• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2019

Purpose: Hip rotation testing is important in the evaluation of chronic back pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate hip and lumbopelvic movement during hip medial rotation (HMR) in individuals with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). Methods: This study targeted 112 subjects in total: 28 healthy males and 28 healthy females, and 27 males with CLBP and 29 females with CLBP. Motion-capture device was used to measure the hip medial rotation angle (HMRA), lumbopelvic rotation angle (LPRA), and the rotation angle of the hip when lumbopelvic rotation starts during hip medial rotation. Results: When evaluating the healthy males and females using the hip medial rotation test (HMRT), healthy males showed a smaller HMRA than did healthy females (p<0.05). When evaluating the healthy males and the males with CLBP using the HMRT, males with CLBP showed a smaller HMRA and more lumbopelvic movements than did healthy males (p<0.05) in addition, their lumbopelvic movements occurred earlier during HMR (p<0.05). Finally, when evaluating the males and the females with CLBP using the HMRT, males with CLBP showed a smaller HMRA and more lumbopelvic movements (p<0.05), and their lumbopelvic movements occurred earlier during HMR (p<0.05). Conclusion: The HMRT is an important test for the evaluation of males, and especially males with CLBP, as they often experience an increased LPRA and decreased HMRA, with lumbopelvic movement occurring earlier during HMR when compared to other groups.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.147-150
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• 2010

Background: Chronic low back pain can be a manifestation of lumbar degenerative disease, herniation of intervertebral discs, arthritis, or lumbar stenosis. When nerve roots are compromised, low back pain, with or without lower extremity involvement, may occur. Local inflammatory processes play an important role in patients with acute lumbosciatic pain. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) measurements in patients with chronic low back pain or radiculopathy. Methods: ESR and hsCRP were measured in 273 blood samples from male and female subjects with low back pain and/or radiculopathy due to herniated lumbar disc, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, and other diseases. The hsCRP and ESR were measured prior to lumbar epidural steroid injection. Results: The mean ESR was 18.8 mm/h and mean hsCRP was 1.1 mg/L. ESR had a correlation with age. Conclusions: A significant systemic inflammatory reaction did not appear to arise in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.277-283
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• 2022

Objectives: The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic orofacial pain in a nationally representative sample of the Korean population. Materials and Methods: Data from the 8th wave Korean national health and nutrition examination survey, which was conducted from 2019 to 2020 were analyzed. This study included 5,780 Koreans (2,503 males, 3,277 females) over 40 years of age. The presence of subjective chronic facial pain lasting more than 3 months was evaluated based on a self-reported questionnaire. The risk of OSA was determined using the STOP-BANG questionnaire. Data related to anthropometric and sociodemographic factors; diagnostic history of hypertension, depression, and OSA; level of health-related quality of life and stress awareness; health-related behaviors, including smoking and alcohol drinking; and sleep duration were collected. The participants were classified into two groups according to the presence of chronic facial pain. Results: The level of health-related quality of life and stress awareness showed significant differences between the two groups. The sleep duration on weekends also presented significant differences. No significant differences were observed in the presence of snoring and observed apnea, while participants with chronic facial pain showed significantly higher levels of tiredness between the groups. The risk of OSA evaluated by STOP-BANG questionnaire showed significant differences between groups; however, the risk of OSA seemed to be higher in participants without chronic facial pain. Conclusion: The participants with chronic facial pain demonstrated decreased sleep duration, lower health-related quality of life, and increased stress and tiredness. Even though, the role of OSA in the development of chronic facial pain was inconclusive from the study, it is possible that ethnicity play a role in relationship between OSA and chronic facial pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.23-36
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Plank exercise on unstable support surfaces on flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain in patients with chronic back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was performed on 16 patients with chronic back pain of ◯◯ military unit. Sixteen subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, an upper extremity trainer group (group I, n=8) and a lower extremity trainer group (group II, n=8). The subjects in group I carried out Flank exercise applying the stability trainer to their upper extremities and ones in group II carried out the same exercise applying the stability trainer to their lower extremities for 4 weeks. In order to ascertain the difference between two groups, flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain were measured before and after the exercise. The flexibility was measured by sit and reach test, the thickness of the abdominal muscle was measured by using ultrasonic imaging equipment, and the pain was measured by the visual analogue scale. A paired t-test was utilized to compare changes in pain, abdominal muscle thickness and flexibility before and after flank exercise on unstable support surfaces. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was performed for ascertaining the significant differences between groups. The significance level was set by α=.05. Results: 1) The flexibilities of two groups were increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 2) In both groups, the thicknesses of rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and transverse abdominis were all increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 3) The pains in both groups were decreased after the exercise (p<0.05). 4) In the comparisons of two groups, there were no differences in the flexibility, thickness of external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis and transverse abdominis and pain (p>0.05). Whereas only thickness of Rectus abdominis was larger in the group I than in the group II (p<0.05). Conclusion: Plank exercise on the unstable support surface for 4 weeks resulted in increased flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain reduction in patients with chronic back pain. Therefore, it is considered that performing flank exercise on the unstable supporting surface is suitable for the reduction of the pain in patients with chronic back pain. However, in this study, it is considered that continuous and diverse studies are needed because there was not a large difference between the groups when the upper or lower limbs are provided unstable support surfaces.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.144-147
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate that electro-acupuncture might relieve chronic back pain in horses. Twenty horses with chronic back pain were chosen from referring to College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida. They were assigned the patients referred to 2 treatment groups and 1 control group. The treatment group I was electrostimulated to 4 acupoints. The acupuncture points of Lumbosacral point, GV-6, BL26, and BL54 were used.; The treatment group II was taken the phenylbutazone orally. Control group was administered the normal saline per oral. Back pain score system was used to evaluate the degree of back pain. The treatment group r had significant lower back pain score from two times of electroacupuncture treatment. However, the treatment group II and control group did not change back, pain scores during experimental periods. Thus, Electroacupuncture treatment might be effective therapy for chronic back pain in horses.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a multi-modal exercise program for patients with chronic low back with respect to pain intensity, trunk muscle strength and Oswestry disability index. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic low back pain were recruited and divided equally into two groups. The multi-modal training program comprised a series of exercises such as warm-up, stabilization exercises, stretching, endurance exercises, and cool down whereas the control group performed only stabilization exercises. The both group spent an equal amount of time performing 60 minutes per day, three times per week, for five weeks. Results: The experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in range of motion, trunk muscle strength, the visual analogue scale, and the Oswestry Disability Index (p<.05). Intergroup comparison showed a statistically significant difference in the range of motion of the lumbar spine and the degree of disability in the experimental group. Muscle strength and pain were statistically significant in both groups. Conclusion: The multi-modal exercise program is effective for patients with chronic low back pain, as it reduces lower back pain, increases trunk muscles strength, and decrease the potential for becoming disabled.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.55-66
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to test whether adhesive taping therapy, one of rehabilitation, helps to relieve chronic low back pain. Sample were selected from 35 outpatients at oriental medicine hospital in the period from April 20 to June 20, 1998. The research design was one-group pretest - posttest design. The pretest included measuring discomfort depending on the scope and types of a range of motion, and their pain by their activity of daily living(ADL). In this research design, a treatment was to expose adhesive taping therapy to samples. The posttest included remeasuring of their discomfort and pain by ADL. The results of this study was as follows: Hypothesis I was that the discomfort score of the post-treatment group had lower than does that of the pre-treatment group. This study accepted the hypothesis (t=2.70, p=.015). Hypothesis II was that the post-treatment group had the pain score by ADL lower than does the pre-treatment group. Empirical results showed statistical significance(t=4.53, p=.000). In summary, the effect measured by the discomfort with a visual analog scale was statistically significant. The degree of pain according to postures in ADL also showed statistical significance. Consequently, these findings showed that the adhesive taping therapy was effective to alleviation of chronic low back pain.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2010

