• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2008

The objective of the study which utilised population based data was to determine the respiratory condition of elementary school children in Gangneung. From October 9th to December 14th, 2006, Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratoy Volume in I Second $(FEV_1)$ were conducted on the target group of children using a spirometer. The prevalence of asthmatic symptoms was 29.8% among boys and 39.6% among girls. By using logistic regression, we found that family history of allergic rhinitis (OR=3.90, CI=1.05-14.51), experience of allergic conjunctivitis (OR=4.67, CI=1.54-14.16) and atopic dermatitis (OR=2.86, CI=1.17-7.05) significantly increased the asthmatic symptoms. Also, a family history of asthma and food allergy were associated with asthmatic symptoms. In relation to housing and environmental risk factors, residences under the ground (OR=3.59, CI=1.35-9.51) and big-size dolls (OR=2.71, CI=0.86-8.53) significantly increased the prevalence of asthmatic symptoms. For PFT, above four families, exposure of passive smoking and pets significantly reduced FVC in both groups (p<0.05). In girls, a big-size doll was significantly associated with decreased lung function (FVC and $FEV_1$). In boys, using bed significantly reduced $FEV_1$. Also, the risk of asthmatic symptoms was found to increase when the house has been built for 5 years or more, the house is close to a road $({\leq}100m)$, a gas/Kerosene heater or carpet is utilized within the house. However, their differences were not significant. It is concluded that genetic factor such as a family history of respiratory disease, allergic symptoms and housing risk factor are related to asthmatic symptoms. These results were worth noting because the findings will help address risk factors related respiratory symptoms especially in relation to housing and environment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2017

Purpose : Forward head posture is typical neck disorders occur in all people. And this attitude causes a shortening and weakening of the muscles in the body. It also causes excessive extension acts as a reward. This attitude has to change if the pain occurs around the neck and shoulders, and are subjected to unusual stress. Patients with chronic neck pain associated with forward head posture was found to be the more severe the fall of the respiratory, forward head posture poor quality of much breath. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of changes in forward head posture and neutral head posture on respiratory. Method : Forty volunteers were participated in study and divided into two groups [forward head posture group (n=20) and neutral head posture group (n=20)]. We measured cervical alignment with global postural system to find out a forward head posture. Respiratory function was measured with a SPIROVIT SP-1 equipment and we found out a forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC. A pared t-test was used to determine a statistical significance for the pulmonary function variation and a independent t-test was used to determine a statistical significance in the two groups. Results : In the experimental group, FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in the artificial neutral head posture than in the forward head posture. In the control group, FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in the neutral head posture than in the forward head posture. FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/ FVC were significantly higher in the neutral head posture of control group than the artificial neutral head posture of experimental group and higher in the artificial forward head posture of control group than the forward head posture of experimental group. Conclusion : In conclusion, neutral head posture is considered to be an important factor in correct posture and improvement of lung function and continuous study of posture correction program for posture imbalance will be needed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2005.04a
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2005

Respiration motion causes movement of internal structures in the thorax and abdomen, making accurate delivery of radiation therapy to tumors in those areas a challenge. Accounting for such motion during treatment, therefore, has the potential to reduce margins drawn around the clinical target volume (CTV), resulting in a lower dose to normal tissues (e.g., lung and liver) and thus a lower risk of treatment induced complications. Among the techniques that explicitly account for intrafraction motion are breath-hold, respiration gating, and 4D or tumor-tracking techniques. Respiration gating methods periodically turn the beam on when the patient's respiration signal is in a certain part of the respiratory cycle (generally end-inhale or end-exhale). These techniques require acquisition of some form of respiration motion signal (infrared reflective markers, spirometry, strain gauge, thermistor, video tracking of chest outlines and fluoroscopic tracking of implanted markers are some of the techniques employed to date), which is assumed to be correlated with internal anatomy motion. In preliminary study for the respiratory gating radiation therapy, we performed to measurement of this respiration motion signal. In order to measure the respiratory motion signals of patient, respiration measurement system (RMS) was composed with three sensor (spirometer, thermistor, and belt transducer), 4 channel data acquisition system and mobile computer. For two patients, we performed to evaluation of respiratory cycle and shape with RMS. We observed under this system that respiratory cycle is generally periodic but asymmetric, with the majority of time spent. As expected, RMS traced patient's respiration each other well and be easily handled for application.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.118-124
• /
• 2020

