• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1993

The purpose of this study was to describe the difference of weight distribution between healthy persons and low back pain patients during normal standing posture and to help the evaluation of weight bearing. 30 healthy persons and 30 low back pain patients being treated as hospitals in Taegu area participated in this study. The results were 2.63kg id the difference of weight distribution of healthy group and 3.04kg in low back pain group. This study was not significantly different between healthy and low back pain group.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.38-48
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• 2004

The purpose of present study is to examine the relative efficacy of active exercise programs for work-related chronic low back pain and to figure out how much they affect mechanical stability of lumbar. Subjects are 43 employees with work-related chronic low hack pain, and they were randomly divided into two groups with general physiotherapy groups and thoracic exercise groups for increasing thoracic mobility. Active exercise programs were done 3 times a week, for 6 months, and the subjects were tested for Pain intensity(VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index, Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction and the lumbar region angle of inclination. All subjects were reassessed with same measurement with Pre-study and 6 months after study After applying active exercise programs, pain intensity didn't show any significant difference between two groups. The Oswestry Disability Index showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise groups decreased significantly compare to general physiotherapy group(p<0.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise group increased significantly more than general physiotherapy groups(p<0.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise group decreased significantly more than general physiotherapy groups (p<0.05). According to the results above, exercise for increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. For the work-related chronic lower hack pain workers, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.65-68
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• 2007

Objective : A new point of view on the chronic back pain proposed which is, named neuropathic back pain[NBP]. Some proposed a certain pain scale as an useful diagnostic tool. Before scientific verification, some doctors prescribed a new anticonvulsant for the NBP. We investigated diagnostic tools for NBP by a review of the literature. Methods : A comprehensive computer search of the English literature concerning neuropathic low back pain was performed using the key words such as neuropathic back pain and diagnosis in the PubMed. Results : In 1998, the term NBP was first used in a patient with lung cancer. In the English literature, there were two diagnostic methods for the NBP, Neuropathic pain scale[NPS] and a pharmacological test. NPS is a pain questionnaire, which depends on the patients' subjective reports on the given questions, such as 'how hot is your pain feel'. By the pharmacological test, NBP was defined as 50% or more decrease of pain on intravenous lidocaine and on local anesthetic epidurally. It also depends on the patients' subjective response to the therapy. Conclusion : There were still no reliable objective diagnostic criteria for the NBP. It seems to be better to reserve the new anticonvulsants for the NBP till scientific approval.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.123-149
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• 1991

This study has been attempted to be helpful for the back rehabilization of Korean workers by analyzing the general, occupational, social aspects of low back pain and to identify possible risk factors for back pain in White and Blue collar workers. The primary data were collected from 380 workers in Seoul city by means of a Questionnaire with random which was distributed from March 10 to 31, 1990. For the test of statistical significance, chi-square analysis was used to compare the back pain characteristics between above two groups. The results were as follows : 1. The incidence of low back pain in all walkers studied was $79.7\%$. The incidence of Blue collar with low back pain $(87.2\%)$ was higher than that of White collars $(75.0\%)$. 2. With regard to the relationship of back pain to the occupational characteristics, statistically significant differences were observed between workers with and without back pain concerning the job factors on work-time, job satisfaction, mental stress, chair fittness, work posture, work rotation, weight lifting, monotonous repetitive movements, vibration, and heavy noise (p<0.05). 3. With regard to the relationship of back pain to the social characteristics, there were no differences with respect to having car, personality types, drinking habits, and leisure-time activities. However, significant differences were showed between no pain and pain groups for the using bed, sleeping posture, traffic time amount, walking health state, smoking habits, and physical exercise (p<0.05). 4. The comparative analysis of back pain related to work factors showed highly significant differences with respect to mental stress, chair fittness, work posture, trunk rotation, weight lifting, monotonous repetitive work in White collar group (p<0.01) ; and job satisfaction, mental stress, trunk rotation, weight lifting, monotonus repetitive work, exposure to vibration and heavy noise in Blue collar group(p<0.01). 5. The comparative analysis of social factors in two groups showed differences with respect to the using bed, sleeping posture, walking amount, health state, physical exercise, smoking habits in White cellar group (p<0.05) ; and walking amount, traffic time amount, health state, smoking habits, physical exercise in Blue cellar group (p<0.05). 6. In regard to the general aspects of back pain between two groups, there were differences concerning etiolgy of back pain, counselling partners, treatment types, and sick-leaves(p<0.05), except pain duration, and awareness of back pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.581-585
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• 2001

