• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.288-292
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• 2013

Objective : Vertebral distraction is routinely performed during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Overdistraction can injure the facet joints and may cause postoperative neck pain consequently. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of distraction force during ACDF. Methods : This study included 24 consecutive patients with single level cervical disc disease undergoing single level ACDF. We measure the maximum torque just before the the arm of the Caspar retractor was suspended by the rachet mechanism by turning the lever on the movable arm using a torque meter. In order to turn the lever using the torque driver, we made a linear groove on the top of the lever. We compared the neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores between the high torque group (distraction force>6 $kgf{\cdot}cm$) and the low torque group (distraction force${\leq}6kgf{\cdot}cm$) at routine postoperative intervals of 1, 3, 5 days and 1, 3, 6 months. Results : The VAS scores for posterior neck pain had a linear correlation with torque at postoperative 1st and 3rd days ($y=0.99{\times}-1.1$, $r^2=0.82$; $y=0.77{\times}-0.63$, $r^2=0.73$, respectively). VAS scores for posterior neck pain were lower in the low torque group than in the high torque group on both 1 and 3 days postoperatively ($3.1{\pm}1.3$, $2.6{\pm}1.0$ compared with $6.0{\pm}0.6$, $4.9{\pm}0.8$, p<0.01). However, the difference in NDI scores was not statistically significant in all postoperative periods. Conclusion : Vertebral distraction may cause posterior neck pain in the immediate postoperative days. We recommend not to distract the intervertebral disc space excessively with a force of more than 6.0 $kgf{\cdot}cm$.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.113-124
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Bong Chuna manual therapy(BCMT) and acupuncture on the Turtle Neck Syndrome(TNS) by the changes of radiological findings and symptoms. Methods : Total twenty-eight patients diagnosed as TNS were evaluated. Twenty patients in experimental group were treated by the combination of BCMT and acupuncture, eight patients in control group were treated by acupuncture only. We measured VAS(Visual analogue scale) as pain intensity and Neck Pain and Disability Scale(NDI) at pre- and post-treatment. Also the four line Cobb's method and Jochumsen method were assessed for evaluating the radiographical changes, additionally we used 'two line method'. Results : VAS score showed statistically significant reduction in pain intensity in both experimental group and control group after 8 weeks treatment, $-44.05{\pm}14.91$ vs $-23.75{\pm}14.08$ respectively. Also NDI score presented $-11.40{\pm}8.63$ reduction in experimental group, and it was significant statistically, however not in control group, $-8.63{\pm}9.84$ reduction after 8weeks treatment. In radiological findings, the four line Cobb's method, Jochumsen method and two line method were reduced after 8weeks treatment, $-9.30{\pm}10.33$, $-0.65{\pm}1.72$ and $-14.35{\pm}5.68$ in experimental group respectively, $-0.75{\pm}1.91$, $-0.25{\pm}0.71$ and $0.38{\pm}2.20$ in control group respectively. However they were statistical significance only in the four line Cobb's method and two line method in both group. Conclusions : Combination treatment of CMT and acupuncture showed better effect on pain reduction, VAS score and the correction of neck anteversion than acupuncture only in TNS. Two line method seems valuable for evaluating the improvement of radiographical changes in TNS.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.543-551
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• 2018

This study investigated the effects of corrective exercise and TECAR on cervical alignment, pain threshold, and pain in forward head posture patients. The subject includes 30 forward head posture patients. In the intervention methods, the experimental group combined corrective exercise and TECAR treatment. Only the corrective exercise was applied to the control group. Assessments were made on cervico vertebra angle (CV angle), pain pressure threshold (PPT) and neck disability index (NDI) visual analog scale (VAS). The intervention was conducted six times a week for two weeks. Both groups showed significant differences in CV angle, PPT, NDI, and VAS. Also, PPT, NDI, and VAS excluding CV angle were significantly improved in the study group compared to the control group. These results suggest that the intervention method that combines corrective exercise and TECAR treatment has a more positive effect on pain and ADL ability of forward head posture patient.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-53
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical application of chuna for temporomandibular joint(TMJ) in nuchal pain patients with temporomandibular joint disorder(TMD). Methods : Four patients were treated by chuna for TMJ to evaluate the effect of the treatment. The patient's symptoms were assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS), neck disability index(NDI), cervical lordotic curvature. Results : In all case, the pain was reduced according to VAS, NDI. cervical lordotic curvature of three cases were improved. Conclusions : These results suggest that chuna for TMJ might be an effective method to treat nuchal pain with TMD. But, it's necessary to have more observations and experiments.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean medical treatment with Temporomandibular Joint Balancing Therapy (TBT) on Tic disorder patient who often glancing up when feels nerves, frightened or tired. Methods: In this study, Tic disorder patient was treated to △△ Korean medicine Hospital from June 12nd, 2022 to July 26th, 2023 by outpatient way. During the clinic period, the patient was treated by Korean medical treatment (acupuncture, cupping, herb medicine), especially using TBT. YGTSS (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale), NDI (Neck Disability Index) and VAS were used for measuring the Tic disorder and neck pain. Results: After treatment for 46 days, the YGTSS showed a decrease from 17 to 3, the VAS associated with Tic disorder also decreased from 6 to 1 and NDI associated with neck pain decreased from 7 to 4. Conclusions: These results showed that Korean medical treatment especially using TBT may have an effect on reducing symptoms of Tic disorder and neck pain. But the further researches are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.738-745
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of using Nokyonggunbi-tang and other Korean medical treatments for a patient with consumptive disease and chronic fatigue. Methods: A 59-year-old female patient with fatigue, headache, dizziness, and neck pain due to consumptive disease and chronic fatigue was treated with herbal medicine (Nokyonggunbi-tang), together with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping, and chuna manual therapy, for 22 days. The treatment effects on the pain were evaluated using the scores for the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5d) Scale, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Results: Following treatment, the patient showed a decrease in the FSS, NDI, and NRS scores and an improvement in the EQ-5d score. Conclusions: Nokyonggunbi-tang and Korean medical treatment significantly improved fatigue symptoms in a patient with no substrate disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.552-561
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• 2021

