• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.15-23
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• 2013

Objectives : To evaluate the clinical utility of MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients. Methods : We compared electrical activity between a before MET and a after MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients in same group(n=30) in dynamic flexion-reextension state during five seconds. We analyzed amplitudes and areas of electrical activity and asymmetry index(AI). Results : 1. After MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients were significantly decreased in Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) than before MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients(p<0.05). 2. After MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients were lower electrical activity than before MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients but it is not a pointless observation(p<0.05). 3. AI of the after MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients significantly decreased compared with before MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients(p<0.05). Conclusions : According to above results, there is clinical effect MET on low back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.107-112
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• 2012

Purpose: In the present study, the degree of subjective pain in chronic low back pain patients through the course of six week of yoga low back pain exercise and lumbar extensor muscle strengthening training was analyzed, and a systematic and effective home exercise therapy program was proposed. Methods: For this study, we sampled 21 random patients with chronic low back pain who were receiving outpatient treatment at G Hospital Pusan, and conducted experiment for six weeks by applying yoga low back pain exercise+modalities (7) lumbar extensor muscle endurance exercise+ modalities (7) and modalities (7). To measure the degree of pain, the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire were used. Pain was measured before the experiment and after six weeks. Results: Significant differences were observed between yoga, extensor muscle endurance exercise and modalities (VAS=0.00 Oswestry=0.00). The yoga and extensor endurance muscle exercise reduced low back pain by more than the modalities. Conclusion: This study will be used to develop a preventive and reduction method of LBP. Therefore, Yoga and extensor muscle endurance exercise are appropriate for use as a home program exercise to reduce low back pain in patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.10-15
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• 2013

Purpose: Low back pain occurs and frequently recurs in many people. An imbalance of paraspinal muscle activity can cause low back pain. Mulligan's concept of mobilizations with sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAG) is a common method for treating low back pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of this method on paraspinal muscle activity in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Twenty-one patients with low back pain participated in this study. Patients were classified using the Oswestry disability index. The subjects' paraspinal muscles were measured by surface electromyography both before and after the SNAG mobilization. We measured the root mean square value of the paraspinal muscles during lumbar flexion and extension. Results: Paraspinal muscle activity in patients with chronic low back pain was different between the right and left sides. Importantly, paraspinal muscle activity significantly decreased after using the SNAG mobilization method. Conclusion: This study shows a difference between paraspinal muscle activity in chronic low back pain patients and finds that the Mulligan's concept of SNAG mobilization is effective at reducing imbalances in paraspinal muscle activity in low back pain patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.83-92
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• 2014

