• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.13-23
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to develop the combined medical stimulus system consisted of the PEMFs (Pulsed electromagnetic fields) and LED which are able to stimulate local point such as acupoints and trigger points. Methods : To evaluate the therapeutic effect on the musculoskeletal disorders and the possibility of alternative method on manual acupuncture, we compared the fatigue recovery of two groups by analyzing the EMG and peak torque (non-stimulation and, stimulation group) after strenuous knee exercise. We chose the LR9 as a stimulation point. Results : The median frequency (MF) and fatigue index (F.I) of the stimulation group were recovered faster than those of the non-stimulation group. Also the peak torques of both groups were not restored until after 20 minutes. However, the peak torque of the stimulation group was regained higher than that of the non-stimulation group. Conclusions : We confirmed that the proposed combined stimulus system had useful effects as treatment instrument of musculoskeletal disorder using non-invasive method of PEMFs and LED.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study is to develop diagnostic questionnaires for the lumbar movement system impairment syndrome. Methods: We had reviewed the previous study and literature and organized various checkable items for differential diagnosis of five different lumbar movement system impairment syndromes. Next, we selected items which can be developed as questionnaire items. Finally, we conducted face validity study with eight Korean medicine doctors and survey research for the importance score of the items with three experts. Results: We developed a diagnostic questionnaire as followings: 6 items for lumbar extension syndrome; 5 items for lumbar flexion syndrome; 6 items for lumbar rotation syndrome. With the 2 rounds of survey research, we could bridge the differences of the importance score of each items. Conclusions: Questionnaire for the diagnosis of movement system impairment syndrome was developed. With this questionnaire, objective diagnosis of lumbar movement system impairment syndrome can be expected. This tool may also be used for detecting sub-health status of musculoskeletal systems.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.184-196
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• 2017

Purpose: We investigated the effects of emotional labor and workplace violence on various physical and mental health outcomes among female workers. Methods: We obtained data from 24,760 female workers who participated in the 4th Korean Working Conditions Survey (2014). Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationships. Results: Female emotional workers were more exposed to workplace violence than were female non-emotional workers. Verbal abuse was the most common type of workplace violence. Logistic regression analyses revealed that (1) emotional labor was significantly associated with higher odds of having musculoskeletal or abdominal pain (physical health outcomes), along with overall fatigue (a mental health outcome), and (2) workplace violence experiences were significantly associated with higher odds of musculoskeletal pain, headache/eye strain, abdominal pain, depression/anxiety disorder, overall fatigue, and insomnia/sleep disturbance, after controlling for covariates. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both emotional labor and workplace violence have negative effects on physical and mental health. However, workplace violence experience has a stronger negative impact on health outcomes than does emotional labor alone. A management system to eradicate workplace violence and programs aimed at managing emotional labor are urgently needed at the organizational level.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.303-312
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• 2015

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of insole height change in the lumbosacral angle and physical functions in healthy males. Background: In order to release male's dissatisfaction with his height and to increase satisfaction with his body, using insole is generalized. There have been researches on female's body change in accordance with function of insole and heel height, whereas there are few researches on males. Method: Participants were divided into three groups. A control group had 10 participants who wore 0cm insole. Experimental group I had 10 participants who wore 2cm insole. Experimental group II had 10 participants who wore 4cm insole. All participants wore insoles during their daily lives for a trial period of 8 weeks. The results were evaluated before and after comparison, and we measured lumbosacral angle, balance (dynamic balance, agility, quickness) and lumbar pain (LBP). Results: This study showed that insole height affected lumbosacral angle and dynamic balance and pain. In particular, there were significant differences in the 4cm group among the three groups (p<.05). The 2cm group did show a significant difference in lumbosacral angle and pain (p<.05). Furthermore, no significant difference was observed within the control group. Conclusion: The 4cm insole height suggests that the increase of lumbosacral angle contributes to some changes in LBP, balance, pain and physical functions, probably leading to negative effects on variety of activities of daily life. Application: The results of wearing insoles with proper height will help to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Pubescent Angelica is generally used in musculoskeletal diseases of lower extremity, itching, external contraction (外感) and furuncle, with the effect of dispelling wind, draining dampness, dispersing the external (解表) and stopping pain. The disease parts of Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine (東醫寶鑑) contain 121 examples of the usage of Pubescent Angelica. Cases of musculoskeletal diseases and itching are mainly in the External Bodily Elements section (外形篇), and those of external contraction and furuncle are mainly in the Miscellaneous Disorder section (雜病篇). Internal Bodily Elements section (內景篇) has 10 prescriptions that involve Pubescent Angelica, in Dreams (2), Voice (1), Uterus (4), Parasites (1), and Feces (2) chapters. Their specific symptoms are insomnia and sleep paralysis (Dreams), loss of voice due to external contraction (Voice), uterine hemorrhage (Uterus), phthisis (Parasites), and constipation and diarrhea (Feces). It is not easy for students beginning their clinical training to link the effects of Pubescent Angelica and its actual usage, especially in the area of internal medicine. By Analyzing the whole cases of Pubescent Angelica in the Treasured Mirror, we found various usages out of reach of basic knowledge of the herb. Such method can be utilized not only in developing herbal knowledge-based products, but also in improving Korean medicine education, by enhancing the occupational competency bridging basic and clinical knowledge.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.69-75
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• 2002