Purpose : This research inquires into the effect of applying microcurrent (MC) according to various frequency levels on the pain and functional recovery of patients with chronic back pain. Methods : Thirty participants with chronic lower back pain disease were divided equally into three experimenta l groups. The MC frequency used in the first experimental group was 0.5Hz, the second experimental group was 50Hz, and the third experimental group was 100Hz for 20 minute sessions. A hot pack and ultrasound were applied to all groups as the general physical therapy. Measurements were taken using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the face pain rating scale (FPRS), and the Oswestry disability index (001). The analysis used the paired t-test in order to compare pretest and posttest results. A one-way ANOVA was performed to make comparisons with regards to frequency levels. Results : VAS, FPRS, and 001 showed significant pain decrease in all groups except for the 001 measurement in the 0.5 Hz group. There were no significant differences according to frequency levels. Conclusion: For chronic pain and functional recovery, a microcurrent produces an effect after treatment. However, results did not show a significant difference in change obtained from differing frequency levels.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.439-448
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to show a relationship between health perception and health promoting behaviors in chronic low back pain patients. Method: The subjects for this study were 213 persons who the visited hospital with low back pain-related problems. Results: The higher the level of the health perception in chronic back pain patients was the higher the rate of the practice of health promoting behaviors (r=0.393, p<.001). The health perception T score was $50.00{\pm}10.00$. As for health promoting behaviors, the T score was $49.99{\pm}10.00$. The subscale of the highest mean score was interpersonal support $(2.96{\pm}0.64)$ and the subscale of the lowest mean score was exercise $(2.13{\pm}0.99)$. Conclusion: This study showed that chronic low back pain patients had a lower level of perception of their health, and their practice to improve their health was not enough. Therefore, nurses should educate and encourage chronic low back pain patients in proper exercises and correct posture to strengthen and maintain lumbar extension muscle power.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.23-28
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• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on chronic low back pain in elderly patients with impaired functioning in daily life. Methods: 35 subjects with chronic low back pain were randomly allocated into two groups, HBOT group and Placebo group. We applied TENS and mechanical massage to the lower back in both groups. Then 35% oxygen at 1.4 ATA was given to the HBOT group and atmospheric oxygen at 1 ATA to the placebo group. Results: Comparing the HBOT group with the placebo group after performing interventions six times in 2 weeks, a statistically significant difference in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores was observed between the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference in VAS and ODI scores (56% and 34.97% respectively) between the HBOT group and the placebo group. A statistically significant difference was ascertained in the degree of variables VAS and ODI in the HBOT group. Conclusion: Application of HBOT in chronic low back pain could be beneficial for reducing pain and could help in functional recovery.