• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.7-14
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of bee venom pharmacopuncture (BVP) therapy according to the methods used to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA): intra-acupoint combined with intra-articular injection, intra-acupoint injection, and intra-articular injection. Methods: A total of 69 patients were recruited by the Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion at Dong-Eui Oriental University Hospital from February 1 to July 23, 2012. The patients were assigned to 3 groups: the first group with intra-acupoint combined with intra-articular BVP Injection (the experimental group), the 2nd group with intra-acupoint BVP injection (control group II), and the 3rd group with intra-articular BVP injection (control group II). The participants were assigned in the order in which they were recruited. Treatments were done twice a week, for a total of 9 times. The effectiveness was assessed by using the visual analouge scale (VAS) and the Korea Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (KWOMAC). Results: All three groups exhibited significant VAS and KWOMAC effects. Moreover, the 4 week follow-up after the final treatment showed a persistence of BVP effects. However, when the groups were compared, no statistically significant differences in VAS and KWOMAC were noted, but when improvement was considered, the results showed that intra-articular injection was more effective than intra-acupoint injection. Especially, intra-acupoint combined with intra-articular injection was the most effective among the three treatments. Conclusions: Combining intra-acupoint with intra-articular injection, depending on the patient's symptoms, may produce better results when conservatively treating knee OA.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2008

Objective This study was performed to investigate whether Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture(BVP) could be a more effective modality than Warm Needling(WN) in relieving pain and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis(OA). Design Prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial. Setting Single center trial in Korea Patients 49 volunteers with knee OA participated in the study. All the participants were screened through an inclusion and exclusion criteria. 33 participants were completed the clinical trial. Intervention The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received BVP(n=18), while the other group received WN(n=15). Sixteen sessions of BVP or WN were given at the pain region of the problematic knee for 8 weeks. Primary outcome measure is the Korean translation of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores(Korean WOMAC, KWOMAC). Secondary outcome measure is the physical health scores based on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36) and Patient Global Assessment(PGA). KWOMAC and SF-36 were measured third (baseline, 4 and 8 weeks). PGA was measured twice(4 and 8 weeks). Results BVP group showed significant decrease compared to WN group in pain, function and total scores of KWOMAC according to the Mann-Whitney U-test. In the PGA, BVP group, compared to WN group, showed a significant increase. Conclusions BVP was more effective in relieving pain of knee OA than WN. These findings suggest that BVP is a promising alternative for treating knee OA.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.387-397
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this case study was to investigate selective region high-frequency diathermy at trigger points with therapeutic exercises on pain, function, balance and gait in older patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis (DKO). Design: A case report. Methods: The patient who participated in this study was a 71-year-old woman, who had been diagnosed with moderate osteoarthritis with grade II Kellgren & Lawrence grading scale. The intervention consisted of selective region high-frequency diathermy at trigger points, with hip and knee stretching and strengthening exercises. The participant was given assessments before and after every intervention session using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT). The participant performed the intervention 18 times for a total of 30 minutes each. Results: As a result of this study, the patient VAS decreased to 3 points, and the WOMAC decreased to 53 points. In addition, the TUG decreased to 3.25 s and the 10MWT decreased to 1.14 s. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that selective region high-frequency diathermy at trigger points with therapeutic exercises may be an effective intervention to decrease pain, improve knee function, balance and gait in patients with DKO. The selective region high-frequency diathermy with therapeutic exercises may be feasible and provide potential benefits for rehabilitation of DKO.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if osteoarthritis patients would benefit in terms of pain, fatigue, difficulty with physical activity, joint stiffness, and flexibility of the joints from a structured self-help program. Method: This self-help program was carried out 2-3 hours once a week for 6 weeks in 2005-2006, and evaluated in one group pretest-posttest pre-experimental design. The subjects of this study who were diagnosed osteoarthritis were recruited at two different Community Health Centers in Kangwon. The subjects who agreed with the purpose of this study and participated both pretest and post-test were 55 patients. Mean age is 63.48 (9.48) years, mean duration of disease is 7.95 (7.66) years. The self-help program was consisted of weekly health contract, exercise, health education, group discussion, group counseling, and recreation. At every meeting, researcher and trained public health nurse evaluated the program, and prepared the next program. The measurement tools were pain rating scale (0-10), fatigue rating scale (0-10), Korean WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis) Index, ruler, and goniometer. Results: At the completion of 6 weeks of self-help program, the subjects reported significantly less pain and difficulty with physical activity and more flexibility in both shoulder and knee joints compared to pretest. Conclusion: The self-help program would be helpful on pain, physical activity, and joint flexibility for arthritis patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.109-119
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this report was to show that oriental therapy, specifically Shinbaro pharmacopuncture is effective for improvement of symptoms and and range of motion (ROM) in patients diagnosed with meniscus tears in the knee. Methods : Three patients were treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, Shinbaro pharmacopuncture. The efficacies of the treatments in the three cases were assessed and the progress of the three cases were measured Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), European Quality of Life five dimensions dimensions (EQ-5D), and range of motion (ROM) measurements. Results : After all the treatments, NRS, WOMAC, and EQ-5D decreased. Active and passive ROM of the knee increased. Conclusion : These reports show the effect of Shinbaro pharmacopucture on a meniscus tear. Due to the small number of cases in this study, further case reports are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.163-173
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study is to determine whether Chinemys reevesii Gray pharmacopuncture is a clinically effective treatment for women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods : Female patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited from May $1^{st}$, 2014 to April $15^{th}$, 2015 at the Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine of Dong-Eui University Korean Medical Hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. 4.0 ml of Chinemys reevesii Gray pharmacopuncture was injected at acupuncture points of the experimental group(n = 24) twice a week for three weeks. The control group(n = 24) received 5 % dextrose injections in order to identically stimulate the same acupuncture points of $ST_{35}$, $ST_{34}$, $SP_9$, $SP_{10}$, $GB_{34}$, $LR_8$, $EX-LE_4$, and $EX-LE_2$. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire(SF-MPQ), the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(KWOMAC), and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions(EQ-5D) were recorded to evaluate treatment efficacy at first visit, after two weeks and four weeks from the initial visit. Results : 40 patients completed the trial. The experimental group showed more significant improvement than the control group in the scores of SF-MPQ, KWOMAC, and EQ-5D. However, there was no significant difference between groups in a few of the assessment scales. Conclusions : Chinemys reevesii Gray pharmacopuncture can be an effective treatment in control of pain, improvement in function and health-related quality of life for women with knee osteoarthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.195-207
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and intra-articular injection (IAI) of steroid-bupivacaine in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: After randomization, patients received either a PENG block or IAI under ultrasound-guidance. Clinical evaluations were recorded at baseline, day 1, and weeks 1, 4, and 8 post-intervention. The numerical rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Harris Hip Scale (HHS) scores, pain medication use determined by a quantitative analgesic questionnaire, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results: Sixty patients were included in this study. NRS scores improved significantly for both groups during the follow-up compared to pretreatment (P < 0.001), with better pain scores for the PENG group (P < 0.001) at day 1 with larger effect size (Cohen's d = 4.62), and IAI group at 4 (Cohen's d = 5.15) and 8 (Cohen's d = 4.33) weeks (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in pain medication consumption (P = 0.499) and patient satisfaction (P = 0.138) between groups. Patients in the IAI group experienced significant improvement in HHS (Cohen's d = 2.16, P = 0.007) and WOMAC (Cohen's d = 1.02, P = 0.036) scores at 8 weeks compared to the PENG group. Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided PENG block provides effective pain relief which improves functionality and quality of life in hip OA patients up to 2 months. The PENG block can be considered an easy, safe, and useful alternative treatment modality for hip OA.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.264-274
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• 2024

