• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1085-1091
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• 2018

Study Design: Case-control. Purpose: To determine optimal cut-off value for body mass index (BMI) in predicting surgical success in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). Overview of Literature: BMI is an essential variable in the assessment of patients with LSCS. Methods: We conducted a prospective study with obese and non-obese LSCS surgical patients and analyzed data on age, sex, duration of symptoms, walking distance, morphologic grade of stenosis, BMI, postoperative complications, and functional disability. Obesity was defined as BMI of ${\geq}30kg/m^2$. Patients completed the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire before surgery and 2 years after surgery. Surgical success was defined as ${\geq}30%$ improvement from the baseline ODI score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to estimate the optimal cut-off values of BMI to predict surgical success. In addition, correlation was assessed between BMI and stenosis grade based on morphology as defined by Schizas and colleague in total, 189 patients were eligible to enter the study. Results: Mean age of patients was $61.5{\pm}9.6years$. Mean follow-up was $36{\pm}12months$. Most patients (88.4%) were classified with grades C (severe stenosis) and D (extreme stenosis). Post-surgical success was 85.7% at the 2-year follow-up. A weak correlation was observed between morphologic grade of stenosis and BMI. Rates of postoperative complications were similar between patients who were obese and those who were non-obese. Both cohorts had similar degree of improvement in the ODI at the 2-year followup. However, patients who were non-obese presented significantly higher surgical success than those who were obese. In ROC curve analysis, a cut-off value of ${\leq}29.1kg/m^2$ for BMI in patients with LSCS was suggestive of surgical success, with 81.1% sensitivity and 82.2% specificity (area under the curve, 0.857; 95% confidence interval, 0.788-0.927). Conclusion: This study showed that the BMI can be considered a parameter for predicting surgical success in patients with LSCS and can be useful in clinical practice.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.133-141
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) rehabilitation exercise on postoperative range of motion (ROM), pain, and function of breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data regarding the use of PNF rehabilitation exercise for patients with breast cancer. Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent surgery due to breast cancer were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=7) that performed PNF rehabilitation exercise and a control group (n=7) that performed general rehabilitation exercise. Both groups performed the respective exercises for 30 minutes, five times a week for 4 weeks. For the measurement of ROM, the range of shoulder abduction was measured using a clinometer smartphone application. The shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) was used to measure the level of pain and functional activity. A paired t-test was conducted to compare within-group changes before and after the PNF rehabilitation exercise. Differences between the experimental group and control group were analyzed by an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: After the exercise, there was a significant within-group change in the ROM and SPADI in both the experimental group and control group (p<0.01). There was also a significant between-group difference in the ROM and SPADI after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: Rehabilitation exercise is generally applied as a treatment for patients with breast cancer after surgery and is relatively effective. The application of PNF rehabilitation exercise may be useful in such patients, considering its effects on ROM improvement, pain reduction, and functional enhancement.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.282-287
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of patients with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) in disability, pain, and cognition, and to compare those characteristics to the ICF concept analyzing the association between World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0: 12 item-interviewer version (WHODAS 2.0) and those of scales i.e. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMPQ), and the Fear avoidance & belief questionnaire (FABQ). Methods: A total of 91 patients with CLBP were invited to participate in the study. Physical therapists interviewed all participants using SFMPQ, FABQ, ODI, and WHODAS 2.0 for collection of information on pain, cognition, and functional level data. Subjects scored their disability, pain, and cognition related to LBP using WHODAS 2.0, ODI, SFMPQ, and FABQ. Data analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: A positive relationship was observed between WHODAS 2.0 and each scale indicating that lower back specific disability components could be related to the ICF concept in ODI (r=0.77). Pain intensity and pain oriented movement were found to be related to general functioning in patients with CLBP (r=0.52, r=0.55, respectively). Conclusion: It can be suggested that the specific disability scale for LBP, ODI can be related to the ICF concept, WHODAS 2.0, and it may be a useful measure for patients with CLBP.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stabilization exercise performed after abdominal drawing exercise using pressure biofeedback for 8 weeks on pain level, performance of transverse abdominis, back pain disability index, and quality of life in women in their 30s less than one year after giving birth. Methods: A total of 20 women who voluntarily participated less than one year after giving birth were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was subjected to abdominal drawing exercise before lumbar stabilization exercise, and the experimental group was subjected to abdominal drawing exercise using pressure biofeedback before lumbar stabilization exercise thrice a week for eight weeks. The quadruple visual analog scale (QVAS), the performance of transverse abdominis, the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (KDOI), the inventory of functional status after childbirth (IFSAC), and the Short Form-12 item (SF-12) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: Except for the Physical Components Summary Scale of SF-12, after the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvement in QVAS, performance of Transverse abdominis , KDOI, and Mental Components Summary Scale of SF-12 compared to the control group. Conclusion: Selective deep muscle activation through abdominal drawing exercises using pressure biofeedback can help rehabilitation for women after postpartum.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined whether a single application of a lumbar flexion muscle energy technique (MET) could significantly influence pain, functional status, and range of motion in chronic back pain patients with restricted active trunk flexion. Methods: Twenty volunteers were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Ten subjects in the control group received no treatment. Ten subjects in the experimental group received five sessions with the muscle energy technique, five times per week for two weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after two weeks of treatment in both groups. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Range of motion was measured using the sit-and-reach test (SRT). Functional disability levels were assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (KODI). Results: The experimental group showed a significant difference in VAS, KODI, and SRT between pre- and post-treatment (p < .05), while the control group showed no significant changes. The changes in VAS, ODI, and SRT were statistically significant between the groups pre- and post-treatment (p < .05). Conclusion: This muscle energy technique is clinically effective for chronic low back pain patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2015

