• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.45-50
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• 2003

Background and Purpose : Chunghyul-dan has been widely used in the Department of Cardiovascular ＆ Neurologic Diseases, Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Center to prevent stroke by lowering serum cholesterol level. Previous experimental and clinical studies revealed that Chunghyul-dan had therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and pancreatic lipase. It was also reported that Chunghyul-dan showed an anti-oxidation effect by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis. Therefore, we examined the safety of Chunghyul-dan on all subjects who had been treated with it. Methods : We performed a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of those who had been administrated Chunghyul-dan at Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Center from February 8,2001 to December 31,2002. The subjects' general characteristics (gender, age, medical history, and present illness), recorded adverse effects, and the results of laboratory findings were obtained and analyzed to assess the clinical safety of Chunghyul-dan. Results : Six hundred fifty six subjects were treated with Chunghyul-dan. Clinical adverse effects appeared in 13 subjects, the major symptom being indigestion (8 subjects). The apparent frequency of adverse effects was much lower than that in previous reports on the safety of certain medications. On investigation of laboratory findings, we could not find any hepatic or renal toxicity. Conclusion : We suggest that our results contribute towards confirming the safety of Chunghyul-dan by offering clinical evidence.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.205-214
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate objectively the efficacy of bee-venom acupuncture on Central post-stroke patients. Methods : After screening, 25 patients recruited with eligible criteria. Among them 1 dropped out in treatment group, 4 in control group. We applied bee-venom acupuncture 6 points of body($LI_{15}$, $GB_{21}$, $LI_{11}$, $GB_{31}$, $ST_{36}$, $GB_{39}$) 2 times a week for 3 weeks for treatment group, and normal saline for control group in the same way. After 3 weeks treatment and 2 weeks follow up we measured VAS, categorial rating scale as a pain assessment also MBI, Modified Rankin Scale as a stroke recovery. Results : 1. Treatment group showed significant difference in VAS, categorial rating scale after treatment and 2 weeks follow up, compared with baseline. The control group showed significant difference between baseline and after treatment But the 2 weeks follow up, there is no significant difference compared with baseline. Also there's no significant difference in categorial rating scale. 2. MBI showed significant difference in treatment group between baseline and after treatment, but the control group did not have any difference. There's no significant difference in Modified Rankin Scale for treatment group and control group. 3. There's no significant difference between control group and treatment group. This is because of the small sample size in the study, Thus it seems to reflect individual difference strongly. Conclusions : There are positive effect on CPSP patients in pain and stroke recovery treating with bee-venom acupuncture than control group.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1 s.31
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• pp.48-83
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• 1996

Our conclusions for function evaluation tools of Stroke patients are as follows. 1. Evaluating tools of Activities of Daily Living, Katz Index, Barthel Index, Modified Barthel Index have high validity and reliability because of ease of measuring, high accuracy, consistency, sensitivity and sufficient stastistics, but they mainly measure motor function except sense, mentation, language, and social conception. Therefore cerebrovascular disease and brain injury in trauma patients with lacked acknowledgement and sensation, we are not able to apply these tools. 2. PULSES Profile is a useful scale for measuring the patient's over-all status, upper and lower limb functions, sensory components, excretary functions, and intellectual and emotional adaptabilities. It is recognized as a good, useful tool to evaluate patient's whole function. 3. Motor Assessment Scale was designed to measure the progress of stroke patients. The scale was supplemented with upper arm function items. We believe that the Motor Assessment Scale could be a useful evaluation tool with inter-rater reliability ,test-retest reliability. 4. The existing evaluation tools, Katz Index, Barthel Index, Modified Barthel Index, PULSES Profile, Motor Assessment Scale, mainly measured the rehabilitational motor function of sequela of cerebrovascular patients. On the other hand CNS & INH stroke scale can measure cerebrovascular disease patient's neurologic deficits and over-all stautus, which are recognition ability, speech status, motor function, sensory function, activities of daily living. Those scales have been recognized as useful tools to measure function of cerebrovascular disease patients and have increased in use. 5. Every function evaluation tool was recognized to have some validity and inter-rater, test-retest reliability in items of each evaluation tool and total scores of each evaluation tools, but it is thought that none of these scales have been fully validated and proved reliable. Therefore afterward, the development of a highly reliable rating system may best be accomplished by a careful comparison of several tools, using the same patients and the same observers in order to choose the most reliable items from each. 6. Ideal evaluation tools must have the following conditions; (1) It should show the objective functional statues at the same time. (2) It should be repeated consecutively to know changed function status. (3) It should be easy to observe the treatment program. (4) It should have the same result with another rater to help rater exchange information with treatment team members. (5) It should be practical and simple. (6) The patient should not suffer from the observer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