Background: The poultry industry in Pakistan has flourished since the 1960s; however, there are scarce data regarding the impact of occupational exposure on the pulmonary health of farm workers in terms of years working in the industry. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of poultry environment on the health of occupationally exposed poultry farmers in countries of warm climatic regions, such as Pakistan. This study will also show the effect of exposure to poultry facilities on the health of poultry farmers in the context of low-income countries with a relatively inadequate occupational exposure risk management. Materials and methods: The lung function capacity of 79 poultry workers was measured using a spirometer. Along with spirometry, a structured questionnaire was also administrated to obtain information about age, height, weight, smokers/nonsmokers, years of working experience, and pulmonary health of farm workers. The workers who were directly involved in the care and handling of birds in these intensive facilities were considered and divided into four groups based on their years of working experience: Group I (3-10 months), Group II (1-5 years), Group III (6-10 years), and Group IV (more than 11 years). The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio were considered to identify lung function abnormalities. Statistical analysis was carried out using independent sample t test, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression. Results: Based on the performed spirometry, 68 (86 %) of workers were found normal and healthy, whereas 11 (14 %) had a mild obstruction. Of the 11 workers with mild obstruction, the highest number with respect to the total was in Group IV (more than 11 years of working experience) followed by Group III and Group II. Most of the workers were found healthy, which seems to be because of the healthy survivor effect. For the independent sample t test, a significant difference was noticed between healthy and nonhealthy farmers, whereas Chi-square test showed a significant association with height, drugs, and working experience. Linear regression that was stratified by respiratory symptoms showed for workers with symptoms, regression models for all spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC) have better predictive power or R square value than those of workers without symptoms. Conclusion: These findings suggest that lung function capacity was directly related to years of working experience. With increasing number of working years, symptoms of various respiratory problems enhanced in the poultry workers. It should be noted that most of the poultry workers were healthy and young, the rationale being that there is a high turnover rate in this profession. The mobility in this job and our finding of 86% of the healthy workers in the present study also proposed healthy worker survivor effect.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 1977

The maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) is one of the most widely used pulmonary function test, but its measuring method was very difficult and unreliable. However, it is need to get more easy and simple measuring method of MVV. Therefore, this study was attempted to get more easy and simple measuring method of MVV by means of the forced expiratory volume $(FEV_{T})$. The young and healthy 1,000 Korean students(592 male and 408 female) were cheesed for this purpose and whose ages were from 8 to 20 years. A spirometer (9L, Collins Co.) was used for the MVV and FEV, and they were measured 3 times at standing position, and the highest value was used. In the measurements, the subjects for MVV were asked for the breath as fast and deeply as possible for 12 seconds, and for FEV were asked for the rapid and forceful exhalation after a maximal inhalation (forced expiratory curve). In the FEV measurements toward the end of the expiration, the subjects were exhaused to continue the effort until no further gas was expired. During these measurements, the investigator stood by the subject to give a constant encouragement. FEV were calculated in the volume exhaled during the one-half $(FEV_{0{\cdot}5,}\;ml)$, the first second $(FEV_{1{\cdot}0,}\;ml)$ and the percentage of the total vital capacity exhaled during the one-half second $(FEV_{0{\cdot}5,}\;%)$. The results are summarized as follows: 1) The values of MVV were increased linearly with ages until 20 in both sexes. The values of male at the age of 20 was $168.2{\pm}2.5L/min$, and female at the age of 17 was $112.3{\pm}3.0L/min$, respectively. 2) The values of FEV (ml) were increased linearly with ages until 20 in both sexes. The values of $FEV_{0{\cdot}5}$ were $2,797{\pm}65.7ml$ in the male of 20 years and were $2,088{\pm}54.6ml$ in the female of 17 years, and of $FEV_{1{\cdot}0$ were $4,119{\pm}68.2ml$ in the male of 20 years and were $2,897{\pm}65.9ml$ in the female of 17 years, respectively. 3) The correlation coefficients between MVV and $FEV_{0{\cdot}5}\;or\;FEV_{1{\cdot}0$ (ml) were 0.82 or 0.85 in the male, and 0.77 or 0.79 in the female, respectively. 4) The prediction formulae for MVV to be derived from above results were: For male: MVV (L/min) =7.19+$0.05{\times}FEV_{0\cdot5}(ml)$, MVV (L/min)=11.25+$0.04{\times}FEV_{1\cdot0}(ml)$ For female: MVV (L/min)=16.03+$0.05{\times}FEV_{0\cdot5}(ml)$, MVV (L/min)=9.47+$0.03{\times}FEV_{1\cdot0}(ml)$.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.175-185
• /
• 2022

