BACKGROUND: Care for prehospital cardiac arrest is one of the major concerns of emergency medical services. But, in Korea, prehospital emergency medical service systems are not yet well established. We tried to offer one of the fundamental data for development of these systems. METHODS: After application of exclusion criteria, 183 patients who transferred to emergency center of our hospital after cardiac arrest in consecutive 24 months from Jan,1,1994 to Dec,31,1995 were included in this study. Retrospective review of the hospital charts of these patients was done. For statistical analysis, we divided patients to some categories. t-test or chi-square analysis was used. RESULTS: 24 patients of the 183 patients were secondary visitors(cardiac arrest was occurred during transfer from other hospitals), 159 patients were primary visitors. In the primary visitor group, only one third was ambulance visitors, and there is no statistical differences between arrest time of ambulance visitors and non-ambulance visitors(35+/-27 vs 37+/-24 min, p=NS). No organized bystander CPR was done. After arrival, 131 patients received CPR and 87 patients(66.4%) were not responded, 31 patients(23.1%) experienced transient ROSC, 13 patients(10.0%) survived until discharge, and only 2 patients(1.5%) were returned to their lives. CONCLUSION: We failed to find significant statistical survival differences between ambulance visitors and non-ambulance visitors, between presumed cardiac etiology group and non-cardiac etiology group. Survival rate was high in witnessed arrest group than unwitnessed arrest group(14.5% vs 2.1%, p=0.015).
Ambulances ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

During hypnosis patients sometimes fantasize entire complex scenarios and later define these experiences as memories of actual events rather than as imaginings. This article examines 2 cases reporting past-life identity during hypnotic trance state. In each case, elicitation of the past-life events is associated with social constructions, hypnotic procedures and structured interviews which provide demands for the requisite experiences, and which then legitimate the experiences as past-life identities. These 2 cases show their own idiopathic psychodynamics symbolically through past-life regression during hypnosis. This article supports the hypothesis that recall is reconstructive and organized in terms of current expectations and beliefs.
Humans ; Hypnosis*

BACKGROUND: Sustained-release theophylline, which is generally prescribed as a twice-daily equal-dose regimen, is one of the more common asthma treatments. the development of a sustained-release drug delivery technology that enables improved control of the theophylline blood levels represents a significant advancement in both the efficacy and safety of dosing. METHOD: A crossover study was conducted with 25 adult chronic asthmatic patients requiring daily bronchodilator therapy. The study group included thirteen males and twelve females with ages ranging from 19 to 71 years. The overall approach was to place the patients first on the twice-daily preparation(Etheophyl®) for 28 days at 8 AM and 8 PM, and measure the pulmonary function and theophylline level on the 28th day. the patients were subsequently switched to the once-daily preparation(Uniphyl®) in the same daily dose at 8 PM on the 29th day and the same parameters were measured on the 56th day. RESULTS: the mean serum levels of theophylline were 8.18±1.66µg/ml in the Etheophyl®-treated period and 8.00±1.75µg/ml in the Uniphyl®-treated period. In addition, the FEV1 showed 71.40±7.48 percent in the Etheophyl®-treated and 69.18±9.00 percent in the Uniphyl®-treated period. Thus there were no significant differences between the once-daily and twice-daily preparation. CONCLUSION: The results indicated little clinical differences between the two medication. The two drugs are equally effective in controlling asthma over the four weeks of treatment.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Theophylline

Hypnobehavioral therapy was used to treat a 22-year-old male soldier for a stuttering problem, which began from the high school age and persisted f3r an ensuing 7-year period. A detailed clinical report illustrates how hypnosis was integrated with behavior modification to treat a rather distressing speech disorder. It seems reasonable that an active or behavioral component of suggestion may well produce more desirable changes in a resistant symptom such as stuttering. Alter the first hypnobehavioral therapy session, the patient realized that all was not hopeless. Results of this hypnobehavioral therapy Proved successful and facilitative.
Behavior Therapy ; Humans ; Hypnosis ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Stuttering ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of smoking upon cardiopulmonary function, maximal oxygen uptake, and obesity index, in middle-aged and older workers to propose guidelines on healthcare for these age groups. METHODS: This study analyzed medical data from 2,753 white-collar workers aged 50 years or older from workplaces located in Seoul, South Korea. Blood pressure (BP), resting heart rate, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and body mass index (BMI) of each subject were measured. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: In the smoking group BP and resting heart rate were significantly higher than in the non-smoking and smoking-cessation groups (p < 0.05). In addition, VO2max was lower in the smoking group compared to the other 2 groups. BP closely correlated with resting heart rate, abdominal fat ratio, and BMI. BMI was the highest in the group that stopped smoking and, BMI and abdominal fat ratio negatively correlated with VO2max. CONCLUSION: Smoking increases the risk of cardiopulmonary disease but obesity may be caused by stopping smoking. Therefore, healthcare guidelines on smoking cessation should also include nutritional advice.
Abdominal Fat ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Delivery of Health Care ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Korea ; Obesity* ; Oxygen* ; Seoul ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the current state of physical activity in adults with diabetes and to investigate the effect of physical activity on depression. METHODS: The present study was conducted using data from the 2nd year of the 6th Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. From the total of 7,550 individuals, 418 adults diagnosed with diabetes were selected as participants, and their physical activity and depression levels were examined. RESULTS: The physical activity status of the participants showed that they did not usually engage in physical activities at work, and only a few participants were involved in moderate intensity physical leisure activity. Apart from walking for 10 minutes each day, which accounted for 1/3 of the participants, most of the participants did not engage in specific forms of exercise. An examination of the effects of physical activity on depression revealed that moderate intensity physical activity at work and leisure influenced depression. In terms of demographic characteristics, gender, occupation, income quintile, and subjective health status were all found to affect depression. CONCLUSION: For elderly (60 years or older) patients with diabetes, which accounted for the majority of the diabetic population, a systematic leisure program and professional education are necessary to help them to manage stress and depression in daily life. Additionally, provision of community and family support should encourage regular, moderate intensity exercise and promote lifestyle changes to encourage increased physical activity.
Adult* ; Aged ; Depression* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Education, Professional ; Humans ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Life Style ; Motor Activity* ; Occupations ; Walking

