• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2012

Background: In discography performed during percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) via the posterolateral approach, it is difficult to create a fluoroscopic tunnel view because a long needle is required for discography and the guide-wire used for consecutive PELD interrupts rotation of fluoroscope. A stereotactic system was designed to facilitate the determination of the needle entry point, and the feasibility of this system was evaluated during interventional spine procedures. Methods: A newly designed stereotactic guidance system underwent a field test application for PELD. Sixty patients who underwent single-level PELD at L4-L5 were randomly divided into conventional or stereotactic groups. PELD was performed via the posterolateral approach using the entry point on the skin determined by premeasured distance from the midline and angles according to preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Needle entry accuracy provided by the two groups was determined by comparing the distance and angle measured by postoperative computed tomography with those measured by preoperative MRI. The duration and radiation exposure for determining the entry point were measured in the groups. Results: The new stereotactic guidance system and the conventional method provided similarly accurate entry points for discography and consecutive PELD. However, the new stereotactic guidance system lowered the duration and radiation exposure for determining the entry point. Conclusions: The new stereotactic guidance system under fluoroscopy provided a reliable needle entry point for discography and consecutive PELD. Furthermore, it reduced the duration and radiation exposure associated with determining needle entry.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2016

Background: Prolonged sitting leads to low back discomfort and lumbopelvic muscle fatigue. This study examined the characteristics of body perceived discomfort and trunk muscle fatigue during 1 hour of sitting in three postures in office workers. Methods: Thirty workers sat for 1 hour in one of three sitting postures (i.e., upright, slumped, and forward leaning postures). Body discomfort was assessed using the Body Perceived Discomfort scale at the beginning and after 1 hour of sitting. Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from superficial lumbar multifidus, iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracis, internal oblique (IO)/transversus abdominis (TrA), and rectus abdominis muscles during 1 hour of sitting. The median frequency (MDF) of the EMG power spectrum was calculated. Results: Regardless of the sitting posture, the Body Perceived Discomfort scores in the neck, shoulder, upper back, low back, and buttock significantly increased after 1 hour of sitting compared with baseline values ($t_{(9)}=-11.97$ to -2.69, p < 0.05). The MDF value of the EMG signal of rectus abdominis, iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracis, and multifidus muscles was unchanged over time in all three sitting postures. Only the right and left IO/TrA in the slumped sitting posture was significantly associated with decreased MDF over time (p = 0.019 to 0.041). Conclusion: Prolonged sitting led to increased body discomfort in the neck, shoulder, upper back, low back, and buttock. No sign of trunk muscle fatigue was detected over 1 hour of sitting in the upright and forward leaning postures. Prolonged slumped sitting may relate to IO/TrA muscle fatigue, which may compromise the stability of the spine, making it susceptible to injury.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.109-119
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• 2019

Background : Germany is the first country in the world to introduce modern systems of public health insurance, and the country which most widely uses complementary alternative medicine(CAM) in Europe. In early 21^st century, a large evaluation studies were conducted to include acupuncture in health insurance payments, which were eventually decided. Objectives : This study is to investigate and analyze the process of public policy determination on insurance coverage for acupuncture in German health insurance system. Methods : We collected the data and information through the literature search and from the websites of German government departments and health insurance organizations. To obtain contextual information, German experts of health insurance and acupuncture clinical study were interviewed. Results : As use of acupuncture had been growing, German public health insurers wanted to evaluate the validity of acupuncture coverage and sponsored three evaluation projects for clinical effectiveness of acupuncture using randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and pragmatic trials from 2001 to 2005. For some pain condition, acupuncture was founded not to be effective than sham acupuncture, but more effective than standard care. The federal joint committee of health insurance decided to cover acupuncture for chronic pain of lumbar spine and chronic pain in at least one knee joint due to gonarthrosis. Conclusions : Considering the controversial subject matter in the process of acupuncture's health insurance coverage in Germany, expanding the benefits of Korean medicine in Korea needs to come up with ways to overcome the difficulties of placebo effect, standardization and lack of literature evidence.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.256-259
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• 2006

