• 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.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify low pain prevalence rate and factors affecting low back pain in emergency medical technicians. Method: A descriptive relationship research design was utilized. The participants were 74 emergency medical technicians who worked at fire stations in W and J city and agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected between April and August 2008 using a questionnaire, which included demographic factors, severity of low back pain using a visual analog scale, factors related to low back pain and health behavior, and BMI. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were performed for data analysis. Results: 85.1% of emergency medical technicians experienced low back pain. The mean score of low back pain was relatively low (M=4.0, SD=2.33). Significant factors affecting low back pain were found to be age, marital status, exercise, hours of standing work, and BMI. These variables explained 35.1% of variance in low back pain (F=8.45, p<.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that further research is needed to develop interventions for prevention and management of low back pain among emergency medical technicians.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study investigated the influence of a specific hip joint exercise program on the characteristics of chronic low back pain (LBP), hip joint range of motion (ROM), and performance level in amateur golfers with LBP. METHODS: The study included 28 adult male amateur golfers with LBP and reduced internal rotation (IR) of the lead side hip joint. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental (EG) (n=14) or control group (CG) (n=14). The Numerical Rating Scale score for pain, ROM of the hip joint and trunk rotation, performance parameters for golfing were evaluated. A specific exercise program designed to improve IR of the lead side hip joint was performed by the EG, but not the CG. Post-intervention evaluation was performed and the collected data were analyzed. RESULTS: After the intervention, the severity of LBP was significantly reduced (p<.05) and the IR ROM of the lead side hip joint was significantly increased (p<.01) in the EG. Moreover, the trunk rotation range was significantly increased in the EG (p<.01). The drive distance was significantly difference between the EG and CG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: A specific hip joint exercise program can help to reduce pain level and improve performance level in amateur golfers with LBP and increased IR ROM of the lead side hip joint. A significant increase in ROM of the lead side hip joint reduce LBP and was related to driving distance in the EG.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.79-87
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• 2021

Objective: To compare the effects of lumbar dysfunction and balance when office workers with chronic back pain performed the abdominal drawing-in maneuver. Methods: A total of 16 office workers with chronic low back pain were included in this study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the general and abdominal drawing-in maneuver groups. The intervention was applied for 6 weeks, 3 times a week, 70 min per day. Participants in the general exercise group(n=8) performed the general physical therapy and lumbar flexibility exercise, whereas those in the abdominal drawing-in maneuver group(n=8) performed the general physical therapy and lumbar stabilization exercise using abdominal drawing-in maneuver(3 times/week for 6 weeks). All tests, were the Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI) and balance ability, were completed pre and post-intervention. Results: Significant improvements in the KODI and balance ability test were observed in the abdominal drawing-in exercise group (p<.05), whereas no significant changes (p>.05) were observed in the general exercise group. Conclusion: This study revealed that abdominal drawing-in maneuver can effectively improve the lumbar dysfunction and balance ability of office workers with chronic back pain.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.31-34
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review health-care program using the recent robotic horse-riding technology and its clinical effects for chronic low back pain. Research design, data and methodology: Recent clinical articles were determined under three inclusion criteria for in-depth review: 1) article that is published within 1 year, 2) article that includes the detailed explanation of health-care program using robotic horse-riding, 3) the article that deals with chronic low back pain during more than 6 months. Results: As a result, the finally-determined two articles demonstrated the clinical effects of robotic horse-riding statistically on pain intensity, low back muscle strength, spinal alignment, and fear-avoidance belief. Conclusions: After in-depth review, I concluded that health-care program using robotic horse-riding for chronic low back pain needs to be provided at low-intensity (e.g. less than 6km/h horse walking program) in the beginning of health-care for improving their motor control ability, then, at the increased intensity for strengthening core muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2019

