• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.86-94
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the changes in bladder capacity and storage through non-invasive neuromodulation by application of repetitive Trans magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and genital nerve stimulation (GNS) in traumatic spinal cord survivors. Design: A Single Case Study. Method: The Patient was registered in trail with the clinical trial registry of India (CTRI/2022/05/042431). The Patient was interposed with rTMS on lumbar area, from T11-L4 vertebrae with 1 Hz and the intensity was 20% below that elicited local paraspinal muscular contraction for 13 minutes. GNS was placed over dorsum of the penis with the cathode at the base and anode 2 cm distally at 20 Hz, 200 microseconds, Continuous and biphasic current was delivered and amplitude of stimulation necessary to elicit the genito-anal reflex. For assessment, Neurological examination was done for peri-anal sensation (PAS), voluntary anal contraction (VAC) and bulbocavernous reflex (BCR), deep anal pressure (DAP), and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (ASIA scale). Outcome assessment was done using Urodynamics, Spinal Cord Independence Measure Scale Version-III (SCIM-III), American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Score (ASIA Score), Beck's Depression Inventory Scale (BDI). The baseline evaluation was taken on Day 0 and on Day 30. Results: The pre-and post-data were collected through ASIA score, SCIM-III, BDI and Urodynamics test which showed significant improvement in bladder capacity and storage outcomes in the urodynamics study across the span of 4 weeks. Conclusion: rTMS along with GNS showed improvement in bladder capacity & storage, on sensory-motor score, in functional independence of individual after SCI.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Although there have been several attempts to use virtual reality (VR) in the treatment of depression, the results have been inconsistent and existing studies have mostly relied on subjective measures to assess the effectiveness of VR in improving depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nature experience-based VR intervention on depressive symptoms in a young population using both subjective and objective measurements. The study population included 15 participants who had more than 14 identifiers of the Korean Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI)-II. Participants received three weeks (four times per week) of VR intervention. The effectiveness of VR was assessed through changes in K-BDI-II scores and depression-related blood biomarkers. Nature experience-based VR intervention led to an approximately 50% reduction of K-BDI-II score (before 25.7±7.7 vs. after 12.5±8.3 (P<0.001)). Of these, loss of pleasure and fatigue showed the largest amount of improvement. However, levels of cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and interleukin-6 did not differ from those at baseline. The findings of our pilot study suggest that nature experience-based VR can be a useful adjunctive treatment method for improving depressive symptoms in individuals who have difficulty accessing the real outside natural environment.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.137-155
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• 2024

To achieve the national goal of "2050 Carbon Neutrality" in the era of the climate crisis, it is important to support the decarbonization of ports, which are the vital node of the global supply chain. Following the establishment of the concept of port's decarbonzation, this study reviewed the obstacles and solutions to port decarbonization through literature research. Furthermore, the goals and strategies for decarbonization implementation of world major ports were examined through case analysis, and the level of decarbonization implementation of the five Korean major ports was quantitatively evaluated using a performance-based score measurement method. As a result of the analysis, the level of decarbonization of Korean ports is generally far behind that of advanced countries. In particular, measures for environment-friendly inland transportation, future alternative fuel bunkering facilities, and various market-based incentive policies are needed. As a policy task for the decarbonization of Korean ports, first, the necessity of establishing a emission inventory, monitoring, and reporting system and the disclosure of related information, second, the mixing strategy of various greenhouse gas reduction measures, and third, the increase in the proportion of renewable energy at ports were suggested.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2004

Objectives : Internet addiction is a newly appeared addictive phenomenon that is defined as 'difficulty in real life due to internet over-use', 'excessive time spent on the internet or replacement of genuine real relationships with superficial virtual ones' or 'weakness in self-control about internet use and if discontinued, fallen in psychological confusion and anergic state'. This study was aimed to compare the internet addiction rate, demographic factors, computer using patterns, anxiety, depression, and internet self-efficacy and outcome expectancy between Korean middle and high school students in three areas - Seoul, Cheonan, and Rural areas - that were different in economic, cultural, and geographic state. Methods : Subjects are consisted of middle and high school students in Seoul, Chunan, and Rural areas(N=1718). Self-rating questionnaire included demographic data, Korean Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Korean Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS), questions for internet-using pattern, Korean version of Internet Addiction Scale invented by K. S. Young, Internet Self-efficacy and Out-come Expectancy Scale. Results: In this study, prevalence of internet addiction was 2.9%. There was no significant difference found in prevalence of internet addiction among three areas. In all subjects, there were significant differences in anxiety, depression, internet self-efficacy and outcome expectancy, leisure style, places of internet use, internet connecting method, and insight on internee addiction. But, in addicted group, there was no significant difference among three areas. Conclusion: This study suggested that the difference in economic, cultural, and geographic state was not related to prevalence of internet addiction. Although there were significant differences in anxiety, depression, self-efficacy associated with internee use, leisure style, places of internet use, internet connecting method, insight on internet addiction among three areas, there were no significant difference in addicted group among three areas. So, we concluded that the difference in economic, cultural, and geographic state did not influence the prevalence of internet addiction, and despite the difference in economic, cultural, and geographic state, people in three areas were equally influenced by internet addiction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-28
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• 2007

