PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of hand acupuncture on reduction of headache. METHOD: This study used a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design. 45 middle school girls who complained of headache were selected as subjects. The study lasted from November 2002 to June 2003. There were 22 girls in the experimental group while 23 girls were control group; convenience assignment was used. The two groups were homogeneous on characteristics. The experimental group received hand acupuncture. The treatment was to puncture corresponding points (A33, B27, M1, I2) on both the palm and the back of a hand with disposable acupuncture needles, and then remove them after a 20-30 minutes recess during which the subjects reclined on a bed. The data were analyzed using the SPSS PC with Fisher's Exact X(2)-test, and Mann Whitney U-test. RESULT: The results of this study were as follows: 1) In the experimental group, objective pain decreased after hand acupuncture (U= -2.51, p= .01). As for the objective pain degree, a significant reduction in voice change was observed in the experimental groups (U= -2.35, p= .02). Facial expressional changes were observed (U= -1.87, p= .06) and perspiration degree (U= -.99, p= .32) has reduced. However, these differences were not statistically significant between the experimental and control group. 2) Subjective pain degree decreased after hand acupuncture in the experimental as compared to the control group. 3) No statistical significant difference in comfort (U= -.29, p= .78) or distress (U= -1.51, p= .13) between experimental and control group were found. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that hand acupuncture is an effective method for reducing headache. Therefore, hand acupuncture can be considered as an independent nursing intervention for headache reduction.
Acupuncture* ; Facial Expression ; Female ; Hand* ; Headache* ; Humans ; Needles ; Nursing ; Punctures ; Voice ; Child Health

OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to investigate the relationship between snack intake and oral health behavior in middle school students in Gyeonggi-do area. METHODS: The survey questionnaire was recorded by middle school students from July 6 to August 24, 2011. The questionnaire included items on general characteristics, snack intake status, and oral health behavior. Among collected survey questionnaire, a total of 620 questionnaires (320 males and 300 females) were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 program. RESULTS: Frequencies of snack and beverage intakes were significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). Oral health behavior was significantly higher in students with lower snack intake compared to those with higher or average snack intake (p < 0.05). Oral health behavior for tooth brushing and toothbrush care were significantly higher in females than in males (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral health behavior score that reflected better oral health of the subjects were higher as the snack intake was lower. Oral health behavior score was higher in females than in males. We conclude that the contents for oral health and nutrition education focused on snack intake need to be developed to induce changes in oral health behavior in middle school students.
Beverages ; Education ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Humans ; Male ; Oral Health* ; Snacks* ; Tooth

PURPOSE: This study focused on affirming of the effects of Dan-jun breathing exercise experienced by women in midlife. METHOD: The data were collected via direct interview from 20 participants, who participated in a Dan-Jun exercise program during three months. Collected data were analyzed by content analysis. RESULT: 1. As for the health problems of women in midlife before the Dan-jun exercise program, 93 items were extracted in the content analysis. These items were categorized into 59 attributes and 15 higher attributes. 1) Of the 59 attributes of health problems, shoulder pain (30%) was the most dominant. 2) The 15 higher attributes consisted for the physical domain of, weakness, pain, joint stiffness, sexual problem, sleep disorder, gastro-intestinal disorder, menstrual irregularity, circulatory disorder, respiratory disorder, constipation, urinary incontinence, and for the psychological domain, anger, emptiness, depression, and anxiety. 2. As for the effects experienced by women in midlife after the Dan-jun exercise program, 169 items were extracted in the content analysis. These items were categorized into 85 attributes and 14 higher attributes. 1) Of 85 attributes, lightening of physical condition (55%) was the most dominant. 2) The higher attributes consisted in physical domain of, recovery of vigor, pain relief, menstrual regularity and improvements in flexibility, sexual problem, sleep disorder, gastro- intestinal disorder, circulatory disorder, constipation, respiratory disorder and urinary incontinence, and for the psychological domain, relaxation, cultured mind and self-confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Dan-jun breathing exercise program for three months showed positive effects on physical and psychological health in women in midlife. In this context, it can be also considered as a significant nursing intervention for maintenance and promotion of the health of these women.
Anger ; Anxiety ; Arthralgia ; Constipation ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Nursing ; Pliability ; Relaxation ; Respiration* ; Shoulder Pain ; Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that have an influence on the pain which patients recognize when receiving an intravenous injection. METHOD: Participants were 111 patients who were admitting to C University Hospital. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 11.0 program. RESULTS: For the participants, factors related to administration of medication were the following: Phlebitis scale, who administers the IV injection, failure to complete the IV injection, explaination of the IV injection and rate of injection. Level of pain, depression and anxiety in the participants was as follows: Pain (4.86+/-2.09), depression (35.76+/-9.91), anxiety (32.34+/-8.87). There were positive correlations between pain and depression (r= .437, p< .000), between pain and anxiety (r= .478, p< .000), and between depression and anxiety (r= .544, p< .000). CONCLUSION: Such findings provide new insights into the dynamic relationships between depression, anxiety and pain which patients recognize when having an intravenous injection. Further studies should be conducted to establish the causal relation between depression, anxiety and pain and to determine appropriate nursing interventions.
Anxiety* ; Depression* ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous* ; Nursing ; Phlebitis

