• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.223-231
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of different methods of pelvic control on abdominal muscle activity and lumbopelvic rotation angle during active straight leg raising (ASLR) in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: The study participants were patients with low back pain (n = 30). They were instructed to perform ASLR with pelvic control, ASLR with pelvic belt, and ASLR only. Surface electromyography data were collected from the ipsilateral rectus femoris (IRF), ipsilateral internal oblique (IIO), contralateral external oblique (CEO), and ipsilateral rectus abdominal (IRA) muscles, and lumbopelvic rotation angle was measured using a motion analysis device. Results: Activation of all abdominal muscles was greater in the ASLR with pelvic control group than in the ASLR with pelvic belt and ASLR groups. The lumbopelvic rotation angle was lower in the ASLR with pelvic control group than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that ALSR with pelvic control is an effective means of increasing abdominal muscle activity and reducing unwanted lumbopelvic rotation in patients with chronic low back pain. Controlling the pelvis using the opposite leg is an effective form of ASLR exercise for patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the relationship between low back pain and job stress in hospital nurses. Method: A descriptive correlation research design was employed. The participants were 355 nurses who worked in a general hospital in W city Kangwon-do and consented to participate in this study. The Visual Analog Scale and job stress scale were used in this study. Analysis included descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and partial correlation coefficients. Results: Experience of low back pain for nurse in the past was 86.5% and in the present was 67.5% for low back pain which measured an average of 4.4 points for the level of low back pain. The mean score for job stress was relatively low(M=47.2). Job demand, organization system, job instability and conflict in relationships contributed to high stress scores, instead inappropriate compensation, job culture, and job autonomy contributed to low stress. There was a significant relationship between low back pain and job stress. Conclusion: These results suggest that further research is needed to develop programs to prevention and management of low back pain for nurses.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2022

Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the abdominal bracing (AB) and abdominal bracing combined with ankle dorsiflexion (ABDF) on abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Design: Two group pretest posttest design. Methods: Sixteen subjects were divided randomly into two group: ABDF group (n=8), and alone AB group (n=8). The ABDF group practiced AB exercise with additional ankle dorsiflexion. AB group practiced only AB exercises. Subjects in both groups received ABDF exercise and AB exercise for 40 min per day, three days per week during a period of three weeks, respectively. All the subjects were evaluated for abdominal muscle thickness and strength before and after intervention using ultrasonography and MedX machine. Results: The external oblique (EO), internal oblique, transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle thickness and the strength produced at $48^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $72^{\circ}$ showed a significant increase in the ABDF group after intervention, with a more significant improvement in EO and TrA muscle thickness in the ABDF group compared with the AB group (p<0.05). Also, the strength at $48^{\circ}$ strength showed a significant improvement in the ABDF group than the AB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study results showed that abdominal muscle contraction exercises with AD in patients with LBP had an influence on abdominal muscle thickness and strength. Therefore, these findings suggest that ABDF may be useful approach for enhancement of abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.236-250
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensive rehabilitation programs on pain, range of motion (ROM), lumbar muscle strength, core muscle endurance, disability, and depression in patients with traumatic low back injuries and to compare the efficacy of this therapy with that of conventional rehabilitation therapy. Methods: The study was performed with a retrospective medical chart review of patients with traumatic low back injury referred to the rehabilitation center at the Daegu Hospital of the Korean Workers Compensation and Welfare Service. Forty-four patients were allocated to either the conventional rehabilitation group (CRG; n = 22) or the intensive rehabilitation group (IRG; n = 22). The CRG group patients, who received 30-min therapist-supervised physical therapy and modality therapy five times per week for four weeks, were compared with the IRG group patients, who received 60-min therapist-supervised physical therapy, 30-min therapist-patient 1:1 matching rehabilitation therapy, and modality therapy five times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures were a numerical rating scale, ROM, lumbar muscle strength, lumbar core muscle endurance, thickness of lumbar deep focal core muscle (transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and depression (Korean version patient health questionnaire-9). Results: There were statistically significant improvements after treatment in all outcome measures in both groups (p < 0.05). In the intergroup comparison, NRS scores on the activity and thickness of lumbar deep focal core muscles increased significantly more in the IRG than in the CRG (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in NRS scores on resting, ROM except left lateral bending, lumbar muscle strength, core muscle endurance, ODI, and depression. Conclusions: We could confirm the superior effectiveness of an intensive rehabilitation program compared to conventional rehabilitation therapy in patients with traumatic low back injuries.