PUPPOSE: The purposes of the study were 1) to examine what relationships exist between PTE(perceived treatments effect) and PPS (perceived physical suffering) as the independent variables and hope as the dependent variable and 2) to examine whether PTE and PPS predict hope in cancer patients in their post-operative period within the Stotland's hope theory. METHOD: The Visual Analog Scale was used for measuring PTE and PPS and the Kim and Lee's Hope Scale which had acceptable reliability and validity was used for measuring hope. The data was collected from 38 hospitalized cancer patients who were in the post-operative period with a convenient sampling method. RESULT: There was a significant positive relationship between hope and the PTE in the low PTE group. There was a significant negative relationship between hope and the PPS in the low PPS group. There were no significant relationships between hope and the PTE in the high PTE group, and between hope and the PPS in the high PPS group. And the PTE explained hope with 71.2% of the variance in the low PTE group. CONCLUSION: PTE in the low PTE group and PPS in the low PPS group were identified as the factors to explain hope.
Hope* ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; Visual Analog Scale

BACKGROUND: Various kinds of methods had been tried to reduce pain on injection of propofol. In this study, the effect of lidocaine pretreatment and that of temperature controlled injections were compared and evaluated its clinical utility. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients were randomly allocated into 4 groups after permission. Room temperature propofol was used as induction agent in group P,. In group C, cooling (4 degrees C) propofol was used and warming propofol (37 degrees C) in group H. And room temperature propofol following lidocaine (1 mg/kg) was used in group L. Injection dosage of propofol was 2 mg/kg and injection speed was 2 ml/sec in all groups. In each patients, pain score and visual analog scale were measured and tested by ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: There were no statistical significant difference in pain score among the 4 groups. But in visual analog scale analysis, group L markedly reduced values than the other groups by statistically significant manner (in Duncan grouping). CONCLUSION: The alleviating effect of lidocaine pretreatment on painful injection was better than that of changing temperature of propofol itself. More over effectiveness, in view of simplicity, we recommend lidocaine pretreatment.
Humans ; Lidocaine ; Propofol* ; Visual Analog Scale

PURPOSE: Coccygodynia is a painful condition localized in the region of the coccyx. Most cases of coccygodynia are treated conservatively. However, we conducted an analysis of patients who underwent coccygectomy, with chronic intractable coccygodynia and assessed the results of their treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2003 to August 2013, this study was conducted in order to investigate the benefit of coccygectomy in cases where conservative treatment has failed. We compared preoperative and postoperative visual analog scales (VAS) scores and confirmed duration of symptom free, complications. RESULTS: The average duration of symptom free was 3.4 months, and VAS score improved from 7.3 to 1.6. There was one wound infection. CONCLUSION: We can obtain satisfactory results through coccygectomy for chronic intractable coccygodynia.
Coccyx ; Humans ; Visual Analog Scale ; Wound Infection

OBJECTIVE: According to the recent development of minimally invasive spinal surgery, direct lumbar interbody fusion (DLIF) was introduced as an effective option to treat lumbar degenerative diseases. However, comprehensive results of DLIF have not been reported in Korea yet. The object of this study is to summarize radiological and clinical outcomes of our DLIF experience. METHODS: We performed DLIF for 130 patients from May 2011 to June 2013. Among them, 90 patients, who could be followed up for more than 6 months, were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical outcomes were compared using visual analog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bilateral foramen areas, disc height, segmental coronal and sagittal angle, and regional sagittal angle were measured. Additionally, fusion rate was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients, 116 levels, were underwent DLIF. The VAS and ODI improved statistically significant after surgery. All the approaches for DLIF were done on the left side. The left and right side foramen area changed from 99.5 mm2 and 102.9 mm2 to 159.2 mm2 and 151.2 mm2 postoperatively (p<0.001). Pre- and postoperative segmental coronal and sagittal angles changed statistically significant from 4.1degrees and 9.9degrees to 1.1degrees and 11.1degrees. Fusion rates of 6 and 12 months were 60.9% and 87.8%. Complications occurred in 17 patients (18.9%). However, most of the complications were resolved within 2 months. CONCLUSION: DLIF is not only effective for indirect decompression and deformity correction but also shows satisfactory mechanical stability and fusion rate.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Decompression ; Humans ; Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Analog Scale