Background: Compared to healthy people, patients with chronic lower back pain have reduced balance abilities which may cause proprioception problems, patients with chronic lower back pain avoid physical activities due to pain, and reduced activity levels lead to muscle weakening, which can further exacerbate pain. Recently, there have been many studies on the use of sensory stimulation; and among these studies, interventions that use vibrational stimulation have shown functional improvements in the patients. Objects: This study examined the effects of a stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation on the balance ability and disability in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: The subjects of the study were 30 persons who were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group, with 15 subjects in each. The subjects were evaluated before and after intervention via a balance ability test, the Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI) test, a pain test, and a proprioceptive sensory test. Both groups received general physical therapy. The experimental group performed the stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation, and the control group performed a general stabilization exercise, three times a week for six weeks. Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in the balance ability test, the KODI test, the pain test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. The experimental group showed statistically significant, higher improvements than the control group in the balance ability test, the KODI test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. Conclusions: The stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation for patients with chronic back pain has been reported to provide greater functional improvements than the conventional intervention method. Therefore, the stabilization exercise in a vibration stimulation environment could be a useful intervention for patients with chronic back pain.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.504-517
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in risk factors and sleep, depression, and mobility of Korean elderly with and without low back pain and sciatica. Methods: Data were derived from the 2011 Korean National Survey on Older Adults. Participants included 10,674 community-dwelling elderly. The group of elderly subjects with low back pain and sciatica and the group of elderly subjects without low back pain and sciatica were compared according to gender. Result: Age, monthly income, exercise, arthritis, osteoporosis, and providing caring support were significant risk factors for low back pain and sciatica in elderly male subjects. On the other hand, monthly income, living arrangement, arthritis, osteoporosis, providing caring support, and television watching time were significant risk factors in elderly female subjects. Significant differences in depression and mobility according to low back pain and sciatica were observed in both genders. Conclusion: Risk factors for low back pain and sciatica in elderly differed according to gender. Low back pain and sciatica showed an association with depression and mobility. These findings should be considered in planning for nursing intervention for low back pain and sciatica.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-327
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on activation of trunk muscles of patients with low back pain. Diaphragmatic breathing may affect activation of trunk muscles. The assumptions are as follows: the crural diaphragm attatches to the lumbar vertebrae from L1 to L3, the voluntary downward pressurization of the diaphragm increases intra-abdominal pressure, and this increases the stiffness of the spine. Diaphragmatic breathing increases intra-abdominal pressure and the increased intra-abdominal pressure may contribute to the lumbar stability. Sixty patients with low back pain were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise with six breathing positions and control group performed only the breathing positions for five times per week during six weeks. % maximal voluntary contraction(% MVC) of trunk muscles on six breathing positions of experimental and control group was measured according to testing period of pre test, three weeks, and six weeks. The repeated measures of one-way ANOVA were used to analyze % MVC on trunk muscles of experimental and control group according to testing period. The results of this study were as follows: First, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in the right leg extension position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Second, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in all-four positions indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Third, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the sitting position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fourth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the standing position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fifth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the supine position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Sixth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the lying on prone position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, as experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise according to the period of pre-test, post three weeks, and post six weeks, experimental group showed the greater significant effect on the activation of right, left erector spinae, and external oblique muscle. Diaphragmatic breathing exercise which resulted in activation of trunk muscles can be effective for managing the patients with back pain and should be utilized as the new therapeutic intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.163-170
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• 1994

Low back pain is one of the moot common human diseases, striking $70\~80$ percent of the population. Many of the causes of low back pain are unknown. Yet, degenerative and mechanical changes are regarded by some as the most common cause of low back pain is physical therapy using various types of modalities and exercise. Therefore physical therapist must understand not only structure of intervertebral disk but also biomechanics of the lumbar intervertebral disk for prevent accourance of low back pain and treat patients with low back pain. The purpose of this article was to study biomechanices of the lumbar intervertebral disk and its intradiscal pressure in various position.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of three types of therapeutic exercises by applying them to lower back pain patients. Methods : This program was conducted for 30 patients 30 to 55 years old, who visited a rehabilitation center due to lower back pain. We separated participants into three groups with different therapeutic exercises: one with lumbar stabilization exercises, another with stretching exercises, and the other with both exercises. Each exercise was held once a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. We analyzed the effect of these exercises by checking the change of lumbar muscle strength and pain relief. Lumbar muscle strength was measured by AS-Med and pain strength was estimated by VAS. Results : The result of the programs was established according to the following list: 1) Lumbar stabilization exercises and stretching exercises lead to higher lumbar muscle strength and pain relief (p<0.05). 2) Lumbar muscle strength in the lumbar stabilization exercise group was significantly higher than the stretching exercise group (p<0.05). 3) Pain relief in the stretching exercise group was significantly higher than the lumbar stabilization exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study shows all of the groups experienced higher lumbar muscle strength and pain relief. Specifically, there was higher lumbar muscle strength in the lumbar stabilization exercise group and higher pain relief in the stretching exercise group. Therefore the ideal intervention to improve lumbar muscle strength and pain relief for patients is to implement both lumbar stabilization exercises and stretching exercises.