The Effect of Self Reflection Meditation Program on the Job Stress and Psychosocial Health of Government Staffs / 의료커뮤니케이션

BACKGROUND: The government staffs studied in this research has been easily exposed to excessive job stress, which can lead to a variety of psychosocial problems and poor quality of life. In this study, we examined the effect of the self reflection meditation program on the psychosocial health and stress responses of government staffs, to suggest the intervention program improving psychosocial health and quality of life in government staffs.METHODS: In this study, we measured the conditions of 36 local government staffs based on self reflection scale, psychosocial health and stress score before and after implementing the short-term intensive meditation program.RESULTS: The results showed that there were significant increase in social role performance and self confidence(p=.003), general health and vitality(p=.019) and significant decrease in stress(p=.010). This change was prominently showed in administrative officer and depression and anxiety(p=.034) also significantly decreased after program.CONCLUSION: Self reflection meditation program was effective in improving the psychosocial health and physical health of government staffs. Therefore, self reflection meditation program could be proposed as program for stress management and promotion of quality of life in government staff.

Analysis of Work Performance and Related Factors of Construction Site Health Manager / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE@#The purpose of this study was to understand the present status of the work performance of the construction industry health managers and the developmental direction for the construction industry health management.@*METHODS@#The subjects of this study were 149 health managers working in the construction industry. Data of a total of 130 participants were analyzed by excluding the missing data among field workers. The contents of the survey were the characteristics of the workplace, the difficulties and requirements of health management, and the level of job performance.@*RESULTS@#The factors affecting measuring work environment task were age, number of workers, number of safety managers, and lack of support from the headquarters. The factors affecting managing work environment and physicochemical harmful factors were age, type of contract and conflicting business opinions. The factors affecting implementing health examination were age, type of contract, and number of safety managers. The factors affecting healthcare were age, type of contract, number of safety manager, presence of healthcare room, and conflicting business opinions.@*CONCLUSION@#It is necessary to provide practical guidance and practical resources, and education for strengthening capacity. The support for business owners and managers support is needed.

Effects of Repetitive Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation on Patients With Acute Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of real repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) treatment compared to sham rPMS treatment on pain reduction and functional recovery of patients with acute low back pain. METHODS: A total of 26 patients with acute low back pain were randomly allocated to the real rPMS group and the sham rPMS group. Subjects were then administered a total of 10 treatment sessions. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was assessed before and after each session. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) were employed to assess functional recovery at baseline and after sessions 5 and 10. RESULTS: Real rPMS treatment showed significant pain reduction immediately after each session. Sustained and significant pain relief was observed after administering only one session in the real rPMS group. Significant functional improvement was observed in the real rPMS group compared to that in the sham rPMS group after sessions 5 and 10 based on ODI and after session 5 based on RMDQ. CONCLUSION: Real rPMS treatment has immediate effect on pain reduction and sustained effect on pain relief for patients with acute low back pain compared to sham rPMS.

Analysis of Work Performance and Related Factors of Construction Site Health Manager / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the present status of the work performance of the construction industry health managers and the developmental direction for the construction industry health management. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 149 health managers working in the construction industry. Data of a total of 130 participants were analyzed by excluding the missing data among field workers. The contents of the survey were the characteristics of the workplace, the difficulties and requirements of health management, and the level of job performance. RESULTS: The factors affecting measuring work environment task were age, number of workers, number of safety managers, and lack of support from the headquarters. The factors affecting managing work environment and physicochemical harmful factors were age, type of contract and conflicting business opinions. The factors affecting implementing health examination were age, type of contract, and number of safety managers. The factors affecting healthcare were age, type of contract, number of safety manager, presence of healthcare room, and conflicting business opinions. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to provide practical guidance and practical resources, and education for strengthening capacity. The support for business owners and managers support is needed.

Analysis of Cost Benefit Related to Appointing a Health Care Manager in the Construction Industry / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The construction worker has diverse harmful factors such as noise, dust, and dealing with chemicals. Therefore this research aimed to examine the necessity of appointing a health manager in the construction industry by examining the cost-benefit analysis when the construction industry appoints a health manager. METHODS: In order to calculate the healthcare staff employment cost and the benefits from their activities in 1,425 construction companies with the staff of 300 or more people during 2011, this study analyzed existing data and existing research data, as well as national data. RESULTS: Total annual costs were 99,920,070,900 won and total annual benefits were 324,807,182,625 won. Benefits were found to be 224,887,111,725 won exceeding costs. Benefit/cost ratio resulting from appointing a health manager in the construction industry workplaces was 3.25 times. CONCLUSION: The findings of this research can be used as the base data to make rational decision to positively encourage the employment of healthcare staff in construction companies pursuant to relevant laws.

Bilateral Anterior Opercular Syndrome With Partial Kluver-Bucy Syndrome in a Stroke Patient: A Case Report

Bilateral anterior opercular syndrome and partial Kluver-Bucy syndrome are associated with bilateral middle cerebral artery lesions. The combination of these two syndromes has only been reported in a child with limbic encephalitis. In this case, a 44-year-old woman with bilateral middle cerebral artery infarction, which occurred 2 years prior, could walk independently. However, she showed automatic-voluntary dissociation and anarthria with preserved writing skills. She also presented hypersexuality, hypermetamorphosis, and memory disturbances. Here, we report a case of an adult stroke patient who suffered from bilateral anterior opercular syndrome accompanied by partial Kluver-Bucy syndrome.

Bilateral Anterior Opercular Syndrome With Partial Kluver-Bucy Syndrome in a Stroke Patient: A Case Report

Bilateral anterior opercular syndrome and partial Kluver-Bucy syndrome are associated with bilateral middle cerebral artery lesions. The combination of these two syndromes has only been reported in a child with limbic encephalitis. In this case, a 44-year-old woman with bilateral middle cerebral artery infarction, which occurred 2 years prior, could walk independently. However, she showed automatic-voluntary dissociation and anarthria with preserved writing skills. She also presented hypersexuality, hypermetamorphosis, and memory disturbances. Here, we report a case of an adult stroke patient who suffered from bilateral anterior opercular syndrome accompanied by partial Kluver-Bucy syndrome.

Effects of Indoor Rowing Exercise on the Body Composition and the Scoliosis of Visually Impaired People: A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of rowing exercise on body composition, laboratory data, fitness and scoliosis in visually impaired people. The majority of visually impaired people do not participate in active sports due to efficiency and safety issues. Rowing is a safe whole-body exercise with aerobic and anaerobic components. METHODS: Twenty subjects were recruited from among those admitted to a facility for visually impaired people (16 men and 4 women). Laboratory data, body composition, physical fitness, Cobb's angle, and fall index were checked before and after 6 weeks (5 days a week) of indoor rowing using Concept2 Model E. RESULTS: After the training, fat mass and total body fat percent decreased significantly. In the fitness test, back strength and trunk flexion score increased significantly. Laboratory data showed significant increases in serum protein and albumin and decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. There were 9 subjects with scoliosis and after the training Cobb's angle decreased by 1.11degrees+/-1.55degrees, though this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Visually impaired people frequently have abnormal body composition, low physical fitness, and scoliosis. A rowing exercise program can be helpful, with a positive effect on body composition and physical fitness; however, with respect to scoliosis, we need an earlier intervention program in visually impaired people.

Association between Job-related Factors and Metabolic Syndrome among Male and Female Workers: Using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study is performed to help manage the metabolic syndrome in work place by identifying the effect on metabolic syndrome with subjects of Korean adult workers. METHODS: Using part of data of "The Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination survey 2nd year (2008)" which center for disease control is investigating. The general characteristics include age, educational level, occupation and marital status as factors affecting the metabolic syndrome of workers in this study. RESULTS: Work-related factors are the working environment in which they are working while they are pressed for time due to work status and overload. If the work status of worker is unpaid family member, the risk is increased by more than twice compared to paid workers. The risk for metabolic syndrome in work environment to work while fighting the clock is decreased compared to the work environment without time pressure. CONCLUSION: In order to manage the metabolic syndrome of workers, health promotion program to change management of both working condition and working environment can contribute to prevent the metabolic syndrome and ultimately prevent the cerebrocardiovascular diseases.

Fifteen-year Experience with Telemedicine Services in Gangwon Province in Korea / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study attempted to identify the factors that contribute to successful telemedicine service. This was done by analyzing the operational state of successful telemedicine services offered in Gangwon Province of Korea and their outcome for the last fifteen years. METHODS: A comparative analysis was made based on reports and a thesis on the satisfaction rate of patients and providers, patient compliance to treatment, and economic assessment of Gangwon telemedicine service, which were carried out in three periods: the years 2006, 2010, and 2012. RESULTS: The satisfaction surveys in all three periods showed similar results for patients (4.46+/-0.70 point) and healthcare practitioners, including nurses (3.82+/-0.62 point) and physicians (3.60+/-0.56 point), in decreasing order from the year 2012. Through the survey of patients' compliance with treatment, it was confirmed that telemedicine services increased patients' compliance with drug administration, facilitated improvement of lifestyle habits, improved glycated hemoglobin for patients with diabetes mellitus, and enhanced the rate of blood pressure control. In the survey conducted on patients' willingness to pay for telemedicine services in 2007, it was found that those patients were willing to pay about $3.5 for services. CONCLUSIONS: The telemedicine services of Gangwon Province increased patients' compliance with drug administration, improved blood glucose control, enhanced blood pressure control for patients with hypertension, and provided economic advantage.

Neuralgic Amyotrophy Manifesting as Mimicking Posterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy

The upper trunk of the brachial plexus is the most common area affected by neuralgic amyotrophy (NA), and paresis of the shoulder girdle muscle is the most prevalent manifestation. Posterior interosseous nerve palsy is a rare presentation in patients with NA. It results in dropped finger on the affected side and may be misdiagnosed as entrapment syndrome or compressive neuropathy. We report an unusual case of NA manifested as PIN palsy and suggest that knowledge of clinical NA phenotypes is crucial for early diagnosis of peripheral nerve palsies.

Relationship of Shift Work to Gastrointestinal Disorders in Hospital Nurses

BACKGROUND: This study researched the relationship between shift work and one of its relevant health problems, functional gastrointestinal disorders. The study targeted nurses working at a university hospital, and compared the differences in gastrointestinal disorders of shift workers and non-shift workers and identified causes that significantly influence these symptoms. METHODS: In August 2013, a self-report survey was conducted on nurses working at a university hospital. Among those sent out, 1,201 responded and 851 were used for the final analysis. RESULTS: It was shown that the frequency of gastrointestinal disorders in shift workers was 1.881 times higher than that of non-shift workers. Factors that influenced gastrointestinal disorders included age, marital status, work duration, type of employment, job satisfaction, and perceived health status. Gastrointestinal disorders were seen more often with older age, being married, longer duration of employment, non-regular worker, low job satisfaction, bad perceived health status, and shift works. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent gastrointestinal disorders in nurses who work shifts, a health checkup system should be in place for clinical nurses who are of older age and have longer employment records. To decrease the causes of gastrointestinal disorders, campaigns suggesting regular diet and quitting alcohol use should be held consistently. Also, a category related to gastrointestinal disorders should be added to the employee health checkup for nurses with long work experience.

Traumatic Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation Presenting With Dysphagia as the Chief Complaint: A Case Report

We report a patient with traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation who presented with dysphagia as the chief complaint. A 59-year-old man complained of swallowing difficulty for 2 months after trauma to the neck. On physical examination, there was atrophy of the right sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles, and the tongue was deviated to the right. In a videofluoroscopic swallowing study, penetration and aspiration were not seen, food residue remained in the right vallecula and pyriform sinus, and there was decreased motion of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx. Electromyography confirmed a right spinal accessory nerve lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed atlanto-occipital dislocation. Dysphagia in atlanto-occipital dislocation is induced by medullary compression and lower cranial nerve injury. Therefore, in survivors who are diagnosed with atlanto-occipital dislocation, any neurological symptoms should be carefully evaluated.

Effects of the Off-Loading Brace on the Activation of Femoral Muscles: A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: To provide the off-loading knee brace was designed relief for the pain associated with osteoarthritis by reduce loads on the degenerative compartment of the knee. This study examined the effects of the off-loading knee brace on activation of femoral muscles during squatting, slow and fast walking exercise in healthy young individuals. METHOD: Ten healthy male subjects without a history of knee pain were recruited. Each subject was asked to do squatting, slow and fast walking exercises with a brace secured to the dominant leg. The same exercises were repeated without the brace. Surface electromyographic (sEMG) data was collected from the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles from the dominant side of the leg. All dynamic root mean squre (RMS) values of sEMG were standardized to static RMS values of the maximal isometric contraction and expressed as a percentage of maximal activity. RESULTS: We found that VMO activity was significantly decreased with application of the off-loading knee brace during squatting and fast walking exercise. However there were no significant differences in VMO activity with application of the off-loading knee brace during slow walking exercise. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the external moment of the brace which effectively stabilized the patella in the movement in which the knee joints become relatively unstable. The brace could be useful in the short term, but for long-term use, weakening of the VMO is predicted. Therefore the program of selective muscular strength strengthening for the VMO should be emphasized.

Validity of Two Kinds of Physical Activity Tracker for Measuring Total Calorie Expenditures and Activities above Moderate Intensity

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of two kinds of physical activity trackers (PAT) during treadmill exercise. METHOD: 14 healthy people performed cardiopulmonary exercise test by means of Bruce protocol. The omnidirectional PATs were placed onto the right wrist and ankle, and the temperature sensing PATs were placed onto the right arm and lower leg. Simultaneous measurement of body motion was continuously recorded during cardiopulmonary exercise test. Then we checked total calorie expenditure and duration above moderated intensity activity (>3 METs) from each PATs and gas analyzer. RESULTS: Total calorie expenditures of PAT were significantly underestimated than gas analyzer, except the temperature sensing PAT applied onto the leg, but all of them showed significant correlation. The duration above moderate intensity activity of the PAT did not show significant difference comparing with gas analyzer, except the omnidirectional PAT applied onto the arm, but all of them showed significant correlation. CONCLUSION: Both omnidirectional PATs and temperature sensing PATs could estimate the total calorie expenditure and the duration above moderate intensity activity. But it is necessary to apply exercise-specific protocol to PAT to enhance the accuracy of estimating energy expenditure during periods of exercise.

The Activities of Trapezius and Deltoid in Rotator Cuff Tear Patients Injected Local Anesthetics in Subacromial Space

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activities of upper trapezius and deltoid muscles in shoulder abduction in full can and empty can position in rotator cuff tear patients. METHOD: Twelve subjects with right rotator cuff tear patients participated in this study. Each subject performed scapular plane abduction with humeral external rotation (full can position) and with humeral internal rotation (empty can position). Electromyography (EMG) was recorded with surface electrodes at the both upper trapezius, anterior, lateral, and posterior deltoid muscles during shoulder abduction. The EMG activity of each muscle was normalized according to the highest EMG activity during a maximum manual muscle test for the corresponding muscle. RESULTS: Muscle activities of the lesion side's upper trapezius and lateral deltoid were significantly greater than those of the normal side in full can position. In empty can position, the activities of upper trapezius, anterior, and lateral deltoid increased in lesion side. In comparison between full can and empty can exercises, over 30degrees abduction arcs, empty can exercise showed increased muscle activities of upper trapezius and all deltoid muscle in lesion side. In contrast, anterior and lateral deltoid only showed increased in the muscle activities under empty can exercise in sound side. CONCLUSION: Rotator cuff tear is involved in changed the activities of upper trapezius and deltoid muscles. And these results suggested that in rotator cuff tear patients, the changed pattern of muscle contraction should be considered in shoulder exercise.

Motor Imagery and Action Observation

In the rehabilitation, the real executive movement has been considered the main tool for motor recovery and motor learning. Many studies reported that active exercising creates a flow of sensory information which can change neuroplasticity. Recently the numerous studies report that both the imagery and the observation of a movement increase corticospinal excitability of primary motor cortex and activation of M1 area similar to the real execution of the movement. And the studies also report that these central activations occur in a specific manner. Now many people consider the imagery and observation can be a new therapeutic tool in rehabilitation especially for who can not execute a real motion at all due to neurologic deficit. We will review the articles reported the central nerve system changes by the imagery and observation of an action compared with the executive motion. And most of these experimental studies were based on the results of the healthy subjects, we discussed about the limitation of these therapeutic strategies according to the aging process and to the brain dysfunction.

Comparison of Peak Torque according to Size of the Rotator Cuff Tear Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the peak torque of shoulder according to the size of the rotator cuff tear. METHOD: With 26 patients of unilateral rotator cuff tear, we measured the concentric isokinetic peak torque of shoulder, using Con-Trex isokinetic dynamometer (CMV AG, Deubendorf, Switzerland). We measured flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external rotation, and internal rotation torques and calculated the peak toque ratio of flexion/ extension, abduction/adduction and external rotation/internal rotation. Before the test, we injected 1% lidocaine to the subacromial bursa to minimize the error that can be caused by pain. The difference of peak torque according to the size of tear was compared. RESULTS: Comparing the peak torque between affected and sound side, significant difference in flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation were shown, but there were no difference in peak torque's ratio in flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and internal rotation/external rotation. When we compared the peak torque according to the tear size, it didn't show significant difference and also there were no difference of peak torque's ratio in flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, internal rotation/external rotation. CONCLUSION: When we measured the shoulder's strength of rotator cuff tear, peak torque decreased in all motion. But the peak torque's loss and peak torque's ratio is not related with size of tear.

u-Health for Management of Chronic Diseases: Physical Activity and Therapeutic Exercise

Recently, the aging society is facing with the rapid increase of chronic diseases. Despite the advanced medical technology, chronic diseases have not comprehensively managed yet. In the modern society, many people have to spend their extended life span suffering from chronic diseases and disabilities, and also a huge medical cost has emerged as a serious social problem. With IT improvement, u-health system has been developed to link home and medical service systems by arranging medical data, decision making and medical guidelines for various situations. It can promote the therapeutic compliance for the patients with chronic diseases. And also for the medical service providers, it can provide useful data to make an accurate medical decision. As we know, the chronic disease is caused by inactivity and the management of chronic disease requires the modification of inactive life style. U-health medical fitness system can not only prescribe proper activity to control the chronic disease but also it can monitor the patients' physical activity in everyday life. By the successful management of chronic diseases based on u-health system, we want to achieve the expansion of disease-free and disability-free life expectancy and a solution to reduce the burden of medical expenses in modern society eventually.

Effect of Intradermal Injection of Placenta Hydrolysate to Postburn Hyperpigmented Skin

PURPOSE: The skin hyperpigmentation or hypermelanosis caused by burns results in social withdrawal due to cosmetic problem and depression as a psychiatric aspect. The treatment of the skin hyperpigmentation includes sunscreen, whitening material, skin massage, laser therapy and plastic surgery. Placenta extract can be used to reduce and inactivate the synthesis of the important enzyme (tyrosinase) that compose melanin. This study was performed to estimate the effect of intradermal injection of placenta extract (placenta hydrolysate) for the postburn hyperpigmentation. METHODS: Total 10 subjects who have postburn hyperpigmentation were selected. Two sites of skin area from each subject were randomly selected as possible as symmetrical body area, the one site was to be 'treated site' with placenta extract, the other site was untreated 'control site'. The injection was performed weekly for about 4 weeks only to the 'treated site', not to the control site. The both site were measured by pigment index using Mexameter. The index was also converted to the percentage that indicate a change of after-injection to before-injection. RESULTS: The pigment index of 'treated site' was 399.5+/-63.9 before treatment, and then it had decreased to 333.6+/-59.5 after 4 weeks of injection. The change after injection compared to before injection was significant statistically (p0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, in the posttburn hyperpigmentation scar, the intradermal injection of placenta extract may be helpful in the management of hyperpigmentation or rehabilitation process of the hypertrophic scar.