Objectives : To investigate the effects of Sa-am acupuncture on muscle architecture and elastic properties of the spastic elbow flexor and to evaluate the correlation between clinical findings and parameters of real-time sonoelastography (RTS) in patients with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis. Materials and Methods : Seven patients (five males, two females) with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis were included. Sa-am acupuncture of Ganseunggyeok (肝勝格: LU8 LR4 補, HT8 LR2 瀉) was applied to the unaffected side 3 times a week for 4 weeks. During each acupuncture treatment period, patients were requested to exercise their affected arm, and spasticity and functional recovery outcomes of the affected arm were evaluated before and after Sa-am acupuncture treatment. Clinical outcomes were assessed using motricity index (MI), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and modified Barthel index (MBI) for elbow flexor spasticity. RTS images indicate the relative hardness of the examined muscles ranged from red (hard) to purple (soft) for color-scale, and from black (hard) to white (soft) for hue scale. Color and hue histograms of the biceps brachii and brachialis were analyzed using Image J software, and median red, blue, and hue pixel intensity were obtained. Results : MI and FMA score significantly increased and MAS score significantly decreased (p<0.05). F-wave maximal amplitude of affected abductor pollicis brevis significantly decreased (p<0.05). Muscle thickness of affected brachialis significantly increased (p<0.05). Red and green pixel intensity of affected brachialis significantly decreased (p<0.05). Conclusions : Our study revealed that Sa-am acupuncture is effective as a useful and safe treatment for spasticity in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2015

Purpose: Delayed, traumatic, intraparenchymal hemorrhage (DTIPH) is a well-known contributing factor to secondary brain damage that evokes severe brain edema and intracranial hypertension. Once it has occurred, it adversely affects the patient's outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis factors for DTIPH by comparing clinical, radiological and hematologic results between two groups of patients according to whether surgical treatment was given or not. Methods: The author investigated 26 patients who suffered DTIPH during the recent consecutive five-year period. The 26 patients were divided according to their having undergone either a decompressive craniectomy (n=20) or continuous conservative treatment (n=6). A retrospective investigation was done by reviewing their admission records and radiological findings. Results: This incidence of DTIPH was 6.6% among the total number of patients admitted with head injuries. The clinical outcome of DTIPH was favorable in 9 of the 26 patients (34.6%) whereas it was unfavorable in 17 patients (65.4%). The patients with coagulopathy had an unexceptionally high rate of mortality. Among the variables, whether the patient had undergone a decompressive craniectomy, the patient's preoperative clinical status, and the degree of midline shift had significant correlations with the ultimate outcome. Conclusion: In patients with DTIPH, proper evaluation of preoperative clinical grading and radiological findings can hamper deleterious secondary events because it can lead to a swift and proper decompressive craniectomy to reduce the intracranial pressure. Surgical decompression should be carefully selected, paying attention to the patient's accompanying injury and hematology results, especially thrombocytopenia, in order to improve the patient's neurologic outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.280-292
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• 1998

Pressure sores are a serious concerns in that respect to increasing risk of medical complications and medical costs. Prevention and care of pressure sores is an essential area of nursing practice. The nurse at ICU should be more careful of maintaining the skin integrity of patients especially than at any other place. This study was conducted to determine if the risk facotrs of pressure sores and nutritional status of the patients at risk for pressure sores is related the occurance of pressure sore. The risk group refers the patients having the below 14 scores of the braden scale. The 100 subjects were recruited from the ICU ward at an university hospital in Choongnam. The parameters for nutritional status are the blood chemistry including plasma protein, albumin, hemoglobin and the anthropometric measurements consisting of weight, BMI, LBM, the proportion of body fat, body fluid and triceps skin fold using bioimpedence analizer and caliper. The results are as follows : 1. The subjects were 55 years and stayed 8 days on average. Of the 100 subjects, males were 61%, neurologic/neurosurgical diseases were 68% and the incidence of pressure sores was 17% mainly occuring within 3days after the admission. 2. The present paralysis(or paraplegia) and edema(arm, leg, trunk) were showed more significantly the subjects with pressure sores than those without pressure sores. 3. Regarding with the nutritional status, the subjects with pressure sores had significantly lower the weight, BMI, LBM, body fluid, albumin than the ones without pressure sores. This results were supported the reports of previous studies that the decreased weight and albumin could be the important predictors of pressure sores. Thereafter we should encourage these factors to be utilized in predicting pressure sores for a comprehensive assessment. Nurse should identify patients at risk of the development of pressure sores, assess their nutritional status and dietary intake at regular intervals.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2014

