• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.168-176
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was to investigate the factors influencing on the quality of life (QOL) among herniation of nucleus pulposus (HNP) patients caused by occupational accidents. Method: 203 patients of HNP were recruited. 106 patients were occupationally injured workers who benefited from workmen's compensation scheme (PWCS group), and 43 patients were non-occupationally injured workers benefiting from national health insurance (PNHI group). Questions of QOL items were used by Korean version of SBQOL (SmithKlein Beecham's Qality of Life). Result: The quality of life of PWCS group measured by SBQOL was significantly lower than that of PNHI group. In PWCS group, SBQOL was significantly lower in patients with 40s of their age, 5 years or longer of treatment duration, no expectation of return to work, no expectation of recovering subject's health, and with loss of employment than rest of the patients in each category. Expectations of recovering subject's health showed to be affect factors on QOL both the PWCS and PNHI groups. Conclusion: It suggested that betterment of expectation of recovering patient's health and an administrative system for returning to work of the occupationally injured HNP patients during treatment be necessary for improvement of their quality of life.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.197-205
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• 2007

Objectives : Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus(HNP) of Lumbar is the most important that causes low back pain. The aim of this study is to compare several therapies about Lumbar spine Hearniated Nucleus Pulposus in oriental Medecine which are Bee-venom Acpuncture and Ouhyul Herbal Acpuncture. Methods: Subjects of this research were 60 inpatients complaining Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus, and who were diagnosed as bulging disc, disc protrusion or extrusion with CT & MRI. 20 patients in each, 3 groups; Acpuncture therapy only, Bee-venom Acpuncture, and Ouhyul Herbal Acpuncture, were divided and the conclusions for treatment are as follows. Results : 1. Regarding alleviation of pain by VAS, Ouhyul Herbal Acpuncture Group III showed significant decrease of VAS in the early period of admission(5days), while Bee-venom Acpuncture Group II showed higher score of VAS compared to Acpuncture therapy only Group I. 2. On contrary, in the latter period of admission($5{\sim}9days$), Bee-venom Acpuncture Group II showed significantly higher rate of improvement than the other groups. 3. On the 9th admission day, Bee-venom Acpuncture Group II and Ouhyul Herbal Acpuncture Group III showed higher improvement than Acpuncture therapy only Group I. Between group II and III, Group II showed higher improvement rate. Conclusions : In this study, there were different effects among three groups according to period of treatment. Further study on various traatment for Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus required.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate clinical effects of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue acupuncture to the patients with herniation of nucleus pulposus(HNP) of lumbar. Methods : Total of 40 patients with HNP of lumbar were participated in this study. We divided them into two group; A group using conventional acupuncture and B group using conventional acupuncture and Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue acupuncture at the same time. All the subjects were asked to complete the VAS(visual analogue scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) before and after treatment. Results : Both A and B group represented effective improvement in VAS and ODI. And, B group is more effective than A group statistically. Conclusions : A comparision of VAS and ODI results of the two groups show that Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue acupuncture trement can give be more effective method on lumbago patients, if it is added conventional acupuncture. Further clinical studies are needed to verify these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.69-74
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• 2008

Purpose: The majority of patients with radiculopathy caused by a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) heal spontaneously without surgery. The aim of this report is to describe the spontaneous regression of lumbar disc herniation and the results of clinical follow-up. Methods: Three patients with radiating low back pain presented with an extruded intervertebral disc on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We performed follow-up with conservative treatment (epidural injection, medication, physical therapy, exercise) and clinical assessments on the 6th, 10th and 22nd months. Results: The extruded intervertebral disc almost complete regressed, and correlated with clinical improvement and follow-up MRI. Conclusion: Conservative treatment can be an effective approach for a herniated lumbar discs if no neurological deficits are present.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.727-738
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• 2012