Werner's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder manifesting as premature aging. It is also known to be characterized by a high frequency of malignant tumors, especially sarcomas. However, Werner's syndrome may be not only a premature aging disease but also a cancer syndrome, because the malignant tumors in these patients are different from those of normal population with respect to involved site, histological type, and age of onset. Recent studies found Werner's syndrome was caused by a mutation of Werner helicase suggesting that WRN helicase may participate in metabolism and repair of DNA. And a dysfunction of WRN helicase may induce the genomic instability causing somatic mutations. Further studies of Werner's syndrome associated with sarcoma might give much informations about the normal aging process and the pathogenesis of sarcomas.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze the Sasang constitution and psychological traits of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and to utilize the results in treatment and management. Methods The differences of Sasang Constitution distribution, psychological characteristics, comorbid disorders between ALS group of 26 patients and general group of 1132 persons were investigated and analyzed. Results There was no significant different distribution of Sasang Constitution between ALS group and general group but there was Yang-like personality tendency in ALS group than general group. In overall constitution, ALS group had the high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders and diabetes than general group. In Soyangin constitution, ALS group had a high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders than genral group. In Taeeumin constitution, ALS group had a high prevalence rate of diabetes and hypertension than general group. Conclusion ALS patients have the Yang-like personality. It is due to the adaptation of personality on the environmental change or coping strategy on diseases rather than the characteristics of congenital Sasang Constitution.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2021

Background: Healthcare settings have been recognized among the most hazardous places to work. Based on the five categories of occupational hazards that were identified by the ILO and WHO, this study aimed to analyze policy framework relevant to occupational health protection of health workers (HWs) in public health service in China, then discussed how to share the experience of the National Health Service (NHS) England for improvement. Methods: Based on policy learning theories, policy analysis and qualitative interview were used in this study. Results: In the Chinese public health service, at least five laws related to the regulation of occupational health protection for HWs; however, enforcement of relevant laws was separated and multi-centered; the national monitoring system, which targeted to occupational hazards and health outcome for HWs in China, had yet to be developed; the top three priorities were workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, and musculoskeletal disorders; national strategies included Security Hospital, and Healthy China 2030. In NHS England, three laws were fundamental; several monitoring systems had been set up, including NHS Staff Survey, Commissioning for Quality and Innovation incentive scheme; mental health, musculoskeletal problem, and nutrition disorder and overweight were raised great concern; Health and Safety, and NHS Healthy Workforce Program were critical nationwide strategies. Conclusion: There were several similarities as well as differences between the Chinese public health system and NHS England, which laid foundation of learning by China. Recommendations of improving occupational health policies in China were provided, based on the lessons learned from the NHS England.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.33-43
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• 2023

Objectives : Floating acupuncture (FA) is a kind of newly developed acupuncture technique that contains its own apparatus. The technique has unique points that the body of the acupuncture needle stays intradermal space and manipulation is performed by shaking the needle horizontally; after manipulation, part of the needle remained in the intradermal space for 2~3 days. FA is not a common acupuncture methodology while various clinical study claims its efficacy on musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, the authors aimed to enhance the use of FA by comparing related theories. Methods : The authors reviewed classics, books, and articles related to FA, Meridian Muscle (MM), Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), and Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture (WAA), and compared its characteristics by related theory, related symptoms, apparatus, and performing procedures. Results : FA was related and had various common parts with MM, MPS, and WAA, however, there were unique parts in the manipulation, apparatus, and stimulation location. FA is based on MM and MPS which pointing 'ashi points' or 'trigger points' as a treating target while FA does not stimulate the points directly. FA also targets subcutaneous space by inserting the needle horizontally as WAA does, while FA remains the needle handle part in the subcutaneous area for 2~3 days for more stimulation. Conclusions : FA has a unique manipulation procedure and potential benefit for musculoskeletal disorders despite the crude theological base written by Fu himself. Thus, developing a new explanation and patient-friendly methodology/apparatus is required for further down-to-earth studies.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.261-267
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• 2023

Forward head posture (FHP) is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes neck pain. Several exercise interventions have been used in South Korea to improve craniovertebral angle (CVA) and relieve neck pain. There has been no domestic literature review study over the past 5 years that has investigated trends and effects of exercise intervention methods for CVA with neck pain. This domestic literature review aimed to evaluate the trends and effects of exercise interventions on CVA and neck pain in persons with FHP. A review of domestic literature published in Korean or English language between 2018 and 2022 was performed. Literature search was conducted on Google Scholar and Korea Citation Index by using the following keywords: "exercise," "exercise therapy," "exercise program," "forward head posture," and "neck pain." Ten studies were included in this review. All of the studies showed positive improvements after intervention programs that included exercises. Notably, four of these studies demonstrated significant differences in results between the experimental and control groups. Among the 10 studies, nine measured visual analogue scale or numerical rating scale scores and reported significant reductions in pain following interventions, including exercise programs. Five of these studies showed significant differences in results between the experimental and control groups. Furthermore, six studies that used neck disability index exhibited a significant decrease in symptoms after implementing intervention programs that included exercise, and significant differences in results were found between the experimental and control groups. This domestic literature review provides consistent evidence to support the application of various exercise intervention programs to improve CVA and relieve neck pain from FHP. Further studies are warranted to review the effects of various exercise interventions on FHP reported not only in domestic but also in international literature.