Objectives To evaluate the clinical usefulness between muscle energy techniques (MET) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS), we performed both on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients. Methods After performing MET and TENS, we compared both in terms of electrical activity. We performed MET or TENS on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients in each group (n=15,15). After performing MET or TENS, we analyzed root mean square (RMS), median edge frequency (MEF) and asymmetry index (AI). Results 1. After performing MET on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients, RMS was significantly decreased compared with before (p<0.005). 2. After performing TENS on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients, RMS was significantly decreased compared with before (p<0.005). 3. After performing MET on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients, asymmetric index was significantly decreased compared with before (p<0.05). Conclusions According to above results, performing MET on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients has effect in terms of RMS and asymmetric index. And performing TENS on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients also has similar effect in terms of RMS but has not in terms of asymmetric index.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.114-124
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of the 8-weeks back pain management program (consisted of exercise and education for back pain) in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: A total of 20 subjects who visited the pain clinic in a university hospital were randomly assigned either to a experimental or a control group. Ten subjects in the experimental group carried out the back pain management program for 8 weeks, and 10 in the control group did not. Results: After the back pain management program, back pain and disability were significantly reduced, and back pain management behavior and back muscle strength were significantly increased in the experimental group. However, radiating pain and flexibility were not significantly changed after the back pain management program. Conclusion: Findings of this study indicated that the 8-weeks back pain management program had favorable effects on back pain, degree of disability, back pain management behavior, and back muscle strength in patients with chronic low back pain. Future research needs to examine the optimal intensity and frequency of back muscle strengthen exercise, and the lasting effects of education for back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.51-60
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was to compare the effect of center of pressure(COP) displacement and muscle activation onset during expected and unexpected sudden limb loading in subjects with low back pain and healthy control subjects. Most studies of COP displacement and muscle activation onset on postural task focused on sudden trunk loading or gross limb movements. Investigation of the COP displacement and muscle activation onset during expected and unexpected sudden upper limb loading deserves similar attention. Methods: For this study, 14 subjects with low back pain and 12 healthy control subjects are participated. Force plate and surface EMG measures were used to determine COP displacement and muscle activation onset under expected and unexpected sudden upper limb loading. Results: COP displacement and muscle activation onset under unexpected sudden upper limb loading were similar in subjects with low back pain and healthy control subjects. However, COP displacement and muscle activation onset under expected sudden upper limb loading were shortened in healthy control subject but not among the subjects with low back pain. Conclusion: The results provide evidence for impaired feed-forward control in subjects with low back pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.117-124
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the effects of crocodile breathing exercise on pain, muscle tone, and muscle stiffness of non-specific low back pain patients. METHODS: The subjects were 37 patients with nonspecific low back pain. The patients were divided into two groups. The experimental group (EG) performed crocodile breathing exercise and the control group (CG) performed chest expansion breathing exercise. The intervention was conducted for 10 minutes every day for a total of eight weeks. Pain was measured using a VAS. Muscle tone and stiffness were measured using Myoton PRO. Two points were measured for muscle tone and muscle stiffness. They were measured at 30mm from the spinous process of the L1 and T10 vertebra. RESULTS: Pain, muscle tone and muscle stiffness at the T10 level showed a significant decrease in both EG and CG. Muscle tone and muscle stiffness in the L1 level area decreased significantly in the experimental group but the control group did not show any difference. The only statistically significant difference was observed in the L1 muscle tone between the pre and post intervention values. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Crocodile breathing is a good method for managing pain, muscle tone, and muscle stiffness in non-specific low back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.275-280
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on physical fitness (dominant hand grip power, dominant isokinetic leg muscle strength, abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance) and depression in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study and subjects consisted of 60 young males with chronic low back pain. The subjects were allocated to two groups following a self-report survey: cigarette smoking group (n=25) or non-smoking group (n=35). Physical fitness (dominant hand grip power, dominant isokinetic leg muscle strength, abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance) were measured using objective methods and depression in patients with chronic low back pain was measured using the Korean version of center for epidemiologic studies depression (CES-D) scale. Results: The results of this study were as follows: In physical fitness, the cigarette smoking group showed a significant decrease in abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiopulmonary endurance compared with the non-smoking group. Depression index (CES-D scale score) was significantly higher in the cigarette smoking group than in the non-smoking group. Conclusion: These results suggest that cigarette smoking had a negative effect on abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiopulmonary endurance in patients with chronic low back pain. In addition, depression of patients with chronic low back pain was affected by cigarette smoking. Thus, we suggested that cigarette smoking may play a significant role in the deterioration of physical fitness and depression of chronic low back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.393-397
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• 2012

Purpose: We investigated to identify the effect of robo-horseback riding exercise (RHRE) on trunk muscle activity ratios for patients with low back pain. Methods: Twelve patients with low back pain and twelve healthy adults were recruited for this study. Subjects performed the RHRE with the neutral spine position. The amplitude of electromyography activity was recorded from the selected trunk muscles (internal oblique [IO], rectus abdominis [RA], multifidus [MF], the thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum [ICLT]). The ratios of the relative local muscle activity to the global muscle activity in abdominal and lumbar parts were calculated. Results: There were significant differences in the change values of the IO/RA and the MF/ICLT between low back pain (LBP) patients and healthy adults. The IO/RA ratio and the MF/ICLT ratio showed significant increase in LBP patients after training. Conclusion: The RHRE improved the trunk muscle activity ratio in patients with low back pain. The information presented here is important for investigators who use lumbar stabilization exercises as a rehabilitation exercise.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.31-39
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• 2009

This study is performed to investigate the difference of the spinal stability system with and without low back pain. There were 9 participants with low back pain and 9 asymptomatic subjects to be recruited, they were measured thoracic and lumbar curvature, trunk muscle activation in upright sitting postures and slump sitting, back muscle endurance, and lumbar proprioception. Spinal curvature and surface electromyography of 4 trunk muscles were measured in an upright sitting postures and slump sitting in 18 subjects. The result of the study was that there were significant differences between the groups in spinal curvature (p<.05), significantly higher external oblique activity and less internal oblique in the low back pain group than the healthy subjects (p<.05), and significantly less proprioception in the low back pain group (p<.05). But there was not a significant difference between the trunk muscle endurance groups. According to the result, the low back pain group had greater thoracic extension and higher global muscle activity in the upright sitting posture and less proprioception. This study was useful to suggest postural training for normal muscle activation, selective muscle strengthening to prevent chronic deterioration, and helpful in making a treatment plan to indicate a synthetic care method that includes increasing proprioception.