• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.401-424
• /
• 2022

Objectives: As effective treatments for dementia are lacking in Western medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is considered a useful option. While the quality of life (QoL) is a vital outcome for patients with dementia, the QoL of patients receiving CAM for dementia remains ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the effect of CAM on QoL outcomes in dementia patients. Methods: A search was performed using the keywords "dementia," "Alzheimer's," "cognitive impairment," "Chinese," "Korean," "oriental," "herbal," "acupuncture," and "quality of life". All quantitative data were synthesized using R version 4.1.1. Results: Twenty-five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 16 pre-post trials, and two cohort studies were selected for the systematic review. QoL in Alzheimer's disease (QOL-AD) (n=11, 25.6%) and geriatric QoL in dementia (GQOL-D, n=9, 20.9%) were the most utilized QoL instruments. Significant benefits in QoL were observed after receiving mind, body, combined mind and body, nursing, oriental medicine, and acupuncture therapies. In the meta-analysis, the combined effect was shown to significantly increase QOL-AD compared to before CAM interventions (standardized mean difference, SMD: 0.507; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.191~0.824; p<0.01). The overall synthesized estimates in the GQOL-D showed a significantly improved QoL (SMD: 0.537, 95% CI: 0.238~0.837 p<0.01; one group; SMD: 1.465, 95% CI: 0.934~1.996, p<0.01). The seven studies assessing the cost-effectiveness of CAM reported uncertain outcomes. Conclusions: This study showed that CAM interventions benefited patients with dementia by improving their QoL. While additional standardized research is required, CAMs are suggested as effective clinical management for patients with dementia. They are also suggested as complementing therapies for these patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.149-153
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate relapse, comparing large and small maxillary advancements with four-plate rigid fixation and without bone grafting. All patients had skeletal class III malocclusion, and underwent bimaxillary surgery. Standardized cephalometric analysis by one examiner was performed on serial radiographs of 14 patients immediately before surgery, and within 1 week and at least 6 months postoperatively (mean 10 months). The group was divided into two subsets to determine whether the magnitude of relapse. In group 1 ($\leq$ 5 mm, n = 8), the average advancement was $4.0{\pm}0.9\;mm$, with a mean relapse of $0.1{\pm}0.5\;mm$. In group 2 (6-8 mm, n = 4), the average advancement was $6.8{\pm}0.9\;mm$, with a mean relapse of $0.7{\pm}0.4\;mm$. There was no statistical difference in the measured relapse among the groups. Maxillary advancement with a 1-piece Le Fort I osteotomy is a relatively stable procedure.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.125-136
• /
• 2021

In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to determine the correlation between the expression of tight junction protein in the intestine and the productivity of broiler chickens. A total of 9 papers were selected in which the result values consisted of the mean and standard deviation value, and the standardized mean difference was calculated to compare the mean of the control and treatment groups. A meta-regression test was conducted to determine the effect of each type of tight junction protein. The TJPs observed in each study were claudin1, claudin2, claudin3, occludin, ZO1, ZO2, etc., and the indicators to indicate the productivity of broilers were body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion rate (FCR), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed/gain ratio (FPG). Although there are differences depending on the type of TJP, it was found that the change in expression level had a close effect on the productivity of broilers. In particular, occludin significantly correlated with body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion rate. Based on the results of this study, a study on a method to effectively increase the expression level of TJP is expected to contribute to improving the productivity of broilers and producing safe livestock products.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.128-134
• /
• 2023

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and cardiovascular safety of romosozumab compared with placebo. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science until July 2022. Primary outcomes included the change in bone mineral density (BMD) from baseline at month 6. The secondary outcomes were the change of bone turnover markers (N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP); C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX)) from baseline at month 3, and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events for the total follow-up period. Results: A total of 7 RCTs on 8,370patients were included. Romosozumab showed better effects in improving BMD in both lumbar spine and femoral neck at month 6 (standardized mean difference, SMD 2.20 [95% CI: 1.89-2.52], SMD 0.63 [95% CI: 0.41-0.86]). In contrast to placebo, romosozumab significantly increased PINP levels and reduced CTX levels at month 3 (SMD 0.93 [95% CI: 0.65-1.22], SMD -1.03 [95% CI: -1.23~ -0.82]. However, there was no significant difference in the composite incidence of cardiovascular adverse events and major adverse cardiovascular events (OR 1.16 [95% CI: 0.82-1.65], OR 1.08 [95% CI: 0.75-1.56]). Conclusion: This analysis showed that romosozumab significantly improved BMD compared to placebo and was beneficial for change in bone turnover markers. There is no significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events compared to placebo.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.651-667
• /
• 2010

