• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 1998

The present study was primarily carried out to characterize the properties of the spinomesencephalic tract (SMT) neurons that project from the upper cervical spinal segments to the midbrain. It was also investigated whether these neurons received convergent afferent inputs from other sources in addition to cervical inputs. Extracellular single unit recordings were made from neurons antidromically activated by stimulation of midbrain. Recording sites were located in lamina $I{\sim}VIII\;of\;C1{\sim}C3$ segments of spinal cord. Receptive field (RF) and response properties to mechanical stimulation were studied in 71 SMT neurons. Response profiles were classified into six groups: complex (Comp, n=9), wide dynamic range (WDR, n=16), low threshold (LT, n=5), high threshold (HT, n=6), deep/tap (Deep, n=10), and non- responsive (NR, n=25). Distributions of stimulation and recording sites were not significantly different between SMT groups classified upon their locations and/or response profiles. Mean conduction velocity of SMT neurons was $16.7{\pm}1.28\;m/sec$. Conduction velocities of SMTs recorded in superficial dorsal horn (SDH, n=15) were significantly slower than those of SMTs recorded in deep dorsal horn (DDH, n=18), lateral reticulated area (LRA, n=21), and intermediate zone and ventral horn (IZ/VH, n=15). Somatic RFs for SMTs in LRA and IZ/VH were significantly larger than those in SDH and DDH. Five SMT units (4 Comps and 1 HT) had inhibitory somatic RFs. About half (25/46) of SMT units have their RFs over trigeminal dermatome. Excitabilities of 5/12 cells and 9/13 cells were modulated by stimulation of ipsilateral phrenic nerve and vagus nerve, respectively. These results suggest that upper cervical SMT neurons are heterogenous in their function by showing a wide range of variety in location within the spinal gray matter, in response profile, and in convergent afferent input.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.16-19
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• 2007

Objective : This report describes the clinical study of the surgical method of lateral third infraclavicular implantation of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) generator through the axillary wrinkle incision. Methods : In a retrospective study, the data for 20 patients with medically intractable epilepsy treated by this approach were examined. The mean age was 31.4 years (range : 14-50), and the mean follow-up period was 12.15 months (range : 4-21 months). The male to female ratio was 2.3 : 1. The subcutaneous pocket for the generator was located in the lateral third infraclavicular area through the axillary wrinkle. Our method was a modification of the standard VNS generator implantation in the mid-infraclavicular pocket through anterior axillary incision. Results : There were the excellent or good cosmetic satisfaction in 95% of the cases and fair in 5%. The generator was located outside the lung field in 15%, periphery of the lung field in 45%, and crossed over the lung field in 40%. Discomfort from shoulder motion occurred transiently in 35% of cases. Other complications were minimal. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the lateral third infraclavicular apporach will offers cosmetic benefits and reduction of obscuration of the lung field without serious complications. Thus, this technique provides an attractive alternative among the surgical techniques for the vagal nerve stimulation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.70-83
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) on delayed onset muscle soreness(DOMS). Twenty males performed eccentric exercise of the elbow flexor. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) a group ($n_1$=7) that received low frequency TENS (7 Hz), 2) a group ($n_2$=7) that received high frequency TENS (500 Hz), 3) a control group ($n_3$=6) that received no treatment. DOMS was induced in a standardised fashion in the non-dominant elbow flexor of all subjects by repeated eccentric exercise. Treatments were applied immediately following exercise and again at 24 hours and at 48 hours after. Subjects attended on three consecutive days for treatment and measurement of elbow flexion, extension and resting angle(universal goniometer), and pain(Visual Analogue Scale; VAS) on a daily basis. Measurements were taken after treatment. Analysis of results using repeated measures analysis of variance(ANOVA) and post hoc tests were as follows: 1) there were between groups differences in pain value at 48 hours after (p<0.05), 2) one-way ANOVA with repeated measurement for pain, resting angle, flexion angle and extension angle revealed significant differences within low frequency TENS group, 3) one-way ANOVA with repeated measurement for flexion angle revealed significant difference within high frequency TENS group.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 1982

