• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.39-44
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• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the effects of Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture treatment in patients with lumbago and skelalgia. Methods: This clinical study included 45 patients who were treated for lumbago and skelalgia at the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dong-Eui University College of Oriental Medicine, from July 5, 2011, to January 31, 2012. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Chukyu (spine-healing)-pharmacopuncture-treated group (experimental group, n = 23) and normal saline-pharmacopuncture-treated group (control group, n = 22). Patients in the experimental group were treated with acupuncture and Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture while those in the control group were treated with acupuncture and normal saline pharmacopuncture. To estimate the efficacy of controlling pain, we checked the visual analog scale [VAS], and to estimate the improvement of the symptoms, we evaluated by pain rating scale [PRS] and the Oswestry low-back pain disability index [ODI]. Results: A comparison of the experimental and the control groups showed more significant improvements in the VAS, PRS, and ODI for the experimental group than for the control group. Conclusions: Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture can be used for effective treatment in patients with lumbago and skelalgia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.145-149
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• 2013

Objective : We analyzed the clinical and radiologic features of posterior apophyseal ring separation (PARS) with lumbar disc herniation and suggest the proper management options according to the PARS characteristics. Methods : We reviewed case series of patients with PARS who underwent surgery of lumbar disc herniation. Preoperative symptoms, neurologic status, Body Mass Index, preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean-Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI) scores, operation types were obtained. PARS size, locations, the degree of resection were assessed. Results : PARS was diagnosed in 109 (7.5%) patients among 1448 patients given surgical treatment for single level lumbar disc herniation. There were 55 (50.5%) small PARS and 54 (49.5%) large PARS. Among the large PARS group, 15 (27.8%) had lower endplate PARS of upper vertebra at the level of disc herniation. Thirty-nine (72.2%) were upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra. Among the group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra, unresected PARS was diagnosed in 12 (30.8%) cases and resected PARS was diagnosed in 27 (69.2%) cases. VAS and K-ODI scores changes were $3.6{\pm}2.9$ and $5.4{\pm}6.4$ in the unresected PARS group, $5.8{\pm}2.1$ and $11.3{\pm}7.1$ in the resected PARS group. The group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra showed significant difference of VAS (p=0.01) and K-ODI (p=0.013) score changes between unresected and resected PARS groups. Conclusion : The large PARS of upper endplate in lower vertebra should be removed during the surgery of lumbar disc herniation. High level or bilateral side of PARS should be widely decompressed and arthrodesis procedures are necessary if there is a possibility of secondary instability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this prospective study was to demonstrate the influence of some factors on the prognosis of microvascular decompression in 37 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : The results of microvascular decompression (MVD) in 37 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were evaluated at 6 months after surgery and were compared with clinical and operative findings. Results : The sex of the patient, the patient's age at surgery, the side of the pain, and the duration of symptoms before surgery did not play any significant roles in prognosis. Also, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the patient, the duration of each pain attack, and the frequency of pain over 24 hours did not play any significant roles in prognosis. In addition, intraoperative detection of the type of conflicting vessel, the degree of severity of conflict, and the location of the conflict around the circumference of the root did not play any roles in prognosis. The only factors affecting the prognosis in MVD surgery were intraoperative detection of the site of the conflict along the root and neuroradiological compression signs on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Conclusion : These findings demonstrated that if neurovascular compression is seen on preoperative MRI/MRA and/or compression is found intraoperative at the root entry zone, then the patient will most likely benefit from MVD surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.600-607
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• 2018

Objective : It has been reported in recent studies that 50-80% of patients with cervical disc hernia have concomitant sleep disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of sleep before and after surgical treatment in patients with cervical disc hernia and to assess the effects on treatment. Methods : The study included 32 patients performed discectomy and fusion with an intervertebral cage through the right anterior cervical approach. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were applied to all patients preoperatively and at one month postoperatively. Results : The postoperative PSQI total points and all the PSQI subscale points, the ODI and VAS scores were significantly reduced compared to the preoperative values. A positive correlation was determined between the preoperative ODI points and the PSQI total points and sleep duration, sleep latency and daytime functional loss subscale points. A positive correlation was also found between preoperative ODI points and VAS points. A positive correlation was determined between the preoperative VAS points and and the PSQI total points and sleep duration, and sleep latency subscale points. A negative correlation was determined between the postoperative ODI and the daytime functional loss subscale points. Conclusion : The results of the study showed that in patients with cervical disc hernia, sleep quality and daytime functionality were negatively affected by severity of pain that limited daily activities. Bringing the pain under control with surgical treatment was observed to increase sleep quality. It can be concluded that when planning treatment for these patients, it should be taken into consideration that there could be a sleep disorder in addition to the complaints and symptoms such as pain, hypoestesia and loss of strength.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.155-159
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to evaluate factors influencing prognosis of arthrocentesis in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Materials and Methods: The subjects included 145 patients treated with arthrocentesis at the Dental Center of Ajou University Hospital from 2011 to 2013 for the purpose of recovering mouth opening limitation (MOL) and pain relief. Prognosis of arthrocentesis was evaluated 1 month after the operation. Improvement on MOL was defined as an increase from below 30 mm (MOL ${\leq}30mm$) to above 40 mm (MOL ${\geq}40mm$), and pain relief was defined as when a group with TMJ pain with a visual analog scale (VAS) score of 4 or more (VAS ${\geq}4$) decreased to a score of 3 or more. The success of arthrocentesis was determined when either mouth opening improved or pain relief was fulfilled. To determine the factors influencing the success of arthrocentesis, the patients were classified by age, gender, diagnosis group (the anterior disc displacement without reduction group, the anterior disc displacement with reduction group, or other TMJ disorders group), time of onset and oral habits (clenching, bruxism) to investigate the correlations between these factors and prognosis. Results: One hundred twenty out of 145 patients who underwent arthrocentesis (83.4%) were found to be successful. Among the influencing factors mentioned above, age, diagnosis and time of onset had no statistically significant correlation with the success of arthrocentesis. However, a group of patients in their fifties showed a lower success rate (ANOVA P=0.053) and the success rate of the group with oral habits was 71% (Pearson's chi-square test P=0.035). Conclusion: From this study, we find that factors influencing the success of arthrocentesis include age and oral habits. We also conclude that arthrocentesis is effective in treating mouth opening symptoms and for pain relief.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.4 no.1_2
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• pp.25-32
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• 1981

