• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.615-621
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare chronic LBP patients and asymptomatic subjects on measures of multifidus size (cross-sectional area;CSA, thickness) and symmetry (proportional difference of relatively larger side to smaller side). Methods : Data were obtained from 12 asymptomatic subjects without a prior history of LBP (8 females, 4 males), and a retrospective audit was undertaken of records from 12 chronic low back pain patients (8 females, 4 males). CSA and Thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscles was measured from axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance images(MRI). Results : The results of the analysis showed that chronic LBP patients had significantly smaller multifidus CSA and thickness than asymptomatic subjects at L4-5 vertebral levels(p<.05). The asymmetry between sides was seen at L4- L5 vertebral level in patients with chronic low back pain presentations(p<.05). Conclusions : MRI provided a quantitative measure of change between asymptomatic subjects and chronic low back pain patients of multifidus muscle. MRI identified significant differences in cross-sectional area and thickness and helps to evaluate clinically and plan the treatment modalities of LBP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.127-137
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• 2001

Low back pain is significant problem in today's society, with lifetime incidence rate reported between 50% and 90%. Many factors associated with LBP are reported. The purpose of this studies were to be evaluated static standing posture aberrations in chronic LBP in comparison with healthy individuals. The samples including 80 subjects recruited to the following two groups:patients and control(normal) Questionnaires were completed by 40 LBP patients and 40 controls at the department of Physical Therapy, Saejong neurosurgical clinic in Taegu city from October 1, 1999 to March 30, 2000. The angle of lumbar lordosis was measured on lateral x-ray films with standing position. In LBP groups. the mean degree of lumbar lordosis, sacral inclination, and lumbosacral joint angle were 29.9 ${\pm}$ 9.3, 34.8 ${\pm}$ 8.2, and 12.7 ${\pm}$ 5.7 respectively. Control groups, the mean degree of lumbar lordosis, sacral inclination and lumbosacral joint angle were 35.3 ${\pm}$ 7.8, 34.9 ${\pm}$ 6.4 and 12.5 ${\pm}$ 4.3 respectively. there were significantly decreaseds in lumbar lordosis in Low back pain group. lumbar lordosis on the working posture had significant differences among groups(sitting position patients 31.4 ${\pm}$ 9.3, standing position patients 29.4 ${\pm}$ 9.3, sitting position control 35.0 ${\pm}$ 6.4, standing position control 35.5 ${\pm}$ 8.8, respectively) (p=0.034). sacral inclination on the working posture had differences among groups(sitting position patients 35.9 ${\pm}$ 8.7.standing position patients 33.6 ${\pm}$ 7.6, sitting position control 33.9 ${\pm}$ 5.9. standing position control 35.6 ${\pm}$ 6.8, respectively). lumbersacral joint angle on the working Posture had differences among groups(sitting position patients 12.0 ${\pm}$ 5.6, standing position patients 13.4 ${\pm}$ 5.9, sitting position control 11.2 ${\pm}$ 3.0. standing position control 13.4$^{\circ}$, respectively).

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2022

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a representative disease, and LBP is characterized by muscle dysfunction that provides stability to the lumbar spine. This causes physical functional problems such as decreased posture control ability by reducing the muscular endurance and balance of the lumbar spine. Pelvic compression using instruments, which has been used during recent stabilization exercises, focuses on the anterior superior iliac spine of the pelvis and puts pressure on the sacroiliac joint during exercise, making the pelvis more symmetrical and stable. Currently, research has been actively conducted on the use of pelvic compression belts and non-elastic pelvic belts; however, few studies have conducted research on the application effect of pelvic compression using instruments. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in trunk muscular endurance and dynamic and static balance ability levels by applying pelvic stabilization through a pelvic compression device between the LBP group and the non-LBP group. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects currently enrolled in Daejeon University were divided into 20 subjects with LBP group and 19 subjects without LBP (NLBP group), and the groups were compared with and without pelvic compression. The trunk muscular endurance test was performed with 4 movements, the dynamic balance test was performed using a Y-balance test, and the static balance test was performed using a Wii balance board. Results: There was a significant difference the LBP group and the NLBP group after pelvic compression was applied to all tests (p < 0.05). In the static and dynamic balance ability test after pelvic compression was applied, there was a significant difference in the LBP group than in the NLBP group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that pelvic compression using instruments has a positive effect on both those with and without LBP and that it has a greater impact on balance ability when applied to those with LBP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.393-397
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• 2012

Purpose: We investigated to identify the effect of robo-horseback riding exercise (RHRE) on trunk muscle activity ratios for patients with low back pain. Methods: Twelve patients with low back pain and twelve healthy adults were recruited for this study. Subjects performed the RHRE with the neutral spine position. The amplitude of electromyography activity was recorded from the selected trunk muscles (internal oblique [IO], rectus abdominis [RA], multifidus [MF], the thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum [ICLT]). The ratios of the relative local muscle activity to the global muscle activity in abdominal and lumbar parts were calculated. Results: There were significant differences in the change values of the IO/RA and the MF/ICLT between low back pain (LBP) patients and healthy adults. The IO/RA ratio and the MF/ICLT ratio showed significant increase in LBP patients after training. Conclusion: The RHRE improved the trunk muscle activity ratio in patients with low back pain. The information presented here is important for investigators who use lumbar stabilization exercises as a rehabilitation exercise.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.63-69
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of study is activation of lumbar multifidus muscle by needle EMG during shoulder flexion in chronic low back pain patients. The subject were consisted of 10 women patients with chronic low back pain and healthy asymtomatic subject 10 women. Methods : 10 women patients with chronic low back pain and healthy asymptomatic subject 10 women is voluntary participated for the research. Subjects were positioned in standing. The needle EMG were measured activation of multifidus. Needle electrode was used to 28 gauge. The shoulder flexion movement used to activate the multifidus was then measured. Results : Results of the analysis showed that asymptomatic subjects had significantly larger multifidus muscle activation compared with CLBP subjects during shoulder flexion. Conclusion : This study will be used as multifidus measurement method of patient with chronic LBP. The multifidus muscle in chronic LBP patient clinical significance. Most of chronic LBP patients have multifidus contraction pattern. Therefore chronic LBP patients necessary multifidus activation measurement with needle EMG.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2022

