• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

Background: This study investigated the effects of Kinesio taping application on lower back pressure pain and balance ability among university students with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of thirty university students between 20 to 30 years of age with chronic lower back pain were divided randomly into two groups, the control and the experimental group. In the control group (n=15), placebo taping was applied to the lumbar region. In the experimental group (n=15), Kinesio taping was applied to the erector spine muscles of the lower back. The groups were assessed for lower back pressure pain and balance ability, before and after the taping application. Pain was measured by the pain pressure threshold (PPT), and balance was measured using the good balance system (GBS). Results: There were significant improvements in both the PPT and GBS of the Kinesio taping group compared to pre-treatment values (p<.05), while the placebo taping group showed no significant change (p>.05). In addition, the Kinesio taping group had a statistically significant difference in PPT and GBS compared to the placebo taping group (p<.05). Conclusion: The Kinesio taping application is more effective than the placebo taping application in the improvement of lower back pressure pain and balance ability among university students with chronic lower back pain.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.23-31
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• 2021

Treatment and management of chronic low back pain (CLBP) should be tailored to the patient's individual context. However, there are limited resources available in which to find and manage the causes and mechanisms for each patient. In this study, we designed and developed a personalized context awareness system that uses machine learning techniques to understand the relationship between a patient's lower back pain and the surrounding environment. A pilot study was conducted to verify the context awareness model. The performance of the lower back pain prediction model was successful enough to be practically usable. It was possible to use the information from the model to understand how the variables influence the occurrence of lower back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in the vertebral segments between patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) and healthy participants without back pain and to determine the correlation between vertebral bone-segment PPT and pain level, lower back pain dysfunction, and psychological status in patients with CLBP. Methods: The subjects of this study were 23 healthy adults and 23 adults with CLBP. PPT was measured in 23 spinal bone segments using a PPT device, and the CLBP group was subjected to a pain level test (NRS) and a psychological test using the Korean version of the pain catastrophizing scale (KPCS). The functional level was assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (KODI). Results: PPTs of the spinal sclerotomes were significantly lower in patients with CLBP than in healthy participants. In the CLBP group, the composite score of lumbar PPTs showed a high correlation with the composite scores for all segments, but not with the pain level (NRS), KPCS score, and spinal sclerotome PPT. Moreover, PPT in the sacral sclerotomes showed a significant negative correlation coefficient with function, with a KODI score of -.462 (p<.01). Conclusion: In this study, PPTs in all spinal segments in patients with CLBP was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects. The PPTs of the lumbar region was significantly correlated with the PPTs of other spinal regions. Through this study, it was found that there were changes in PPTs in CLBP patients not only in the lumbar region but also in other spinal regions. This information should be considered during clinical treatment of patients with low back pain.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.144-148
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• 2014

The purpose of this research is to utilizing the Tetrax$^{(R)}$ balance measuring instrument in order to analyze the postural balance of males and females in their 30 s diagnosed with chronic lower back pain who have followed a 12-week rehabilitation exercise program. The research also examines the effects on any change in back pain level. In terms of the variables in this research, postural balance (left/right, front/back, postural balance) and pain level change (0~100 mm) were measured. Pre-/post-experimental differences were assessed using the paired-t test. In addition, to identify any gender gap, we set the preliminary scores as a covariate and ran the Analysis of Covariance. Statistical significance (a) herein was set at 0.05. As a result of this research experiment, the left/right, front/back, and overall postural balance were found to increase in both the male and female cases, but with no statistical significance or gender gap. However, both males and females showed a significant decrease in their back pain levels. These findings demonstrate the necessity of continuing clinical research based on the Tetrax$^{(R)}$ equipment for scientific evaluation of the effects of rehabilitation exercises on chronic lower back pain patients and their balancing ability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.195-200
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• 2017

Purpose: This study attempts to identify the effects of stretching and core exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the pain and functional disability index of patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 20 patients with chronic lower back pain were randomly divided into either the experimental group (n=10), who received PNF stretching and core exercise, or the control group (n=10), who received conventional physiotherapy. Both interventions were applied three times a week for six weeks. The visible analogue scale (VAS) was measured in order to determine the level of pain, while the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to measure the change in the functional disability index. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group change before and after the intervention. To compare the between-group difference, we used an independent t-test. The statistical significance level was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ for all the variables. Results: The experimental group showed a significant within-group change in both the VAS and the ODI (p<0.01). The control group also showed a significant change (p<0.01). A significant difference was observed between the experimental group and the control group with regard to the change in both the VAS and the ODI after the interventions (p<0.01). Conclusion: In this study, the application of stretching and core exercise using PNF for subjects who complain of chronic lower back pain proved effective in reducing both pain and functional disability. We therefore expect that this intervention can be applied in the future as a useful program for patients with chronic lower back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.285-289
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• 2014

