• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2024

Forward head posture (FHP) is a representative postural deformation problem in people today, causing various physical and mental problems, but the effect of FHP on discomfort or distraction during rest is not well known. Accordingly, this study aims to demonstrate the effect of FHP on these brain functions by analyzing brain wave signals at rest. Thirty-three heavy users of computers participated in this study, and all of them exhibited functional FHP when using computers. All participants performed using both normal posture and FHP, and their brain waves were measured at rest while maintaining each posture for five minutes without stimulation. Brain wave signals were acquired using EEG with 32 channels, and through frequency analysis, changes in delta and beta waves, known to be closely related to discomfort and attention, were compared and analyzed depending on the posture. As a result, FHP showed a significant decrease in delta waves in nine channels compared to the normal posture, and a significant increase in beta waves in 14 channels, showing that FHP does affect brain function at rest. These changes are consistent with those that occur under conditions of psychological discomfort and distraction, and they appear to be because the increased discomfort caused by musculoskeletal changes in the FHP also affects brain activity. These can provide important results showing that posture correction can help improve brain function and psychological state at rest.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.206-215
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• 2007

Background : The prone position is often used for operations involving the spine and provides excellent surgical access. The complications associated with the prone position include ocular and auricular injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries. In particular, the prone position during general anesthesia causes hemodynamic changes. To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of the prone position in surgical patients during general anesthesia, we investigated the effects on hemodynamic change of the prone position with the Jackson spinal surgery table. Materials and Methods : Thirty patients undergoing spine surgery in the prone position were randomly selected. After induction of general anesthesia, intra-arterial and central venous pressures (CVP) were monitored and cardiac output was measured by $NICO^{(R)}$. We measured stroke volume, cardiac index, cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, CVP and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) before changing the position. The same measurements were performed after changing to the prone position with the patient on the Jackson spinal surgery table. Results : In the prone position, there was a significant reduction in stroke volume, cardiac index and cardiac output. The heart rate, mean arterial pressure and CVP were also decreased in the prone position but not significantly. However, the SVR was increased significantly. Conclusion : The degree of a reduced cardiac index was less on the Jackson spinal surgery table than other conditions of the prone position. The reduced epidural pressure caused by free abdominal movement may decrease intraoperative blood loss. Therefore, the Jackson spinal surgery table provides a convenient and stable method for maintaining patients in the prone position during spinal surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2007

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a group of musculoskeletal conditions characterized by pain in the pre-auricular area, limitation of jaw movement and palpable muscle tenderness. Thermography is a nonionizing, noninvasive diagnostic alternative for the evaluation of TMD. This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of thermography in the assessment of TMD. Methods: Thermography was conducted on the 61 patients who had been diagnosed with TMD, and on the 34 normal symptom-free volunteers. The temperature differences between opposite sides of the temporomandibular joint (${\Delta}T_{TMJ}$) and the masseter muscle (${\Delta}T_{MST}$) were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of thermography was calculated at the cut off values of 0.2, 0.3, and $0.4^{\circ}C$. Results: In the patient group, the ${\Delta}T_{TMJ}$ was $0.42{\pm}0.38^{\circ}C$ and the ${\Delta}T_{MST}$ was $0.38{\pm}0.33^{\circ}C$, whereas in the control group the ${\Delta}T_{TMJ}$ was $0.10{\pm}0.07^{\circ}C$ and the ${\Delta}T_{MST}\;0.15{\pm}0.10^{\circ}C$. In addition, the patient group demonstrated a significantly lower level of thermal symmetry than the control group (P < 0.001) in both the temporomandibular joints and the masseter muscles. The sensitivity of thermography at the cut off values of 0.2, 0.3 and $0.4^{\circ}C$ was 67.2, 49.2, and 42.6% in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and 60.7, 49.2 and 37.7% in the masseter muscle, respectively. The specificity of thermography at the cut off values of 0.2, 0.3 and $0.4^{\circ}C$ was 88.2, 100, and 100% in the TMJ and 61.8, 91.2 and 100% in the masseter muscles, respectively. The accuracy of thermography at the cut off values of 0.2, 0.3 and $0.4^{\circ}C$ was 74.7, 67.4, and 63.2% in TMJ and 61.1, 64.2 and 60.0% in the masseter muscles, respectively. Conclusions: Temperature differences exist between the opposite sides of the TMD and masseter muscles in patients with TMD. Although the sensitivity of thermography in the diagnosis of TMD is low, it has high specificity in the evaluation of TMD, and is therefore applicable to patients with TMD.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.41-58
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study is to identify actual operations and issues of wireless paging system operation for the aged living alone as the end users of wireless paging system primarily in Gwangyang city, and thereby to explore possible advanced and integrated ways to promote social safety network for the aged. Methods : The survey tool used in this study was a structured questionnaire form consisting of question items. The researcher hereof conducted this survey by means of direct visit and interview during two seasons, i.e. from February to August, 2008 and from December 2008 to March 2009, respectively. Results : 1) For general demographic characteristics, it was found that 90.9% of all respondents were women and 61.2% of all respondents were at age 75 to 84. for health conditions, it was found that more than 90% of all respondents often took medicines due to their unhealthy body, and most of respondents suffered from musculoskeletal diseases 79.3% and circulatory diseases 61.6%. for walking capacity, it was found that 45.5% of all respondents used walking aids, and disable respondents (11.5% of all respondents) were represented primarily by those with physical disability (52.6% of disable respondents). for actual use of medical institutions, it was found 47.3% of all respondents relied on local clinics, since they preferred neighborhood hospitals or clinics they can trust for medical care. for social activities and supports, it was found that 43.6% respondents had 'needs for assistance at times' and 33.9% respondents have 'no need for assistance'. And it was found that the major difficulties in living alone at old age were represented primarily by health problems 37.8% and economic difficulties 33.5%. 2) For characteristics related to wireless paging system, it was found that 90.3% respondents used wireless paging system recommended by firemen, and 28.5% respondents used this system. and it was found that 59.6% respondents used this system once, and 85.2% respondents used it because of acute or chronic diseases. more than 90% respondents thought that they knew about wireless paging system and considered themselves safe, but 83.6% respondents didn't attach a remote control on their upper clothes, and even 49.1% respondents turned off the power of wireless paging system due to their concern about electricity bill and noise. 3) It was found that 83.6% respondents felt it necessary to use wireless paging system, and wireless paging users felt more satisfied with using the system than non-users, and 50.7% showed high satisfaction at certain psychological benefits like 'confidence in coping with critical situations' and 'a sense of relief'. In addition, it was found that some respondents who answered that 'they didn't turn off the paging system as they knew how it works' and those who answered that they knew 'how to use it' showed relatively high satisfaction. And some respondents who kept it well and felt it necessary also showed high satisfaction. 4) It was found that the level of satisfaction our respondents felt with using wireless paging system varied significantly availability($x^{2}$ = 12.759, p = .002), psychological advantages($x^{2}$ = 12.174, p = .002), knowledge about how to use system($x^{2}$ = 7.021, p = .016), power on/off($x^{2}$ = 13.221, p = .001), level of knowledge about system($x^{2}$ = 21.002, p = .000), maintenance($x^{2}$ = 9.871, p = .007) and level of necessity($x^{2}$ = 34.939, p = .000) on the statistical basis.