Purpose : Low back pain (LBP) is reported as a risk of experiencing musculoskeletal disorders due to muscle stiffness and hypokinetics. The lumbar spine in an unstable state causes imbalance and lumbar instability. Therefore, This study examined the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise and self-complex exercise program on pain, function, psychosocial level, static balance ability, and transverse abdominal muscle (TrA) thickness and contraction ratio in patients with lumbar instability. Methods : The design of this is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Twenty-six LBP patients participated in this study. Screening tests were performed and assigned to the experimental group (n=13) and control group (n=13) using a random allocation program. Both groups underwent a lumbar stabilization exercise program. In addition, the experimental group implemented the self-complex exercise program. All interventions were applied three times per week for four weeks. The quadruple visual analog (QVAS), the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), Korean version of fear-avoidance belief questionnaire (FABQ), static balance ability, TrA thickness, and contraction ratio were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Statistical significance was set at 𝛼=.05. Results : Both groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention in QVAS, K-ODI, FABQ, static balance ability, and TrA thickness in contraction (p<.05). In addition, significant differences in K-ODI and FABQ were observed between the experimental group and control group (p<.05). Conclusion : A lumbar stabilization exercise and self-complex exercise program resulted in reduced dysfunctions, psychosocial stability in patients with lumbar instability. Therefore, Lumbar stabilization exercise and self-complex exercise program for patients with lumbar instability are effective method with clinical significance in improving the function and psychosocial stability.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.33-45
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to compare the effects of spinal manipulation combined with medication on low back pain (LBP), range of motion, and disability in patients with chronic LBP. Methods : Twenty patients with chronic LBP were included in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to the spinal manipulation with medication group (n=10) or the medication only group (n=10). The intervention group received spinal manipulation for 15 minutes, twice a week, and took medication twice a day for eight weeks. The control group received the medication twice daily for eight weeks. Pain intensity assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), range of motion, and disability due to LBP assessed using the Oswestry disability index were measured before and after the intervention. Results : The intervention group showed a significant improvement in pain intensity compared to the control group (p<.05), and the intervention and control groups significantly improved low back pain after the intervention (p<.05). The intervention group showed a significant improvement in the range of motion in flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion, and right rotation (p<.05). The intervention group also showed a significant improvement in the change of disability in total score, pain intensity, personal care, lifting and standing compared to the control group (p<.05). Conclusion : This study showed that the combination of spinal manipulation and medication can benefit patients with chronic LBP, as evidenced by significant improvements in pain intensity, ROM, and disability. These findings suggest that utilizing both spinal manipulation and medication can positively affect individuals with chronic LBP. The results of this study should be applied in clinical settings to optimize treatment outcomes in patients with chronic LBP.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4402-4411
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of chiropractic treatment using Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) on low back pain (LBP) and physical functions in patients with chronic LBP. Forty-five women with chronic LBP were randomly assigned to the Diversified Technique (DT), SOT or DT+SOT group and received chiropractic treatment two times a week for 8 weeks. LBP was measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Physical functions were evaluated using lumbar strength, flexibility, and body symmetries. After 4 and 8 weeks, VAS, ODI, and RMDQ were significantly decreased in all 3 groups (all p<.001). Lumbar strength, flexibility, and shoulder and pelvic balances were significantly improved in all 3 groups (all p<.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that SOT and DT both may be effective for reducing LBP and improving physical functions.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.359-377
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• 2020

Background: This study investigated whether current smoking and a higher nicotine dependency were associated with chronic low back pain (LBP), lumbar related leg pain (sciatica) and/or radicular neuropathic pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 patients (mean age, 60.1 ± 13.1 yr). Demographic data, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) neuropathic pain grade, STarT Back tool, and the Fagerström test were completed. A control group (n = 50) was recruited. Results: There was a significant difference between current smokers and nonsmokers in the chronic LBP group in the mean pain score (P = 0.025), total STarT Back score (P = 0.015), worst pain location (P = 0.020), most distal pain radiation (P = 0.042), and in the IASP neuropathic pain grade (P = 0.026). There was a significant difference in the mean Fagerström score between the four IASP neuropathic pain grades (P = 0.005). Current smoking yielded an odds ratio (OR) of 3.071 (P = 0.011) for developing chronic LBP and sciatica, and an OR of 4.028 (P = 0.002) for obtaining an IASP "definite/probable" neuropathic pain grade, for both cohorts. The likelihood for chronic LBP and sciatica increased by 40.9% (P = 0.007), while the likelihood for an IASP neuropathic grade of "definite/probable" increased by 50.8% (P = 0.002), for both cohorts, for every one unit increase in the Fagerström score. Conclusions: A current smoking status and higher nicotine dependence increase the odds for chronic LBP, sciatica and radicular neuropathic pain.