• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.137-148
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to review articles concerning acupuncture or moxibustion treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Methods : On-line databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid-EMBASE, NDSL and OASIS were searched to find articles concerning acupuncture or moxibustion treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Several overlapping articles and those not relevant to the topic were excluded, as well as review articles and commentaries. Results : 16 case reports were selected through the procedure, all of which presented successful treatment cases of Complex Regional Pain Syndromes with acupuncture and moxibustion. Most of them presented one single patient case and were published in Korea. However, almost half of them were printed in English, and had been continuously published since 2005. It was remarkable that pharmacopuncture was predominantly used to treat Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Also, we noted that Chinese scalp acupuncture needs to be studied further as two successful cases were presented from the U.S army. Conclusion : The results show that several case reports have been published regarding Complex Regional Pain Syndromes treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. However, all of them were case reports which are given low status in Evidence-Based Medicine. We expect that a more diverse range of articles, including case control studies, cohort studies and randomized controlled trials will be performed in the near future, and that a unified outcome measure will be developed for Complex Regional Pain Syndromes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.549-558
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate the Needs Assessment Tool for Case Management (NATCM) for use with Korean medical aid beneficiaries. Methods: Psychometric testing was performed with a sample of 645 Korean medical aid beneficiaries, which included 41 beneficiaries who were selected using proportional sampling method, to examine intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Data were evaluated using item analyses, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's alpha, and ICC. Results: Through psychometric testing the final version of NATCM was found to consist of two subscales: 1) Appropriateness of Health Care Utilization (5 items) and 2) Self Care Ability (6 items). The two subscale model was validated by CFA (RMSEA=.08, GFI=.97, and CFI=.93). Internal consistency measured by Cronbach's alpha was .82, and subscale reliability ranged from .79 to .84. The ICC of the NATCM between case managers was .73 and between case managers and health care professionals. .82. Conclusion: This study suggests that the final version of NATCM is a brief, reliable, and valid instrument to measure needs of Korean medical aid beneficiaries. Therefore, the NATCM can be effectively utilized as an important needs assessment as well as outcome evaluation tool for case management programs in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.249-256
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• 2007

Purpose. Tai Chi exercise, an ancient Chinese martial art, has drawn more and more attention for its health benefits. The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of a Sun-style Tai Chi exercise on arthritic symptoms (joint pain and stiffness), motivation for performing health behaviors, and the performance of health behaviors among older women with osteoarthritis. Methods. Total of 72 women with the mean age of 63 years old were recruited from outpatients clinic or public health centers according to the inclusion criteria and assigned randomly to either the Tai Chi exercise group or the control. A Sun-style Tai Chi exercise has been provided three times a week for the first two weeks, and then once a week for another 10 weeks. In 12 weeks of study period, 22 subjects in the Tai Chi exercise group and 21 subjects in the control group completed the posttest measure with the dropout rate of 41 %. Outcome variables included arthritic symptoms measured by K-WOMAC, motivation for health behavior, and health behaviors. Results. At the completion of the 12 week Tai Chi exercise, the Tai Chi group perceived significantly less joint pain (t = -2.19, P = 0.03) and stiffness (t = -2.24, P = 0.03), perceived more health benefits (t = 2.67, P = 0.01), and performed better health behaviors (t = 2.35, P = 0.02), specifically for diet behavior (t = 2.06, P = 0.04) and stress management (t = 2.97, P = 0.005). Conclusion. A Sun-style Tai Chi exercise was found as beneficial for women with osteoarthritis to reduce their perceived arthritic symptoms, improve their perception of health benefits to perform better health behaviors.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.180-189
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• 2002