A rectocele with a weakened rectovaginal septum can be repaired with various surgical techniques. We performed laparoscopic posterior vaginal wall repair and rectovaginal septal reinforcement without mesh using a modified transperineal approach. A 63-year-old woman with outlet dysfunction constipation complained of lower pelvic pressure and sense of heaviness for 30 years. Initial defecography showed an anterior rectocele with a 45-mm anterior bulge and perineal descent. Laparoscopic procedures included peritoneal and rectovaginal septal dissection directed toward the perineal body, rectovaginal septal suturing, and peritoneal closure. The patient started a soft diet the following day and was discharged on the 5th postoperative day without any complications. The patient had no dyschezia or dyspareunia, and no problem with bowel function; 3-month follow-up defecography showed a decrease in bulging to 18 mm. Laparoscopic posterior vaginal wall and rectovaginal septal repair is safe and feasible for treatment of a rectocele, and enables early recovery.
Constipation ; Defecography ; Diet ; Dyspareunia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Rectocele*

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of mixed cognitive intervention training using spaced retrieval training, and errorless learning in participants with early onset dementia.This was based on reality orientation therapy for cognitive function, depression, and occupational performance of patients. Methods: Two early onset vascular dementia patients (> 65 years) with mild or moderate impairment were enrolled in a pre-test - post-test single-subject research design study. Prior to the study, the caregivers were interviewed about meaningful times, people, places, and areas of interest for the participant. A list of individual training words were selected based upon this information, and the participant was instructed to recall them after a 45-second, 90-second, 6-minute, and 12-minute delay. Baseline (3 sessions), intervention (20 sessions), and a second baseline period (3 sessions) were conducted. Activities of daily living were measured, and cognition was measured using the Consortium to Establish a Registry of Alzheimer’s Disease Korean version, whilst depression was measured using the Korean Form Geriatric Depression Scale, and task performance and satisfaction measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Results: After intervention, both participants showed improvements in activities of daily living (ADL), word list memory/recognition, trail making A, occupational performance, and satisfaction improvement, which was clinically significant in 1 participant who also had a reduced score in the scale of depression classifying him as not depressed. Conclusion Spaced retrieval training and errorless learning based on reality orientation therapy is an effective intervention in patients with early onset dementia and mild or moderate impairment.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of daily living dual-task training focused on improving attention and executive function of the upper extremities, cognitive function, and quality of life in stroke patients. Methods: We included 30 stroke patients who were hospitalized between July 2020 and October 2020. They were divided into experimental and control groups through randomization. The experimental group performed 20 minutes of dual-task training and received 10 minutes of conventional occupational therapy, while the control group performed 20 minutes of single-task training and received 10 minutes of conventional occupational therapy. Both groups underwent their respective rehabilitation for 30 minutes per session, 5 times per week for 5 weeks. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in upper extremity function, cognitive function, and quality of life; the experimental group showed higher results for all items. A significant between-group difference was observed in the magnitude of the changes. Conclusion In stroke patients, dual-task training that combined attention and executive function with daily living activities was found to be meaningful, as it encouraged active participation and motivation. This study is expected to be used as a foundation for future interventions for stroke patients.

Purpose: Since 2016, the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) algorithm has been applied to the triage process in the emergency departments (EDs) of Korea. This study aimed to investigate the facilitators of and barriers to a well-run triage function based on how Korean emergency nurses perceived the triage process and their experiences with it. Methods: Data were collected using focus group interviews from June 2018 to January 2019. Twenty emergency nurses were divided into two junior and four senior groups based on their level of clinical experience. All interviews were recorded as they were spoken and transcribed. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The participants recognized the need for the KTAS algorithm to efficiently classify emergency patients and were working on it properly. According to the data, we extracted 4 themes and 20 subthemes. Four themes were as follows: (1) awareness about the necessity of triage, (2) facilitators to triage process, (3) barriers to triage process, and (4) suggestions for the establishment and development of triage. Conclusion From the findings of this study, various vulnerabilities of the triage process were identified, and solutions were suggested from the emergency nurses’ perspective. Educational, staffing, financial support, and periodic updates of the KTAS are needed to promote the triage process in the future.