• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.90-99
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• 2013

Purpose: This study aimed to examine influence of cognitive function, disease severity and disability on ability to perform activity of daily living (ADL) after ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 88 patients with ischemic stroke were recruited from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012 and assessed with the standardized cognitive test battery and self-reports about disease severity, disability, and ADL. To analyze the data, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression were conducted using SPSS/WIN program. Results: Significant correlations were found between ADL and visuospatial function, visual memory, executive function, and disability (r=.29~.38). Executive function and disability explained 17.3% of total variability in ADL performance after ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Executive function may be a promising target for cognitive rehabilitation after ischemic stroke. Thus, effective therapeutic interventions such as cognitive training for stroke patients should be considered to improve their ability to perform ADL.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.388-398
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was to develop a post-operative exercise program, apply it to patients undergone lumbar spinal fusion surgery, and evaluate the effectiveness of the program on pain and disability activities of daily living. Methods: Fifty six patients who had lumbar spinal fusion were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups; 28 patients in the intervention group completed post-operative lumbar exercise program including walking for four weeks and 28 patients in the control group only did walking exercises. The degrees of pain on low back and leg were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and the functional outcome was evaluated using the Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (KODI) before surgery and 5 weeks after surgery. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, t-test with SPSS 18.0 program. Results: Low back and leg pain of the participants in both experimental and control groups were improved after surgery compared to pre-surgery pain. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. KODI score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p=.014). Conclusion: The developed post-operative exercise program in patients with lumbar spinal fusion surgery seems to be a useful intervention to reduce disability in activities of daily living.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TENS by physiotherapist versus home based TENS intervention to reduce pain and improve disability in patients with mechanical neck disorder. Methods: The subjects of the study were 30 selected patients who had been diagnosed with subacute or chronic neck disorders without neurological damage, during the period of four weeks, three times a week, and thirty minutes for one session, 15 patients received TENS by physiotherapist. 15 patients received home based TENS intervention. The primary outcome was pain intensity measured in using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS). The second outcome was Neck Disability Index to patient's disability. Results: The change in the pain perception degree were statistically significant in both group(p<0.05). TENS by physiotherapist group showed significantly improvement in disability, but, Home based TENS intervention group is not. TENS by physiotherapist group showed significantly greater improvement in pain intensity and patient's disability than the home based TENS intervention group. Conclusion: This study shows that received TENS by physiotherapist was effective in reducing pain, improving disability for mechanical neck disorder patient, physiotherapist' knowledge need to improve patient's pain and disability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if the program focusing on gluteal muscle exercise combined lumbar stabilization had an effects on pain, functional disability and lumbar instability in chronic low back pain patients who had lumbar instability. METHODS: Thirty four patients were recruited in this study. The participants were randomly allocated stabilization exercise group (SEG) (n=17) and gluteal muscle exercise group (GEG) (n=17). The gluteal muscle exercise group conducted gluteal muscle exercises combined lumbar stabilization and stabilization exercise group did only lumbar stabilization exercise for 30 minutes three times a week for six weeks. Pre-exercise assessment tools, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Korean version Oswestry Disability Index level (KODI) were used for pain and functional disability each. Also, these were scored by the tool of lumbar instability. The pain, functional disability levels, and lumbar instability after six weeks with this exercise were re-evaluated. RESULTS: First, SEG showed a significant decrease in the lumbar pain, functional disability levels and lumbar instability. Second, GEG showed a significant decrease in the lumbar pain, functional disability levels and lumbar instability. The third, GEG showed even more significant decrease in the lumbar pain levels, functional disability levels and lumbar instability than SEG. CONCLUSION: Gluteal muscle exercises combined lumbar stabilization are more effective than only lumbar stabilization exercise in the pain levels, functional disability levels and lumbar instability for the chronic low back pain patients with lumbar instability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) respiratory muscle strengthening exercise on the pulmonary function, back pain, and disability level of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: There were 24 CLBP patients randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 12) who took part in PNF respiratory muscle strengthening exercise and the control group (n = 12) who performed a mock treatment. Both groups performed their respective interventions for 15 min five times per week for four weeks. The pulmonary function was measured using a portable spirometer. The back pain of the participants was assessed using a visual analogue scale. The Oswestry disability index was conducted to measure disability level. A paired t-test was performed to compare within-group changes before and after the PNF respiratory muscle strengthening exercise. Differences between the experimental and the control groups were analyzed using an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was α = 0.05. Results: The within-group change in pulmonary function was significantly different in the experimental group (p < 0.05), and the levels of back pain and disability were significantly different between the groups (p < 0.05). There was also a significant between-group difference in pulmonary function, back pain, and disability level after intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that PNF respiratory muscle strengthening exercise enhances pulmonary function and reduces levels of back pain and disability in patients with CLBP.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate between low back pain scale and disability index owing to gait pattern. For the period of February 1 to February 29, 2004, we had conducted a questionnaire and direct interview with 100 persons lived in Daejeon. The result were as follows: 1. The stride length of experimental group, the male was $49.9{\pm}12.9cm$, the female $45.7{\pm}12.9cm$ and the width of feet. the male was $13.5{\pm}5.7cm$, the female $12.2{\pm}4.8cm$. 2. The Fick angle of all subjects was showed in external disposition, the left angle showed in asymmetry, the male was $11.0{\pm}5.7^{\circ}$, the female $8.5{\pm}1.3^{\circ}$. 3. The foot arch was similar to sex as a weight bearing and non-weight bearing, the male was $1.3{\pm}0.8cm$, the female $1.3{\pm}0.9cm$. 4. The impedimental index according to back pain grade, men was a lower than women, the male was $5.7{\pm}6.9$ and the female $7.2{\pm}5.3$. 5. The relation to difference between foot arch and disability index according to back pain grade as a weight bearing and non-weight bearing, the higher foot arch, the higher back pain grade was statistically significance(p<.05). 6. The relation between width of feet and disability index according to back pain grade, the wider width of feet, the higher back pain grade was statistically significance(p<.01). 7. The relation between stride length and disability index according to back pain grade, the wider stride length, the higher back pain grade was statistically significance (p<.05).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.271-281
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• 2021