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine levels of pain, depression, and adjustment to military life in soldier who experienced low back pain, in order to produce fundamental data for the development of health improvement programs to prevent and manage low back pain in soldiers with low back pain. Methods: Subjects of this study consisted of 317 soldiers who had low back pain. Study instruments were Visual analog scale (VAS), the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and adjustment to military life scale. Collected data were analyzed by the SPSS Win 14.0 program. Results: Mean score of pain was 4.16 points, depression was 8.58 points, and adjustment to military life was 69.15 points. The level of pain was negatively related to adjustment to military life (r=-.241, p<.001) and positively related to depression (r=.262, p<.001). There was a negative relationship between depression and adjustment to military life (r=-.442, p<.001). Conclusion: Soldiers who had low back pain experienced higher levels of pain and depression and lower level of adjustment to military life. Therefore, further study is needed to develop and examine a nursing intervention to manage low back pain for them.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.902-913
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of a strengthening program for the lower back in older women with chronic low back pain. Methods: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest experiment. The experimental group consisted of 16 older women and the control group, 14, all of whom had experienced low back pain for at least 3 months. The strengthening program for the lower back included lumbar stabilization exercises and education on pain management in daily living. For an 8 week period, exercises were done 3 days a week and on one day education was also given. Results: Pain and disability scores decreased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. Flexibility, life satisfaction and lumbar muscle strength scores increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Low back pain and disability can be relieved, and flexibility, muscle strength, and life satisfaction increased through a program to strengthen the lower back. It is suggested that a program to strengthen the lower back would be an effective nursing intervention for older women with low back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Progressive muscle relaxation training on pain, Korean version of Oswestry disability index (ODI) and psychological level in chronic low back pain patients with somatization. Methods: A total of 30 subjects were treated with the experimental group (n=15) and conservative physical therapy (n=15). The experimental group was trained with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), and the control group was treated with conservative physical therapy. Physical factor treatment was applied for 60 minutes by hot pack, electrotherapy and ultrasound. Both groups performed three times a week for six weeks. VAS, ODI, psychological level measurements were taken before and after intervention. Results: There was a significant difference in VAS (p<.05) and ODI (p<.01) between experimental and control group. At the psychological level, there were significant differences in somatization (p<0.01) and depression scales (p<.01), but not in anxiety. Conclusion: As a result of this study, the degree of pain was decreased, the level of back pain dysfunction was improved, and the somatization scale and depression scale were decreased by gradual muscle relaxation therapy.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of postural habits and stress on low back pain experienced by nursing students. Methods: The survey was conducted with 282 students at 5 nursing schools in Seoul, Incheon, Chungcheongbuk, and Jeollabuk Province. Data were collected from October, 2013 to January, 2014. Data analyses including descriptive analysis, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, and multiple regression were performed using SPSS 21.0. Results: In multiple regression, habit of standing on force of one feet (${\beta}=.23$, p<.001), habit of sleeping on one's back (${\beta}=-.19$, p=.020), habit of resting the chin on one's hands (${\beta}=.15$, p=.029), and habit of carrying a bag on one shoulder (${\beta}=.12$, p=.011) were associated with low back pain experienced by nursing students. These factors accounted for 12.9% of the variance in the low back pain in undergraduate students. Conclusion: These results suggest that low back pain in nursing students are related to their habits of posture in daily life. Therefore, intervention program to encourage healthy postural habits can be effective to prevent low back pain in nursing students.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare chronic low back pain patients' pain provocation position so as to identify the relevance with lumbar stabilizing muscles atrophy and pain provocation position. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifty five chronic low back pain patients were participated in this study. Subjects were eligible for study participation if they were 35-55 years old and had experienced low back pain for more than 3 months. Subjects were questioned about pain and pain provocation test were done. And then they were inspected their cross sectional area (CSA) of lumbar muscles (erector spinae, iliopsoas, and multifidus) by using computed tomography. Analyze the relevance through the result data with painful area, aspect of pain and pain provocation position. Results: CSA of erector spinae showed significant decrease on ipsilateral extension position (p<0.05). Iliopsoas muscle showed significant decrease on contralateral position (p<0.05). Multifidus showed significant decrease on the position of contralateral extension and contralateral flexion (p<0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of our study, it may be possible to evaluate muscle atrophy by assessing causing position.