Objective : Having a reliable and reproducible measurement technique to measure the sagittal contour in vertebral fractures is paramount to clinical decision making. This study is designed to determine the most reliable measurement technique in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Methods : Fifteen lateral radiographs of thoracic and lumbar fractures were selected and measured on two separate occasions by three spine surgeons using six different measurement techniques [Centroid, Harrison Posterior Tangent Methods and 4 different types of modified Cobb method]. The radiograph quality was assessed and the center beam location was determined. Statistical analysis including ANOVA for repeated measures was carried out using the SAS software [v 8.0]. Results : The inter and intraobserver variance of the Cobb method 4 and Harrison posterior tangent method were significantly lower than the other four methods. The intraobserver correlation coefficients were the most consistent using the Cobb method 4 [0.982]. which was followed by the Harrison posterior tangent [0.953] and Cobb methods 1 [0.874]. The intraobserver agreement [% of repeated measures within 5 degrees of the original measurement] ranged from 42% to 98% for each technique for all three observers, with the Cobb method 4 showing the best agreement [97.8%] followed by the Harrison posterior tangent method [937%]. Conclusion : The Cobb method-4 and Harrison posterior tangent methods, when applied to measuring the kyphosis, are reliable and have a similar small error range. The Cobb method 4 shows the best overall reliability. However, the centroid method and Cobb method using a fractured endplate do not produce an accurate result due to inter and intraobserver differences in determining the baseline.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.560-566
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• 2017

Objectvie : The global sagittal postural patterns as characterized by Roussouly classification have been previously described in various ethnicities, there were no studies investigated in Koreans. To analyze the distribution of the global sagittal postural patterns in Korean adults using Roussouly classification, the author prospectively studied. Methods : 252 asymptomatic Korean adults was recruited. Data was obtained by reviewing the films for each subject. Spinopelvic parameters were measured and sagittal postural patterns were then determined according to Roussouly classification. We compared the data across different ethnicities from our study and a previous study to further characterize Korean sagittal postures. Results : The subject included 151 males and 101 females, with mean age of $33.2{\pm}8.2years$. The average descriptive results were as below : thoracic kyphosis $28.6{\pm}7.7^{\circ}$, lumbar lordosis $48.3{\pm}10.2^{\circ}$, sacral slope $37.8{\pm}5.8^{\circ}$, pelvic incidence $45.1{\pm}7.5^{\circ}$, pelvic tilt $9.4{\pm}6.7^{\circ}$, spinosacral angle $130.1{\pm}5.4^{\circ}$, and sagittal vertical axis $16.25{\pm}22.5mm$. 125 subjects among 252 (49.6%) belonged to Roussouly type 3 (namely neutral). There were also 58 (23%), 33 (13.1%), and 36 (14.3) subjects in type 1, 2, and 4 (namely non-neutral), respectively. Conclusion : Enrolling 252 asymptomatic Korean adults, this prospective study found that 49.6% of asymptomatic Korean adults possessed a sagittal posture of Roussouly type 3. All radiologic parameters follows general concept of spinal sagittal balance pattern. Overall, this study might be a basis for further investigation of spinal sagittal balance.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.48
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• pp.316.1-316.10
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• 2018

Background: Water pressure and muscle contraction may influence bone mineral density (BMD) in a positive way. However, divers experience weightlessness, which has a negative effect on BMD. The present study investigated BMD difference in normal controls and woman free-divers with vertebral fracture and with no fracture. Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2014, traditional woman divers (known as Haenyeo in Korean), and non-diving women were investigated. The study population was divided into osteoporotic vertebral fracture and non-fracture groups. The BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured. The radiological parameters for global spinal sagittal balance were measured. Results: Thirty free-diving women and thirty-three non-diving women were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the divers was $72.1{\pm}4.7$ years and that of the controls was $72.7{\pm}4.0$ years (P = 0.61). There was no statistical difference in BMD between the divers and controls. In divers, cervical lordosis and pelvic tilt were significantly increased in the fracture subgroup compared to the non-fracture subgroup (P = 0.028 and P = 0.008, respectively). Sagittal vertical axis was statistically significantly correlated with cervical lordosis (Spearman's rho R = 0.41, P = 0.03), and pelvic tilt (Spearman's rho R = 0.46, P = 0.01) in divers. Conclusion: BMD did not differ significantly between divers and controls during their postmenopausal period. When osteoporotic spinal fractures develop, compensation mechanisms, such as increased cervical lordosis and pelvic tilt, was more evident in traditional woman divers. This may be due to the superior back muscle strength and spinal mobility of this group of women.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.62-73
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• 2018