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, multi-institution, phase III study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Pelubi Sustained Release (SR) Tab in patients with chronic back pain, in comparison with the Pelubi Tab, whose efficacy has already been approved, a phase 3 clinical trial was conducted. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The Pelubi Tab Has shown clinical efficacy in patients with back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 11, 2014 to July 24, 2014, 166 chronic back pain patients were recruited as subjects through a multi-institution, double-blind, random sample. We compared the experimental and control groups' clinical efficacy, which was estimated by the 100-mm Pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after 28 days of medication. We also compared the treatment efficacy of both drugs by using a variation of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Physician Global Assessment (PGA), with the total usage of relief medicine. The side effects and clinical pathology were also noted. RESULTS: Neither group showed a significant difference in 100-mm Pain VAS or ODI variation (p=0.1702, p=0.9041). There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in PGA or total usage of relief medicine. The ODI and PGA variation were not worse in the experimental group than the control group. The two groups showed no significant differences in side effects (p=0.9708). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the Pelubi SR Tab applied to back pain patients was not inferior to the Pelubi Tab and did not show any significant difference in terms of safety. The Pelubi SR Tab can be used with the same expectation of safety as the Pelubi Tab.
Back Pain* ; Humans ; Pathology, Clinical ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Analog Scale

Analysis of scars in various conditions is essential, but no consensus had been reached on the scar assessment scale to select for a given condition. We reviewed papers to determine the scar assessment scale selected depending on the scar condition and treatment method. We searched PubMed for articles published since 2000 with the contents of the scar evaluation using a scar assessment scale with a Journal Citation Report impact factor >0.5. Among them, 96 articles that conducted a scar evaluation using a scar assessment scale were reviewed and analyzed. The scar assessment scales were identified and organized by various criteria. Among the types of scar assessment scales, the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) was found to be the most frequently used scale. As for the assessment of newly developed operative scars, the POSAS was most used. Meanwhile, for categories depending on the treatment methods for preexisting scars, the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used in 6 studies following a laser treatment, the POSAS was used in 7 studies following surgical treatment, and the POSAS was used in 7 studies following a conservative treatment. Within the 12 categories of scar status, the VSS showed the highest frequency in 6 categories and the POSAS showed the highest frequency in the other 6 categories. According to our reviews, the POSAS and VSS are the most frequently used scar assessment scales. In the future, an optimal, universal scar scoring system is needed in order to better evaluate and treat pathologic scarring.
Cicatrix* ; Consensus ; Humans ; Keloid ; Methods ; Visual Analog Scale ; Weights and Measures*

