• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.185-198
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• 2022

Purpose : We conducted a study to propose comparing subjective sleeping states data that was collected through scientifically measuring by using smartwatch and surveys for seafarers. In addition, we conducted a study to provide sleep though analysis of the environmental factors that influence the sleep efficiency of seafarers. Methods : For scientific measurement of seafarers' sleeping states, we measured the sleep hours and sleep efficiency for at least 3 days by using the healthcare function of smartwatches which are wearable devices. As for subjective sleeping states, we collected data on sleep hours and satisfaction rates on the quality of sleep through a survey. Lastly, as for the environmental factors that affect the sleep efficiency which is measured by smartwatches such as physical environment, bedroom space, bedroom furniture, bedding, a survey by self-evaluation method was conducted. Results : There were significant differences in the scientific sleep hours measurement values for all seafarers and the average sleep hours in the subjective survey. There were significant differences in the scientific sleep efficiency measurements of all the seafarers and the sleep satisfaction of the subjective survey, and there was no correlation between the scientific sleep efficiency and the subjective sleep satisfaction of all the seafarers. Among the environmental factors affecting the sleep efficiency of the seafarers, humidity variable had the most influence, and vibration and illuminance variables were also shown to have a very significant effect. Conclusion : We propose the measuring method that can analyze the quantitative and qualitative sleep states of the seafarers by using small activity recorders. In addition, it is very important to control humidity, vibration, and illuminance among ship environmental factors, and comfort, noise and bedroom size should also be reflected.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.347-352
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• 2021

Background Mastectomy leaves unsightly scarring, which can be distressing to patients. Laser therapy for scar prevention has been consistently emphasized in recent studies showing that several types of lasers, including fractional ablation lasers, are effective for reducing scar formation. Nonetheless, there are few studies evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of ablative CO₂ fractional lasers (ACFLs). Methods This study had a randomized, comparative, prospective, split-scar design with blinded evaluation of mastectomy scars. Fifteen patients with mastectomy scars were treated using an ACFL. Half of each scar was randomized to "A," while the other side was allocated to group "B." Laser treatment was conducted randomly. Scars were assessed using digital photographs of the scar and Vancouver scar scale (VSS) scores. Histological assessments were also done. Results The mean VSS scores were 2.20±1.28 for the treatment side and 2.96±1.40 for the control side. There was a significant difference in the VSS score between the treatment side and the control side (P=0.002). The mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 4.13±1.36 for the treatment side and 4.67±1.53 for the control side. There was a significant difference in VAS score between the treatment side and the control side (P=0.02). Conclusions This study demonstrated that early scar treatment using an ACFL significantly improved the clinical results of the treatment compared to the untreated scar, and this difference was associated with patient satisfaction.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.61.1-61.10
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• 2022

Background: Although there are growing demands for stem cell-based therapy for companion animals in various diseases, a few clinical trials have been reported. Moreover, most of them are the results from only one or a few times of stem cell injection. Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe a long-term treatment with allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a dog with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a rare canine disease. Methods: The dog with RA received intravascular injection of allogeneic ASCs derived from two healthy donors once a month for 11 months. To assess therapeutic effects of ASCs, orthopedic examination and clinical evaluation was performed. Cytokines of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the plasma were measured using ELISA analysis. Results: Despite this repeated and long-term administration of allogeneic ASCs, there were no side effects such as immunorejection responses or cell toxicity. The orthopedic examination score for the dog decreased after ASCs treatment, and the clinical condition of the dog and owner's satisfaction were very good Conclusions: Although ASCs has been suggested as one of the options for RA treatment because of its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions, it has never been used to treat RA in dogs. The present report describes a case of canine RA treated with allogeneic ASCs for long-term in which the dog showed clinical improvement without adverse effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.155-162
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• 2023

