• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.420-430
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• 2001

This study was designed to verify the effect of aromatherapy on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea by a quasi experiment (nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design), from March to October, 2000. The subjects of this experiment consisted of 45 college women with menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. They were randomized by 25 for the experimental group and 20 for the control group. Their mean age was 20.6 years, mean menstrual period 28.7 days, mean menstrual cramps(VAS) 7.25, mean dysmenorrhea (Dysmenorrhea Scale) was 27.34. As treatment, aromatherapy was to give effleurrage of the abdomen with lavender, clary sage and rose as aroma oil, almond oil as carrier oil. For the control group, abdominal massage was given with only almond oil. Data collection included menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, the change of symptoms(low abdominal pain, lumbago, headache, nausea, fatigue, edema). Menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea and general, menstrual characteristics of subjects were measured the first day of the pre menstrual period before treatment (pre-test), menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, the change of symptoms were measured the first and second day of post menstrual period after treatment (posttest). Data were analyzed by t-test, $\chi^2$- test, repeated measures ANOVA, Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ with SAS Program. The results of this study was as follows; 1. Menstrual cramps was significantly lower in the experimental group(p = .001). 2. Dysmenorrhea was significantly lower in the experimental group(p = .027). 3. Less women in the experimental group complained about the six symptoms than women in the control group after treatment on the first day of the menstrual period(p < 0.05, p < 0.01) In conclusion, these findings indicate that aromatherapy with lavender, clary sage, and rose could be effective to decrease menstrual cramps, and dysmenorrhea. So, aromatherapy could be applied to women suffering with menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea periodically as an nursing intervention.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.511-519
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this clinical trial was to examine the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture on liver cirrhosis patients suffering from muscle cramps. Methods: Fourteen patients with liver cirrhosis who experienced muscle cramps at least once a week, regardless of cramp location, were enrolled and randomly allocated to an experimental group (n=12) or a control group (n=12). The experimental patients were treated with electroacupuncture at an electrical stimulation frequency of 100 Hz three times a week for four weeks (12 times in total). Muscle cramps were evaluated by a questionnaire that probed subjective symptoms. We analyzed the frequency of muscle cramps 3 times (at screening, 14 th visit, 15 th visit) during 8 weeks. Results: The number of patients with cramps occurring 'more than once a week' was reduced and the proportion of patients decreased in response to electroacupuncture. The number of patients with cramps occurring 'less than once every two weeks' increased and the proportion of patients also increased in response to eletroacupunture. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that electroacupuncture treatment will be beneficial for improving muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis. Electroacupuncture is considered a safe and efficacious treatment for patients with liver cirrhosis who complain of muscle cramps.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2010

Purpose: The first purpose of this study was to determine the effect of reciprocal inhibition that influence changes in pain when applied to patients with culf cramps. The second purpose of this study was to determine the effect of manual therapy on iliaosacral joint that influence changes number of occurrences when applied to patients with frequent nocturnal culf cramps. Methods: The first study using reciprocal inhibition techniques to 20 patients with calf cramps and saw the change in pain. The second study using manual therapy on iliaosacral joint to 2 patients with frequent nocturnal culf cramps and saw the change in number of occurrences during the week. Results: The pain and number of occurrences were significantly difference between pre-treatment and post treatment. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we found that reciprocal inhibition decreased pain and that manual therapy on iliaosacral joint decreased number of occurrences.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.13-29
