• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyography (EMG) activities of the lumbar extensor muscles during motion of trunk flexion-extension and compare range of motion (ROM) with a 3-dimensional motion analysis system of the lumbar region between subjects with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and healthy subjects during the trunk flexion-extension, trunk rotation and trunk lateral flexion cycle. Thirty CLBP subjects and thirty healthy subjects were included. We measured the root mean square (RMS) value of the lumbar extensor muscles from resting, standing, lumbar flexion and return position. The RMS ratio was normalized from maximal EMG activity of the lumbar extensor muscles during trunk motion. The results of this study showed that the RMS ratio of the lumbar extensor was significantly higher in CLBP subjects than healthy subjects during all of trunk motion (p<.05). The ratio of the highest RMS value during flexion and extension was higher in CLBP subjects than in healthy subjects (p<.05). The ROM of the lumbar region was significantly lower in CLBP subjects than healthy subjects during trunk flexion-extension, trunk rotation and lateral flexion cycle. The relationship between the RMS ratio for full lumbar flexion and the ROM of lumbar flexion was not correlated significantly. CLBP subjects have both decreased ROM of the lumbar region and higher muscle activities of the lumbar extensor muscle than healthy subjects.

• Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.175-179
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• 2018

Study Design: Case report. Objectives: We report 3 cases of loss of disc height after spontaneous regression of a herniated lumbar disc. Summary of Literature Review: Reports of spontaneous regression of a herniated lumbar disc were identified. Materials and Methods: We conservatively treated 3 patients who were diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc. During outpatient follow-up, radiating pain improved in all patients, but they complained of chronic lower back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for diagnostic purposes. Results: On MRI, spontaneous regression of the herniated lumbar discs was observed, but loss of disc height was also found. Conclusions: A herniated lumbar disc may be a risk factor for loss of disc height. It is important to recognize that a patient with a herniated lumbar disc can struggle with chronic lower back pain even if spontaneous regression of the herniated lumbar disc occurs.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2019

Background: Hypertonic saline (HS) injections for decompressive neuroplasty (DN) can cause pain. We assessed whether a continuous infusion of HS through an infusion pump would reduce injection-related pain compared with repeated bolus administrations. Methods: Fifty patients scheduled for DN were randomized to either the bolus injection or the continuous infusion group. After appropriately placing the epidural catheter, 4 mL of 5% NaCl was injected as four boluses of 1 mL each at 15-minute intervals or infused over 1 hour using an infusion pump. The severity of pain induced by HS injection, as measured by the 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS), was the primary outcome. The severity of low back or lower extremity pain, as measured by the 11-point NRS and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 3 months following the procedure, was the secondary outcome. Results: Data from 21 patients in the bolus group and 23 in the continuous infusion group were analyzed. No statistically significant difference in injection-related pain was identified between the two groups during the initial HS administration (P = 0.846). However, there was a statistically significant reduction in injection-related pain in the continuous infusion group compared to the bolus injection group from the second assessment onwards (P = 0.001, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). No significant between-group differences in the NRS and ODI scores 3 months post-procedure were noted (P = 0.614 and 0.949, respectively). Conclusions: Our study suggests that administering HS through a continuous infusion is a useful modality for reducing HS injection-related pain during DN.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.114-125
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of microcurrent taping therapy and kinesio taping therapy. Methods: We included 58 participants who met the inclusion criteria and assigned them into two groups after the randomization. We allocated 29 participants to the microcurrent taping therapy group (MCT) and the other 29 to the general kinesio taping therapy group (GT). 27 participants completed the trial in the MCT group, 27 participants in GT. We attached "I" shaped 20cm tape along the erector muscle of the spine starting from the level of S2, and another 30cm tape on the iliac crest horizontally. These "I" shaped tapes were attached on two parts of the body and were performed the same way for both groups. This procedure was done 8 times and participants visited a total of 9 times including a final visit for evaluation. We measured Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Range of Motion (ROM) and Schober's test on every visit. Participants completed a questionnaire of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) on the first and last visits. Results & Conclusion: There was a significant effect of microcurrent taping therapy on lower back pain, but we could not establish the superior effect of microcurrent taping therapy compared with general kinesio taping therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.75-87
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• 2015