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of a 4 week course of Cox distraction manipulation (CDM) combined with therapeutic modalities on the treatment of patients with L4-5 herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). A total of 15 patients with L4-5 HNP (mean age, 37.76 years; age range 20-50years) participated in the study. A 4 week course of CDM combined with therapeutic modalities was delivered to the patients for 6 days per week for the first two weeks, and three times per week for two additional weeks. The entire treatment consisted of 18 visits over 4 week period. Comparisons of changes in the muscle strengthening (MS), straight leg raise (SLR), and oswestry disability index (ODI) at pre-intervention, after two weeks treatment sessions, and at discharge (after 18 treatment sessions) were analyzed. Comparisons of changes in the disc herniation index (DHI) at pre-intervention and at discharge were analyzed using the paired t-test. There were significant improvements in the outcome measures of MS Ibs, SLR test, and ODI score after 2 weeks and 4 weeks sessions of CDM combined with therapeutic modalities as compared with the pre-intervention. However, no significant different pre-test and post-test DHI. CDM combined with therapeutic modalities appears to be a safe and efficacious, noninvasive treatment modality for patients with L4-5 HNP.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.21-35
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• 2006

Objectives : Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus(HNP) of Cervical is the most important reason that causes Cervical pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Carthmi-Flos Herbal acua-acupuncture therapy for Cervical disc Herniation patients. Methods : To evaluate the effectiveness of Carthmi-Flos Herbal acua-Acupuncture Therapy, 20 patients were treated by Carthmi-Flos Herbal acua-acupuncture therapy. To estimate the efficacy of treatment, we used Quardruple Visual Analog Scale (QVAS). Results & Conclusion : 1. As a objectivity treatment record, they test treatment record good 35%, fair 35%, excellent 30%. 2. After Carthmi-Flos acua-acupuncture therapy, pain rate changed from 8.80 to 5.40 3. By the results which puts out the statistics in sex , a pain rate of male changed from 8.57$({\pm}1.51)$ to 2.71$({\pm}2.63)$, a pain rate of female 8.92$({\pm}0.95)$ to 3.77$({\pm}2.09)$. Intentional difference is none as a therapy. 4. By the results which puts out the statistics in age, after forties changed from 9.07$({\pm}0.88)$ to 3.80$({\pm}2.43)$ and before forties changed from 8.00$({\pm}1.58)$ to 2.20$({\pm}1.30)$. Intentional difference is none as a therapy. 5. By the results which puts out the statistics in Duration, pain rate of the acutest group changed from 8.36$({\pm}1.12)$ to 2.18$({\pm}1.08)$, pain rate of the subacute group changed from 9.80$({\pm}0.45)$, to 5.20$({\pm}2.68)$, pain rate of the chronic group changed from 8.67$({\pm}1.53)$ to 3.33$({\pm}1.53)$. Intentional difference is none as a therapy. 6. By the results which puts out the statistics in the reading of Lumbar MID, pain rate of the Bulging type changed from 9.00$({\pm}1.05)$ to 4.30$({\pm}2.67)$, pain rate of the Protruded type changed from 8.50$({\pm}1.00)$, to 3.50$({\pm}1.29)$, pain rate of the Extruded type changed from 6.00 to 1.00, pain rate of the Mixed type changed from 9.20$({\pm}0.84)$ to 2.00$({\pm}1.23)$, Intentional difference is none as a therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.467-475
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes of static lumbar lordosis by different heel heights in normal adults and patients with herniation of nucleus pulposus(HNP). The lumbar lordosis was examined while standing on barefoot, on heel support with 4cm heel, and with 8cm heel in 10 normal adults and 10patients with HNP. Standing lumbar lateral view was performed by 20 minutes adaptation with corresponding shoe types. The angle of lumbar lordosis was taken with Wiltse and Winter's method(angles between upper margin of 1 st lumbar body and upper margin of 5th lumbar body). The results of this study were as follow: 1. Significant statistical decrease in lumbar lordosis was observed as heel heights were increased from barefoot to 8cm high heel in normal adults(p<0.05). 2. There were no significant differences in lumbar lordosis according to three different heel heights in patients with HNP(p>0.05). 3. In comparison of barefoot, There were statistically significant decrease in HNP patients compared with normal adults in terms of lumbar lordosis(p<0.05).