The present experiment was carried out to elucidate interrelation between the vestibular canals and the extraocular oblique muscles. In urethane anesthetized rabbits, excitatory or inhibitory effect of the canal was produced by three different methods; selective electrical stimulation of the ampullary nerve, bidirectional (ampullofugal or ampullopetal) lymphatic fluid flow, and rapid freezing of the canal. Changes of isometric tension as well as electro-myographic activity of the oblique muscles were recorded in the ipsilateral and contralateral eyes, by means of a polygraphic recorder, and the following results were obtained. 1) Electrical stimulation of a unilateral vertical or horizontal nerve caused contraction of superior oblique muscle and relaxation of inferior oblique muscle in the ipsilateral eye, and contraction of inferior oblique muscle and relaxation of superior oblique muscle in the contralateral eye. 2) Ampullofugal flow in a vertical canal and ampullopetal flow in a horizontal canal caused the oblique muscle responses which were identical to those responses produced by the electrical stimulation of the same canal nerve. 3) Rapid freezing of a vertical canal elicited the oblique muscle responses which were opposite to those caused by electrical stimulation of the same canal nerve. From the above experimental results, functional interrelation between the individual vestibular canal and bilateral extraocular oblique muscles were better elucidated. When these results were compared to those reported by previous investigators (Utzumi, Suzuki et al.), some important discrepancies were found between them. We ascribed such discrepancies to experimental errors of the previous investigators, since their results reflected theoretical contradictions in terms of vestibular eye movements.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2006

Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been proposed as a possible way to improve the control of refractory epilepsy. We report the effects following VNS treatment in patients with refractory epilepsy. Seventeen patients with a mean age of 12.8 years, ranging from 5 to 29 years, underwent the implantation of vagal nerve stimulation (Cyberonics, Houston, TX). We reviewed the clinical findings before and after VNS in seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic drugs (AED), and quality of life (QOL). All of the patients had intractable seizures, eleven of the patients had additional medical complications, three had hippocampus atrophy, one had encephalomalacia, five had encephalitis, one had pachygyria, and one had schizencephaly. Thirteen patients had symptomatic partial epilepsies, three patients had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and one had cryptogenic partial epilepsy. The mean follow up duration was 35 months. The mean reduction of seizure frequency compared with baseline before VNS was 26.1% after 3 months (p<0.005), 41.9% after 6 months (p<0.001), 46.9% after 1 year (p<0.001), and 53% at the latest follow-up (p<0.001). Twelve patients showed an improvement of QOL such as mood, language, alertness, expression, and motor function. The most common side effects were transient hoarseness or voice change or cough, which was detected in six patients (35%) and wound infection in one patient (5%). This study has shown a good anti-seizure effect of VNS, decrease in seizure frequency and improvements in QOL. We concluded that VNS is a beneficial therapy in refractory epilepsy with a non-resectable epileptic focus. Further studies should be focused on the prediction of unresponsiveness and the adjustment of VNS parameters for maximum efficacy in patients with various medical histories.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.375-386
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to summarize current clinical study trends and results regarding transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment for xerostomia. Methods: Studies published from 2017 to 2022 were searched on domestic databases and PubMed. The included studies were analyzed according to the year, language, study design, diagnosis xerostomia method, and TENS treatment method. Results: Nine studies were included. There were three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three case series, one case report, one case-control study, and one cross-sectional study. Conventional TENS was used in seven studies, and acupuncture-like TENS (ALTENS) was used in one study. The most common TENS attachment site was externally on the skin overlying the parotid gland region, and the setting of TENS was 50 Hz-250 μs the most. In all nine studies, TENS was effective for xerostomia as assessed by salivary flow rate or quality of life questionnaire. Additionally, no persistent adverse events were reported after TENS treatment. Conclusions: TENS treatment for xerostomia can be considered effective and safe, so it can be used in clinical practice.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.187-190
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• 1996

