• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.557-565
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture on trunk flexors compared with trunk extensors in patients with chronic low back pain. The experimental group was treated with acupuncture on trunk flexors. The control group was treated with acupuncture on trunk extensors. Acupuncture treatment was performed 12 sessions over the course of 6 weeks. Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in the study. Chronic low back pain was evaluated based on the VAS for bothersomeness, VAS for pain intensity at every treatment and 8, 12 and 24 weeks after starting the treatments, and ODI, SF-36 and BDI before and after treatments and 8, 12 and 24 weeks after starting the treatments. The VAS score for bothersomeness significantly decreased after treatment for up to 24 weeks after starting the treatments in both group (p<0.05). The VAS score for bothersomeness in the experimental group decreased more rapidly than that of the control group with statistical significance (p<0.05). The VAS score for pain intensity, ODI, SF-36 and BDI significantly improved after treatment for up to 24 weeks after starting the treatments in both group (p<0.05). The VAS score for pain intensity, ODI, SF-36 and BDI in the experimental group showed more rapid improvement than those of the control group. But, there were no statistical significances. Treating trunk flexors using acupuncture was more effective in decreasing the degree of bothersomeness caused by chronic low back pain than treating trunk extensors with acupuncture. There is a need to perform further studies.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.105-112
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• 2015

Objectives To investigate clinical effects of needle embedding acupuncture treatments for chronic low back pain patients. Methods 30 patients with chronic low back pain were recruited and randomized into two groups-the embedding acupuncture group or the placebo. At baseline, the age, height, weight, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were measured. And surface electromyography (SEMG) data of both erector spinae at L2, L4 level were also measured on both groups and asymmetry index (AI) were calculated. The embedding or placebo acupuncture treatment was performed on the erector spinae according to SEMG values; immediately after the first evaluation and 48 hours after the first visit. After 96 hours of intervention, the VAS, ODI score and SEMG of both erector spinae were measured again. Statistical significance was determined using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test or the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results The mean VAS, ODI score after treatment was decreased significantly compared with baseline on both groups. And the VAS, ODI score and AI of the embedding acupuncture group was more decreased significantly than the placebo (p<0.05). Conclusions The results suggest that embedding acupuncture for chronic low back pain patients was effective on the VAS pain score, ODI score and AI of the erector spinae.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.138-147
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was to report clinical effect and safety of Traditional Korean Medical Treatment including Hwangryunhaedok-tang Pharmacopuncture for pregnant woman with low back pain with sciatica. Methods: The patient who suffered from sudden low back pain with sciatica was treated with Hwangryunhaedok-tang Pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medication and cupping therapy during admission. Visual Analog Score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), McGill pain questionnaire-short form (SF-MPQ) were checked to measure the outcome. Results: After treatment, Visual Analog Score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), McGill pain questionnaire-short form (SF-MPQ) were considerably improved in this case. Conclusions: The results indicate that Traditional Korean Medical Treatment including Hwangryunhaedok-tang Pharmacopuncture is the effective therapy for low back pain with sciatica during pregnancy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

Purpose : This study aimed to compare the effect of two modes (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combination patterns and ball exercise) of low back stability for chronic low back patients. Methods : The subjects were recruited fourty patients who had low back pain. All subjects were randomly assigned to PNF combination patterns group, ball exercise group. Measurements were performed fourtimes: pre test, 2weeks, 4weeks, and 6weeks. Main outcome measures comprised the visual analogue scale(VAS), balance performance monitor(BPM). Results : The results were as follows. In the comparison of VAS score, sway area, sway path, and sway velocity according treatment period, score was significantly reduced in both PNF combination pattern group and ball exercise group. In the comparison of the both VAS and sway area between groups, there were significant. PNF combination pattern group significantly more decrease than ball exercise group at 6 weeks. However, both sway path and sway max velocity between group, there were not significantly. Conclusion : These results of this study indicated that PNF combination pattern which performed for six weeks had a significant influence than ball exercise group on low back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.368-373
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• 2013