Objective : To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) with wide facetectomy in the treatment of parallel-shaped bony foraminal stenosis (FS). Methods : Thirty-six patients underwent surgery due to one-or-two levels of parallel-shaped cervical FS. ACDF was performed in 16 patients, and PCF using CPS was performed in 20 patients. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Standardized outcome measures such as Numeric rating scale (NRS) score for arm/neck pain and Neck disability index (NDI) were evaluated. Cervical radiographs were used to compare the C2-7 Cobb's angle, segmental angle, and fusion rates. Results : There was an improvement in NRS scores after both approaches for radicular arm pain (mean change -6.78 vs. -8.14, p=0.012), neck pain (mean change -1.67 vs. -4.36, p=0.038), and NDI score (-19.69 vs. -18.15, p=0.794). The segmental angle improvement was greater in the ACDF group than in the posterior group (9.4°±2.7° vs. 3.3°±5.1°, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference in C2-7 Cobb angle between groups (16.2°±7.9° vs. 14.8°±8.5°, p=0.142). As a complication, dysphagia was observed in one case of the ACDF group. Conclusion : In the treatment of parallel-shaped bony FS up to two surgical levels, segmental angle improvement was more favorable in patients who underwent ACDF. However, PCF with wide facetectomy using CPS should be considered as an alternative treatment option in cases where the anterior approach is burdensome.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.361-374
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• 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the effects of neural mobilization with joint mobilization on dysfunction, pain, and range of motion in cervical radiculopathy patients. Methods: Forty-seven cervical radiculopathy patients were recruited for the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to three groups. Group A (n=16) received a neural mobilization with joint mobilization, Group B (n=15) received a neural mobilization (NM), Group C (n=16) received a joint mobilization (JM). All groups had five sets for a day, three days a week, for four weeks. All subjects were evaluated before and after intervention by their neck disability index (NDI), numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), and range of motion (ROM). Results: The results were as follows: First, the NDI was significantly decreased in all groups (p<0.05). Group A had more significantly decreased NDI than Group B and C (p<0.05). Secondly, the NPRS was significantly decreased in all groups (p<0.05). Group A had more significantly decreased cervical NPRS than Group B (p<0.05). Groups A and B were more effective at decreasing upper extremity NPRS than Group C (p<0.05). Thirdly, the ROM was significantly increased in all the groups (p<0.05). Group A had more significantly improved cervical rotation ROM than Group B (p<0.05). Significant short-term effects of the NM with JM on dysfunction, pain, and range of motion in cervical radiculopathy patients were recorded in this study. Conclusion: These findings gave some indications that it may be feasible to include NM with JM in interventions with cervical radiculopathy patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Kaltenborn-Evjenth concept of nerve mobilization combined with intermittent cervical segment traction (ICST) on pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores, range of motion (ROM) and endurance in persons with cervical radiculopathy (CR). Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty subjects participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two groups. The ICST group (n=15) was performed simultaneously with nerve mobilization and cervical traction for the segment with cervical pain at the same time. The intermittent cervical total traction (ICTT) group (n=15) performed nerve mobilization and cervical traction for the whole cervical area at the same time. In this study, outcome measures such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), NDI, ROM, endurance (cranio-cervical flexion test), and passive intervertebral motion performed before and 4 weeks after the experiment were compared to investigate the effects of each intervention. Results: In both groups, there were significant differences in the VAS, NDI scores, and endurance, and there were significant differences between the two groups except for endurance (p<0.05). In the ICST group, significant differences were found in all ROM, and in the ICTT group, significant differences were found in only extension, and there were significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The ICST group showed more improvement than the ICTT group in pain, NDI scores and ROM. Moreover, our findings show that the ICST could be used as a new strategy for manual therapy in persons with CR.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to report the effects of giant cell tumor treatment to a patient who had cervical and lumbar pain and hypoesthesia of the limbs after total spondylectomy with Korean medicine. Methods A 67-year-old female patient with cervical and lumbar pain and hypoesthesia of the limbs after total spondylectomy was treated with herbal medicine (Cheongpa-jeon, Yukkongbaro-hwa), acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and physical therapy for 36 days. The effects were evaluated using a numerical rating scale (NRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D). Results After treatment, changes were observed in the patient's pain and hypoesthesia. NRS, NDI, ODI, and EQ-5D scores decreased. Conclusions This case study suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective for symptomatic treatment in patients with giant cell tumor following total spondylectomy.