• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate EMG activity on dynamic balance of subjects with functional lumbar instability following fatigue of low back. Methods: The subjects (24 university students) were divided into 2 groups; functional lumbar instability group (6 males and 6 females) and lumbar stable group (7 males and 5 females) who could complete a questionnaire and undergo a prone instability test. All participants were evaluated for distribution of muscle activity using the TeleMyo DTSTM system. Dynamic balance was tested by Y balance test. This study was conducted for measurement of EMG activity on dynamic balance with the difference between FLIG and control group following muscle fatigue. Results: The functional lumbar instability group (FLIG) showed a significantly lower YBT score (%) of anterior, posterolateral direction on Y-balance test (YBT) in dynamic balance than the lumbar stable group (LSG) (p<0.05). The FLIG was significantly lower than the LSG in anterior direction in EMG activity(%) of MF, RA, ES, GMX, GME, RF, and posteromedial direction in EMG activity(%) of IO, ES and then posterolateral direction in EMG activity(%) of IO, ES in dynamic balance (p<0.05). There was significant correlation of MF, RA, and GMX in anterior reach direction (p<0.05) and ES, GME (p<0.01) and IO, ES in posteromedial reach direction (p<0.05) and EO, ES, GMX in posterolateral reach direction (p<0.05) there was positive correlation. Conclusion: This study showed that FLIG effected EMG activity by dynamic balance following muscle fatigue. Further study is needed for measurement of various ages and work with lumbar instability for clinical application.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.370-375
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the hip joint muscle strength of patients with chronic back pain with lumbar instability and normal subjects. Design: A case control study. Methods: Five types of lumbar instability test were conducted on forty young women with chronic low back pain for more than six months, and those who had 3 or more positive tests were selected as subjects. To select chronic back pain patients with lumbar instability group, aberrant movement patterns during lumbar flexion test (FMT), prone instability test (PIT), posterior-anterior mobility test (PAT), passive lumbar extension test (PLE), and pressure bio-feedback (PBF) were applied. In addition, a digital muscle strength meter was used to measure the hip flexor, extensor, adductor, and abductor muscles of chronic low back pain patients with lumbar instability group (n=20) and normal subject group (n=20). Results: As a result of comparing the hip joint muscle strength between the chronic back pain patient group with lumbar instability and the normal group, there were significant differences in the hip extensor, abductor, and adductor muscles (p<0.05). Conclusions: Patients of chronic back pain with lumbar instability were found to have weak hip joint muscle strength. Therefore, this study suggest that include hip joint strength exercise for functional recovery of chronic back pain patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.71-81
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the instant effect of Kinesio taping on pain decrease and improvement of functional disorder of the subjects who have lumbar instability. Methods : A total of 20 patients (13 men and 7 women) who have lumbar instability were chosen as the subjects. The experiment was conducted by assigning the subjects into Kinesio taping group and placebo taping group. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure back pain and Biering-Sorensen test was applied to measure the muscle endurance of back extensor muscles. A digital dynamometer was used to test the isomeric contraction strength of lumbar extensor muscle. The subject performed single-leg stance and double-leg stance task and their static balancing ability was measured by a testing device that captures the static balancing ability. Results : In a within-group comparison, Kinesio taping group showed a significant decrease of VAS (p<.05) and a significant increase of endurance and strength of lumbar extensor muscle (p<.05). In Kinesio taping group, the shift distance in anterior-posterior sway and medial-lateral sway during the double-leg stance significantly decrease (p<.05). The shift distance in anterior-posterior sway and medial-lateral sway also significantly decreased during the single-leg stance (p<.05). Placebo taping group showed a significant decrease of visual analog scale (p<.05). In a between-group comparison, Kinesio taping group showed a significantly larger decrease of VAS (p<.05), significant larger increase of muscle endurance and muscle strength (p<.05), and significant larger decrease of anterior-posterior sway in the double-leg stance (p<.05), compared to placebo taping group. Conclusion : Application of Kinesio taping to the subjects with lumbar instability produced positive effect of reducing pain, increasing muscle strength and endurance, and improving static balancing ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.27-36