Background: Lumbar discogenic pain without pain mediated by a disc herniation, facet joints, or the sacroiliac joints, is common and often results in chronic, persistent pain and disability. After conservative treatment failure, injection therapy, such as an epidural injection, is frequently the next step considered in managing discogenic pain. The objective of this systematic review is to determine the efficacy of lumbar epidural injections in managing discogenic pain without radiculopathy, and compare this approach to lumbar fusion or disc arthroplasty surgery. Methods: A systematic review of randomized trials published from 1966 through October 2014 of all types of epidural injections and lumbar fusion or disc arthroplasty in managing lumbar discogenic pain was performed with methodological quality assessment and grading of evidence. The level of evidence was based on the grading of evidence criteria which, was conducted using 5 levels of evidence ranging from levels I to V. Results: Based on a qualitative assessment of the evidence for both approaches, there is Level II evidence for epidural injections, either caudal or lumbar interlaminar. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests fluoroscopically directed epidural injections provide long-term improvement in back and lower extremity pain for patients with lumbar discogenic pain. There is also limited evidence showing the potential effectiveness of surgical interventions compared to nonsurgical treatments.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2007

Background: Lumbar zygapophysial joints are a common source of chronic lower back pain and radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF) of the medial branches (MB) has been shown to be effective at providing substantial pain relief for chronic low back pain. Therefore, we carried out this study to determine the short term outcomes and prognostic factors of RF on the MB of patients with lumbar facet syndrome. Methods: We performed RF in fourteen patients who showed greater than 80% pain relief up to three times after a diagnostic MB block was conducted using 0.3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. Using 10 cm curved electrodes with 10-mm active tip, a 60 second, $80^{\circ}C$ lesion was made after electrical stimulation at 50 Hz for sensory and 2 Hz for motor nerve testing. The degree of pain relief was then assessed after 2 weeks, and again after 3 months using a visual analog scale (VAS) and a four point Likert scale. The outcome was regarded as 'success' if at least a 50% reduction in the VAS was observed. Possible prognostic factors between the two groups were also evaluated Results: The success rate was 71.4% (10/14) after three months of follow-up. However, there were transient complications, such as neuritis like syndrome, in 4 patients. In addition, short symptom duration and low minimal voltage (< 0.4 V) for sensory stimulation were shown to be the relevant prognostic factors for a successful outcome. Conclusions: RF may be an alternative to repeated MB block or intraarticular injection for palliation of lumbar facet syndrome. For better outcomes, early diagnosis and strict patient selection should be coupled with efforts to avoid anatomically incorrect RF.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2011

Background: Lidocaine patch (L5P) has demonstrated short-term efficacy in treating both acute surgical pain and chronic neuropathic pain with tolerable side effects. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is the mainstay of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). Sufficient analgesia during PELD surgery makes the patient consider it real MISS. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of lidocaine patch in patients who underwent PELD under local anesthesia. Methods: L5P (L group) or placebo (P group) was randomly applied on the skin of the back covering the anticipated path of the working channel before 1 hour of surgery in 100 patients who underwent a single level PELD at L4-L5. Efficacy of the lidocaine patch was assessed by patient's numeric rating scale (NRS) of pain at each stage during the surgery and by a 5-scale grading of the satisfaction with the anesthesia of the operator and patients after surgery. Results: Mean NRS scores at the stages of needle insertion, skin incision, serial dilation and insertion of working channel, and subcutaneous suture were significantly lower in the L group than the P group. Postoperative operator's and patients' satisfaction scores were also significantly higher in L group than in the P group. There were subtle adverse effects in both groups. Conclusions: L5P provided better pain relief during PELD, especially at the stage of needle insertion, skin incision, serial dilation and insertion of working channel, and subcutaneous suture. It also provided higher patient and operator postoperative satisfaction, with only subtle adverse effects.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.263-267
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• 1999

We have observed retroperitoneal hematoma after trigger point injections of quadratus lumborum in a patient with chronic low back pain. Severe flank pain and dyspnea was observed three hours after injection of local anesthetic and steroid to the trigger point of quadratus lumborum muscle. There was fuge hematoma in abdominal CT image around the right kidney, which displaced and compressed the kidney anteriorly. Following infusion of contrast media, extravasation through renal vein and IVC was notified. Patient had a past history of having been treated with platelet aggregation inhibitor and lower dose aspirin treatment after cerebral ischemia for a year, but coagulative function was within normal range. Patient was admitted 12 days for bed rest, pain control and transfusion. We need to take greater care with a frequent aspiration and exact direction of needle, during trigger point injection of quadratus lumborum, particu right side, to avoid vascular injury.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1 s.29
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• pp.184-197
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• 1995