Background: Radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment modality in the symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of the superomedial and inferomedial genicular nerves (2 branches) with the superolateral, superomedial, and inferomedial genicular nerves (3 branches) and to show whether the 2-branch procedure is inferior to the 3-branch procedure. Methods: This study is a prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical study. Eligible participants were randomized into 2 groups: group A, which applied the procedure to the superomedial and inferomedial genicular nerves, and group B, which applied it to the superomedial, superolateral and inferomedial genicular nerves. Pain was evaluated with the numerical rating scale, quality of life with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and disability with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index before, and at 1 and 3 months after the procedure. Results: A total of 41 patients were included. There were no differences between the groups except for the SF-36 physical health sub-score at baseline. A significant improvement was seen in the numeric rating scale (NRS) score, SF-36 sub-scores, WOMAC Index total, as well as pain and physical function scores in both groups, though no significant difference was detected between the groups during follow-up. Conclusions: Although we were unable to establish the noninferiority of conventional radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) applied to 2 branches to CRFA applied to 3 branches, in this trial, significant and similar improvement was observed in NRS, WOMAC total, pain, and physical function and SF-36 scores in both groups.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.93-107
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Chuna and taping treatment in patients with genu varum. Methods : Twenty-seven patients(male:10, female:17) with genu varum were recruited in this study. Chuna treatment at pelvic, and taping treatment at both legs were applied to whole participants. Outcomes were assessed using Q-angle(Quadriceps angle, QA), tibiofemoral angle(TFA), width and length of lesser trochanter(LT), pelvic incidence(PI), pelvic(PT), sacral slope(SS), lumber lordosis angle(LLA), meridian-electromyography(MEMG), Korean western ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index(KWOMAC), and distance of femoral intercondylar distance(ICD). Results : 1. QA, LT width and LT length in radiograph were significantly increased. 2. PI, SS, PT and TFA in radiograph were significantly decreased. 3. The left vastus medialis portion contraction of female was significantly decreased after treatment. 4. The left rectus femoris portion fatigue was significantly decreased after treatment in male subjects. 5. The vastus medialis portion fatigue was significantly decreased after treatment in female subjects. 6. The distance of femoral ICD was significantly decreased. Conclusions : This study showed that Chuna and taping treatment could be used as an effective method for the treatment of genu varum.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.143-154
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• 2024

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to improve the understanding of the Korean Standard Functional, Disability, and Health Classification (KCF) and its ease of use in the clinical domain of the musculoskeletal system by comparing, analyzing, and linking the KCF codes with items from patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which are currently mainly used to evaluate patients with neck, shoulder, waist, and knee pain. METHODS: The items of the most widely used PROMs, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the codes of the KCF were linked by two experts according to the linking rules. RESULTS: The concordance between the items of each of the PROMs and the KCF code linked by the two experts was NDI,86.4%86.4%, DASH 83.3%, ODI 92.0%, and WOMAC 80.7%. The NDI, DASH, and WOMAC indexes were found to comprise items corresponding to physical function, activity, and participation areas, and were linked to 22, 43, and 31 KCF codes, respectively. In addition to these two areas, the ODI included items related to environmental factors and was linked to 25 codes (duplicated codes are treated as one). CONCLUSION: This research can be used by adding the KCF code to the questions of the currently used evaluation tool. This coding can be easily applied and will contribute to the easy understanding of the KCF.