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• 2018

Background: We developed a novel integrative lumbar stabilization technique that combines lumbar extension (LE) exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) to ameliorate low back pain (LBP) associated with neuromuscular imbalance and instability, based on the collective evidence of contemporary spinal rehabilitation. Objects: The specific aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of LE exercise with and without ADIM on core muscle strength, lumbar spinal instability, and pain, as well as functional characteristics in individuals with LBP using advanced radiographic imaging techniques. Methods: patients with mechanical LBP (N = 40, 6 males; $35.1{\pm}7.6years$) were recruited and randomly assigned either to the combined LE and ADIM (experimental group) or the LE alone (control group). Outcome measures included the visual analog scale, the modified Oswestry Disability Index, muscle strength imbalance (MSI), and radiographic imaging. The lumbar intervertebral displacement (LID), intervertebral (IV) and total lumbar extension (TLE) angles were calculated to evaluate the lumbar segmental instability. Results: The experimental group showed significant differences in the L3-L4, L5-S1 LIDs, L4-L5 and L5-S1 IV angles, and TLE angle as compared to the controls (p<.05). Immediate pain reduction and muscle strength imbalance ratio were significantly different between the groups (p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the addition of ADIM significantly increased lumbar spinal stabilization in individuals with LBP, thereby reducing pain associated with functional lumbar flexion during daily activities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.73-80
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the correlation between the visual analog scale (VAS) and the rate of change in the respiration patterns according to the result of Lumbar Instability Tests (LITs) in young people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) METHODS: Thirty-six adults, aged 20-40 years with CLBP, participated in this study. The general characteristics and VAS of the participants were recorded by the subjects themselves and seven structure and functional LITs were conducted. According to the positive response number, the positive group was divided into four groups (group 1: n=8, group 2: n=9, group 3: n=10, group 4: n=9). The breathing pattern change tests were performed in three states: during forced breathing exercise and motor control tests. A total of 13 positive lists were set, each of which was scored by 1 or 2 points according to the severity. After the positive lists were scored, the breathing pattern changing rate (BPCR) and VAS were compared according to the positive response number of LITs, and the correlation between them was analyzed. RESULTS: A strong correlation was observed between the number of positive of LITs and BPCR (r= .863, p= .000) and a moderate correlation between the positive number of LITs and VAS (r= .508, p= .002). In addition, there was a poor correlation between the BPCR and VAS (r= .434, p= .008). CONCLUSION: In young CLBP people, when the structural and functional instability are both present, the changes in the respiratory pattern of the whole body can be varied and broader, and the pain scale also increases.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM) on trunk stabilization, as well as trunk muscle activities and differences in quadruple visual analogue scale, Korean Oswestry Disability Index, and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire scores, in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar spine instability. To increase intra-abdominal pressure during the trunk stabilization exercise, the technique of pushing the abdomen out using diaphragmatic abdominal breathing suggested by Pavel Koral was used, which we termed the AEM. Fifty patients who tested positive on more than three of the five lumbar spine instability tests were separated from 138 patients with chronic low back pain of these patients, 16 were placed in the control group (trunk stabilization exercise), 17 were placed in the ADIM group (trunk stabilization exercise with ADIM), and 17 were placed in the AEM group (trunk stabilization exercise with AEM). Each group participated in the study for 30 minutes three times weekly for 4 weeks. Surface electromyography was used to measure the trunk muscle activities during the kneeling forward and supine bridging positions, and one-way repeated analysis of variance was used to determine the statistical significance of the trunk muscle activities in the rectus abdominis, internal oblique (IO), erector spinae, and multifidus (MF) muscles. The ADIM and AEM groups showed relatively larger improvements in psychosocial and functional disability level than control group. There were significant changes among the three groups, those from the measured values of the AEM group was significantly higher than the other two groups in changes in IO and MF trunk muscle activities (p<.05). This finding demonstrates that trunk stabilization exercises with AEM is more effective than ADIM for increasing trunk deep muscle activity of chronic low back pain patients with lumbar spine instability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1505-1513