Purpose : This study was conducted to determine the effect of Kegel exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) for 2 weeks on maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and abdominal muscle thickness based on previous studies. Methods : The subjects of this study were 20 healthy female students in their 20s. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. Eleven subjects were assigned to the experimental group (EG) and 9 subjects were assigned to the control group (CG). Subjects measured MVV with a spirometer. In hooklying position, transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) of the dominant side were measured using ultrasound. For the measurement value, the average value of three times was adopted. After 2 weeks of intervention, the measurements were measured in the same way. In the EG, pelvic setting training using PBU was performed before Kegel exercise. The PBU was first placed at the waist in the Kegel exercise position and the starting pressure was set at 40 mmHg and adjusted to 60 mmHg through pelvic floor muscle contraction. After performing pelvic control using PBU, Kegel exercise was performed with 8 seconds of contraction, 8 seconds of relaxation, and 3 sets of 10 reps per set. A significance level of 𝛼=.05 was used to verify statistical significance. Results : In the variable of MVV, a significant increase was confirmed in the EG (p<.05). In the abdominal muscle thickness variable, significant increases were confirmed in IO and TrA in the EG (p<.05). In addition, a significant increase in IO was confirmed in the CG (p<.05). Significant increases in IO and TrA were confirmed between groups (p<.05). Conclusion : Based on the previous study, this study confirmed that Kegel exercise using a PBU had a positive effect on MVV and abdominal muscle thickness based on a 2-week intervention.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2023

This study proposes a spirometry reference equation suitable for Asian migrant workers undergoing special health examinations. The study participants were divided according to their region: Central Asia, Northeast Asia, and South Asia Pacific. We confirmed results of the spirometry analysis of migrant workers and the interpretation consistency between the prediction equations. Based on this data, we propose a reference equation suitable for domestic migrant workers and suggest a scaling factor applicable to the spirometer wherein the reference equation is not easily applicable. The kappa-values obtained for men and women, respectively, between the global lung function initiative 2012 (GLI2012)-Southeast Asian and the Southeast Asian equations were 0.819 and 0.770, between the GLI2012-Southeast Asian and the South Asian equations were 0.881 and 0.866, and between the GLI2012-Northeast Asian and the Central Asian equations were 0.831 and 0.833. We propose applying the GLI2012-Northeast Asian equation for Northeast Asian and Central Asian countries, whereas the GLI2012-Southeast Asian equation was found to be more suitable for predicting Southeast Asian and South Asian populations. For spirometry, we recommend applying a scaling factor of 0.87 to the Dr. Choi equation, wherein the GLI2012-Southeast Asian equation is not applicable.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 2023