Clozapine has been demonstrated to be useful for treating refractory schizophrenia. However, hypersalivation occurs in 31.0-97.4% of the patients treated with clozapine. Accordingly, some patients who are disturbed by their hypersalivation refuse to continue with clozapine treatment. This study investigated the efficacy of the anticholinergic agent scopolamine butylbromide against clozapine-induced hypersalivation. Five schizophrenia patients were coadministered scopolamine butylbromide (30-60 mg/day) for 4 weeks. At the baseline and after 4 weeks' treatment, we subjectively evaluated hypersalivation using a visual analog scale and objectively assessed it using the Drooling Severity Scale and Drooling Frequency Scale. As a result, improvements in the patients' Drooling Severity Scale and Drooling Frequency Scale scores, but no improvements in their visual analog scale scores, were observed after scopolamine butylbromide treatment. These results indicate that at least some schizophrenic patients with clozapine-induced hypersalivation would benefit from scopolamine butylbromide treatment. We conclude that clozapine-induced hypersalivation is one factor of stress to patients. Subjective hypersalivation was not improved, but objective hypersalivation was, by scopolamine butylbromide treatment. However, scopolamine butylbromide and clozapine possess anticholinergic effects so clinicians should closely monitor patients who take scopolamine butylbromide.
Clozapine ; Humans ; Schizophrenia ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide* ; Sialorrhea* ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVE: The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is a biomechanically and anatomically complex region that has traditionally posed problems for surgical access. In this retrospective study, we describe our clinical experiences of the treatment of metastatic spinal tumors at the CTJ and the results. METHODS: From June 2006 to December 2011, 23 patients who underwent surgery for spinal tumors involving the CTJ were enrolled in our study. All of the patients were operated on through the posterior approach, and extent of resection was classified as radical, debulking, and simple neural decompression. Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) was also considered. Visual analog scale score for pain assessment and Medical Research Council (MRC) grade for motor weakness were used, while pre- and post-operative performance status was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). RESULTS: Almost all of the patients were operated using palliative surgical methods (91.3%, 21/23). Ten complications following surgery occurred and revision was performed in four patients. Of the 23 patients of this study, 22 showed significant pain relief according to their visual analogue scale scores. Concerning the aspect of neurological and functional recovery, mean MRC grade and ECOG score was significantly improved after surgery (p<0.05). In terms of survival, radiation therapy had a significant role. Median overall survival was 124 days after surgery, and the adjuvant-RT group (median 214 days) had longer survival times than prior-RT (63 days) group. CONCLUSION: Although surgical procedure in CTJ may be difficult, we expect good clinical results by adopting a palliative posterior surgical method with appropriate preoperative preparation and postoperative treatment.
Decompression ; Humans ; Pain Measurement ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVE: In Korea, direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) was started since 2011, using standard cage (6degrees lordotic angle, 18mm width). Recently, a new wider cage with higher lordotic angle (12degrees, 22mm) was introduced. The aim of our study is to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes of the two cage types. METHODS: We selected patients underwent DLIF, 125 cases used standard cages (standard group) and 38 cases used new cages (wide group). We followed them up for more than 6 months, and their radiological and clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. For radiologic outcomes, lumbar lordotic angle (LLA), segmental lordoic angle (SLA), disc angle (DA), foraminal height change (FH), subsidence and intraoperative endplate destruction (iED) were checked. Clinical outcomes were compared using visual analog scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and complications. RESULTS: LLA and SLA showed no significant changes postoperatively in both groups. DA showed significant increase after surgery in the wide group (p<0.05), but not in the standard group. Subsidence was significantly lower in the wide group (p<0.05). There was no difference in clinical outcomes between the two groups. Additional posterior decompression was done more frequently in the wide group. Postoperative change of foraminal height was significantly lower in the wide group (p<0.05). The iED was observed more frequently in the wide group (p<0.05) especially at the anterior edge of cage. CONCLUSION: The new type of cage seems to result in more DA and less subsidence. But indirect foraminal decompression seems to be less effective than standard cage. Intraoperative endplate destruction occurs more frequently due to a steeper lordotic angle of the new cage.
Decompression ; Humans ; Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Analog Scale

BACKGROUND: High monitors are patients who require information on anesthesia and surgery and generally carry out active searches. These patients will benefit from more information related to surgery preoperatively whereas low monitors will benefit from less detailed information. This study examined whether or not patients' desire for information related to anesthesia and surgery differ according to their coping style classified by the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). METHODS: 465 patients were asked to fill out the questionnaires in APAIS, State-Trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and also to mark their perception on a 10 cm line in a visual analog scale (VAS). The APAIS with the other subjective measurements of anxiety were evaluated according to their gender, ASA class, past history of surgery and degree of education. Thirteen questionnaires were evaluated according to their coping styles. RESULTS: High monitors wanted to know all 13 questions compared with low monitors, whereas low monitors preferred not to know (P < 0.05). The APAIS has a significant relationship with the VAS and STAI (P < 0.05). Women, patients with no prior history of surgery, and patients with ASA 2 were significantly more anxious than men, patients with a prior experience of surgery and ASA 1 patients, respectively (P < 0.05). The VAS and APAIS were in good agreement in defining patients as anxious and there were significant correlations between the two instruments (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The APAIS can be used as an efficient tool for identifying patients who are particularly anxious or require information.
Anesthesia* ; Anxiety* ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Visual Analog Scale