• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2018

Objective: Graves' disease, the most common cause of primary hyperthyroidism, is a thyroid specific autoimmune disorder. When resistance to medication is shown in spite of long term therapy with anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy would be chosen in Western medicine. However, this therapy has often been reported to cause patients have hypothyroidism, thus requiring them to take levothyroxine for the rest of their lives. In this study, we evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Ahnjeonbaekho-tang (AJBHT) on patients with Graves' disease. Methods: We prescribed AJBHT for 3 months to two groups: patients who had been taking antithyroid drugs were administered AJBHT after discontinuing the antithyroid drugs ($Com-Tx{\rightarrow}Single-Tx$), and patients who had not been taking antithyroid drugs were started with AJBHT (Single-Tx) immediately. We evaluated the thyroidal function test (TFT) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for clinical symptoms for 3 months. Results: Serum T3 and fT4 were significantly decreased in both groups and remission rate of thyroidal hormones were significantly improved in the Single-Tx group. The clinical symptoms of palpitation, fatigue, and heat intolerance were significantly improved in both groups. In the safety analysis, all patients were in normal range of liver, renal function blood test and common blood count. Conclusion: From these results, we suggested that AJBHT was effective on TFT and clinical symptoms of Graves' disease. The study supports that AJBHT may be a useful agent for patients with Graves' disease who are resistant to antithyroid medication or radioactive iodine therapy, and for patients at first diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2003

Objectives: It is known that sedative hypnotics would make cross tolerance with alcohol and deteriorate quality of sleep in alcoholics. Light therapy is effective non-pharmacological intervention for sleep disturbance in circadian phase disorders, jet-lag, shift-work and age-related sleep disorders. Authors would investigate the effects of morning light therapy on sleep of patients with alcohol dependence during recovery state without withdrawal symptoms. Methods: 13 patients with alcohol dependence who have not any alcohol withdrawal symptom were recruited. Light therapy during 1 hour in the morning had been administered by 2500 Lux light box through serial 3 days. Sleep state of subjects were assessed by sleep log and the subjective satisfaction at sleep was by 100 mm visual analogue scale. Sleepiness, depressive mood, anxiety were evaluated by 100mm visual analogue scale at 8 AM, 2 PM and 8 PM. For assessment of performance ability that would be associated with sleepiness and vigilance, trail making test A, B and digit symbol substitution test were performed by two times on base line and 4th day. Univariate repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed for each measures except performance tests which were analysed by paired t-test. Results: Sleep latency and sleep efficiency were significantly improved with light therapy and satisfaction at sleep was. There was no significant difference in sleepiness at 2 PM with light therapy but sleepiness at 8 AM significantly decreased and at 8 PM increased. The time to complete Trail making test and digit symbol substitution test were significantly shortened at 4th day compared with baseline. Fatigue at 8 AM were not significantly changed with light therapy but at 2 PM and 8 PM significantly decreased. Depressive mood and anxiety were not significantly changed with light therapy. Conclusion: Although this study had some limitations, it showed that light therapy would be effective modality on sleep disturbance of patients with alcohol dependence who have recovered from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is proposed that short term light therapy could be used clinically for alcoholics with insomnia. In the future, long term controlled studies using more objective tools for sleep are required to further investigate the effect of light therapy in alcoholics.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1221-1228
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of foot reflexology on fatigue and insomnia in patients suffering from coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Method: This study was a quasi-experimental study of pre-test and post-test design in a non-equivalent control group. The subjects of this study consisted of both the experimental group of twenty-nine and the control group of thirty coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients. Data was collected from December 10, 2002 to February 15, 2003. Foot reflexology was performed for 60 minutes twice a week through five weeks in the experimental group, but none in the control group. To evaluate the effects of foot reflexology, the scores of fatigue and insomnia were measured before and after the experiment in both groups. Fatigue was evaluated by Fatigue Symptoms Inventory. Insomnia was measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS). Data of this experiment was analyzed by Chi-square test, t-test, unpaired t-test and Repeated Measures ANOVA with the SAS Program. Results: The scores of fatigue and insomnia decreased in the experimental group but not in the control group. There was a significant difference of fatigue and insomnia between the two groups. Conclusion: It is suggested that foot reflexology might have beneficial effects on reducing fatigue and insomnia in patients suffering from coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and can be recommended as a nursing intervention program for patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most effective stimulating electrode in Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) for pain relief, and to apply to the treatment of Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods We included 45 participants who met the inclusion criteria. DOMS of both Triceps Surae Muscles were experimentally induced through eccentric contractions. 24-hours after induction of DOMS, who scored more than 40 mm in visual analogue scale (VAS) were randomly assigned into three groups (n=44). In 15 of them, needle electrodes were inserted into BL57, BL56. In 15 of them, surface electrodes were applied on the same points and the others were treated with manual acupuncture. The effects of pain relief were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), mechanical pain threshold (MPT), surface electromyography (SEMG). Results In VAS, group comparison had no significant difference after all treatments had done. The difference in VAS between the time before the treatment was started (Day 2) and after all treatments were completed was greater in Acupuncture group than that of needle-electrode group. In MPT, there was no significant difference among groups. Electrical contraction decreased significantly at 2nd before-after treatment comparison in needle-electrode MENS group. But fatigue scores were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions The results suggest that the types of electrodes has no significant effect on microcurrent therapy in DOMS.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.615-623
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of aromatherapy on sleep disorders, satisfaction of sleep and fatigue in hemodialysis patients. Methods: The study design was a quasi-experimental study with nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were assigned an experimental group (N=17) and a control group (N=17). The experimental group had inhaled lavender and sweet orange for 2 minutes three times a day for 7 days. Sleep disorders were measured using Sleep Measuring Instrument and satisfaction of sleep was gauged using Visual Analogue Scale. Fatigue was checked using Fatigue Measuring instrument. Collected data were analyzed by ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, Fisher's exact test, and paired t-test using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. Results: There are significant differences in the sleep disorders, satisfactions of sleep and fatigue between experimental group and control group. Conclusion: Aromatherapy reduced the sleep disorders and the fatigue and increased satisfactions of sleep in hemodialysis patients. Based on the results of this study, aromatherapy can be used at the any setting as a safe and effective independent nursing intervention to sleep disorders and fatigue in hemodialysis patients.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.943-949
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• 2010