Objectives : Criteria for evaluating the results of treating low back pain vary widely. We examined the methods measuring the outcome in the papers of Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society. Methods : We selected all published articles describing the methods measuring the outcome of low back pain in the journal. They were classified into 3 periods such as period 1 for volume 1-20, 2 for volume 21-25, and 3 for volume 26-28. Results : There are 25 articles in period 1, 44 in period 2, and 30 in period 3. The outcome was classified into 0 to 5 classes by more than 15 different methods. Although the terms and descriptive criteria differ, 4 classes were the most common classification, being 16 in period 1, 39 in period 2, and 19 in period 3. The outcome was usually measured by authors' own method in period 1. In period 2, criteria by Gill et al was most commonly used along with many different criteria. Criteria by Prolo et al became a common method in period 3. Conclusion : Varying methods compromised comparative analyses of outcome. A more simple and universally applicable criteria is necessary to facilitate comparisons among various methods of treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.324-329
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• 2000

Objective : Psychological factors may have a major influence on the outcome of treatment for back pain. We investigated the relationship between the outcome and some psychological factors, such as self-reported pain intensity, disability, sleep disturbance and fatigue. Method : The study was conducted as a survey using a questionnaire and telephone interviews. The survey included consecutive 294 patients who visited the neurosurgical out-patient department complaining of low back pain and contacted by telephone on average seven months after the first visit. Pain intensity was measured by visual analog scale, and disability was assessed by Waddell's chronic disability index. Results : The outcome of treatment for back pain was recovered in 36.7%, improved in 30.6%, almost same in 28.6%, and aggravated in 4.1%. Overall rate of improvement was 67.3%. The rate of improvement was related to the duration, patterns and intensity of the symptom, and Waddell index. It was not influenced by the doctors, special studies, and methods of treatment. When the duration was more than 6 months, there were the symptoms of both back and legs, and the self-reported Waddell index was 1-3, the rate of improvement was relatively low. Although the intensity of the pain and disability was closely related to the degree of sleep disturbance, fatigue, appetite, or indigestion, the outcome of treatment for back pain was not always bad in patients with high psychological stress. Actually the outcome of the patients who complained severe pain and disability was better than the outcome of the others. Conclusion : The outcome of the back pain can be predicted by the duration, patterns and intensity of the symptom, and Waddell index. The multidisciplinary treatment will be necessary for the patients whose expected outcome is not good to reduce not only the physical symptoms but also the psychological stress.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.482-487
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• 2014

Objective : We assessed the life-time prevalence (LTP) of chronic low back pain (LBP) in young Korean males. We also evaluated the relationship between lumbar spinal lesions and their health related quality-of-life (HRQOL). Methods : A cross-sectional, self-reported survey was conducted in Korean males (aged 19-year-old) who underwent physical examinations for the conscript. We examined 3331 examinees in November 2014. We included 2411 subjects, who accepted to participate this study without any comorbidities. We interviewed using simple binary questions for their LBP experience and chronicity. HRQOL was assessed by Short-Form Health-Survey-36 (SF-36) in chronic LBP and healthy control groups. Radiological assessment was performed in chronic LBP group to determine whether there were any pathological causes of their symptoms. Results : The LTP of chronic LBP was 13.4%. Most (71.7%) of them didn't have any lumbar spinal lesions (i.e., non-specific chronic LBP). The SF-36 subscale and summary scores were significantly lower in subjects with chronic LBP. Between specific and non-specific chronic LBP group, all physical and mental subscale scores were significantly lower in specific chronic LBP group, except mental health (MH) subscale score. In MH subscale and mental component summary score, statistical significant differences didn't appear between two groups (p=0.154, 0.126). Conclusion : In Korean males 19 years of age, the LTP of chronic LBP was 13.4%, and more than two-thirds were non-specific chronic LBP. Chronic LBP had a significant impact on HRQOL. The presence of lumbar spinal pathoanatomical lesions affected mainly on the physical aspect of HRQOL. It influenced little on the mental health.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.237-244
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• 2001

Back pain has plagued humans for many thousands of years. The treatment of back pain is divided into operative treatment and conservative treatment. It is reported that cure rate of conservative treatment is 80~90 percent. Generally, the treatment of oriental medicine is mostly conservative treatment. But, surgery should not be used as a last resort in treatment; it is just one of many treatment options for various spinal conditions. In some instance, it can be to preferred choice; in other situations, alternative therapies may be superior. Selections of the operation in HIVD 1. Acute disc herniations with a protracted significant component af back pain. 2. Chronic disc degeneration with significant back pain and degeneration limited to one or two disc levels. 3. Sugical instability created during decompression. 4. The presence of neural arch defects coincident with disc disease. 5. Symptamatic and radiographically demonstrable segmental instability. Selections of the operation in stenosis 1. If it does not slowly progress in physical therapy and other nonoperative measures, many of these patients may ultimately need surgical decompression. 2. Absolute stenosis in an impression of CT, MRI.(under 10mm) 3. In patients with established symptoms of .neurogenic claudication. 4. In patients with bad influence of neurogenic derangement.(strength, sensory) Selections of the operation in spondylolisthesis 1. Persistence or recurrence of major symptoms for at least one year despite activity modification and physical therapy. 2. Tight hamstrings, persistently abnormal gait, or postural deformities unrelieved by physical therapy. 3. Sciatic scoliosis. 4. Progressive neurologic deficit. 5. Progressive slipping beyond 25 or 50 percent, even when asymptomatic. 6. A high slip angle (40 to 50 degrees) in a growing child, since it is likely to be associated with further progression and deformity. 7. Psychologic problems attributed to shortness of trunk, abnormal gait, and postural deformities characteristic of more severe slips.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2004

