• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.102-115
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of interventions of Korean medicine for chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Methods: We searched eleven electronic databases from inception up to Apr 2018. RCTs evaluating the effects of Korean medicine interventions for CPP were retrieved. Results: 11 RCTs were included and total number of experimental group was 390 cases. A total of 4 types of interventions were used, of which acupuncture (45.5%), electro-acupuncture (18.2%), electro-acupuncture + auricular acupuncture + moxibustion (18.2%) were the most frequently utilized. 關元 (CV4) (100.0%), 會陰 (CV1) (80.0%), 三陰交 (SP6) (80.0%), 陰陵泉 (SP9) (80.0%) were most frequently used acupoint in acupuncture treatment. Conclusions: For evidence-based treatment of korean medicine intervention for CPP, high quality RCTs must be conducted.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.176-184
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand current situation of acupuncture and moxibustion for male infertility. Methods: We searched all relevant studies of male infertility patients treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Electronic searches were conducted in Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and 4 Korean databases until October 2013. Results: A total of 10 reports were included in the review. Two case reports, one case series, three before and after studies, one cohort study, one non-randomized controlled study and two randomized controlled studies were reviewed. Although the majority of studies suggested a positive effect of acupuncture on male infertility, the quality of studies was low. Data on adverse effects were lacking. Conclusions: We found a benefit from acupuncture for poor semen quality in male infertility. These findings should be treated with caution as the evidence was low or very low quality. To further evaluate the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion in male infertility, well-designed randomized controlled studies are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.27-42
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of smoking prevention programs and their effectiveness for Korean school-aged children and adolescents by using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Electronic searches were performed in RISS, NAL, DBPia, KISS using keywords according to inclusion criteria. 21 studies published from 2003 to the first half of 2017 that dealt with effects of smoking prevention programs for school-aged children and adolescents were selected for systematic review. Results: All 21 studies were quasi-experimental research designs. More than half of the programs(66.7%) were conducted for male and female. Most of the programs were conducted more than once a week(71.4%). 14 studies(66.7%) did not report using a theoretical model. Five dependent variables(knowledge of smoking, attitude toward smoking, non-smoking intention, self-assertiveness, and self-efficacy) were selected to measure the effectiveness of the smoking prevention programs. Knowledge of smoking was the most effective at hedge's g=0.673. Self-efficacy and self-assertiveness variables were statistically significant at hedge's g=0.461 and hedge's g=0.279, respectively. Effect sizes of attitude toward smoking and non-smoking intention were not statistically significant compared to the control group. As a result of the moderator effect analysis on the knowledge of smoking variable, the statistically significant variables were 'gender of participants'(p<0.01) and 'duration of the program'(p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study using systematic review and meta-analysis will be evidence-based data for researchers conducting smoking prevention programs in school-aged children and adolescents.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.403-412
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• 2021

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, showing progressive neurodegeneration. Although oral medications for symptomatic improvement still take a huge part of treatment, there are several limitations caused by pharmacology-based real world clinic. In this respect, non-pharmacologic treatment for AD is rising to prominence. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a one of the non-invasive neuromodulation technique, using low-voltage direct current. In terms of safety, tDCS already has been proven through numerous previous reports. This review focused on behavioral, neurophysiologic and histopathologic improvement by applying tDCS in AD rodent models, thereby suggesting reliable background evidence for human-based tDCS study.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.773-788
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Due to the rapid increase of global cancer incidence and mortality and a high level of interest in cancer prevention, a systematic review of garlic intake and cancer risk is needed. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We implemented a systematic review to examine the effects of varying levels of garlic intake on cancer. We conducted comprehensive literature searches in three electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science) for studies published between database inception and July or September of 2018. Two investigators independently screened abstracts and full-texts, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias (RoB). A total of one medium-quality randomized controlled trial (RCT) and 13 cohort studies graded as high RoB were included. RESULTS: The 1-year follow-up results from a RCT showed that a significant decrease in the number and size of colorectal adenomas among participants with colorectal adenomas who received high-dose aged garlic extract (AGE) compared with those who received low-dose AGE (P < 0.05). The results of prospective observational studies provided inconsistent associations of colorectal cancer risk with garlic supplements and garlic intake as food. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the AGE was effective in reducing the number and magnitude of colorectal adenomas in one RCT, but there were inconsistent associations between garlic intake and colorectal cancer in cohort studies. Therefore, we could not draw a firm conclusion regarding the effects of garlic on cancer, because the current strength of evidence is inadequate due to a lack of number of high-quality RCTs.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for reducing perioperative anxiety in children undergoing surgery. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with the primary outcome of children's perioperative anxiety was conducted. The literature search was performed using various databases, including Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, and Korean electronic databases with confined to RCTs between 2000 and 2020. A total of sixteen studies were suitable the inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed. The bias risk of randomized studies was evaluated using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. For the meta-analysis, RevMan 5.4 was used to analyze effect sizes of interventional factors. Results: Finally, twelve RCTs studies were used for meta-analysis. The non-pharmacological interventions implemented to reduce perioperative anxiety in children were therapeutic play, clown therapy and information provision. First, therapeutic play had a significant effect on reducing preoperative anxiety, with an effect size of -1.46 (95% CI=-1.78~-1.14). Second, clown therapy had a significant effect on reducing preoperative anxiety, with an effect size of -0.97 (95% CI=-1.45~-0.49). Finally, the provision of information had a significant effect on reducing preoperative anxiety, with an effect size of -0.75 (95% CI=-0.99~-0.51). Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that non-pharmaceutical interventions provide effective methods of reducing perioperative anxiety in children. Therefore, the findings verify evidence that various non-pharmacological interventions are effective means for reducing children's preoperative anxiety.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.133-141
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the current status and effects of health-related intervention for children and adolescents in multicultural families and to provide a evidence of nursing educational intervention. The Scoping strategy was applied, the 12 published literature were analyzed according to the selection criterion and exclusion criterion among 604 published literature retrieved through 8 electronic databases. The results of this present study showed that most research was conducted on elementary school students, and types of intervention programs were art therapy, music activities, psychotherapy, and physical activities. This study suggests the need for intervention to prevent and promote health problems among children and adolescents in multicultural families, and the necessity of preparing intervention strategies including physical, psychological, and developmental areas.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Since non-cardiac chest discomfort (NCCD) can result in substantial healthcare burden and lower quality of life, interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have been investigated for the relief of NCCD. In this review, we aimed to summarize the evidence on the efficacy of the CBT for the treatment of NCCD while introducing a newly-developed computerized CBT program for NCCD. Studies applying CBT to individuals with NCCD were searched for from both English and Korean electronic databases. Among 37 studies, 11 randomized controlled trials, 4 case-control studies, 1 case series, and 2 review articles were eligible for this review. Efficacy of conventional CBT for NCCD was shown in a series of studies as most of them reported improved symptom severity of NCCD or NCCD-related anxiety. However, a substantial variability existed among these studies in participants, treatment procedures and durations. High attrition rates were also reported in these studies on conventional CBT. Computerized CBT could be an alternative to the conventional CBT as it can be standardized and more easily accessible, but it was only reported in one previous study. In addition to the literature review, we presented a newly-developed computerized CBT program for NCCD which may overcome some of the limitations of conventional CBT. A computerized CBT could be an alternative treatment of NCCD, however, need further studies on its usefulness.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to confirm and to suggest the Korean medical treatment is effective treatments to patients with facial paralysis sequelae. Methods : We conducted a survey on patients with facial paralysis sequelae who visited the facial paralysis center from August 2017 to November 2018. We then evaluated House-Brackmann Grading System(HBGS), Sunnybrook Scale(S-Scale), Visual analog scale(VAS) against those who agreed and analyzed the information through Electronic Medical Record(EMR) and Order Communication System(OCS). Results : Clinically, Korean medical treatment such as embedding therapy are effective for the facial paralysis sequelae. For the purpose of raising the level of evidence against this, research will be needed to confirm the treatment effects by comparing accurate assessment indicators that are conducted before and after the treatment. Conclusions : In order to confirm the progress of treatment of facial paralysis sequelae, evaluation indicators such as House-Brackmann Grading System and Sunnybrook Scale should be performed by experts. And after 3-4 weeks, if patients have any sequelae symptoms, it may be helpful to take treatments such as pharmacopuncture treatment and embedding therapy at intervals of 1-2 weeks depending on the symptoms or areas.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.72-82
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• 2019

Purpose: Despite its clinical benefits, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is less widely implemented for gastric cancer surgery. This nationwide survey investigated the current status of the implementation of ERAS in perioperative care for gastric cancer surgery in South Korea. Materials and Methods: This survey enrolled 89 gastric surgeons from 52 institutions in South Korea. The questionnaire consisted of 24 questions about the implementation of the ERAS protocols in the management of gastric cancer surgery. The survey was carried out using an electronic form sent via email. Results: Of the 89 gastric surgeons, 58 (65.2%) answered that they have knowledge of the concept and details of ERAS, 45 (50.6%) of whom were currently applying ERAS for their patients. Of the ERAS protocols, preoperative education (91.0%), avoidance of preoperative fasting (68.5%), maintenance of intraoperative normothermia (79.8%), thromboprophylaxis (96.5%), early active ambulation (64.4%), and early removal of urinary catheter (68.5%) were relatively well adopted in perioperative care. However, other practices, such as avoidance of preoperative bowel preparation (41.6%), provision of preoperative carbohydrate-rich drink (10.1%), avoidance of routine abdominal drainage (31.4%), epidural anesthesia (15.9%), single-dose prophylactic antibiotics (19.3%), postoperative high oxygen therapy (36.8%), early postoperative diet (14.6%), restricted intravenous fluid administration (53.9%), and application of discharge criteria (57.3%) were not very well adopted for patients. Conclusions: Perioperative management of gastric cancer surgery is largely heterogeneous among gastric surgeons in South Korea. Standard perioperative care based on scientific evidence needs to be established to improve the quality of surgical care and patient outcomes.