Objectives : Clinical character of chronic tension-type headache is bilateral, moderate intensity, persistent and chronic, repeating disease and CTTH is a common prevalent disease, but pathophysiology and likely mechanism remain unclear. It impedes subjective quality of life. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of sa-am acupuncture method for chronic tension-type headache. Methods : In this randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared active acupuncture with sham acupuncture for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in study. Evaluation of chronic tension-type headache was measured by VAS and Headache Disability Inventory(HDI), Six point Linkert Scale before and after treatments. Results : 26 subjects finished study. There were not difference between two groups on age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, Byeonjeung, sunrise of treatment. In change of VAS, there were not difference between two groups on before treatment. Before treatment per visit, VAS of 6th and 7th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.039, p=0.008) and were not decreased in sham acupuncture. In change of VAS on a withdrawing needling after treatment, VAS of 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture (each p=0.001, 0.038, 0.035, 0.008) and VAS of 2nd, 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.033, 0.032, 0.035, 0.031). In change of VAS on 2hrs after treatment, VAS of 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.014, 0.023, 0.027) and 5th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.004, 0.009). In change of VAS on 4hrs after treatment, VAS of 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.018, 0.011, 0.015) and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.020, 0.015). In change of VAS on the next day after treatment, VAS of 3th and 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.032, 0.011, 0.005, 0.012) and 4th, 5th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.001, 0.012). In change of VAS according to a current time(before treatment, after a withdrawing needling, 2hrs, 4hrs, the next day), total score of VAS was decreased more active acupuncture group than sham acupuncture group, but there were no statistical significance compared with sham acupuncture group. In change of HDI score, after treatment was decreased than before treatment in two group, but there were no statistical significance compared with two group. In change of Six point Linkert scale score, after treatment was decreased than before treatment in two group on 6th, 7th visit(active acupuncture 6th 7th each p=0.002, 0.003, sham acupuncture 6th 7th each 0.003, 0.009), but there were no statistical significance compared with tow group. Conclusion : Sa-am acupuncture treatment is effective to improve the symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic tension-type headache.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.14-25
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• 2001

Purpose : To determine whether there exist gender differences in pain in Korean cancer patients and whether the depression and performance that are often expressed differently between men and women with cancer interact with pain. Method : The results of survey were collected from 140 in- and out-patients (78 male and 62 female) who had cancer treatment at one of the university hospital in Seoul for four months from February of 1999. The severity and interference of pain were examined with the self-reported survey based on Korean version of Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-K). Demographic and clinical information for all patient were compiled by reviewing their medical records, and the level of depression was examined with the Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-K). Usual statistical methods, e.g., frequences, means and SDs were used to characterize the sample. The chi-square tests for categorical data and t-test for numerical data were used for group comparison. And the correlation between variables were performed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Resuts : 1) The mean scores of the worst pain for last 24-hours measured with the pain severity of BPI-K were 5.77 in male and 6.45 in female. The pain interference of BPI-K in men was in the order of mood (5.49), enjoy (5.36), and work (5.00), and in women were work (7.48), enjoy (7.16), and mood (6.53). 2) In pain severity, significant difference was found between men and women in the average pain for last 24-hours (t=-2.130, P=.035). In pain interference, significant difference was found between men and women in activity (t=-2.450, P=.015), mood (t=-2,321, P=.022), walk (t=-2.762, P=.007), work (t=-4.946, P=.000), relate (t=-2.595, P=.010), sleep (t=-2.071, P=.040), enjoy (t=-3.198, P=.001). 3) It was found that the items of pain and depression are significantly correlated in men but not in women. Men also exhibited higher correlation in the items of pain and performance status than women. Conclusions : Women report significantly greater average pain for last 24-hours and for all items of pain interference than men. Pain and depression are significantly correlated in men. The results of this study suggest that gender differences in pain should be considered for planning effective pain management program.