After 45 patients examined as to the result of medical treatment among the ones who came to Dept. of Pain Clinic, Oriental Medical Hospital, Chunju Woosuk University complaining low back pain chiefly from Dec/19/1994 to Feb/7/1995 for 50 days or so were observed clinically, the results were obtained as follows: 1. In duration of the case history, acute stage(37.8%) was the most predominant, and subacute stage(35.6%) and chronic stage(26.7%) were revealed in turn. 2. In opinions of radiation, Spondylosis(26.7%) was the most predominant, Scoliosis(15.6%) and HIVD(11.1%) were revealed in order, and 3 cases were revealed to be negative. 3. In the radiating pain of the lower limb, the radiating pains of the left lower limb were the most predominant and those of the right lower limb and those of both lower limbs were revealed in turn. By the way, 31.1% of patients didn't suffer from the radiating pain of the lower limb. 4. In the grade of the seriousness of subsective symptom, Grade 2(66.7%) was the most predominant, and Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 1 followed it in order. 5. In the period of the treatments of medi-acupuncture, 2-5 day treatments(31.1%) were major and 6-10 day treatments(26.7%), 16-20 day treatments(11.1%), 26-30 day treatments(11.1%), over 31 day treatments(11.1%), 11-15 day treatments(4.4%), and 21-25 day treatments(4.4%) followed it by turns. Thus 2-10 day treatments are 57.8% and under 30 day treatments are 57.8% of all. 6. In the frequency of use of each medi-acupuncture, V was most frequency used in 41 cases(91.1%), and 11 cases of HN(24.4%), 8 cases of MOK(17.8%), 4 cases of OK(8.9%), 2 cases of B(4.4%), and a case of I(2.2%) were revealed in turn. 7. In the effect of treatments, 10 cases(22.2%) were excellent, 25 cases(55.6%) were good, 5 cases(11.1%) were fair, and 5 cases(11.1%) were poor. As the result, 88.9% of all changed for the better and all of these were improved within the third trial. 8. The effect of the treatments per durations was 100% in acute stage, 93.8% in subacute stage, and 66.7% in chronic stage. According to that, it was reavealed that the rate of treatments decreased as it came near to the chronic stage. 9. The effect of treatments per radiating pains was 87.5% in the radiating pains of the left lower limb, 81.8% in those of the right lower limb, 100% in those of both lower limbs, and 92.9% in case that patients have no radiating pains. So in the rate of treatments on radiating pains of the lower limbs, the case of both sides or no radiating pains was higher than that of one side. 10. In the effect of treatments per the condition of patients, Grade 4 showed 100% of improvement, Grade 3 showed 90.9% of improvement, Grade 2 showed 86.7% of improvement, and Grade 1 showed 100% of improvement. 11. In the effect of treatments per contents of treatments, the group treated with medi-acupuncture therapy, herb medication therapy, acupuncture therapy, and physiothrapy at the same time(Group 1) showed 100% of improvement, the group treated with medi-acupuncture therapy, acupuncture therapy, and physiotherapy simultaneously(Group 2) showed 73.7% of improvement, and the group treated with medi-acupuncture therapy and acupuncture therapy at the same time(Group 3) showed 100% of improvement. 12. 2-5 day treatments showed 78.6% of improvement, 6-10 day treatments showed 91.7% of improvement, and over 31 day treatments showed 100% of improvement. As the result, genarally the longer the period of treatment was, the better the effect of treatment was. 13. When only V was used, the rate of treatment was 96.2%. When only HN was used, the rate of treatment was 100%. When only MOK was used, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V and HN were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 33.3%. When V and MOK were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V and OK were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, HN, and MOK were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, OK, and MOK were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, MOK, and B were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, HN, OK, and I were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, HN, and B were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.156-166
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relationship among health-related quality of life of the Cheon-nam region elderly with low back pain. Methods: Data were obtained from cross-sectional surveys conducted as a part of the Community Health Survey 2008. The final analysis included data from 7,003 of the 7,070 elderly participants (aged over 65 years), as 67 responses were excluded since they were inaccurate. Data were analyzed with SPSS for Windows (ver. 19.0), using a ${\chi}^2$-test, a t-test, an ANOVA, and multiple liner regression. The significance threshold was set as p<0.05. Results: Factors related to the health-related quality of life of the elderly were low back pain, age, education level, occupation, subjective health status, subjective stress, drinking status, number of chronic diseases, and sleep duration. Further, health-related quality of life was significantly lower in elderly adults with low back pain. Conclusions: In order to improve health-related quality of life of the elderly and the development of the program for the management of low back pain will be needed to determine, it is considered necessary to study more to follow through the various analysis of in the elderly and health-related quality of life.