Objectives: This study conducted a retrospective review to compare the effectiveness of herbal medicine, while confirming the effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) in traffic accidents (TA). Methods: We investigated the medical records of TA patients who were hospitalized at Muuido Korean medicine hospital from January 2016 to June 2018 retrospectively. Medical records included general characteristics (Gender, age), TA & treatment-related information (Collision type, chief complaint, hospitalization period, and herbal medicine prescription), and clinical scales (Five-scale improvement, numerical rating scale (NRS)). Statistical analysis was performed for data distribution and effectiveness comparison. Results: 755 TA patients showed 0.78:1 gender ratio. 20-50s years old, rear collision, pain in the cervical and lumbar spine, and hospitalization period within 14 days were the majority. KM improved 83.18% of 755 TA patients' symptoms and ROM over 'improvement' level, which indicated 30-70% improvement. With common KM treatments including acupuncture, cupping, heat therapy, and manipulation therapy, TA patients received various herbal medicines and herbal medicine for breaking severe blood stasis (Tongdo-san) showed improvement in both five-scale improvement and NRS change at the same time. Conclusions: We could confirm the effectiveness of KM, particularly herbal medicine in TA. It would be necessary to develop new herbal medicines such as Tongdo-san to treat TA-related symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.567-576
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• 2019

Objective : Minimal data exist regarding non-operative management of suspected pseudarthrosis after pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO). This study reports radiographic and clinical outcomes of non-operative management for post-PSO pseudarthrosis at a minimum 5 years post-detection. Methods : Nineteen consecutive patients with implant breakage indicating probable pseudarthrosis after PSO surgery (13 women/six men; mean age at surgery, 58 years) without severe pain and disability were treated with non-operative management (mean follow-up, 5.8 years; range, 5-10 years). Non-operative management included medication, intermittent brace wearing and avoidance of excessive back strain. Radiographic and clinical outcomes analysis was performed. Results : Sagittal vertical axis (SVA), proximal junctional angle, thoracic kyphosis achieved by a PSO were maintained after detection of pseudarthrosis through ultimate follow-up. Lumbar lordosis and PSO angle decreased at final follow-up. There was no significant change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) total score, or subscales of pain, self-image, function, satisfaction and mental health between detection of pseudarthrosis and ultimate follow-up. SVA greater than 11 cm showed poorer ODI and SRS total score, as well as the pain, self-image, and function subscales (p<0.05). Conclusion : Non-operative management of implant failure of probable pseudarthrosis after PSO offers acceptable outcomes even at 5 years after detection of implant breakage, provided SVA is maintained. As SVA increased, outcome scores decreased in this patient population.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.279-287
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• 2019

In this paper, we attempted to analyze the balance ability of the body by measuring changes in body motion and plantar pressure distribution. So we developed a program that can measure and analyze range of motion and center of body pressure using inertial measurement unit(IMU) and FSR(Force Sensing Resistor) sensor, we also produced a contents that can help improve the balance ability. The quantitative values of range of motion and center of body pressure measured by this program are visualized in real time so that the user can easily recognize the results. In addition, the contents were designed to be adjusted according to the direction of improving the balance ability by adjusting the difficulty level based on the measured balance information. This can be achieved by increasing the concentration and participation will by using visual feedback method that proceeds while watching moving objects according to the user's motion.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2021

A weak or dysfunctional gluteus medius (Gmed) is related to several pathologies, and individuals with hip abductor weakness have Gmed weakness. This study aimed to systematically review the literature associated with the anatomy and function of the Gmed, and the prevalence, pathology, and exercise of Gmed weakness. Papers published between 2010 and 2020 were retrieved from MEDLINE, Google Academic Search, and Research Information Sharing Service. The database search used the following terms: (glut* OR medius OR hip abduct*) AND weak*. The Gmed plays an important role in several functional activities as a primary hip abductor by providing pelvic stabilization and controlling hip adduction and internal rotation. Weakness of the Gmed is associated with many disorders including balance deficit, gait and running disorders, femoroacetabular impingement, snapping hip, gluteal tendinopathy, patellofemoral pain syndrome, osteoarthritis, iliotibial band syndrome, anterior cruciate ligament injury, ankle joint injuries, low back pain, stroke, and nocturia. Overuse of the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) as a hip abductor due to Gmed weakness can also cause several pathologies such as pain in the lower back and hip and degenerative hip joint pathology, which are associated with dominant TFL. Similarly, lateral instability and impaired movements such as lumbar spine lateral flexion or lateral tilt of the pelvis can occur due to compensatory activation of the quadratus lumborum for a weakened Gmed while exercising. Therefore, the related activation of synergistic muscles or compensatory movement should be considered when prescribing Gmed strengthening exercises.