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• 2000

Objectives : Many surgical procedures have been introduced to a symptomatic lumbar stenosis. Most of these procedures still have been regarded as an extensive surgical intervention with respect to normal aging process of the lumbar spine. We adopted a microsurgical decompression procedure via unilateral exposure as a minimally invasive intervention for symptomatic lumbar stenosis without instability. Materials and Methods : Fifty-seven patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis underwent microsurgical decompression via unilateral laminotomy between March 1998 and December 1999. The conceptual modification and technical refinements were added to the previously reported microsurgical decompression procedure. Bilateral decompression through a unilateral laminotomy hole was performed in 11 patients. These patients profile also included 9 cases of degenerative spondylolisthesis(Grade I) without instability. Results : Preoperative neurogenic intermittent claudication(NIC) was more notably improved than low back pain, 60% to 82% during the follow-up period. Overall clinical results were excellent in 20(35%), good in 29(51%), fair in 6(11%) and poor in 2(3%). Conclusions : Microsurgical decompression for lumbar stenosis with stable spine provided a satisfactory symptomatic improvement without extensive destruction of the weight-bearing structures and functional mobile segments, even bilateral symptoms existed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.431-436
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• 2009

Objective : This study examines whether functional motion is present at one or more years after Bioflex System placement. BioFlex System is a flexible rod system which has been used to preserve motion at the area of implantation. There has not been a scientific study showing how much motion is preserved after implantation. Methods : A total of 12 consecutive patients underwent posterior dynamic stabilization using the BioFlex System. Six patients were treated using a L3-4-5 construct and other six patients using a L4-5-S1 construct. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 33 months and standing neutral lateral, extension, flexion and posteroanterior (PA) radiographs were obtained at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and at more than 12 months postoperatively. Range of motion (ROM), whole lumbar lordosis, and ROMs of motion segments from L2 to S1 were determined. Results : Patients with a L3-4-5 construct demonstrated a decrease in mean ROM for whole lumbar decreased from 40.08 to 30.77. Mean ROM for L3-4 (6.12 to 2.20) and L4-5 (6.55 to 1.67) also decreased after one year. Patients with a L4-5-S1 construct demonstrated L4-5 (8.75 to 2.70) and L5-S1 (9.97 to 3.25) decrease of mean ROM at one year postoperatively. Lumbar lordosis was preservep at both L3-4-5 and L4-5-S1 constructs. Clinical results showed significant improvements in both study groups. Conclusion : The present study provides preliminary information regarding the BioFlex motion preservation system. We conclude that the BioFlex System preserves functional motion to some degree at instrumented levels. However, although total lumbar lordosis was preserved, ROMs at implantation segments were lower than preoperative values.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.515-521
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and open lumbar microdiscectomy (OLM) for recurrent disc herniation. Methods : Fifty-four patients, who underwent surgery, either PELD (25 patients) or repeated OLM (29 patients), due to recurrent disc herniation at L4-5 level, were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Excluded were patients with sequestrated disc, calcified disc, severe neurological deficit, or instability. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiological variables were assessed using plain radiography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Results : Mean operating time and hospital stay were significantly shorter in PELD group (45.8 minutes and 0.9 day, respectively) than OLM group (73.8 minutes and 3.8 days, respectively) (p < 0.001). Complications occurred in 4% in PELD group and 10.3% in OLM group in the perioperative period. At a mean follow-up duration of 34.2 months, the mean improvements of back pain, leg pain, and functional improvement were 4.0, 5.5, and 40.9% for PELD group and 2.3, 5.1, and 45.0% for OLM group, respectively. Second recurrence occurred in 4% after PELD and 10.3% after OLM. Disc height did not change after PELD, but significantly decreased after OLM (p = 0.0001). Neither sagittal rotation angle nor volume of multifidus muscle changed significantly in both groups. Conclusion : Both PELD and repeated OLM showed favorable outcomes for recurrent disc herniation, but PELD had advantages in terms of shorter operating time, hospital stay, and disc height preservation.