• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2016

This retrospective observational study was aimed to assess that Shinchubogun-tang (Shenzhuibujian-tang ; SBT) improves the symptoms related to lumbar disc herniation. We analyzed the medical records of 36 patients, who were satisfied with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation and prescribed with SBT in addition to Korean medical common treatments at Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University from January 1st, 2013 to November 30th, 2015. The effects of SBT was evaluated by comparing before and after taking SBT through 0-10 visual analogue scale(VAS) of the symptoms including lower back pain, radiating pain, and lower extremity numbness. The average period of common Korean medicine treatment before SBT prescription was 9.78 days and then the patients received SBT along with common Korean medicine treatment for 13.17 days on average. SBT plus common korean medicine treatment group significantly decreased VAS score of lower back pain from 5.40±1.62 to 3.28±1.70 (p<0.01), radiating pain from 5.60±1.42 to 2.35±1.79 (p<0.01), lower extremity numbness from 5.77±1.52 to 2.55±1.85(p<0.01). These results demonstrated that SBT might have a potential on improvement of lumbar disc herniation by reducing the symptoms of lower back pain, radiating pain, and lower extremity numbness.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2015

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of the traditional Korean medical therapy of catgut-embedding therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Thirteen patients(20 hands) with CTS underwent catgut-embedding therapy once per week for a total of 1-4 sessions. We measured the time to tingling in the fingers on performing Phalen's test. We also had patients use a visual analog scale (VAS) to indicate the severity of tingling. We also asked about the awakening time at night due to pain and tingling. We controlled the treatment as being limited to four sessions. Even if a patient had not been treated for four sessions, we ended the patient's treatment if symptoms resolved. Results: Patients who received catgut-embedding therapy showed significant improvements in the clinical symptoms of CTS. After treatment, in a total of 19 hands, the status of fourteen was changed from positive to negative in Phalen's test and the average of tingling occurrence time in that test was delayed. Among the 20 hands, the VAS in eight hands changed to zero and the average of VAS score decreased. Furthermore, in nine patients, four could sleep well without the use of a splint. Conclusions: Patients undergoing this traditional Korean medical therapy showed alleviation of finger tingling after even a single treatment. We thus concluded that this traditional Korean catgut-embedding therapy, may be effective for treating CTS. However, to confirm the effects of catgut-embedding therapy on CTS, further tests are required, including under the defined, strict conditions of a randomized controlled trial.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.323-332
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• 2015

This paper examines the level of the primary care continuity for patients with high blood pressure and the effects of the primary care continuity on their convergence health outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort study. A total of 315,791 patients who had received new diagnoses of hypertension. We determined standard indices of continuity of care-MFPC, MMCI, and COC and evaluated their association with study outcomes over three years of follow-up. Outcome measures included hospitalization and emergency room visits. The result of the primary care continuity levels and hazard ratios of health outcome showed that, comparing continuity group, non-continuity group had higher rates of hospitalization by 1.655(95% CI: 1.547-1.771) and emergency room visits by 1.669(95% CI: 1.465-1.903). This paper argues that medical costs of chronic diseases will reduce if low continuity of care turns into high continuity of care.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of Korean medical treatments combined with acupotomy on patients diagnosed with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of twenty in patients diagnosed with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. They had received Korean medical treatment combined with acupotomy on tender points in the gluteus minimus muscle and piriformis muscle at Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital of Dong-Shin University from April, 2014 to December, 2014. To evaluate the efficacy of the treatments, the twenty in patients were asked to complete the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) before acupotomy, the first day after acupotomy, the third day after acupotomy, and the fifth day after acupotomy. Results : 1. NRS significantly decreased from $6.15{\pm}1.27$ to $3.90{\pm}1.45$. 2. ODI significantly decreased from $23.64{\pm}8.76$ to $15.95{\pm}7.35$. Conclusions : Korean medical treatment combined with acupotomy on tender points in the gluteus minimus muscle and piriformis muscle might be effective in reducing pain and improving the life quality of patients with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. We hope that further studies will be done to produce more clinical data and ensure effective application of these results.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.205-218
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• 2021

Background: Korean medicine treatment was assessed in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) according to subgroups of: sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 122 inpatients who were admitted to the Hospital of Korean Medicine for Korean medicine treatment of knee pain, and were diagnosed with knee OA based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. Analysis of patient subgroups (sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity) was carried out and treatments including acupuncture, cupping, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna therapy, medicinal steaming therapy, manual therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy were listed. The numeric rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 5-level EuroQol- 5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) scores were measured before and after treatment to assess the effects of treatment on pain and quality of life. Results: Seventeen males and 105 females were included in this study. Most patients were in their 60s. In the total study population, NRS, WOMAC, and EQ-5D-5L scores were improved statistically significant when comparing before and after treatment. The NRS and WOMAC scores improved statistically significant in the medial, patellofemoral, medial + patellofemoral, medial + lateral + patellofemoral compartment. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment significantly reduced pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, and improved the quality of life of patients with knee OA, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative to the current conservative treatments.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2021