During the period of 1975∼77, a survey and an investigation were carried out to estimate the frequency of lime-chlorosis in the natural vegetation in Korea and the relationships between plants and calcareous soils. The symptoms of lime-chlorosis were observed in flowering plants in the calcareous areas of Weonju (I, II), Yeongweol(I, II), Jecheon, Danyang and Samcheok. Although the species found to be lime-chlorotic on at least one occasion numbered 60, the total quantity of lime-chlorotic foliage observed was small. Severe lime-chlorosis of Capsicuym annuum in agricultural fields was found out at Danyang. However, some of the species which were of widespread occurrence in affected areas showed no lime-chlorosis. The comparison of the inorganic components in calcareous soils in lime-chlorotic and normal leaves showed that the essential mineral nutrients substantially less soluble in water in alkaline than in acid conditions and calcifuges planted on calcareous soils often show visual signs resembling those of P or Fe deficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2020

This study is about the development of ICT-based wearable devices for vision recovery that can cause functional myopia improvement through accommodation training. Vision Training Device(OTUS) is a head mount type wearable device, which naturally stimulates the contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscles of eye. Users can conduct customized vision training based on personal vision information stored through the device. In the experiment, the effects of improvement of the symptoms by the accommodation training were compared and analysed for the two groups (16 comparative group and 16 accommodation training group) after causing functional myopia. The result showed the functional myopia improved average 0.44D±0.35 (p<0.05) at the accommodation training group compared to the comparative group. This study proved the effectiveness of vision training device(OTUS) on functional myopia, but further clinical trials are judged necessary to prove the possibility of long-term control of the functional myopia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.167-174
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the patients with radial nerve palsy, who inproved by oriental medical treatment Methods & Results : The patients were hospitalized Dept. of Acupunture & Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon University from 1st, Mar. 2005 to 31th. Aug. 2005, and treated with Acupuncture and Electrical Stimulation theraphy, Herbal medication, Oriental physical therapy. To evaluate the wrist drop and numbness of fingers, Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and the measurement of wrist circumstance are used. As the result, symptoms are improved remarkably Conclusion : Patients were treated for 4.1 weeks(average). 6 cases were excellent and 1 case was good.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.221-227
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this case is to report the improvement after treatment about tonic spasm of a transverse myelitis patient. Methods : We treated the patient with acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine from the 19th July 2006 to the 4th October 2006. At first we used Ssanghwa-tang until the 24th July 2006. After that we used Samul-tang until 2nd August. Lastly we used Yukmigihwang-tang until the 4th October 2006. And we used acupuncture at Asi points and used Sheng Ge of Liver from beginning to end. We checked the patient with frequency of tonic spasm and other symptoms. Results : After two months of treatments, frequency of tonic spasm decreased and abdominal muscle rigidity, visual disturbance, ocular discomfort and oppressed feeling in the chest were improved.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the radiographic characteristics of the tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis with hallux valgus deformity and report the clinical results of the operative treatment. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 20 patients, 22 feet who had been operated for non-traumatic tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis with hallux valgus (TMT group) and control group of hallux valgus patients without tarsometatarsal osteoarthritis (26 patients, 28 feet) from April 2004 to July 2011. Radiographic characteristics were compared between the groups, using hallux valgus angle, $1^{st}-2^{nd}$ intermetatarsal angle, metatarsal length ratio, metatarsus adductus angle, talonavicular coverage angle, talus-$1^{st}$ metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch angle and medial cuneiform height. Pre- and postoperative difference of $1^{st}-2^{nd}$ metatarsal declination angle and distance between the $1^{st}-2^{nd}$ metatarsal head were evaluated. The clinical results were evaluated by American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scale and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Metatarsal length ratio was significantly larger in TMT group (p<0.001). Metatarsus adductus angle, talonavicular coverage angle, talus-$1^{st}$ metatarsal angle on lateral radiograph, calcaneal pitch angle and medial cuneiform height were different from control group (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001, p=0.010, p=0.006). Postoperative declination of the $2^{nd}$ metatarsal and distance between the $1^{st}-2^{nd}$ metatarsal head were increased (p=0.009, p=0.001). The AOFAS and VAS score were improved (p<0.001, p<0.001). Conclusion: Non-traumatic osteoarthritis of the tarsometatarsal joints seems to be associated with long 2nd metatarsal length, metatarsus adductus and flatfoot deformity. Spur excision may be successful to relieve symptoms when the arthritis was diagnosed in early stage.