• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.23-32
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of mechanical traction applied to the knee joint on pain, knee range of motion (ROM), timed up and go (TUG) and Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of Kellgren-Lawrence radiological rating scale II or III. Twenty three patients participated in the experiment for a period of four weeks. After baseline assessment, the patients with KOA were randomized into two groups: the traction group ($n_1=12$), which received traction with general physical therapy; and the control group ($n_2=11$), which received general physical therapy only on unilateral knee joints. Patients received interventions once a day, three times a week, for four weeks. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the change of dependent variances within the group during pre and post intervention. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the change of dependent variances as TUG and passive ROM between the two groups. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze the change of dependent variances as numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and WOMAC score between the two groups. In Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the traction group improved significantly with regard to NPRS (p<.01), passive knee flexion ROM (p<.01), passive knee extension (p<.05), TUG (p<.01) and WOMAC scores (p<.01) after intervention for four weeks, but not for the control group. In the Mann-Whitney U test and analysis of covariance, no significant difference was seen among all the dependent variances after intervention for four weeks between the two groups. These outcomes suggest that further studies should be carried out to determine the effects of mechanical traction prior to using it for the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this case study was to investigate into the effect of complex exercise program on the postural change, gait and balance ability in elementary school students with forward head posture. Methods: Four patients with forward head posture were recruited. They were evaluated pre-treatment, and after 6weeks, using neck disability index (NDI), numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), balance ability, foot pressure (fore foot/rear foot peak pressure ratio, F/R ratio), gait ability (cadence, toe out angle, stance phase). Results: First, the angle of forward head posture (craniovertebral angle; CVA and cranialrotation angle; CRA) was decreased in all subjects. The NPRS and NDI were decreased in all subjects. Also, The cadence, toe out angle and F/R ratio were increased in all subjects. The stance phase of gait cycle was positively change in all subjects. Lastly, the static balance ability improved in all subjects. Conclusion: According to the results above, the complex exercise program for students with forward head posture can help improve the postural change, gait and balance ability. Also, the complex exercise program was able to select interventions depending on the patient's condition and the desired goal.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.95-103
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• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of korean medicinal admission treatment for degenerative lumbar diseases with spondylolysis and analyze their radiological findings. Methods This study was performed on 25 cases' medical records of spondylolysis patients with both X-rays and MRI images. Their general characteristics, morphologies of intervertebral discs, grades of spondylolisthesis, grades of intervertebral foraminal stenosis were analyzed. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) changes and statistically assessed by paired t-test using program R Studio. Results After admission treatment, NPRS scores significantly decreased from 6.76±2.07 to 2.38±1.22 (p<0.01). Spondylolysis was associated with degenerative disc change and intervertebral foraminal stenosis at the same or adjacent vertebral level. In spondylolisthesis cases (76%), forward slippage occurred at the same level of spondylolysis in every case. Conclusions Spondylolysis could play a key role in the lumbar degenerative mechanism and korean medicinal admission treatment is effective on pain relief of degenerative lumbar diseases with spondylolysis.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2008

Needle phobia of medical devices is a significant problem in children patients. We conducted study in 130 pediatric patients aged $8{\sim}13$(mean age 10.5) who had venipuncture performed in a computed tomography. This review aims to explore the research available relating to three commonly used pain rating scales of children, the visual analogue scale(VAS), numeric pain rating scale(NPRS) and Wong-Baker faces pain scale(WBFPS) with scores. Its validity is supported by a strong positive correlation with the three-pain rating scales(correlations ranging from 0.70 to 0.92) measure in children. There were no significant differences between the means on the VAS and either of the pain rating scales. It has the advantage of being suitable for use with the most widely used metric for scoring($0{\sim}10$), and conforms closely to a linear interval scale. These scales presented moderate to good correlation and moderate agreement, sufficient for valid use in children. All three pain-rating scales are valid, reliable and appropriate for use in intravenous catheter placement.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1683-1686
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• 2018

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common reason for seeking physical therapy (PT) care. Recent studies suggest that axial loading can have a positive impact on the intervertebral disc by improving its tensile strength. Further, whole body vibration (WBV) appears to improve spinal muscle relaxation. Therefore, this case study describes the use of axial loading using a mini-trampoline in a female with chronic LBP. This case report is a single subject design. This patient is a 29-year-old female with a six-month history of low back pain following a motor vehicle accident. MRI found herniated discs at L4 and L5, clinical tests were positive for pain in the L4 and L5 dermatome and myotome the slump test was positive for neural tension, and LBP was constant at 4-6/10 over the past four months. She received axial loading exercises using a mini-trampoline and performed six sessions that were, scheduled twice a week for three weeks. Her Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score improved from 40% at the time of her first visit to 22% at her final visit. Pain measure on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) after the first treatment was 7/10, and her pain after the final treatment was 0/10. These changes in the pain scores are clinically significant and exceed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). This patient had a significant improvement in her pain using the NPRS and the ODI. This case study suggests that axial loading may be an effective treatment for some individuals with discogenic chronic low back pain.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an exercise with and without neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the quadriceps femoris muscle, on strength, pain, and weight distribution in patients with knee instability post surgery. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty patients in the early stage of rehabilitation after knee surgery were recruited as subjects and were randomly divided into either experimental group (exercise combined with NMES) (n=10) or control group (n=10). Both groups received strength training of the lower limb for 20 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The experimental group used NMES for unilateral quadriceps femoris training with incremental increases in the intensity of isometric contraction over 4 weeks. Outcome measurements were assessed using the digital manual muscle testing, 30-chair stand test (30CST), numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and weight distribution using the foot analyzer before and after 4 weeks of training. Results: After the 4-week intervention, knee extensor strength increased significantly in the experimental group post intervention (p<0.05), and there was a significant improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). The 30CST and NPRS scores improved significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05). Weight distribution was significantly improved in the experimental group compared with the control group, (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in improvement between the two groups. Conclusions: This study showed that NMES combined with strengthening exercises of the lower limbs is effective in improving lower limb pain and strength in patients with instability after knee surgery.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.19-28