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze the characteristics of which laypersons want the cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) education. METHODS: Based on a health survey(n=913) of 5 remote places in Korea, tests of the differences between the group that wants the CPR education(n=416) and the group that doesn't(n=497), and a logistic regression analysis of two groups was performed on socio-economic status and health-medical conditions. RESULTS: Even the participation rate of the CPR education in Korea is only 5.8%, which is extremely lower than other developed countries, there are statistically significant differences between the group that wants the CPR and the group that doesn't on gender(p=0.001), age(p=0.000), education level(p=0.000), economic status(p=0.007), and CPR education taken(p=0.000), and health status(p=0.042). Furthermore, age(OR=1.599, p=0.002), age(OR=0.964, p=0.000), economic status(OR=0.804, p=0.028), and CPR education taken(OR=2.072, p=0.026) are statistically significant factors on the willingness to receive the CPR education. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there is considerable variation in socio-economic status and health-medical conditions associated with the willingness to receive the CPR education. In remote places. certain subgroups of laypersons such as high-risk patients and family members need targeted outreach programs in CPR education.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Developed Countries ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models

To make the human RPE sheet for the ideal RPE transplantation and to compare growth rate and morphology between the fetal RPE cells of different obsteric age (17, 24, 34 wks)and the adult RPE cells (24 yrs). The RPE sheet was made as follows : (1)the use of dispase for separation of RPE sheet from the choroid and culture dish; (2)cell culture and cryopreservation, (3)skin biopsy punch for adequate size of RPE sheet. The transplantation methods were:the transplantation of RPE sheet into the subretinal space of rabbit was performed by micropipet system after vitrectomy. The growth rate and the morphology between fetal RPE cells and adult RPE cells were compared by light microscope and electron microscope (scanning &transmission). The RPE sheet was made successfully by use of dispase, skin biopsy punch and the cryopreservation and transplanted effectively with micropipet system. There were significant differences not in morphology, but in growth rate (population doubling time: 28.9 (17 wks), 29.1 (24 wks), 30.2 (34 wks), 35.4 hours (24 yrs).p<0.05)between fetal and adult RPE cells. The human RPE sheet can be made and transplanted into rabbit successfully and timely. And fetal RPE cells may be more ideal than adult RPE cells for the RPE transplantation with respect to the higher cell growth rate.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Choroid ; Cryopreservation ; Humans ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Skin ; Vitrectomy

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is a complex condition influenced by many factors. Previous studies have demonstrated that inflammatory markers might play a role in such vascular diseases. Therefore the purpose of this study was to compare the expression of inflammatory markers in Korean ischemic stroke patients and to investigate their relationship to APOE polymorphism. METHODS: The patient group consisted of 275 patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA, n=169) and small artery occlusion (SAO, n=106). One hundred and nineteen age matched healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. Serum levels of three inflammatory markers (matrix metalloproteinase, MMP-9; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, TIMP-1; and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP) were measured in each patient by using commercially available kits. Comparison of clinical risk factors, inflammatory marker levels, and APOE genotypes between the stroke patient group and control group and between the two patient subgroups was assessed. RESULTS: Comparison of the stroke group to control group showed significantly elevated levels of circulating MMP-9 (P<0.01) and hs-CRP (P=0.01). Comparison between the individual subgroups revealed a significantly higher level of only TIMP-1 in the LAA subgroup compared to the SAO subgroup (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in inflammatory marker levels among each allele carrier. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed the obvious tendency of increased circulating inflammatory markers in the patients with acute ischemic attack, especially MMP-9 and hs-CRP. Our observations suggest that measurement of serum MMP-9, TIMP-1, and hs-CRP levels may be useful in the diagnosis of ischemic stroke patients.
Aged ; Apolipoproteins E/*genetics ; Biological Markers/blood ; Brain Ischemia/complications/*diagnosis ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Carotid Artery Diseases/complications ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators/*blood ; Korea ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/blood ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Stroke/*diagnosis/etiology/immunology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/blood