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this review is to investigate the use of conventional Western medicine (WM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on leg cramps. Leg cramps are the occurrence of muscular spasm in the leg muscles which occur frequently in the elderly and are frequently observed in the clinical field. Methods: Relevant clinical studies were searched from five medical databases including PubMed, KISS, RISS, OASIS, and J-STAGE. Systematic review, clinical studies, and clinical practice guideline were included in this review. Results: In total, 27 clinical studies, 9 systematic review and meta-analysis, and 1 clinical practice guideline met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were classified and analyzed according to the type of intervention. Studies on quinine and magnesium have been most studied in WM and CAM, respectively. Although quinine shows some clinical effects on leg cramps, however, the risk of side effects are suggested. In addition, magnesium failed to improve the clinically significant effects in most studies. Five case reports using Oriental herbal medicine (OHM) were included and OHMs were effective in improving leg cramps without side effects, however, the quality of evidence was low. Clinical studies on other interventions were lacking. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that there is no definite treatment standard for leg cramps until now, and there are limitations such as low level of evidence and side effects for each treatment. OHM can be an effective alternative to conventional intervention on leg cramps, therefore, related clinical studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1325-1332
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the effects of abdominal meridian(Kyongrak) massage on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. Method: Eighty-five women (of 110 screened) enrolled in this study and were employed full-time with more than 6.0 points(in $0\~10.0$ VAS scale) in menstrual cramps or more than 20 points on the dysmenorrhea scale(range $13\~52$). The forty-two participants in the experimental group received abdominal meridian massage for 5 minutes per day during 6 days from the fifth day before menstruation to the first day of menstruation and the forty-three participants in the control group didn't receive any treatment. Data were collected from June 1st to August 30th, 2003 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, $x^2-test$, and t-test. Result: Menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea of the experimental group were significantly lower after abdominal meridian massage than those of the control group (p<.001). Conclusion: Abdominal meridian(Kyongrak) massage was very effective for relief of menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. Therefore, we suggest that abdominal Kyongrak massage can be a useful nursing intervention for women with menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this clinical trial is to examine the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture on liver cirrhosis patients suffering from muscle cramps. Methods: A total of 14 liver cirrhosis patients with muscle cramps were treated by electroacupuncture three times a week for four weeks (12 times total). The electrical stimulation was a frequency of 100 Hz. Evaluation of the muscle cramps was measured by a questionnaire of subjective symptoms. The patients' condition was evaluated four times over a period of eight weeks. We also assessed the deterioration of liver disease using the Child-Pugh score and blood tests. Results: This study proves that four weeks of electroacupuncture treatment is effective in reducing the frequency of muscle cramps and that the effects of electroacupuncture treatment lasted during another four-week follow-up period after treatment. Conclusions: This study suggests that electroacupuncture treatment is beneficial for improving muscle cramps in liver cirrhosis patients (p=0.000). Electroacupuncture is thought to be a safe treatment for liver cirrhosis patients with muscle cramps without contributing to the worsening of liver function. Further study with a larger sample size is needed to confirm our findings.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of moxibustion heat therapy(Koryo hand acupuncture) on menstrual cramps. dysmenorrhea and ADL. The experiment was carried out during the period from March 24 to April 30, 2003. The subjects in the study were drawn from female students attending two colleges in Chungcheongbuk-do and Kyunggi-do. Of all those subjects. 19 and 14 subjects were assigned to the experimental and the control groups respectively. The moxibustion heat therapy were performed three times a week, subjects were treated twice a time. Data was analyzed using SPSS/WIN10.0 by $x^2$test. Wilcoxon sign rank. and Wilcoxon rank sum test. The result of this study were as follows : 1) After moxibustion heat therapy. the graphic rating score of menstrual cramps was decreased significantly from 7.79(SD=1.22) to 4.47(SD=2.25) in experimental group(z=-3.731. p=.000). And there was significant difference in the change of graphic rating score of menstrual cramps between both groups(z=-3.637. p=.000). 2) After moxibustion heat therapy. the score of face rating scale of menstrual cramps was decreased significantly from 3.95(SD=0.71) to 2.32(SD=1.00) in experimental group(z=-3.457. p=.000). And there was significant difference in the change of face rating score between both groups(z=-2.713. p=.007). 3) After moxibustion heat therapy. the score of adjective labor pain rating scale rank (ALPRS) of menstrual cramps was decreased significantly from 23.63(SD=4.19) to 17.27(SD=6.34) in experimental group(z=-2.941. p=.001). But there was no significant difference in the change of adjective labor pain rating score(ALPRS) of menstrual cramps between both groups(z=-1.918. p=.059). 4) After moxibustion heat therapy. the score of dysmenorrhea was decreased significantly from 7.0(SD=2.89) to 5.26(SD=3.54) in experimental group(z=-2.183. p=.029). But there was no significant difference in the change of the score of dysmenorrhea between both groups(z =-1.555. p=.125). 