• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 1999

The effects of pharmacist's intervention for asthma patients using self-monitoring of peak expiratory flow rate in medication teaching model was evaluated for 3 months in improving clinical outcomes including emergency visits, hospitalizations, antibiotics use, symptoms and sleep disturbance. Twenty seven patients were enrolled in study and twenty three patients completed the follow-up schedules. The selected patients were given the pre-designed instruction for medication including appropriate use of medication, metered-dose inhaler(MDI) technique, identifying and controling asthma triggers and recognizing early signs of deterioration. There were significant improvements in clinical outcomes, in terms of emergency visits, hopitalizations, antibiotics use, symptoms and sleep disturbance. There were also significant improvements in the MDI use, environmental control, and medication knowledges. There was a progressive increase in peak expiratory flow rate during the three-month intervention. In conclusion, pharmacist's intervention using self-monitoring of peak expiratory flow rate has a significant impact on improving clinical outcomes in asthma patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.588-593
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• 2005

Purpose : Obesity is associated with disturbances of ventilatory functions in adults. But few studies have evaluated the pulmonary complications of obesity in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of obesity on pulmonary function and body composition in obese children. Methods : Forty seven obese children whose ages ranged from nine to twelve years were evaluated for their body composition(intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, protein mass, mineral mass, soft lean mass, fat mass, percent body fat, fat distribution) by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Hemoglobin, serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Pulmonary function test was performed by spirometer. Results : Intracellular fluid, protein mass, fat mass, percent body fat and fat distribution were significantly higher in severely obese children with an obesity index of more than 150 percent compared with those with an index of less than 150 percent. Peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) was significantly lower in severely obese children with obesity index of more than 150 percent compared with those with less than 150 percent($241.7{\pm}14.6L/sec$ vs $276.8{\pm}64.3L/sec$). PEFR, forced expiratory flow 25 percent($FEF_{25}$), mid expiratory flow rate(MEFR), forced expiratory flow 50 percent($FEF_{50}$), forced expiratory volume in 1st second($FEV_1$) and forced vital capacity(FVC) were decreased in 37.0 percent, 14.8 percent, 14.8 percent, 11.1 percent, 3.7 percent and 3.7 percent of obese children, respectively. Conclusion : PEFR was significantly decreased in obese children. Pulmonary function test must be performed in severely obese children and more extended study is needed in other age groups.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2015

Impaired respiratory function is common in patients with stroke. The purpose of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of exercises and to assess forced vital capacity and peak cough flow after completion of neck stabilizing and respiratory reeducation exercises (combining diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing exercises). The 45 participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group 1 ($n_1=15$), experimental group 2 ($n_2=15$), and a control group ($n_3=15$). All subjects performed conservative physical therapy for 30 minutes. Experimental group 1 undertook the neck stabilizing exercise and the respiratory reeducation exercise. Experimental group 2 undertook the respiratory reeducation exercise. Additional exercise did not exceed 30 minutes, five times a week for six weeks. The subjects were assessed for deep neck flexor thickness and breathing function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and manual assisted peak cough flow) at pre-post value. The results of this study were as follows. Experimental group 1 showed a significant increase only in deep neck flexor thickness change rate (p<.05). All groups showed significant increases in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, and peak expiratory flow in pre-post measurement (p<.05). Experimental groups 1 and 2 showed an increase in manual assisted peak cough flow in pre-post measurement (p<.05). There was no significant difference between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2, but experimental group 1 improved more than experimental group 2 in respiratory function as a whole. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the neck stabilizing exercise in combination with the respiratory reeducation exercise can improve forced vital capacity and peak cough flow in patients with stroke.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.867-872
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• 2009

Peak expiratory flow rate(PEF) is one of the most important diagnostic parameters in spirometry. PEF occurs in a very short duration during the forced expiratory maneuver, which could lead to measurement error due to non-ideal dynamic characteristic of the transducer. In such case the initial slope of the flow rate signal determines the accuracy of the measured PEF. The present study considered this initial slope as a parameter to compensate PEF. The 26 standard flow rate signals recommended by the American Thoracic Society(ATS) were flown through the air flow transducer followed by simultaneous measurements of PEF and maximum transducer output$(N_{PEF})$. $N_{PEF}$-PEF satisfied a quadratic equation in general, however, two signals (ATS #2 and #26) having large initial slopes deviated from the fitting equation to a significant degree. The relative error was found to be in a linear relationship with the initial slope, thus, $N_{PEF}$ was appropriately compensated to provide accurate PEF with mean relative error less than only 1%. The 99% confidence interval of the mean relative error was less than a half of the error limit of 5% recommended by ATS. Therefore, PEF can be very accurately determined by compensating the transducer output based on the initial slope, which should be a useful technique for air flow transducer calibration.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

Background: Despite growing concern over occupational exposure to particulate matter (PM) such as grain dust and diesel exhaust, information about the exposure level and health implications among workers in small-scale milling enterprises in developing countries like Nigeria has not been adequately documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust and effect on lung function among grain millers in food markets in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design with a comparative approach. Sixteen grain milling shops each were randomly selected from two major food markets in Ibadan metropolis for indoor $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ monitoring. Seventy-two respondents each were proportionately selected from grain millers and shop owners for forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate tests. Results: The $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations for both market locations ranged between 1,269.3 and $651.7{\mu}g/m^3$, while $PM_{10}$ concentrations were between 1,048.2 and $818.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The recorded concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limit of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ and $25{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, respectively. As compared with control group (2.1 L), significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second value (1.61 L) was observed among the exposed group (p < 0.05). Likewise, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate value (186.7 L/min) was recorded among the exposed group than the control group (269.51 L/min) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust accentuated respiratory disorders with declines in lung functions amongst grain millers. Improved milling practices and engaging cleaner milling facilities should be adopted to minimize exposure and related hazards.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2004