PURPOSE: We evaluated the surgical prognoses of patients with advanced cataract who were unable to be evaluated by fundus imaging and their satisfaction with daily life.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 748 eyes of 480 patients who underwent cataract surgery from January 2015 to December 2017. Preoperative factors, surgical technique, degree of cataract, and the best-corrected visual acuity for 1 and 6 months after surgery were analyzed. Among 91 eyes of 78 patients with advanced cataract who were unable to be evaluated by fundus imaging, the degree of discomfort before surgery and postoperative satisfaction were evaluated.RESULTS: Hypertension was positively correlated with visual acuity after cataract surgery (p = 0.004). Low corneal endothelial cell count, primary open-angle glaucoma, a history of trabeculectomy due to glaucoma, corneal dystrophy or corneal opacity, advanced cataract unable to be evaluated by fundus imaging, hypermature cataract, extracapsular cataract extraction, and intracapsular cataract extraction and visual acuity <0.5 after 1 month showed negative correlations with the visual outcomes after 6 months (p = 0.019, p = 0.002, p = 0.037, p = 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.012, p = 0.00, and p = 0.00, respectively). The risk of a final visual acuity <0.5 after cataract surgery was 3.18-fold higher in cases of advanced cataract, unable to be evaluated by fundus imaging (p = 0.003). Ten patients with 10 eyes postponed surgery due to poor prognoses, which was expected, and six patients (60%) had a best-corrected visual acuity <0.5 after 6 months. Six patients (60%), expected to have a poor prognosis were satisfied after surgery and the postoperative satisfaction was high when compared with a poor visual outcome.CONCLUSIONS: Poor surgical prognoses were expected in advanced cataract patients unable to be evaluated by fundus imaging. However, advanced cataract patients, who postponed surgery due to an unfavorable visual prognosis, showed a higher subjective satisfaction when compared with the postoperative visual acuity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of focal verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients diagnosed with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).METHODS: This study enrolled 52 eyes of 52 patients with chronic CSC who had received verteporfin PDT. The laser spot size of 26 eyes covering only the localized hyperfluorescent area in indocyanine green angiography was classified as focal PDT. The PDT spot size of the other 26 eyes covered the total area of retinal pigment epithelial detachment including the leaking point and was defined as conventional PDT. The central subfield thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness were measured using Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography before PDT and at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after PDT.RESULTS: The mean spot size of the PDT was 1,995 µm in the focal group and 2,995 µm in the conventional group. Central subfield thickness steadily decreased in both groups. The mean baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness for the two groups was 334.95 and 348.35 µm, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.602). Subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly to 304.20 µm at 1 month, 284.85 µm at 3 months, 271.60 µm at 6 months, and 265.95 µm at 12 months in the focal group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively, compared with baseline). In the conventional group, subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly to 318.75, 300, 284, and 272 µm at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 compared with baseline). There were no significant differences between the two groups in subfoveal choroidal thickness based on PDT spot size at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.633, p = 0.625, p = 0.676, and p =0.755, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Focal verteporfin PDT for CSC significantly decreased the subretinal fluid and sufoveal choroidal thickness to the same extent as conventional PDT.
Angiography ; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy ; Choroid ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green ; Photochemotherapy ; Retinal Detachment ; Subretinal Fluid ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: The objective of this prospective study is to assess changes in body mass index(BMI, weight in kilograms/height in meters2) according to age and dosage on epileptic children treated with topiramate. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2008, prospective studies have been performed on 63 children with epilepsy aged below 15 old who had been treated with topiramate. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to age: 2-5 years as a group 1; 6-10 years as a group 2; 11-15 years as a group 3;, and classified into 2 groups according to dosage: from 2 to 5 mg/kg/day as group A, more than 5 mg/kg/day to 8 mg/kg/day as group B. We have checked BMI of patients four times and evaluated the changes in BMI of each group. RESULTS: BMI at initial presentation and follow-up periods of 6, 12, and 24 months is as follows: 16.3+/-1.25, 14.3+/-1.8, 14.2+/-2.4, and 15.7+/-2.1 in the group 1, 18.5+/-1.23, 15.2+/-1.24, 14.8+/-2.27, and 16.8+/-2.5 in the group 2, 21.6+/-2.31, 16.5+/-2.17, 15.4+/-2.56, and 15.1+/-1.3 in the group 3. Comparing with group A and B is as follows: 19.3+/-2.35 and 18.1+/-1.89 at initial presentation, 15.5+/-2.45 and 15.1+/-1.15 at 6 months, 14.9+/-2.15 and 14.7+/-1.91 at 12 months, 15.9+/-1.28 and 16.0+/-1.12 at 24 months. CONCLUSION: The effect of topiramate on changes of BMI shows difference according to age. In groups of 2-10 years old, BMI was rebounded from lowest value after 12 months, however, in the group of 11-15 years old, BMI kept decreasing at 24 months. And dosage of topiramate does not affect to BMI significantly.
Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Epilepsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fructose ; Humans ; Prospective Studies