Background and Purpose : The hemiplegic upper extremity is affected in many stroke patients, and recovery is often poor. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in enhancing the upper extremity motor and functional recovery of ischemic stroke patients. Subjects and Methods : Forty ischemic stroke patients (the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer motor scale (FM) score lower than 46, lesion location within middle cerebral artery territory) within 2 weeks of stroke onset were randomly allocated to either an EA group that received EA treatment or a control group that received only routine ward care. The EA was applied at Quchi-Shousanli (LI11-LI10), Waiguan-Hegu (TE5-LI4) points on the hemiparetic side six times per week for 4 weeks. The frequency of stimulation was 25-50Hz and the intensity was set at a level sufficient to induce muscle contraction. EA treatment was given for 30 minutes and all patients of both groups received standard rehabilitation program. Outcomes were assessed, in a blind manner, before treatment began and at 4 weeks after treatment, with the FM, the Motor Power score (MP) for shoulder/elbow, and the subsection of the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) for drinking/feeding/dressing upper body/grooming. Results : These 2 groups had comparable clinical characteristics, lesion location, lesion size, and pretreatment impairment scores. By the end of treatment, the EA group showed significantly more improvement than the control group in the subsection of the FM for shoulder/elbow/coordination (6.4 vs. 3.7; P=0.047) and the MP for shoulder/elbow (5.3 vs. 3.3; P=0.008). The subsection scores of the MBI for drinking/feeding/dressing upper body/grooming were not significantly different between two groups. No adverse effects due to treatment were found Conclusion : These results suggest that EA enhances the upper extremity motor recovery of acute stroke patients. However, this study failed to demonstrate any significant functional benefit related with upper extremity. Future study should be carried out in a larger sample size and use the functional outcome measure that is more specific and sensitive to the upper extremity.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical application of acupuncture treatment to a cervical herniated intervertebral disc patient with hyperventilation syndrome developed after magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Methods : A patient with cervical herniated intervertebral disc got hyperventilation syndrome after taking magnetic resonance imaging. To relieve symptoms, we took paperbag breathing first aid, but it had no effect. So we used acupuncture therapy with strong stimulation. To measure the outcome of the patient's improvement, we observed change of vital sign and verbal numerical rating scale(VNRS). Results : After 8 minutes of acupuncture treatment, the patient had significant improvement in change of vital sign and verbal numerical rating scale(VNRS). Conclusions : In emergency situation, acupuncture treatment as a first aid has a positive effect to control hyperventilation syndrome.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical application of Rocking forward, Rocking backward Exercise and MET(Muscle Energy Techniques) to three patients who had sway-back posture. Methods : Three patients diagnosed as sway-back posture, not have discogetic pain, were hospitalized Bu-Chun Jaseng hospital of Oriental Medicine about 20 days and they were treated by Rocking forward, Rocking backward Exercise and MET. To measure the outcome of the patients' improvement, we observed the X-ray of Whole spine and Numerical Rating Scale(NRS). Results : After being treated by Rocking forward, Rocking backward Exercise and MET, the patients' posture was significantly improved and the pain was reduced. The X-ray of Whole spine became almost normal and the improvement of patients' in the NRS score was detected. Conclusions : These results suggest that Rocking forward, Rocking backward Exercise and MET were effective treatment on patients who had sway-back posture.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.75-88
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical application of Muscle Energy Techniques(MET) and Oriental Medicine to a patient who had Acquired Rotating Torticollis. Methods : A patient diagnosed as acquired torticollis was hospitalized at Buchun Jaseng hospital of Oriental Medicine for 28 days and she was treated by MET, herbal medicine and acupuncture. To measure the outcome of the patient's improvement, we observed Numerical Rating Scale(NRS), Neck Disablility Index(NDI), Tsui's Scale and the X-rays of Whole spine. Results : After being treated by MET and Oriental Medicine, the patient's pain was reduced and the head rotating was significantly improved. The improvement of patient in the NRS, NDI, Tsui's Scale was detected and the X-ray of Whole spine became normal. Conclusions : As seen in this case, complexed therapy with MET and Oriental Medicine is effective treating method to control pain and head rotating for patients with acquired rotating torticollis.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.75-85
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this case report is to investigate the effect of exercise for vastus medialis to knee pain patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome. Methods: Two patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome were treated by exercise for vastus medialis. To measure the outcome of the patients' improvement, we observed the X-ray of both knee sky-line view, Numerical Rating Scale(NRS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities(WOMAC) index. Results: After being treated by exercise for vastus medialis, the patients' X-ray of both knee sky-line view, Numerical Rating Scale(NRS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities(WOMAC) index were significantly improved. Conclusions: These results suggest that exercise for vastus medialis is effective treatment to patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.91-99
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• 2019

Purpose: This retrospective study reports the intermediate-term clinical outcomes including the practical function in daily and sports activities after total ankle arthroplasty for end-stage rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the effects of modification of perioperative anti-rheumatic medications. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years after total ankle replacement for end-stage rheumatoid arthritis. Perioperative anti-rheumatic medications in all patients were modified based on a specific guideline. Clinical evaluations consisted of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores. Periodic radiographic evaluation was conducted to detect changes in ankle alignment and postoperative complications. Results: Mean AOFAS, FAOS, and FAAM scores improved significantly from 37.5 to 81.2, 39.1 to 72.4, and 33.8 to 64.0 points at final follow-up, respectively (p<0.001). Functional outcomes in daily and sports activities at final follow-up were found to be 76.5 and 55.8 points for the FAOS and 70.5 and 57.5 points for the FAAM, respectively. As early postoperative complications, there was one case of local wound necrosis, one case of medial malleolar fracture, and one case of deep peroneal nerve injury. Radiological evaluation revealed two cases of asymptomatic heterotopic ossification and one case of progressive arthritis in the talonavicular joint. Reoperation was performed in only one patient (8.3%) with a medial soft tissue impingement at a mean of 35.6 months follow-up. Conclusion: Total ankle arthroplasty appears to be an effective surgical option for end-stage rheumatoid arthritis. Practical functions in daily and sports activities were significantly improved at intermediate-term follow-up. Modification of perioperative anti-rheumatic medications can be one of the solutions to reduce the postoperative complication rate.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2000

Objectives : Routine vaccination against influenza is recommended for all people aged 65 years or more. Without active encouragement to receive the vaccine, the rate of compliance is generally low. A study was undertaken to assess and compare the effectiveness of two reminder systems in improving the influenza vaccination rate. Methods : A total of 2,017 patients aged 65 or over in a tertiary care hospital family practice center were randomly assigned to a control, a telephone reminder, or a postcard reminder group before the influenza season in 1998. The outcome measure, receipt of vaccination, was determined by telephone interview. Demographic and clinical characteristics were checked through the medical chart review. Results : Among the 1,312 patients who actually received reminders and interviewed, the vaccination rate was 46.7% in the control group, 56.3% in the postcard reminder group, and 63.3% in the telephone reminder group. Vaccination compliance was significantly higher in people reminded by telephone (Odds ratio [OR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.64) and postcard (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.18-2.02) compared to that in the control group. Of the characteristics investigated, number of high risk co-morbidity was positively associated with vaccination compliance while current smoking was negatively associated. Conclusions : This result suggests that telephone and postcard reminders can significantly improve compliance with influenza vaccination in this group of Korean elderly. However, additional strategies need to be developed to encourage vaccination among noncompliant.