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to apply manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and high-frequency diathermy (HFD) to patients with axillary web syndrome (AWS), one of the side effects of breast cancer surgery, and to treat upper extremity pain, volume, function of the upper extremity, (joint range of motion; ROM, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand; DASH) and quality of life before and after treatment. It is to determine the effect of treatment by checking the level change. Methods : This study is a case series. A total of 5 patients diagnosed with AWS after breast cancer surgery voluntarily participated in this study. The intervention program consisted of stretching, MLD and HFD. It was conducted 3 times a week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. In order to compare the effects of pain (numeric pain rating scale; NPRS), volume, upper limb function (ROM, DASH) and quality of life (the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-breast, EORTC QLQ-BR23) evaluations were compared before and after 4 weeks of intervention. All measured variables were analyzed and expressed as mean, standard deviation and percentage. Results : The shoulder NPRS level of the subjects in all case groups decreased, the volume decreased and the shoulder flexion, abduction ROM increased. It showed improvement in DASH and quality of life, QLQ-BR23. Conclusion : After breast cancer surgery, we confirmed the possibility that MLD and HFD treatments could be effective in improving pain, decreasing volume, increasing upper extremity function, and quality of life for patients who have difficulties with AWS. The possibility has been confirmed, and additional research is needed by increasing the number of participants in the experiment in the future.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.363-369
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to prepare evidence for the prevention and management of nonspecific chronic neck pain (NSCNP) by examining the correlation between activity of daily living and physical activities of office workers with NSCNP. Design: Crossed-sectional study Methods: 89 patients with NSCNP were recruited for this study. But 2 subjects met the exclusion criteria and were dropped out, and 86 subjects finally participated. Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and neck disability index (NDI) were used to check the pain intensity and disability of patients with neck pain, respectively. For the activity of daily living, computer use time, sleep time, and driving time were used. To find out the physical activities of the subjects, International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ-SF) was used. Correlation analysis was performed to find out the correlation of each variable. Results: A clear positive correlation was established between computer use time and pain (p<0.05), and a clear positive correlation was established between computer use time and disability index (p<0.05). The correlation between NPRS and NDI and physical activity total time, high intensity activity score, moderate intensity activity score, and walking score were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: In treating patients with NSCNP, it is necessary to reduce the computer usage time as a professional factor or to educate the proper posture. In addition, rather than emphasizing physically comprehensive physical activity, grafting therapeutic exercise directly related to neck pain could have a more positive effect on NSCNP patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.89-99
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical therapy intervention with local vibration on the physical function of patients with traumatic patella fractures. Methods: This study recruited 6 subjects who had suffered traumatic patella fractures. The study was conducted for an average of 12.8 weeks. Before the treatment (2 weeks post-surgery), they were evaluated using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), the Korean-version of the impact of event scale-revised (IES-R-K), pressure pain threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint, and the Korean knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (K-KOOS) and were reevaluated after 7 and 12 weeks, post-surgery. This study was conducted according to ORIF Patella Fracture Post-Operative Rehabilitation Protocol after applying local vibration. The protocol consists of Phases 1~5 and this study has been applied from phase 2. Results: A comparison of the performance of the participants before and after the intervention showed a decrease in NPRS (9.83±.41→4.83±.98), IES-R-K (68.67±2.73→23.83±2.40), and K-KOOS (Function, Daily living: 70.5±5.96→34.0±3.35, Function, Sports and Recreational activities: 22.83±2.32→10.77±1.37, Quality of Life: 19.33±7.33→7.33±.52) scores. And the ROM (Knee flexion: 30.0±4.47°→128.73±3.6°, Knee extension: -6.83±2.48°→-1.33±1.03°) and PPT (9.67±.52kg/cm²→22.44±2.33kg/cm²) scores increased. Conclusion: These results show that physical intervention with local vibration using a Blackroll® booster and head can help to improve pain, physical function, and psychological status. Also, it was possible to select interventions depending on the patient's condition and the desired goal, using physical intervention with the Blackroll® booster technique.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.565-570
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between activity of daily living and social psychology and work mind of office workers with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP). Design: Crossed-sectional study Methods: 86 patients with NSCNP were recruited for this study. Neck disability index (NDI) and Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) were used to check the pain intensity and disability of patients with neck pain. To find out the occupational factors of the subjects, the Korean version of Latack Coping Scale was used. And,To find out the socio-psychological factors of the subjects, the Korean version of depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) was used. We performed correlation for each variable. Results: The correlation between NPRS and NDI and DASS-21 Scale were clear positive correlation (p<0.05). There was no statistical significance between the LATACK control group and the pain and disability index (p>0.05). A clear positive correlation was established between the avoidance group of LATACK and pain (p<0.01). Conclusions: Through this study, it is necessary to have time to manage depression, anxiety, and stress in the treatment of neck pain in office workers who spend a lot of time sitting. In addition, it is thought that there should be the ability to control oneself about one's duties in the workplace.