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate occupational symptoms and chemical exposures of nail salon technicians. Methods: Work-related symptoms of nail salon technicians in Daegu City were surveyed using a researcher-administered questionnaire, and responses were compared to those of non-exposed office workers as controls. Personal exposure level of airborne volatile organic compounds was also monitored using passive samplers. Results: A total of 159 subjects in 120 salons were interviewed. Average work-shift concentrations of 13 chemicals were measured for 50 workers from 30 salons using personal passive samplers. The most frequently reported respiratory or neurologic symptoms by nail shop technicians compared to controls were nose irritation (odds ratio [OR], 54.0; confidence interval [CI], 21.6 to 134.8), followed by headache (OR, 9.3; CI, 4.7 to 18), and throat irritation (OR, 4.3; CI, 2.2 to 8.5). For eyes and skin, 92% of respondents complained eye irritation (OR, 13.1; CI, 5.7 to 30.1). In musculoskeletal symptoms, workers reported pain or discomfort in shoulders (OR, 20.3; CI, 7.7 to 54) and neck (OR, 19.7; CI, 8.9 to 43.6). From personal measurements, the proportion of exceeding the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit was the highest for acetone with 64%, followed by toluene (50%), butyl acetate (46%), and methyl methacrylate (12%). However, the service was being provided without a proper ventilation system in most surveyed shops. Conclusions: Based on these findings, it is warranted to have appropriate local exhaust ventilation place to ensure adequate health protection of nail shop technicians as well as customers. At the same time, greater policy interests are warranted in nail care business to protect health of both workers and customers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.238-247
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• 1992

Immigration of Koreans to the United States has increased since the 1960's. Adjusting to life in the United States produces a great deal of stress for immigrants. Despite better economic opportunites, many see the U.S. culture as threatening to their family and cultural values. Differences in culture, language, expectations and social behavior can lead to misunderstandings between health care providers and clients. These misunderstanding can leaf to frustration on the part of each. The ultimate result of this is that often Korean-immigrants do not get their health care needs met and stress response symptoms can lead to disease if there is no appropriate care. To determine the health care needs and concerns of Korean-Americans, a health needs assessment is needed. Appropriate and adequate information about the health care needs of these individuals is important as it relates to American policy changes allowing greater numbers of immigrants to enter the U.S. The purpose of this prospective study was to describe Korean-American stress response. This study focused on the primary presenting problems for which subjects reported having sought care. These included a variety of stress-related symptoms, including peripheral manifestations, cardiopulmonary symptoms, central-neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, muscle tension, habitual patterns, depression, anxiety, emotional irritability and cognitive disorganization. Of the 300 subjects who entered the study, 80% (N＝223) completed the questionnaire in full. Demographically, the percentage of females and males was 50% each and they ranged in age from 20 to 69 years. Ninety percent of the subjects were highly educated, 25% owners of business, 25% white collar professionals, 15% employed in sales or as skilled /unskilled labor, 30% had no occupation : and 5% were housewives or students. The SOS inventory is designed to quantify self-perception of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological components of the stress response. It consisted of 94 items divided into 10 subscales. The result of this study are as follows : The total mean 505 of all subjects (N＝223 was .8129 ; the mean 505 for male(N＝114) was .7665 and for females, (N＝108) .8594. The level of symptoms for central-neurologic and muscle tension was higher for than for males. The highest stress response of all subjects was emotional irritability symptoms(1.0644) : the lowest stress response of all subjects was peripheral manifestation symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2013

Multiple ligament knee injury is defined as rupture to at least two of the four major knee ligament structures. Three or four knee ligament injury results in knee dislocation as complete disruption of the integrity of the tibiofemoral articulation. In multiple ligament knee injury, vascular and neurologic assessment should be performed meticulously and systematically. Emergency surgery should be needed if arterial injury is suspected. Surgical treatment rather than conservative management should be done and early surgery might be better than delayed surgery. Reconstruction of ACL and PCL, repair or reconstruction of MCL, and reconstruction of posterolateral corner are recommended, although many debates have occurred. Multiple ligament knee injury requires more aggressive management than single ligament knee injury.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 2021

Background : Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive metabolic disorder which is caused by genetic mutations that disrupt the urea cycle. It is characterized by variable clinical presentation and the age of onset. Patients may present with gait disturbance and progressive paraplegia and muscle tightness in the lower extremities. The use of botulinum toxin in metabolic disease has rarely been discussed. We describe a case of a 14-year-old-boy with HHH syndrome, who presented with a several - month history of gait disturbance and lower extremity weakness. Case presentation : A 14-year old male had a history of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, occasional vomiting, loss of appetite, and general weakness, all of which started since he was 10 months old. He was diagnosed with HHH syndrome at one year of age. At the age of 14, he was referred for the assessment and treatment of his gait disturbance and aggravated weakness of the lower extremities. Brain MRI, electrodiagnostic study and blood test were performed to exclude any lesions related to neurologic dysfunction. Botulinum toxin type A were injected into muscles of adductor longus, adductor magnus, lateral and medial hamstring, and lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscle heads under needle electromyography guidance to reduce lower limb spasticity. Intensive physical therapy including gait training and stretching exercise of adductor and calf muscles were also provided. After intensive physical therapy and botulinum toxin injection to reduce lower limb spasticity, he was able to ambulate for 20 meters independently without any walking aids. There were no adverse events after the injection. Conclusion : Botulinum toxin injection is a safe and effective therapy for patients with HHH syndrome who suffer from gait disturbance.