This study aimed to determine the effect of lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercises on pain, neck disability index (NDI), cervical range of motion (ROM), and lower trapezius muscle strength in patients with unilateral neck pain. Following baseline measurements, the subjects (N=40) with unilateral neck pain were randomized into one of two 5 weeks exercise intervention groups: a experimental group (EG, $n_1=20$) that received strength training of the lower trapezius muscles or a control group (CG, $n_2=20$) that received routine physical therapy program. Each group participated in the intervention for 30 minutes, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. All participants performed 2 repetitions of each intervention per day. The numeric pain rating scale for pain, NDI, ROM, and lower trapezius strength were recorded both pre- and post-intervention for both groups. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes post-intervention compared with pre-intervention and independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in the dependent variables between the 2 groups. After the 5-weeks intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased pain and disability level (p<.05) and significantly increased cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM (p<.05). The EG that received strength training of the lower trapezius muscles showed greater improvements in pain and functional disability level, cervical rotation, and lower trapezius strength than the CG (p<.05). These results suggest that a lower trapezius strengthening exercises reduce neck pain and neck disability level and enhance cervical ROM and lower trapezius strength level in patients with unilateral neck pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2008

Objectives : This report was performed to evaluate the treatment of acupuncture therapy, Bee venom acupuncture therapy and herbal medication in Baastrup's disease. Methods : We treated 1 case of Baastrup's disease with acupuncture therapy, Bee venom acupuncture therapy one times a week and took herbal medicine after a meal two times daily. The patients' symptoms were assessed 3 month, 6 month, 9 month by Visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry disability index(ODI). Results : Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) was significantly improved after treatment for 9 months. Conclusions : This study suggested that acupuncture therapy, Bee venom acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine can be effective for decreasing pain and improving functional recovery. We think that it need the further study and clinical trial for Baastrup's disease.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of angular joint mobilization (AJM) on the shoulder pain, range of motion, and functional improvement in a patient with shoulder adhesive capsulitis. Methods: The patient diagnosed with right shoulder adhesive capsulitis by an orthopedic surgeon was a 60-year-old male, right hand/arm dominant, with a height of 175 cm and weight of 75 kg. The patient received 12 sessions of AJM once or twice per week for eight weeks. AJM was applied for 5 min each of flexion, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, for a total of 20 min per session. The visual analog scale, the goniometer, and the Oxford shoulder score were used to measure pain, range of motion, and shoulder pain & disability index, respectively. Results: After all the treatments, the pain decreased from 6 to 2 points. The range of motion increased in flexion by $54.3^{\circ}$ from $125^{\circ}$ to $179.3^{\circ}$, abduction by $38^{\circ}$ from $140^{\circ}$ to $178^{\circ}$, external rotation by $54.4^{\circ}$ from $30.3^{\circ}$ to $84.7^{\circ}$, and internal rotation by $25^{\circ}$ from $45^{\circ}$ to $70^{\circ}$. The shoulder disability index decreased from 33 points to 17 points. Conclusion: This study found that AJM has a positive effect on the improvement of shoulder pain, range of motion, and function in a patient with shoulder adhesive capsulitis. Further studies on AJM are needed in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2019

Background: Compared to healthy people, patients with chronic lower back pain have reduced balance abilities which may cause proprioception problems, patients with chronic lower back pain avoid physical activities due to pain, and reduced activity levels lead to muscle weakening, which can further exacerbate pain. Recently, there have been many studies on the use of sensory stimulation; and among these studies, interventions that use vibrational stimulation have shown functional improvements in the patients. Objects: This study examined the effects of a stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation on the balance ability and disability in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: The subjects of the study were 30 persons who were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group, with 15 subjects in each. The subjects were evaluated before and after intervention via a balance ability test, the Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI) test, a pain test, and a proprioceptive sensory test. Both groups received general physical therapy. The experimental group performed the stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation, and the control group performed a general stabilization exercise, three times a week for six weeks. Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in the balance ability test, the KODI test, the pain test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. The experimental group showed statistically significant, higher improvements than the control group in the balance ability test, the KODI test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. Conclusions: The stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation for patients with chronic back pain has been reported to provide greater functional improvements than the conventional intervention method. Therefore, the stabilization exercise in a vibration stimulation environment could be a useful intervention for patients with chronic back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.45-54
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexi-bar exercise on shoulder pain, dysfunction, quality of life, and range of motion of women with breast cancer surgery. Methods: A total of 42 female patients who had breast cancer were included in this study. By drawing lots, subjects were divided into a flexi-bar exercise group (FBG, n=21) and a general breast cancer group (GBG, n=18). The effects of flexi-bar exercise on patients were evaluated in terms of the visual analogue scale (VAS), the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), the European organization for the research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the breast cancer specific EORTC quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23), and range of motion (ROM), all of which were measured pre- and post- intervention followed by evaluation. Results: A significant increase was pain, functional disability level, quality of life, ROM within the two groups (p<.01). There were pain, functional disability level, quality of life, ROM post test then invention were significant between the two groups(p<.01). Conclusion: The flexi-bar exercise has a positive treatment effect on breast cancer patients.