Purpose: Open extremity fractures require prompt antibiotic medication and initial debridement surgery to reduce the infection rate and restore functional stabilization. We aimed to report the effects and positive outcomes of a trauma team approach on the management of open extremity fractures in polytrauma patients. Methods: This retrospective review included all polytrauma patients with open extremity fractures admitted between March 2009 and December 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were treated before or after the implementation of the trauma team approach (March 2014). We analyzed the outcomes in each group with respect to the time interval until the doctor's arrival, total length of stay in the emergency department, the time interval until initial antibiotic treatment and operation, whether the initial operation was performed within 24 hours, and the rate of deep infections. Results: A total of 123 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics. The time interval until the doctor's arrival (64.12±49.2 minutes vs. 19.82±15.23 minutes; p=0.035) and initial antibiotic treatment (115.47±72.12 minutes vs. 48.78±30.12 minutes; p=0.023) significantly improved after implementing the trauma team approach. The union rate was not significantly different. However, the time interval until initial debridement, opportunity for initial debridement within 24 hours, and the rate of deep infections demonstrated better results. Conclusions: The reduced time interval until initial antibiotic treatment and debridement could be attributed to the positive effect of the trauma team approach on the management of open extremity fractures in polytrauma patients.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.527-533
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• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the effects of a buprenorphine transdermal patch (BTDP) on the chest and knee for pain control after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Materials and Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted from August 2018 to August 2019 on 231 patients who underwent TKA. Two hundred cases were selected considering age, sex, and body mass index. Before and after applying the BTDP, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), adverse effects and compliance were measured. All measurements in the chest application group (group A=100) and knee application group (group B=100) were compared. Results: NRS was similar in rest between the groups treated with BTDP, but at two days and three days afternoon, five, six, and seven days postoperatively in group B, the NRS was significantly lower than that of group A. The adverse effects of the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system after applying BTDP were significantly lower in group B than in group A. No significant differences in adverse effects of the cardiovascular system and skin were observed between the two groups. Regarding the maintenance of BTDP, group B was significantly higher than group A. Conclusion: The direct application of BTDP after TKA to painful knee joints showed excellent results in early postoperative pain control and can be a useful method for increasing patient compliance by reducing the frequency of adverse effects.

• 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 the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.154-160
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical characteristics of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) using methylphenidate (MPH). Methods : Retrospective review of the charts of 79 children and adolescents with ASDs, who visited the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Seoul National Hospital, from July 2010 to July 2011, was conducted. Changes in illness severity and improvement were measured using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of illness (CGI-S) and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) Scales. Results : We found that MPH was prescribed in 23 (29.1%) children and adolescents. Of the 23 patients on MPH, 4 patients (17.4%) were on MPH monotherapy and 18 patients (78.3%) were using risperidone concomitantly. MPH was prescribed primarily for symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity in ASDs patients. The mean dosage of MPH was $26.2{\pm}11.1$mg/day and mean duration of treatment was $31.9{\pm}28.7$ months. Mean CGI-S score improved significantly from baseline to endpoint (from $5.4{\pm}0.6$ to $4.1{\pm}0.9$ ; p<.01). MPH was reported to be effective in 17 patients (17/23, 73.9%), and 10 patients (10/23, 43.5%) reported side effects. Side effects included decreased appetite (4/23, 17.4%), tic (2/23, 8.6%), sleep disturbances (2/23, 8.6%), headache (1/23, 4.3%) and irritability (1/23, 4.3%). Conclusion : The results of this study demonstrate that MPH may be used effectively and safely in children and adolescents with ASDs with hyperactivity and impulsivity. Future controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

• Journal of the Korean Statistical Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.277-288
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• 1997

For the analysis of survival data including covariates whose effects vary in time, the multiprocess discount survival model is proposed. The parameter vector modeling the time-varying effects of covariates is to vary between time intervals and its evolution between time intervals depends on the perturbation of the next time interval. The recursive estimation of the parameter vector can be obtained at the end of each time interval. The retrospective estimation of the survival function and the forecasting of the survival function of individuals of the specific covariates also can be obtained based on the information gathered until the end of the time interval.