When PCB soldering is performed with microscope due to the electronic components' microminiaturization, workers' awkward upper body postures and difficulties being in focus among lens, object and eyes are one of reasons for productivity decline. The object of this study is to investigate the level of difficulties of work and the extent of productivity improvement by changing work interfaces from the work using microscope to the work using LCD monitor. Independent variables was usage of microscope and image system and dependent variables were upper body segments including neck, shoulder, back, and waist, task convenience and eye fatigue. The Visual Analogue Scale (10cm) was used for questionnaire and one way ANOVA (two levels) and two sample t-test were conducted. In addition, RULA rating was conducted for working postures. The result showed that interface changes of LCD monitor, suggested by productivity comparison per one Man Hour, highly contributed to work convenience and productivity improvement.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 1997

Objectives : The behavioral and physiological effects following low doses and high doses of melatonin have not been fully explored. In this study the authors investigated the nature and extent of the hypnotic effects, oral temperature, blood pressure effects, performance effects and subjective feelings following the acute administration of low pharmacological oral doses of melatonin at mid-day. Methods : Thirty-five healthy young medical students were randomly assigned to receive 6mg of oral melatonin(N=11), 12mg of oral melatonin(N=12) or a placebo(N=12) in a double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Measures of the behavioral and physiological effects used in the study were Stanford Sleepiness Scale, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Trail test and visual analogue scale for subjective feelings. Oral temperature and blood pressure were measured. The subjects were studied between 10:00 and 16:00 hours. Data were analyzed by using repeated-measures analyses of variance(ANOVA). Results: Melatonin produced statistically significant effects on oral temperature, but there were no significant effects on time and the $dose{\times}time$ interaction. There was a significant difference on oral temperature between the 12mg oral melatonin group and the placebo group at 12:00 and 16:00 hours, but no significant difference between the 12mg and the 6mg oral melatonin groups. Melatonin produced a dose-related increase in subjective sleepiness and had significant effects on time, the $dose{\times}time$ interaction. There was a significant difference on subjective sleepiness among the placebo, 6mg, 12mg oral melatonin groups at 13:00-16:00 hours. Melatonin did not produce statistically significant dose-related effects on subjective fatigue but produced significant effects on time and the $dose{\times}time$ interaction. There was a significant difference on subjective fatigue between the 12mg, the 6mg oral melatonin groups and the placebo group at 13:00 hour. Conclusions : These data indicated that acute administration of melatonin at mid-day increased subjective sleepiness and fatigue but decreased oral temperatures. These effects were shown especially in 12mg oral melatonin group.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2013

1. Objectives This study is about a "Soyangin" hyperthyroidism patient with palpitation, facial flushing, fatigue, hand tremor and vertigo etc. In this case, we evaluated the effect of Oriental medicine treatment for hyperthyroidism. 2. Methods This patient was treated by Sasang constitutional herbal medication based on "Donguisusebowon". Acupuncture and west medications were used together. We evaluated the clinical progress through two method, Blood Test(T3, Free T4, TSH) and VAS(Visual Analogue Scale). 3. Results During 2months treatment, chief complaints, symptoms and blood test results(T3, Free T4, TSH) of this patient were improved. 4. Conclusion This study shows that Yangkyuksanhwa-tang is an effective treatment for "Soyangin" hyperthyroidism patient.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study is to report a case of improving various symptoms such as polyarthritis, dyspnea, fatigue, heat sensation. In addition, the promising explanation on the perspective of the heat and cold syndrome could be elicited. Methods Dokhwaljihwang-tang was prescribed for an outpatient for 3 weeks without any other therapy such as acupuncture, moxibustion and Western medicine. To evaluate the results of this treatment, polyarthritis was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). The patient's general condition such as digestion and defecation discomfort is assessed by the progress notes. Results&Conclusions Most of the various symptoms have improved by about 80 percent. It is more important to observe defecation, urine, cold symptoms and condition of hands and feet synthetically.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.373-388
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a nutrition education and exercise on nutritional status in hemodialysis patients, with regard to quality of life (QoL), and fatigue. The subjects were divided into two groups : an educated (E) group (11 men and 9 women) and a non-educated (NE) group (7 men and 22 women). The educated group received a nutrition education and a regular exercise program for 3 months. Data on anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were obtained from medical records. Dietary habits and nutrient intake were assessed through questionnaires and three-day food records. QoL (through the SF-36 questionnaire) and fatigue (measured by a visual analogue scale questionnaire) were assessed before and after the interventions. Dietary habit scores regarding food variety and fluid intake control significantly increased (P<0.05) after the nutrition education. Furthermore, the intake of total energy, carbohydrates, Fe, and vitamin A significantly increased (P<0.05). Vitamin C intake also significantly increased (P<0.01). Hb levels decreased whereas TG levels increased in the NE group. BUN levels decreased in the E group. After the nutrition education, QoL aspects, such as feelings of pain and general health, and the total score significantly increased (P<0.05) and the level of fatigue score decreased (P<0.01). The results of this study indicate that nutrition education and exercise for hemodialysis patients provides changes in dietary habit, daily nutrient intake, biochemical parameters, QoL, and the level of fatigue. Therefore, nutrition education and exercise help improve nutritional status and QoL.