Asthma is one of the important respiratory diseases requiring home self care usually performed by commercialized peak expiratory flow meter (PEFM). However, this simple device can measure only single parameter, PEF, due to its purely mechanical principle, significantly limiting desease management quality. The present study introduced a new expiratory flow measurement technique by miniatured air expansion chamber easily installed within PEFM. Continuous pressure signal obtained from the chamber demonstrated an accurate quadratic relationship with flow. The volume measurement error was $<{\pm}1%$ well within the American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria of 3%. Important spirometric parameters of FVC, PEF, and FEF25-75% were all accurately estimated with correlation coefficients > 0.95. The present technique obtains continuous expiratory air flow signal, making possible and convenient to perform spirometric test at home. Electronic interface capability would be also useful for remote asthma management.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2012

Background: Measurement of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in a follow-up examination for a chronic airway disease is useful because it has the advantages of being a simple measurement and can be repeated during examination. The aim of this study was to examine the annual decrease of PEFR in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and to confirm the factors which influence this decrease. Methods: From May, 2003 to September, 2010, the annual decrease of PEFR was obtained from asthma and COPD patients attending an outpatient pulmonary clinic. PEFR was measured using a Mini-Wright peak flow meter (Clement Clarke International Ltd. UK), and we conducted an analysis of factors that influence the change of PEFR and its average values. Results: The results showed an annual decrease of $1.70{\pm}12.86$ L/min the asthmatic patients and an annual decrease of $10.3{\pm}7.32$ L/min in the COPD patients. Age and $FEV_1$ were the predictive factors influencing change in asthma, and $FEV_1$ and smoking were the predictive factors influencing change in COPD. Conclusion: We confirmed the annual decreasing PEFR in patients with chronic airway disease and identified factors that work in conjunction with $FEV_1$ to influence the change.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.155-161
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• 2020

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the effect of positive active pressure technique and active breathing technique on lung function in healthy adults. Methods : In this study, the passive lung expansion technique and active respiration enhancement technique using an air mask bag unit were conducted in 30 normal adults to observe changes in pulmonary function with forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1). In order to observe the change in the level of respiratory function, we would like to investigate the peak expiratory flow (PEF) and the forced expiratory flow (FEF 25-75 %). Results : As a result of this study, there was no significant difference in comparison between the passive lung expansion technique and the active breathing enhancement technique (p>.05). The passive lung expansion technique effectively increased the effortful expiratory volume and the median expiratory flow rate of 1 second (p<.05). And the passive lung expansion technique effectively increased the effortless lung capacity and the maximum expiration flow rate (p<.05). Conclusion : The passive lung expansion technique effectively increases the range of motion of the lungs and chest cages, intrathoracic pressure, and elasticity of the lungs, and the active breathing technique increases the muscle functions such as the diaphragm and the biceps muscles. It is expected that it will be able to selectively improve the respiratory function of patients with respiratory diseases or functional limitations as it is found to be effective.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.311-314
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• 2005

To evaluate the acute effects of fine particles on pulmonary function, a longitudinal study was conducted. This study was carried out for the schoolchildren(3rd and 4th grades) living in Inner-Mongolia, China. 113 Chinese children were asked to record their daily levels of peak expiratory flow rate(PEPR) using portable peak flow meter(mini-Wright) for 40 days and 3 time everyday(12 April 2004 to 21 May 2004). The atmospheric concentration of fine particles in study area was also determined everyday during same period. The relationship between dailypeak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) and fine particle levels was analyzed using a mixed linear regression models including gender, age, height, the presence of respiratory symptoms, and daily average relative humidity as extraneous variables. The analysis showed that the increase of fine particle concentrations was negatively associated with the variability in PEPR. The IQR(inter-quartile range) increments of $PM_{10}$ or $PM_{2.5}(66.0{\mu}g/m^3$ and $118.9{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively) were also shown to be related with 1.422L/min(95% Confidence intervals: 0.270 ${\sim}$ 2.574) and 1.214L1min(95% Cl: 0.010 ${\sim}$ 2.418) decline in PEFR.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.250-257
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• 2017

Background: Tasks involved in traditional charcoal production expose workers to various levels of charcoal dust and wood smoke. This study aimed to identify specific tasks influencing lung function and respiratory symptoms. Methods: Interviews, direct observation, and task/symptom checklists were used to collect data from 50 charcoal-production workers on 3 nonwork days followed by 11 workdays. The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured four times per day. Results: The PEFR was reduced and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms increased over the first 6-7 workdays. The PEFR increased until evening on nonwork days but not on workdays. Loading the kiln and collecting charcoal from within the kiln markedly reduced the PEFR and increased the odds of respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: Tasks involving entry into the kiln were strongly associated with a short-term drop in the PEFR and the occurrence of respiratory symptoms, suggesting a need for the use of protective equipment and/or the operation of an effective kiln ventilation system.