Purpose : Stabilization exercise and respiratory muscle training are used to train trunk muscles that affect postural control and respiratory function. However, there have been no studies that combine stabilization exercise and respiratory muscle training. The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of stabilization exercise with and without respiratory muscle training on respiratory function and postural sway. Methods : Fifteen healthy adults were recruited for this experiment. All the subjects performed stabilization exercise with and without respiratory muscle training. For stabilization exercise with respiratory muscle training, the subjects sat on a gym ball wearing a stretch sensor. The subjects inspire maximally as long as possible during lifting one foot off the ground, alternately for 30 seconds. The stretch sensor was placed on both anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), and the stretch sensor was used to monitor inspiration. For stabilization exercise without respiratory muscle training, the subjects sat on a gym ball and lifted one foot off the ground, without respiratory muscle training. Kinovea program used to investigate postural sway tracking during exercise. The maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured using a spirometer to investigate changes of respiratory muscle strength before and after exercise. A paired t-test was used to determine significant differences postural sway tracking, MIP, and MEP between stabilization exercise with and without respiratory muscle training. Results : There were significantly lower a distance of postural sway tracking during stabilization exercise with respiratory muscle training, compared with stabilization exercise without respiratory muscle training (p<.05). The MIP and MEP were significantly increased after stabilization exercise with respiratory muscle training compared with before stabilization exercise with respiratory muscle trianing (p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that stabilization exercise with repiratory muscle training would be recommended to improve postural control and respiratory muscle strength.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.51-60
• /
• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) on an unstable support surface on maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and abdominal muscle thickness as a method for effective PFME. Methods : This study was performed on 22 subjects. They were matched and divided into two groups based on body mass index; the experimental group (EG) performed PFME on a foam roller (n= 11), the control group (CG) performed PFME on a stable support surface (n= 11). Kegel exercise was performed with 10 seconds of contraction, 10 seconds of relaxation, and 4 sets of 10 reps per set. Both of group executed the exercise 3 times a week for 2 weeks. MIP and MEP was measured using a spirometer. Abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound. The paired t-test was used to compare difference on each group and the comparison between groups was analyzed using the independent t-test. A significance level of α= .05 was used to verify statistical significance. Results : The EG showed a significant increase in the MEP (p<.05). The CG showed a significant increase in the MEP (p<.05). There was no significant difference in the two groups (p>.05). The EG showed a significant increase in the external oblique, internal oblique and transverse abdominis (p<.05). The CG showed a significant increase in the internal oblique (p<.05). There was no significant difference in the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, additional research should be conducted to correct the limitations of this study to confirm that PFME performed on a foam roller has a positive effect on respiratory muscle strength and abdominal muscle thickness.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 2024

Purpose : People who have suffered from COVID-19 suffer from decreased pulmonary function and various side effects. This study aims to present three respiratory exercise intervention methods to improve pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors. Therefore, the purpose of this study will investigate the effects of breathing exercise interventions (aerobic exercise, diaphragm breathe exercise, and inspiratory muscle training on resistance) on pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors. Methods : The subjects who participated in this study were 35 male and female college students confirmed with COVID-19. All subjects were randomly assigned to A, D, and I groups according to breathing exercise intervention method. Groups A, D, and I each performed aerobic exercise, diaphragm breathing exercise, and inspiratory muscle training on resistance, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Pulmonary function was measured using a spirometer, and FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV₁ (forced expiratory volume in one second), FEV₁/FVC % (forced expiratory volume in one second / forced vital capacity ratio), and PEF (peak expiratory flow) were measured at 0, 3, and 6 weeks. Data analysis was compared by repeated measures analysis of variance, and post hoc tests for time were compared and analyzed using paired t-tests. Results : In the results of this study, FVC values showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. FEV₁ values also showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. And the FEV₁/FVC % value also showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. And the PEF values also showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. Conclusion : The results of this study reported that aerobic exercise, diaphragm breathing exercise, and resistance inspiratory muscle training were all effective in improving pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors. Therefore, application of the three breathing exercise intervention methods presented in this study will help improve pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors.