Diosgenin improves functional recovery from sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats.

Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in chronic pain and severe functional deficit. Diosgenin is a plant steroidal saponin and has anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. In the present study, we investigated the effect of diosgenin on functional recovery following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats.

The influence of the vibration form roller exercise on the pains in the muscles around the hip joint and the joint performance.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of the vibration form-roller exercise on the pain in the hip joint and the joint performances. [Subjects and Methods] 30 adult patients were randomly sampled and divided into form-roller group (15) and the vibration form-roller group (15). The two groups were exposed to an exercise regimen of 3 sessions per week, over 4 weeks.

The effects of exercise training using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on breathing in patients with chronic stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate the effect of exercise training using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on breathing in patients with chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty chronic stroke patients who do not show abnormal response to electric stimulation were enrolled in this study and each 15 subjects were randomized either into the study group and the sham-controlled group. The subjects performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 20 minutes while tDCS device was attached to them (for study group, the device was on while for the sham-controlled group, the device was turned off 30 seconds later) [Results] The results of FVC, FEF1 and FEV1/FVC in the study group and those of FVC and FEV1 in the sham-controlled group were significantly increased after the breathing exercise.

Influence of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise programs on idiopathic scoliosis patient in the early 20s in terms of curves and balancing abilities: single case study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise programs for idiopathic scoliosis with a female patient in the early 20s in terms of her spinal curve and balancing abilities. The study subject was selected among 21-year-old female college students. There were no particular activities that the subject could not perform, but patient complained of difficulty in maintaining the standing position for a prolonged time.

Undergraduate nursing student mentors' experiences of peer mentoring in Korea: A qualitative analysis.

Background: Although mentoring involves the achievement of a mutual relationship between mentors and mentees, most studies have focused on the effects of mentoring on the mentees rather than that on the mentors, which necessitates the need to identify mentors' experiences to provide original resources for mentoring.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the mentoring experience of nursing students who participated as mentors in a mentoring learning program, to offer evidence-based resources for nursing educators to develop mentoring programs and to use mentorship as an educational method.

Design: A qualitative content analysis of transcribed focus groups was conducted to describe and explore the undergraduate nursing students' mentoring experiences.

Factors Associated with Perceived Depression of Korean Adults: Secondary Data from the Korean Community Health Survey.

This study was aimed to identify factors related with Korean adults' depression in a community population using secondary data from the Korean Community Health Survey. The results showed factors associated with the Korean adults' perceived depression were subjective health, alcohol drinking, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hours of sleep, activity impairments, and stress. Result of this study proposes that community mental health services are required to the population who has problems of activity impairment due to acute or chronic health status, which suggests having mental health problems such as alcohol drinking, smoking, depression, or stress.

Effects of the combined PNF and deep breathing exercises on the ROM and the VAS score of a frozen shoulder patient: Single case study.

This study was conducted to examine the influence of combined exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and deep breathing exercise on range of motion (ROM) and visual analog scale (VAS) score in acute frozen shoulder patient. The subject of this study was woman complained disabilities in daily routine due as a frozen left shoulder. The exercise program was composed of 11 sessions and continued four weeks.

Effect of different hand positions on trunk and shoulder kinematics and reaction forces in sitting pivot transfer.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in trunk and shoulder angles, and reaction forces under the two hands elicited by different hand base of support positions during sitting pivot transfer. [Subjects and Methods] Eighteen unimpaired subjects performed independent sitting pivot transfer. Subjects performed sitting pivot transfer between an initial seat to a target seat by only using their hands positioned at the same height as and lower than the seat position.

Effects of probiotics (cultured Lactobacillus subtilis/Streptococcus faecium) in the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis: randomized-controlled multicenter study.

Background: Probiotics might reduce gut-derived microbial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by restoring bowel flora in patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH). We evaluated the therapeutic effects of probiotics in patients with AH.

Patients And Methods: Between September 2010 and April 2012, 117 patients (probiotics 60 and placebo 57) were prospectively randomized to receive the 7 days of cultured Lactobacillus subtilis/Streptococcus faecium (1500 mg/day) or placebo.

Effect of evidence-based trunk stability exercises on the thickness of the trunk muscles.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate the effect of four spine stability exercises on the thickness of the internal and external oblique abdominal muscles, the transverses abdominis, and the multifidus muscles. [Subjects and Methods] Forty healthy adults were enrolled and randomly allocated to four groups. Ten participants performed bridge exercises (BE) while lying on their back; 10 others performed the same exercises with their right legs up (BERL); another 10 performed the same exercises on their side (SBE); and the remaining 10 performed them in a quadruped position with left arm and right leg lifts (QLARL).

Probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and acidophilus R0052) reduce the expression of toll-like receptor 4 in mice with alcoholic liver disease.

Objective: The role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4) in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has been widely established. We evaluated the biological effects of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and acidophilus R0052), KRG (Korea red ginseng), and urushiol (Rhus verniciflua Stokes) on ALD, including their effects on normal and high-fat diet in mice.

Methods: One hundred C57BL/6 mice were classified into normal (N) and high-fat diet (H) groups.

A study of abdominal ultrasound therapy combined with complex exercise for effective obesity management among shift work employees.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of abdominal ultrasound accompanied by complex exercise in shift work employees working in industry. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty shift work employees were randomly assigned to either a complex exercise group (control group) or a complex exercise and ultrasound treatment group (experimental group). The control group carried out complex exercise five times per week for 4 weeks, while the experimental group performed complex exercise twice per week and received deep ultrasound three times per week for 4 weeks.

Comparison of Health-related Behaviors in Pregnant Women and Breast-feeding Mothers vs Non-pregnant Women.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess health-related behavior of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers by investigating relevant risk factors.

Methods: Data of 10,396 women (age 19 to 49 years) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey report from 2007 to 2012 was used to analyze factors associated with health-related behavior. The subjects were divided into pregnant women; breastfeeding mothers; and non-pregnant women.

Influence of pressure changes on recruitment pattern and neck muscle activities during Cranio-Cervical Flexion Tests (CCFTs).

Background: The muscle activity of the deep cervical flexors is emphasized more than that of the superficial cervical flexors, and it has been reported that functional disorders of the longuscolli are found in patients who experience neck pain.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the recruitment patterns and muscle activities of the cervical flexors during Cranio-Cervical Flexion Tests (CCFTs) through real-time ultrasonography and surface electromyography with a view to presenting appropriate pressure levels for deep cervical flexor exercise protocols based on the results of the analysis.

Methods: The twenty subjects without neck pain were trained until they became accustomed to CCFTs, and the pressure level was increased gradually from 20 mmHg to 40 mmHg by increasing the pressure level 5 mmHg at a time.

[Structural equation modeling on burnout in clinical nurses based on CS-CF model].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to construct and test a structural equation modeling on burnout of clinical nurses based on CS-CF model.

Methods: A survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted with 557 clinical nurses. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

The effects of stretching and stabilization exercise on the improvement of spastic shoulder function in hemiplegic patients.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of stretching and joint stabilization exercises applied to spastic shoulder joints on improving shoulder dysfunction in hemiplegic patients. [Subjects and Methods] Hemiplegic patients were classified into three groups: one group received 30 min of traditional exercise therapy for the spastic shoulder joint; one group received 30 min stretching; and one group received 15 min of stretching and 15 min of joint stabilization exercises. The exercises were performed once a day, five times per week for eight weeks.

Study on the Usefulness of Sit to Stand Training in Self-directed Treatment of Stroke Patients.

[Purpose] This study sought to determine the usefulness of sit to stand training in self-directed treatment of stroke patients. It examined the effect that sit to stand training has on balance and functional movement depending on the form of support surfaces. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke patients were randomly sampled and divided into an unstable support surface group (15) and stable support surface group (15).

Are Koreans prepared for the rapid increase of the single-household elderly? Life satisfaction and depression of the single-household elderly in Korea.

Purpose: In Korea, it has been estimated that the number of the single-household elderly increased 45% from 2005 to 2010. This research was conducted to provide empirical resources for development of a community mental health program by an explorative investigation on depression, coping mechanism, and life satisfaction of a single-household elderly population.

Design And Methods: This research applied a descriptive survey research design.