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.137-150
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• 2007

Objectives : To find effects of acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, low level He-Ne laser therapy(LLLT) at $TE_5$, $GB_{41}$ in the neuropathic pain. We made experiment on rats ligated L5 spinal nerve like general herniation of nucleus pulposus(HNP). Methods : A model of neuropathic pain was made by isolating Left 5th lumbar spinal nerve of rats. Three days after the neuropathic surgery, acupuncture and LLLT, electro-acupuncture was injected at $TE_5$, $GB_{41}$ one time a day for a week. Each group was divided two. one is opposite side performed the surgery which is right, another is left side performed the surgery. After that, the author examined the withdrawal response of neuropathic rats' legs by van Frey filament and acetone stimulation. And also the author examined c-Fos, Nociceptin and KOR-3 in the midbrain central gray of neuropathic rats. Results : As we have observed the effect of mechanical allodynia, LT-R group were diminished on 6th day compared with control group, EA-L group, EA-R group and LT-L group were diminished on 7th day compared with control group. As we have observed the effect of cold allodynia, EA-R group were diminished on 6th day, 7th day compared with control group. As we have observed the effect of activity of c-Fos in the central gray part, EA-R group and LT-R group were diminished compared with control group. As we have observed the effect of activity of Nociceptin in the central gray part, EA-R group were a little increased compared with control group but it is not reliability. As we have observed the effect of activity of KOR-3 in the central gray part, EA-R group were significantly increased compared with control group. Conclusions : We have noticed that effect of acupuncture at opposite side of sickness and powerful stimulation could be more effective, because of EA-R group have more controllable effect all test we have done on the other hand EA-L group have only effect on mechanical allodynia. This study can be used in clinical therapy for neuropathic pain. But it is not reliability that Nociceptin have effectively to control pain. Therefore We have to follow up about that.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.9-24
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• 2005

Objective: We have studied the effects of acupuncture and low level He-Ne laser therapy(LLLT) at $SI_3$, $BL_{40}$ on the tibial, sural nerve injury due to sports-damage or traffic accident and L5 spinal nerve ligature model like general herniation of nucleus pulposus(HNP) in a rat of neuopathic pain. Methods: A model of neuropathic pain was made by injuring tibial nerve and sural nerve while common peroneal nerve was maintained. Also, it was made by isolating left 5th lumbar spinal nerve. Three weeks after the neuropathic surgery, acupuncture and LLLT was injected at $SI_3$,$BL_{40}$ one time a day for one week. LLLT was divided three groups, that is LLLT-1(5mW), LLLT-2(10mW) and LLLT-3(30mW). After that, we examined the withdrawal response of neuropathic rats' legs by Von frey filament and acetone stimulation. And also we examined c-Fos, Nocieptin and KOR-3 in the midbrain central gray of neuropathic rats. Results: As we have observed the effect of mechanical allodynia, LLLT-3 group were diminished on 4 day, 5 day, 6 day and 7 day in the resection model compared with control model, LLLT-1 group were diminished on 5 day, LLLT-2 group were diminished on 3 day and 6 day, LLLT-3 group were diminished on 3 day, 4 day, 5 day, 6 day and 7 day in connected model compared with control group. As we have observed the effect of cold allodynia, LLLT-3 group were diminished on 7 day in the resection model compared with control model, LLLT-1 group were diminished on 6 day, 7 day, LLLT-3 group were diminished on 7 day in connected model compared with control group. As we have observed the effect of activity of c-Fos in the central gray part, LLLT-3 were diminished in resection model compared with control group, LLLT-1 group were diminished in connected model compared with control group. As we have observed the effect of activity of Nociceptin in the central gray part, resection model were not increased compared with control group, LLLT-1 group and LLLT-3 group were increased in connected model compared with control model. As we have observed the effect of activity of KOR-3 in the central gray part, resection model were not increased compared with control group, LLLT-3 group were increased in connected model compared with control model. Conclusions: We have noticed that LLLT-1 and LLLT-3 group have more controllable effect than acupuncture group. This study can be used in clinical therapy for neuropathic pain. But it is not reliability that Nociceptin and KOR-3 have effectively to control pain. Therefore We have to follow up about that.