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive and safe technique for motor cortex stimulation. TMS is used to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders, including mood and movement disorders. TMS can also treat several types of chronic neuropathic pain. The pain relief mechanism of cortical stimulation is caused by modifications in neuronal excitability. Depression is a common co-morbidity with chronic pain. Pain and depression should be treated concurrently to achieve a positive outcome. Insomnia also frequently occurs with chronic lower back pain. Several studies have proposed hypotheses for TMS pain management. Herein, we report two cases with positive results for the treatment of depression and insomnia with chronic low back pain by TMS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) is often used to help manage low back pain because it is economical and effective. This study examined the effects of flexible and semirigid LSOs on the lower-limb joint angles in walking in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: The effects of the lumbosacral orthosis during gait on the sagittal, frontal, horizontal planes and the change in lower limb angle were examined in fourteen chronic low back pain patients who walked without wearing a LSO, wearing a flexible LSO, and wearing a semirigid LSO in random order for three-dimensional motion analysis. RESULTS: The flexion of the hip and knee joints decreased more significantly during walking with an LSO than without one. The genu valgum angles were reduced in the stance phase more during walking with an LSO than without one. The external rotation of the knee joints in the stance phase increased more during walking with an LSO than without one. CONCLUSION: The angles of the lower-limb joints of patients with chronic low back pain are affected by walking with an LSO, and the effects increased as the LSO stiffened.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.902-913
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of a strengthening program for the lower back in older women with chronic low back pain. Methods: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest experiment. The experimental group consisted of 16 older women and the control group, 14, all of whom had experienced low back pain for at least 3 months. The strengthening program for the lower back included lumbar stabilization exercises and education on pain management in daily living. For an 8 week period, exercises were done 3 days a week and on one day education was also given. Results: Pain and disability scores decreased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. Flexibility, life satisfaction and lumbar muscle strength scores increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Low back pain and disability can be relieved, and flexibility, muscle strength, and life satisfaction increased through a program to strengthen the lower back. It is suggested that a program to strengthen the lower back would be an effective nursing intervention for older women with low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Koryo Hand-Acupuncture on health status(pain, trunk flexion, IADL, depression) of patients with chronic low back pain. Method: This study used a quasi experimental pre-test and post-test design. Data were collected from December 1st, 2000 to December 20th, 2001. 63 chronic low back pain patients(35 experimental group, 28 control group) admitted to the Back-School and consented to this study. The experimental group participated in treatment: Koryo Hand-Acupuncture and AB-Bong. Two groups was homogeneity. After 4 weeks the effects of treatment on the health status was measured between experimental and control group. Data were analyzed using SPSSWIN 10.0 with crosstab, t-test, and paired t-test. Result: In the experimental group, pain(t=4.85, p=.000) and IADL difficulty(t=2.05, p=.045) was significantly lower than those in the control group. It makes no difference trunk flexion(t=-1.60, p=.114) and depression(t=1.50, p=.138) between experimental and control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Koryo-Hand Acupuncture is an effective method for reducing pain and IADL difficulty in patients with chronic low back pain, and is considered as a independent nursing intervention for chronic low back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2005

Background: The optimal management of pain using magnetic irradiation modalities continues to attract considerable debate. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic therapy for the treatment of chronic lower back pain. Methods: Fifteen-minute sessions of active (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) electromagnetic therapy were repeated 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Patients were assessed using the 11-point numerical rating scale and the revised Oswestry disability scores for up to 4 weeks after therapy. Results: The active magnetic group showed significantly more pain reduction than the placebo group immediately after therapy and one and four weeks after therapy (P < 0.05). At 4 weeks after therapy percentage changes in NRS from baseline were $22{\pm}24%$ and $38{\pm}11%$ in the placebo and magnetic groups, respectively. The revised Oswestry disability percentage in the active magnetic group was also significantly improved (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Pulsed electromagnetic therapy provided pain relief and ameliorated disability in patients with chronic lower back pain. According to our results, pulsed electromagnetic therapy should be considered an important potential therapeutic tool for the conservative therapy of chronic lower back pain.