5) After moxibustion heat therapy, the score of ADL difficulty was decreased significantly from 33.26(SD=4.58) to 28.83(SD=9.44) in experimental group(z=-3.552. p=.000). And there was significant difference in the change of score of difficulty of ADL between both groups(z=-4.110. p=.000). The above finding indicated that the moxibustion heat therapy showed a practical effect on reducing menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea and ADL difficulty in female. Accordingly. we can adopt the moxibustion heat therapy as a useful intervention in the community nursing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was to examine the effects of magnetic therapy applying the principal of Sa-am Acupuncture on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea in high school students. Methods: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group, pre- and post-test design was used. Participants were 60 female high school students living in S city, 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. Data were collected from February to August 2008. Magnetic therapy was performed three days before menstruation for three menstrual cycles. Results: Magnetic therapy significantly reduced menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. There was a significant difference in menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: Magnetic therapy may be an effective nursing intervention in reducing menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.432-444
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• 2003

Purpose: This study attempted to verify the effect of Koryo hand therapy on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea among college students. Method: This study performed the quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control group and the pre and post-test design from August 28 to November 4, 2002. The subjects of this experimental study consisted of 64 college students in the nursing college of K University in D city and K college students in K city, who had more than 5.0 GRS score of menstrual cramps. Among them, 16 people belonged to the experimental group A by using Ceramic Seo Am moxa therapy, 16 to the experimental group B by using Seo Am pellet therapy, 16 to the experimental group C by using combination of Ceramic Seo Am moxa therapy and Seo Am pellet therapy and 16 to the control group. Three different kinds of methods were used three times per week for $5{\sim}6$ weeks(a total of $15{\sim}18$ times) interventions were completed. For the experimental group, A Ceramic Seo Am moxa therapy was given for 40 minutes per each treatment; for the experimental group, B Seo Am pellet therapy was given for 4 hours: for the experimental group, C combination of Ceramic Seo Am moxa therapy and Seo Am pellet therapy was given. To measure menstrual cramps, the graphic rating scale (GRS) was used and to measure dysmenorrheal, a dysmenorrhea scale (15 contents) was used, which was modified from Han &Hur's scale (13 contents). Cronbach's was 0.78 in the pre-test, 0.83 in the first post-test, 0.89 in the following post-test. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, 2 test, repeated measures ANOVA, time contrast test and Sheffe test with the SPSS/Win 11.0 program. Results: ? The first hypothesis, 'Among the experimental group A by using Ceramic Seo Am moxa therapy, the experimental group B by using Seo Am pellet therapy and the experimental group C by using combination of Ceramic Seo Am moxa therapy and Seo Am pellet therapy will have different graphic rating scores of menstrual cramps', was supported (F=6.77, p=0.000, Interaction: p=0.000). ? The second hypothesis, 'Among the experimental group A by using Ceramic Seo Am moxa therapy, the experimental group B by using Seo Am pellet therapy, the experimental group C by using combination of Ceramic Seo Am moxa therapy and Seo Am pellet therapy and the control group will have a significantly different level of dysmenorrhea', was supported (F=6.88, p=0.000, Interaction: p=0.000). From the above results, it can be an effective nursing intervention to give Koryo hand therapy to college students who have menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Koryo hand therapy could be applied to improve the quality of life and to prevent drug misuse among college students who are physically, mentally and psychologically suffering from menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. Furthermore, Koryo hand therapy could be developed as an effective Korean alternative and complementary care in the future. and it could also provide a guideline to apply Koryo hand therapy to other pain and difficulties.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.15
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• pp.54.1-54.4
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• 2023

Objective: A single-patient case study on the use of OCNT for cervical spinal stenosis. Methods: A50-year-old Korean male with frequent leg muscle cramps and severe muscle weakness was treated with OCNT. Results: After OCNT, pain and cramps disappeared, and muscle strength improved to the point of no longer hindering daily activities. Conclusion: OCNT can be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of pain and muscle weakness in patients with cervical spinal stenosis.