Facial nerve palsy is not an uncommon disease encountered at the department of otolaryngology or pain clinic. It usually occurs following viral infection(Bell's palsy, BP). However, it is rare to develop bilaterally, and that not simultaneously. We experienced a rare case of bilateral facial nerve palsy. Patient first experienced left side paralysis, then right side paralysis approximately two months later. We treated the patient with serial bilateral stellate ganglion blocks(SGB). When left side paralysis improved, we performed unilatertal SGB for right side paralysis. Patient was also treated with intermittent electro-acupuncture stimulations, to right side first, then left side. Four months of treatment provided good results. This may be the first case, in Korea, of facial nerve paralysis bilaterally within a certain interval, treated with serial SGB and electro-acupuncture stimulation. However, the etiology of this bilateral BP was not fully confirmed as being a cause of viral origin.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.200-204
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• 1991

Neurolytic splanchnic nerve block is a relatively safe and effective method for the relief of intractable pain caused by upper abdominal cancer. We have experienced a case of severe acute respiratory failure during splanchnic nerve block under control of X-ray fluoroscopy. We think that the most likely cause of the acute respiratory failure was an asthmatic attack due to anxiety and dyspnea from the injury or stimulation of the diaphragm and pleura in this case.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.211-224
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present a way to alleviate motion sickness(MS) by stimulating acupoint through PEMFs, and to assess the effectiveness of PEMFs against stimulation previously used to stimulate acupoint using biosignal evaluations and surveys. Materials and Methods: Thirteen healthy men participated in the experiment. MS was induced in the participants, and MS relief stimulation was applied for 30 minutes. There were 4 types of MS relief stimulation, and Sham, Reliefband, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS), and Pulsed electromagnetic fields stimulation(PEMFs) were used. The biosignals were measured during 30 minutes of applying MS relief stimulation, and the symptoms of MS were evaluated through a questionnaire survey. The measured biosignals are Electrocardiogram(ECG), Electrodermal activity(EDA), Respiration, Skin temperature(SKT), and Electrogastrogram(EGG). A one-way ANOVA test was performed for the rate of change by stimulation for MS relief over time. Results: Participants who were stimulated had a sharp decrease in MS symptoms. Biosignals were analyzed to evaluate autonomic nervous system activity, and the parasympathetic nervous system could be activated through stimulation. Conclusion: TENS and PEMFs were more effective in relieving MS symptoms than Reliefband. It is believed that PEMFs will be effective in consideration of the comfort of participants to be applied to actual vehicles, and studies to further verify the effects of PEMFs on MS should be conducted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 1999

Background and Objectives : Laryngeal Evoked Electromyography(EEMG) is a objective, quantitative technique to determine innervation status of larynx. The possible applications of this technique are to confirm the etiology of impaired vocal fold motion and monitor perioperative vagus nerve trauma. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel method for determining the amount of reinnervation of recurrent laryngeal nerve with accurate, inexpensive, and minimally invasive technique in human. Materials and Methods : Laryngeal EEMG was performed for 16 adults with intact vocal folds motion and 2 patients diagnosed as unilateral vocal fold paralysis. for the purpose of searching what is the optimal and noninvasive technique for laryngeal EEMG, we used 2 types of stimulation configurations(transcutaneous vs percutaneous) and 2 types of recording configurations(intramuscular vs. surface). Results and Conclusions : Percutaneous needle stimulation and surface recording of laryngeal EEMG was reliable and comparable to standard needle stimulation and invasive intramuscular needle recording. But the laryngeal EEMG by the surface recording and transcutaneous surface stimulation was not reliable and repeatable. Therefore we recommended that laryngeal EEMG by surface recording and percutaneous needle stimulation would be minimally invasive, reliable technique to know the status of reinnervation in e patients with vocal fold paralysis.