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to develop a virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation system to enhance balance perception, target rehabilitation specialists, and evaluate its usability. A key goal was establishing a system refinement strategy based on the collected data. METHODS: We conducted a study involving ten adults aged 10 to 29 in Gwangju Metropolitan City to evaluate the usability of a virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation system to enhance balance perception. After introducing the product and explaining its use to the participants, balance assessments and training were conducted using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) (also called the test of balance [TOB]). Subsequently, participants were given a questionnaire to evaluate subjective stability, operability, and satisfaction. Frequency analysis was utilized to determine the frequency of the variable values of the measurement items in the survey for descriptive statistics. RESULTS: We found that the average usability score was 2.587. When broken down by category, stability received an average rating of 2.725, operability scored an average of 2.783, and satisfaction averaged 2.454. These findings suggest that most participants experienced positive sentiments and considerable satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The study successfully developed a virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation system, which was an improvement over the previous model and addressed its shortcomings. The results show that users with vestibular impairments are satisfied and more engaged with this system, indicating that additional studies are warranted.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2011

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of an intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of early stage osteoarthritis of the ankle. Materials and Methods: Early stage ankle osteoarthritis (Takakura stage I and II) patients who received hyaluronic acid injection therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent intra-articular injections of 2 mL of sodium hyaluronate for 3 consecutive weeks. Clinical evaluation and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scoring were performed at every three months after treatment. Results: Total 27 patients were involved and mean age was 55 year old (range 33 to 77 years). There were 13 male and 14 female patients. Mean follow up duration was 13 month and. Pre-intra-articular VAS score was $8.9{\pm}0.7$ and three month follow up score was $3.8{\pm}2.8$. VAS score of last follow up was $3.2{\pm}3.4$. The effect of hyaluronic acid continued about one year when analyzed the VAS score change of the patients followed for more than one year. Patients' satisfaction was "very satisfied" in nine, "satisfied" in 12, "fair" in one, and "not satisfied" in five patients. Overall satisfaction rate was 82%. There were no ankle osteoarthritis stage changes in serial follow up radiograph. Conclusion: Symptomatic relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the ankle was achieved by injection of an intra-articular hyaluronate injection. Efficacy of Hyaluronate acid injection persisted more than 1 year in our study. Intra-articular hyaluronate injection to ankle osteoarthritis is safe and effective as knee joint and should be considered as a valid conservative treatment for ankle osteoarthritis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.194-205
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• 2023

Objectives : This study investigated the current utilization status of thermotherapy devices in Korean medicine (KM) institutions and identified areas for improvement and further development, as perceived by KM doctors (KMDs). Methods : An online survey was conducted, targeting KMDs primarily engaged in clinical patient care. The questionnaire included items about respondents' clinical practices, the extent of thermotherapy device usage, their opinions on these devices, and perceived improvement needs. The collected data underwent quantitative analysis. Results : From the 1,025 respondents, data from 862 respondents who provided complete responses were analyzed. On average, respondents utilized thermotherapy treatments for 80% of their patients. Infrared (IR) phototherapy unit, electrical moxibustion apparatus, and heater-based thermotherapy devices were predominantly owned by respondents, with IR being the most frequently used. The average satisfaction score for current thermotherapy devices was 79. A significant concern raised was the necessity for improved health insurance coverage and efficacy evaluation. Conclusions : This research has confirmed that the extensive use of thermotherapy devices by KMDs in treating primarily musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal ailments - common conditions among patients in KM institutions. The main areas identified for improvement encompass safety, cost-effectiveness, and device efficacy. Future enhancements in thermotherapy devices should address these crucial aspects.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.147-156
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• 2008

Purpose: All acts which are enforced from the radioactive iodine therapeutic team is a in its own way principle and provision. Therefore unification of all acts can not be appropriately. We will make the standard coherence. Materials & Methods: From 5 November, 2007 to 17 November 2007, we conducted a questionnaire survey of the nuclear medicine manager of 30 hospitals. The contents of a questionnaire is medical treatment section, patient management, prosecuting attorney section, waste management and safety supervision in about the patient and a questionnaire was drawn up in the method which selects an item. Results: 30 hospital agencies are operating purely for I-131 high dose ablation therapy. Diagnostic study and daily schedule had the difference of some. The most of education for the patients took charge of doctor and nurse. The satisfaction of education was evaluated as the high thing. The safety supervision of waste management accomplishment and Safety supervision the patient and the worker observed on the basis of atomic energy law. Conclusion: Specific standards with sufficient amount of information and practical contents should have been presented through the following data. However, it seems to be lacking in many aspects. Nevertheless, respondents rated 70.9%, which is relatively high, on the value of clinical utilization, and I am very thankful for the evaluation. For many years from now, it may seem necessary for a lot of research on the specific matters based on these data to be conducted.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.59-76
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• 1997