• Bioinformatics and Biosystems
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2006

Depression is the most common and widespread mood disorder. About 20% of the population might suffer a major, incapacitating episode of depression during their lifetime. This disorder can be classified into two types: major depressive disorders and bipolar disorder. Since pharmaceutical treatments are different according to types of depression disorders, correct and fast classification is quite critical for depression patients. Yet, classical statistical method, such as minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI), have some difficulties in applying to depression patients, because the patients suffer from concentration. We used electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis method fer classification of depression. We extracted nonlinearity of information flows between channels and estimated approximate entropy (ApEn) for the EEG at each channel. Using these attributes, we applied two types of data mining classification methods: decision tree and possibilistic support vector machines (PSVM). We found that decision tree showed 85.19% accuracy and PSVM exhibited 77.78% accuracy for classification of depression, 30 patients with major depressive disorder and 24 patients having bipolar disorder.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.165-177
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• 2008

Objectives : Headache is one of the most common symptom in primary medical care. The purpose of this research is to examine persisting effects of acupuncture treatment for CTTH. Methods : In this randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared active acupuncture with sham acupuncture method for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in study. Evaluation of CTTH was measured by VAS, and Headache Disability Inventory(HDI), Six point Likert Scale, Algometer score(Rt, Lt) before and after treatments. Results : 32 subjects finished study. There were no difference between two group on age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, differentiation of symptoms, surmise of treatment. In change of VAS, after treatment decreased than before treatment in two group, but there were no statistical significance compared with two group and time. In change of HDI(Total score, Emotional score, Functional score) and Six point Likert scale, after treatment decreased than before treatment in two group, but there were no statistical significance compared with two group and time. In change of two sides Algometer score, after treatment increased than before treatment in two group, and Lt algometer score was statistical significance compared with two group(p<0.001). And both sides Algometer score, threr were statistical significance compared with time. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment has persisting effects that improve the symptoms and decrease the temporal muscle tenderness in patient with chronic tension-type headache.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2015

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between tree-ring growth of Quercus acutissima and climatic variables by dendroclimatological method. Annual tree-ring growth data of Quercus acutissima collected by the $5^{th}$ National Forest Inventory (NFI5) were organized to analyze the spatial distribution of the species growth pattern. To explain the relationship between tree-ring growth of Quercus acutissima and climatic variables, monthly temperature and precipitation data from 1950 to 2010 were compared with tree-ring growth data for each county. When tree-ring growth data were analyzed through cluster analysis based on similarity of climatic conditions, four clusters were identified. In addition, index chronology of Quercus acutissima for each cluster was produced through cross-dating and standardization procedures. The adequacy of index chronologies was tested using basic statistics such as mean sensitivity, auto correlation, signal to noise ratio, and expressed population signal of annual tree-ring growth. Response function analysis was conducted to reveal the relationship between tree-ring growth and climatic variables for each cluster. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable information necessary for estimating local growth characteristics of Quercus acutissima and for predicting changes in tree growth patterns caused by climate change.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.357-367
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• 1990

This descriptive study was done to identify factors influencing sexual satisfaction in women who had had a hysterectomy and to compare these with women who had not had a hysterectomy. The purpose was to contribute theoretical understanding on which to base nursing care planning. One group of subjects were 156 women who had had a hysterectomy, between one and 18 months post surgery, living with their spouse, having no complications, and menstruating before surgery. The other group of subjects were 282 healthy women who were living with their husbands and menstruating. The study tool consisted of 108 items including item concerning personal characteristics, characteristics related to the hysterectomy, husband's support, body image, emotions, attitude toward the sexual relationship, knowledge of sexuality, sexual behavior, and sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction was measured by a tool based on Derogatis Sexual Function Inventory. The range of the internal level of the study tool was from. 5208 to .9462. Data collection was done during the period from June 20 to Aug.20, 1989. The same questionnaire was used of data collection for both groups, but a mail survey method was used for the women who had had a hysterectomy, and an interview method was used for the women who had not had a hysterectomy. Data analysis was done using frequency, ratio, mean and S.D. for the characterstics of the subjects and level of sexual satisfaction. t - test or ANOVA was used for the differences between the groups with regard to the general and hysterectomy related characteristics. The relationship between the score for sex life related factors and the level of sexual satisfaction was analyzed using the Pearson Correlation, and the influencing factors on sexual satisfaction were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression. The results of this study were as follows ; 1. Mean age and income level were the only general characteristics for the two groups that were significantly different. The mean age, and income level of the group who had had a hysterectomy were 45years, and 1,150,000 won respectively, and for those who had not had a hysterectomy, 41 years and 999,000 won. 2. There was no statistical difference of the sexual satisfaction score between the two groups. 3. There was differences in the factors influencing sexual satisfaction between the two groups. Factors influencing sexual satisfaction for the group who had had a hysterectomy were husband's support (R＝.5793, P＝.000) and the women's Knowledge of sexuality(R＝.6670, P＝.000) (total variance : 33.56). On the other hand, emotional status(R＝.4294, P＝.000), sexual behavior(R＝.4294, P＝.000), husband's support(R＝.5274, P＝.000) and attitude towards sexual relations (R＝.5412, P＝.000) (total variance : 54.12) were the factors influencing sexual satisfaction in the group who had not had a hysterectomy. Since husband's support and sexuality knowledge were identified as factors influencing sexual satisfaction of women who have had a hysterectomy, it can be concluded that, before a woman who has had a hysterectomy is discharged from hospital, nurses should include strategies in the nursing care plan that will promote husband's support and the women's knowledge of sexuality.