Background: Bertolotti's syndrome (BS), a form of lumbago in lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, is an important cause of low back pain in young patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the etiology of low back pain and the efficacy of treatment offered to patients with BS. Methods: All patients of BS Castellvi type1a during a period of 6 months were enrolled in the study. The patients underwent interventional pain procedures for diagnosis and pain relief. Response to the therapy was assessed based on VAS and ODI scores. A 50% decrease in VAS score or a VAS score less than 3 would be considered adequate pain relief. Results: All 20 patients diagnosed with BS during the 6-month observation period had scoliosis. Common causes of back pain were the ipsilateral L5-S1 facet joint, neoarticulation, the SI joint, and disc degeneration. Responses to various interventions for pain relief were different and inconsistent from patient to patient. In particular, responses to interventions for neoarticular pain were generally poor. Conclusions: Pain in patients with BS does not usually respond to interventional pain treatment. A very dynamic treatment approach must be pursued while managing BS patients, and the treatment plan must be individualized at various stages in order to obtain satisfactory pain relief.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.177-187
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• 2005

Objective : This study is designed in order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Scalp Acupuncture and Do-ma Acupuncture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) on acute low back pain Methods : We investigated 10 patients suffering from acute low back pain were treated from Mach. 1st 2005 to Jun. 30th 2005. 10 patients, were diagnosed only straightened curvature on lateral view of lumbar spine X-ray and get Scalp acupunture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) and Do-ma acupuncture. Pain rating score(PRS) was used to assess the pain for its intensity, frequency, duration, and aggravating factors. And visual analog scale(VAS) was used, too. Results : Both Scalp acupunture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) and Do-ma acupuncture therapy showed good effect on acute low back pain. It was proved by the difference between PRS and VAS checked before treatment and what checked after treatment. In the evaluation of treatment effect, Exellent was 2(20%), Good was 5(50%), Moderate was 3(30%), Poor was 0(0%). Conclusion : The therapeutic effect of Scalp Acupuncture and Do-ma Acupuncture on acute low back pain can be recommended as a useful therapy to treat acute 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2007

Purpose : To investigate the effectiveness of local vibration and interferential therapy for patient with acute low back pain. Methods : A randomized trial designed to compare interferential therapy and local vibration therapy for acute low back pain in primary care setting Results : A total of 60 patients were recruited. The two treatment groups had similar demographic and clinical baseline characteristics. The mean VAS scores before treatment was 8.290 for interferental therapy group and 8.572 for local vibration therapy groups. After treatment, this VAS score had dropped to 4.812(interferental therapy group, at 7 days), and 4.945(local vibration group, at 7 days). Conclusion : This study shows a progressive fall in visual analog scale scores in patients with acute low back pain treated with either interferential therapy and local vibration therapy. There was some difference in the improvement between the two groups at 1 to 4 days, VAS score of vibration therapy groups was low better than interferential therapy groups.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.59-75
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• 2001

The purposes of this study were to investigate risk factors of low back pain in civil airmen and to use this information as basis for the back rehabilitation. Subjects of this study were randomly selected 276 civil airmen who had been employed at four airports in Seoul. These data were analyzed by $X^2$ test, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression using SAS. The results were as follows: 1) The prevalence of low back pain among 276 civil airmen was 64.9%. 2) The most common cause of low back pain was load lifting (stewardess), long sitting (aircrew A), and long sitting plus training (aircrew B). 3) There were no statistically significant associations among age, height, body weight, and low back pain. 4) No statistically significant relationships were found among the average monthly working time, total working time, average monthly rest time, working year and low back pain. 5) There was statistically significant relation ship between abnormal posture and low back pain (p<.01). 6) There was statistically significant relation ship between fatigue and low back pain among stewardess and aircrew B. 7) There was a statistically significant relationship between job satisfaction and job-related stress (p<.05). 8) In stewardess, higher satisfaction score was associated with less likelihood of low back pain (odds ratio = .80). The results of this study indicate that civil airmen developed chronicity of low back pain due to unfit seat, poor habitual posture, fatigue symptom, and stress or other risk factors. Therefore, there is a need to improve the working environment for the prevention of posture-related low back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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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.