The purposes of this study were to identify the contents and satisfaction level of the patients received home care service, and to compare the differences of the contents by the characteristics of the patients. Seventy eight patients received home care service from 1st Jan. to 30th Sept., 1996 were data-collected to analyze the contents and outcomes of home care service. Sixty-nine patients currently receiving home care service were participated to evaluate the satisfaction level of home care service. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, $x^2$ test, and ANOVA by SPSS $PC^+$ program. The findings of this study were as follow : 1. The contents & outcomes of home care service 1) The mean age of the subjects was 64.4 years: 58% of them were female. Those who living in Seoul were 83% and the rest of the subjects was living in Kyung-Gi. 2) The subjects who had one diagnosis were 41%. Over 60% of them had the disease of neurologic & sensory system. 3) The mean number of visit was 6. Only one visit was 22%. The mean time of care was 79 minutes. Duration of visit from 31 minutes to 60 minutes were 47 %. The subjects who terminated the visit because of death were 67.3%. 62% of the persons who referred them to the home care service were nurses. 4) The pain after the service was more relieved than before. The amounts of intake, the degree of bed sore, edema & fracture after the service were more improved than before. Health status after the service was improved in general. 5) There were significant differences between initial and last conscious level in tracheostomy care & oxygen inhalation care. There was significant difference between initial and last degree of activity in blood sugar check. 6) There were significant differences on the number of visit in assessment of the status, evaluation & observation, vital sign check, skin care, injection, medication, bed sore care, colostomy care, relaxation therapy for pain relief, patient education, family care, exercise therapy, position change, supply of disinfected equipments and infection control. There were significant differences on visiting time in nasogastric tube care, drainage tube care and oxygen inhalation care. 2. The satisfaction level of home care service 1) 50% were male. Over 60 years of the subjects was 61 %. Those who living in Seoul were 82%. 2) The subjects who had one or two diagnosis were 32% respectively. 55% of the persons who referred them to the home care service were nurses. 3) Total level of satisfaction of home care service was very high. 4) The older the age, the higher the satisfaction level. The larger the number of visit, the higher the satisfaction level. 5) The subjects who were in cloudy state were higher level of satisfaction than in alert or coma state. The subjects whose activity were normal or who needed assistance were higher level of satisfaction than bedridden or immobilized subjects. These findings suggested that the patients had substantial need for posthospital care. They tended to be elderly and to have experienced the wide range of health problems associated with aging, chronicity, including limitations in activities, and other serious health problems. So, the nationwide home care systems beyond the limit of demonstration program by local association and the development of the effective financial system of home based health care are necessary for the clients who are in need of home care.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to develop a smartphone based voice therapy program for patients with voice disorders. Contents of voice therapy were collected through analysis of mobile contents related to voice therapy in Korea, experts and users' demand survey, and the program was developed using Android Studio. Content needed for voice therapy was collected through analysis of mobile contents related to voice therapy. The user satisfaction evaluation for application was conducted for five patient with functional voice disorders. The results showed that the mobile contents related to voice therapy in Korea were mostly related to breathing, followed by voice and singing, but only 13 applications were practically practiced for voice therapy. Expert and user demand surveys showed that the patients and therapists both had a high need for content that could provide voice training in places other than the treatment room. Based on this analysis, 'Home Voice Trainer', an smartphone based voice therapy program, was developed. Home Voice Trainer is an application for voice therapy and management based on Android smartphones. It is designed to train voice therapy activities at home that have been trained offline. In addition, the records of voice training of patients were managed online so that patients can maintain voice improvement through continuous voice consulting even after the end of voice therapy. User evaluations show that patients are satisfied with the difficulty and content of voice therapy programs provided by home voice trainers, but lack of a portion of user interface, such as the portion of home button and interface between screens. Further study suggests the clinical application of home voice trainer to the patients with voice disorders. It is expected that the development study and the clinical application of smart contents related to voice therapy will be actively conducted.