Purpose : This study aimed to apply muscle relaxation exercise and ultrasound therapy as an effective treatment method for tension headache patients by comparatively analyzing the muscle mechanical properties, neck disorder index, and headache impact test. Method : The subjects were classified into three groups based on the intervention received: the therapeutic ultrasound (n=15, group I), placebo therapeutic ultrasound combined with the suboccipital release (n=15, group II), and therapeutic ultrasound combined with suboccipital release (n=15, group III) groups. The intragroup and intergroup differences in muscle mechanical properties, neck disability index, and headache impact test were compared and analyzed. Result : The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle tone and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the suboccipitalis and upper trapezius in groups I and III. Furthermore, statistically significant intergroup differences in the upper trapezius with a greater change in group III than in group II and suboccipitalis with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II were observed. The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle stiffness and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the upper trapezius in group I and suboccipitalis in group III. Moreover, statistically significant intergroup differences in both muscles with greater changes in group III than in group II for both cases were observed. The comparison and analyses of the changes in the neck disability index and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in all three groups and statistically significant intergroup differences with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II. The comparison and analyses of the changes in the headache impact test and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in all three groups and a statistically significant intergroup difference with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II. Conclusion : The therapeutic ultrasound and suboccipital muscle release exercise effectively increased the flexibility of the muscles around the cervical vertebrae and reduced muscle tension and stiffness in tension-type headache patients.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.110-120
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• 2016

Objectives: The object of this study is to report a clinical effect of oriental medical treatments with Chuna for acute low back pain during the early stages of pregnancy.Methods: The patient in this case, 31 years-old female was admitted for 1days (20th/June/2016-30th/June/2016) due to the acute low back pain on the 7 weeks of pregnancy. We diagnosed as 挫閃腰痛, 傷筋 (Sprain and strain of lumbar spine) and treated with Chuna therapy and other conservative treatments including acupuncture herbal mixture. And we measured Visual Analog Score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), McGill pain questionnaire-short form (SF-MPQ).Results: After treatments, Visual Analog Score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), McGill pain questionnaire-short form (SF-MPQ) were significantly improved in case.Conclusion: Oriental medical treatments with Chuna manual therapy were associated with improvement of acute low back pain during the early stages of pregnancy.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-85
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical effect of Korean medical treatments for the patient who were diagnosed as the Cauda Equina Syndrome. Methods : The patient was treated by Korean medical treatments including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication. The Improvement of clinical symptoms was assessed by Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and Muscle Manual Test(MMT). Results : After treatments, VAS and ODI were generally decreased, MMT was improved in case. Conclusions : The Oriental medical treatments might be effective methods to treat the patient who were diagnosed as the Cauda Equina Syndrome.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2016

Objectives : This study reports the clinical effects of Korean medical treatment on a patient with suspected diabetic muscle infarction (DMI). Methods : A patient diagnosed with spinal stenosis was suspected of DMI. The patient was treated with acupuncture, bee-venom pharmacopuncture and gastrocnemius stretching. Symptoms were evaluated by verbal numeric rating scale (vNRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Manchester foot pain and disability index (MFPDI). Results : After approximately 5 weeks of Korean medical treatment, including 8 bee-venom treatments, vNRS, ODI, and MFPDI all decreased. Conclusion : The results suggest that Korean medical treatment is effective for treating pain caused by DMI.