In this paper, using a meta analysis of anti-hyperlipidemia effect of soybeans were studied. Studied the effects of soybeans using Hedges' standardized mean difference looked at the effect. Applying the fixed-effects model analysis of fecal cholesterol and total cholesterol and triglycerides showed a statistically significant reduction in HDL cholesterol increase was statistically significant at. In addition, the homogeneity of all variables by running the test did not meet the homogeneity of the kidney weight, between weight, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in the random effects model against the results of the analysis conducted by a statistically significant variable that did not.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.177-189
• /
• 2017

Purpose: A meta-analysis was conducted to identify the effect of cognitive improvement programs for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Korea. Methods: Five databases, as well as relevant reference lists, of studies published from 2000 to 2016, were searched. Fourteen studies were identified. Quality assessments of included studies were conducted using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. An R program was used to analyze effect sizes and to identify possible sources of heterogeneity among studies. The potential for publication bias was investigated using a funnel plot, Egger's regression test and sensitivity analysis. Results: The total effect size was large (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD]=1.44, 95% CI: 1.11~1.77), with cognition based intervention (SMD= 1.77, 95% CI: 1.26~2.29) and exercise intervention (SMD=1.13, 95% CI: 0.82~1.44). Statistically significant moderators were identified intervention type by meta-ANOVA analyses. Finally, no significant evidence of publication bias was found. Conclusion: There is clear evidence that cognitive improvement programs can greatly enhance cognition in elderly with MCI. Future research should examine the effects of non-pharmacological interventions targeting elderly populations with mild-to-severe cognitive impairment in order to develop and enhance the effectiveness of cognitive improvement programs in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.977-985
• /
• 2013

Many situations are classified into more than two categories in real world. In this work, we consider ROC surface and VUS, which are graphical representation methods for classification models with three categories. The standard criteria of AUC for the probability of default based on Basel II is extended to the VUS for ROC surface; therefore, the standardized criteria of VUS for the classification model is proposed. The ranges of AUC, K-S and mean difference statistics corresponding to VUS values for each class of the standard criteria are obtained. The standard criteria of VUS for ROC surface can be established by exploring the relationships of these statistics.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.31-35
• /
• 2011

Background: Circumcision is a painful intervention frequently performed in pediatric surgery. We aim to compare the efficacy of caudal block versus dorsal penile block (DPNB) under general anesthesia for children undergoing circumcision. Methods: This study was performed between July 1, 2009 and October 16, 2009. Fifty male children American Society of Anesthesiolgists physical status classification I, aged between 3 and 12 were included in this randomized, prospective, comparative study. Anesthetic techniques were standardized for all children. Patients were randomized into 2 groups. Using 0.25% 0.5 ml/kg levobupivacain, we performed DPNB for Group 1 and caudal block for Group 2. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated for six hours with the Flacc Pain Scale for five categories; (F) Face, (L) Legs, (A) Activity, (C) Cry, and (C) Consolability. For every child, supplemental analgesic amounts, times, and probable local or systemic complications were recorded. Results: No significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05) was found in mean age, body weight, anesthesia duration, FLACC pain, and sedation scores (P > 0.05). However, on subsequent measurements, a significant decrease of pain and sedation scores was noted in both the DPNB group and the caudal block group (P < 0.001). No major complication was found when using either technique. Conclusions: DPNB and caudal block provided similar postoperative analgesic effects without major complications for children under general anesthesia.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.397-411
• /
• 2021

This systematic review aimed to assess the effect of premedication on postoperative pain after root canal treatment in vital teeth. Five electronic databases were searched for randomized clinical trials, and two independent reviewers selected eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model, and the pooled effect estimate of the standardized mean difference (SMD) between premedication and placebo was calculated. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on the class and route of the drug. Studies with a high risk of bias were excluded from the sensitivity analysis. Ten trials satisfied the inclusion criteria, of which eight were included in the meta-analysis. Premedication was more effective in reducing postoperative pain than placebo at 6 hours (SMD = -1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.33 to -0.66), 12 hours (SMD = -0.80; 95% CI = -1.05 to -0.56), and 24 hours (SMD = -0.72; 95% CI = -1.02 to -0.43). The results of the sensitivity analysis confirmed the findings of the primary analysis. Based on these results, it can be concluded that premedication is effective in reducing postoperative pain in teeth with irreversible pulpitis. However, additional quality studies are required for further validation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.255-262
• /
• 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicine (HM) combined with chemotherapy (CT) for cervical cancer. Ten electronic databases including Pubmed, Cochrane library, Embase, Korean databases, and Chinese medical databases were systematically searched up to October 2019. All randomized controlled trials with HM combined with CT to treat cervical cancer were included. A total of 21 trials were included for analysis. Compared to the control group, HM combined with CT group significantly increased tumor response (complete and partial response) (risk ratio [RR] = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.15-1.33, p < 0.00001) and Karnofsky performance score (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.41-2.01, p < 0.00001). Also, HM combined with CT group remarkably reduced CT toxicity. In Conclusion, our study suggests that HM might be a potential option for cervical cancer to enhance curative efficacy and reduce CT toxicity.