for disabilities and activity limitation rates that limit daily life and social activities among the elderly population aged 75 or older in Korea. METHODS: This study data was extracted from the raw data of the 7th National Health and Welfare Survey (2016-2018). The subjects of this study were 1,995 elderly people (823 men, 1,172 women) aged 75 years or older. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analysis and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2018, the activity limitation rate among the elderly population aged 75 or older in Korea was 20.6% for men, 24.6% for women, and 23.1% overall. The three major diseases with the highest frequency of activity limitations were back and neck problems (36.5%), arthritis and rheumatism (28.7%), and knee and leg pain (14.7%). Activity limitation due to old age was found to be 13.1%, making it the fourth most frequent reason. The rate of activity limitations due to mental retardation and obesity was found to be 0%. The three major activity limitation rates were significantly related to gender. CONCLUSION: The main diseases causing activity limitations among the elderly population aged 75 or older in Korea were back and neck problems, arthritis and rheumatism, and musculoskeletal diseases such as knee and leg pain. Therefore, it is believed that it can be used as basis data for reducing the activity limitation rate of the elderly population in the aging era.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.67-83
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• 2024

Background : Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly impacted all aspects of life, from disease prevalence to the utilization of medical services. In Republic of Korea, there exists both a duty and a right for Korean Medicine to treat epidemic diseases. However, no studies have been conducted to examine changes in the utilization of Korean Medicine during the pandemic. This study aims to identify the differences in the utilization of Korean Medicine before and after COVID-19. Method : This study analyzed data from the Health Insurance Statistics of the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2016 to 2022. To compare the utilization of Korean Medicine with Western medicine, the analysis was limited to the clinic level. Results : The top 10 most frequently treated conditions in Korean Medicine from 2016 to 2022 remained consistent, primarily involving musculoskeletal diseases, with the exception of functional dyspepsia. Visits to Korean Medicine clinics have declined, while visits to Western Medicine clinics recovered. Despite the overall decline in visits, certain Korean Medicine services increased in frequency, especially in precipitator-simulated acupuncture, indirect moxibustion (moxa burner), pricking cupping (two areas), warming meridian sinew, and complex Chuna therapy (80% as out-of-pocket expenses). Although the relative value units in Korean Medicine services varied, the fees for all services, except for precipitator-simulated acupuncture, increased. Conclusion : These findings indicate that COVID-19 has affected the utilization of Korean Medicine. Further studies are needed to explore the broader impact of epidemics on medical services and to develop policies to address these changes.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2024

Objectives : Anxiety is an important mental health symptom associated with healthcare utilization. This research aims to identify the demographic, socio-economic, and health-related factors associated with the use of Korean medicine (KM) treatments in adults experiencing anxiety. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the Korea Health Panel Annual Data 2019. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationships between KM utilization and various factors such as economic activity, perceived stress levels, and presence of physical discomfort. The study sample included 552 adults experiencing anxiety. Results : Among the subjects, 19.20% were using both conventional treatment and KM treatment. The analysis revealed that individuals engaged in economic activities were more likely to use KM treatments compared to those who were not (odds ratio [OR] = 2.207, 95% confidential interval [CI] = 1.316 to 3.699). Additionally, individuals reporting high levels of pain or discomfort showed a significantly higher likelihood of using both KM and conventional medical services (OR = 2.933, 95% CI = 1.645 to 5.231). Musculoskeletal conditions were the most common reason for KM utilization among the study participants. Conclusion : The findings suggest that economic activity and the severity of physical discomfort significantly influence the use of KM treatments among adults with anxiety. These insights could inform healthcare policy and the integration of KM services into broader health management strategies for anxiety.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.137-148
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activity in the lower extremity during walking wearing jogging and roller shoes. Twelve male middle school students (age: 15.0 yrs, height 173.7 cm, weight 587.7 N) who have no known musculoskeletal disorders were recruited as the subjects. Seven pairs of surface electrodes (QEMG8, Laxtha Korea, gain = 1,000, input impedance >$1012{\Omega}$, CMMR >100 dB) were attached to the right-hand side of the body to monitor the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial (GM) and lateral gastrocnemius (GL) while subjects walked wearing roller and jogging shoes in random order at a speed of 1.1 m/s. An event sync unit with a bright LED light was used to synchronize the video and EMG recordings. EMG data were filtered using a 10 Hz to 350 Hz Butterworth band-passdigital filter and further normalized to the respective maximum voluntary isometric contraction EMG levels. For each trial being analyzed, five critical instants and four phases were identified from the recording. Averaged IEMG and peak IEMG were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between shoe conditions (p<.05). The VM, TA, BF, and GM activities during the initial double limb stance and the initial single limb stance reduced significantly when going from jogging shoe to roller shoe condition. The decrease in EMG levels in those muscles indicated that the subjects locked the ankle and knee joints in an awkward fashion to compensate for the imbalance. Muscle activity in the GM for the roller shoe condition was significantly greater than the corresponding value for the jogging shoe condition during the terminal double limb stance and the terminal single limb stance. Because the subjects tried to keep their upper body weight in front of the hip to prevent falling backward, the GM activity for the roller shoe condition increased. It seems that there are differences in muscle activity between roller shoe and jogging shoe conditions. The differences in EMG pattern may be caused primarily by the altered position of ankle, knee, and center of mass throughout the walking cycle. Future studies should examine joint kinematics during walking with roller shoes.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.161-168
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• 2016

Purpose: Patients who suffer from rheumatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, other various inflammatory diseases and musculoskeletal disorders, which are all similar to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), have been complaining about changes in the level and type of pain in response to changes in weather conditions for a long time. Through an investigation about pain perception in TMD patients in response to weather conditions, our primary objective was to develop base materials for future studies on change in pain in response to meteorological factors. Methods: Among patients who presented with TMD to Department of Oral Medicine, Pusan National University Dental Hospital from August to October 2016, one hundred consecutive TMD patients diagnosed with TMDs according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were recruited for the study and 28 patients were excluded according to exclusion criteria. Survey was done with the questionnaire and investigated whether there was any difference in incidence and level of pain in TMD patients between non-rainy and rainy days. Results: Among a total of 72 samples, 4 patients reported change in pain on rainy days rather than non-rainy days. Two patients from chronic group (joint and complex subgroup) reported increased pain on rainy days rather than non-rainy days but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). One patient from chronic/muscle group reported the change in pain characteristics while pain intensity remained unchanged. One patient from acute/complex group reported decreased pain intensity. In comparison of the patients who reported increased pain on rainy days between acute and chronic groups, there were two reported cases and were both from chronic group only. There was a significantly higher chance of reporting increased pain on rainy days in chronic group than acute group (p<0.001). Conclusions: It is considered that TMD patients couldn't perceive the change in pain well in response to weather change on rainy days but some chronic patients could perceive the increase in pain in rainy days.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare GRF characteristics during walking wearing jogging and roller shoes. Twelve male middle school students (age: $15.0{\pm}0.0\;yrs$, height: $173.6{\pm}5.0\;cm$, weight: $587.6{\pm}89.3\;N$) who have no known musculoskeletal disorders were recruited as the subjects. Kinematic data from six S-VHS camcorders(Panasonic AG456, 60 fields/s) and GRF data from two force platform; (AMII OR6-5) were collected while subjects walked wearing roller and jogging shoes in random order at a speed of 1.1 m/s. An event sync unit with a bright LED light was used to synchronize the video and GRF recordings. GRF data were filtered using a 20 Hz low pass Butterworth. digital filter and further normalized to the subject's body weight. For each trial being analyzed, five critical instants and four phases were identified from the recording. Temporal parameters, GRFs, displacement of center of pressure (DCP), and loading and decay rates were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between shoe conditions (p <.05). Vertical GRFs at heel contact increased and braking forces at the end of initial double limb stance reduced significantly when going from jogging shoe to roller shoe condition. Robbins and Waked (1997) reported that balance and vertical GRF are closely related It seems that the ankle and knee joints are locked in an awkward fashion at the heel contact to compensate for the imbalance. The DCP in the antero-posterior direction for the roller shoe condition was significantly less than the corresponding value for the jogging shoe condition. Because the subjects tried to keep their upper body weight in front of the hip to prevent falling backward, the DCP for the roller shoe condition was restricted The results indicate that walking with roller shoes had little effect on temporal parameters, and loading and decay rates. It seems that there are differences in GRF characteristics between roller shoe and jogging shoe conditions. The differences in GRF pattern may be caused primarily by the altered position of ankle, knee, and center of mass throughout the walking cycle. Future studies should examine muscle activation patterns and joint kinematics during walking with roller shoes.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.399-406
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of wearing roller shoes and jogging shoes on kinematic characteristics in lower extremity during walking. Eight male middle school students(age: $15.0{\pm}0.0^{\circ}$ yrs, height $175.9{\pm}6.6cm$, weight: $616.3{\pm}84.9$ N) who have no musculoskeletal disorder were recruited as the subjects. Temporal parameters, step length, stride length, center of mass, velocity of CM, angle of segment, angular velocity and range of motion were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between shoe conditions(p < .05). The results showed that stride length and velocity of CM in wearing roller shoes were significantly less than those found in wearing jogging shoes. These indicated that walking patterns may be changed by different shoe conditions and unstable braking condition because of wheel. Angle of ankle joint at LHC1 and LHC2 in wearing roller shoes was greater than the corresponding value for wearing jogging shoes. It seems that the ankle joints are locked in an awkward fashion at the heel contact to compensate for imbalance. Otherwise, dorsi flexion was not produced at the heel contact point in wearing roller shoes.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.565-575
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of weight of load and time on the physical workload of repetitive upper-limb tasks with handling light weight loads using EMG and perceived discomfort, and to investigate the relationship between EMG and perceived discomfort for those repetitive tasks of moving light weight loads. Background: Repetitive upper-limb motion is known as one of the main risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders, and a lot of repetitive tasks are carried out while handling light weight loads in the industry. In evaluating the workload of repetitive tasks handling light weight loads, EMG and perceived discomfort can be used, though their relationship in those work conditions are not much investigated. Method: A laboratory experiment with 18 healthy males were conducted to record EMG signals from 5 muscle sites of the right arm and shoulder and rate perceived discomforts for the body parts and the whole body while carrying out repetitive materials-handling tasks for 52min. The subjects were divided into 3 groups which handled the loads of 1kg, 2kg and 3kg, respectively. ANOVAs were conducted to analyze the effects of the weight and time on RMS of EMG amplitude (normalized RMS: NRMS), median frequency of power spectrum of EMG (normalized MDF: NMDF) and perceived discomfort. The correlations between NRMS and NMDF and perceived discomfort were also analyzed. Results: Statistically significant muscular fatigue effects were not found from NRMS and NMDF in most muscles, while there were significant increases of discomfort as the task time elapsed. It was shown that there were an increasing trend of the muscular activity as the weight of load increased and a decreasing trend of median frequency of EMG of upper and lower arms as time elapsed. It was found that there were significant negative correlations between NMDFs from the lower arm and discomfort ratings, though the relationships were weak. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the working conditions adopted in this study were not enough to induce muscular fatigue, while there was significant increase in perceived discomfort. A further study is necessary to integrate the objective and subjective measures for more reliable and sensitive evaluation of workload of repetitive tasks of handling light weight loads. Application: This study can be used as a basic study for the evaluation of workload of repetitive tasks handling light weight loads.