Objective : This study obtained normative values for variable parameters of lumbar function with the isoinertial triaxial dynamometer in patients with chronic low back pain. Subjects and Methods : 30 patients(male 15, female 15) with chronic low back pain in this study. Variable parameters that were measured with the Isostation B-200 were lumbar range of motion, isometric maximum torques, and maximum velocities in three axis. Results : In patient male group mean R.O.M. was $82.9{\pm}12.5$ degrees in lumbar rotation, $76.5{\pm}17.1$ degrees in lumbar flexion/extension, and $64.3{\pm}14.5$ degrees in lumbar lateral flexion. In patient female group mean R.O.M. was $78.4{\pm}18.5$ degrees in lumbar rotation, $71.7{\pm}20.4$ degrees in lumbar flexion/extension, and $63.2{\pm}14.4$ degrees in lumbar lateral flexion. In patient male group mean isometric maximum torques was $64.7{\pm}23.8ft-lbs$ in lumbar rotation, $81.1{\pm}42.0ft-lbs$ in lumbar flexion, $122.2{\pm}43.6ft-lbs$ in lumbar extension, and $101.0{\pm}37.0ft-lbs$ in lumbar lateral flexion. In patient female group mean isometric maximum torques was $41.9{\pm}9.2ft-lbs$ in lumbar rotation, $49.9{\pm}23.9ft-lbs$ in lumbar flexion, $90.1{\pm}26.8ft-lbs$ in lumbar extension, and $62.0{\pm}16.7ft-lbs$ in lumbar lateral flexion. In patient male group mean maximum velocity of isoinertial exercise with low (25%) resistance was $102.4{\pm}28.8deg/sec$ in lumbar rotation, $108.9{\pm}32.2deg/sec$ in lumbar flexion/extension, and $103.5{\pm}30.4deg/sec$ in lumbar lateral flexion. In patient female group mean maximum velocity of isoinertial exercise with low (25%) resistance was $84.1{\pm}24.4deg/sec$ in lumbar rotation, $93.2{\pm}32.9deg/sec$ in lumbar flexion/extension, and $98.5{\pm}33.7deg/sec$ in lumbar lateral flexion. In patient male group mean maximum velocity of isoinertial exercise with high (50%) resistance was $74.0{\pm}20.9deg/sec$ in lumbar rotation, $98.7{\pm}32.8deg/sec$ in lumbar flexion/extension, and $85.0{\pm}25.8deg/sec$ in lumbar lateral flexion. In patient female group mean maximum velocity of isoinertial exercise with high (50%) resistance was $67.3{\pm}26.4deg/sec$ in lumbar rotation, $82.5{\pm}31.0deg/sec$ in lumbar flexion/extension, and $79.7{\pm}23.9deg/sec$ in lumbar lateral flexion. Conclusion : Maximum isoinertial velocities were more reliable and more significant than isometric maximum torque for the objective assessment of chronic low hack pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.28-37
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• 2004

Background: Lumbar joint dysfunction is reported to be the main cause of lower back pain (LBP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of joint dysfunction on the postural balance of the lower hack and pelvis in different normal activities such as walking or stair management. Also it was studied whether the status of LBP (intensity and duration of LBP, length of treatment) contributes to die pelvic height difference (PHD) in various postures. Subjects: 28 patients with LBP and 32 normal adult volunteers, 60 years of age or younger, who came to the Community Health Center and orthopedic clinics in Incheon, South Korea. Methods: In order to determine the accuracy of the manual angulometer method in measuring the PHD, it was compared to the pelvic x-ray method in selected subjects. In the manual angulometer method, the arm of the angulometer was placed on the top of both iliac crests. The PHD was measured in static upright stance, then one-legged stance, on the affected leg or unaffected leg each time. Information regarding the disease status was obtained through interviews. Visual assessment scale was used to grade the intensity of LBP. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 10.0/PC program. Homogeneity between the two groups was tested by 2-test and t-test. To compare the PHD of the subgroups, we used t-test, F-test and two-way ANOVA. Relationships among dependent variables were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Conclusion: In patients with LBP, lumbar joint dysfunction causes lumbar and pelvic postural asymmetry during normal activities.