• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck patterns in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) for neck movement and the neck disability index (NDI) among adults with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were randomly assigned into two groups. Subjects in the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) received 20 minutes of PNF neck pattern (flexion-Rt. lateral flexion-Rt. rotation followed by extension-Lt. lateral flexion-Lt. rotation) 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured using absolute rotation angle (ARA), anterior weight bearing (AWB), range of flexion and extension motions (RFEM), and neck disability index (NDI) methods before and after the 4-week intervention period. Results: There were significant effects for the PNFG, pre- and post-intervention, in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI. There were significant differences in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI compared with CG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the PNF neck pattern could be beneficial for adults with forward head posture.Purpose: This study investigates how abdominal muscular exercise based on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) can affect chronic low back pain patients in terms of their pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability indexes. Methods: Fourteen target subjects with chronic low back were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 7) that performed abdominal muscle exercises and the experimental group (n = 7) that performed PNF abdominal muscular exercises. The exercises were performed five times a week for six weeks. To check the change in pulmonary function, the forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and visible analogue scale (VAS) were measured to check the pain level. The disability level caused by back pain was measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). A paired t-test was applied to compare the differences between the groups before and after the intervention, and an independent t-test was used to compare the differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set as ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Before and after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant change in FEV1 (p < 0.01), and both the experimental and the control groups showed significant changes in VAS and ODI (p < 0.01). A comparison of the differences between the groups indicated that the experimental group showed more significant changes in FEV1 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the study results, PNF abdominal muscular exercise effectively improved pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability indexes in subjects with chronic back pain. The proposed program can be applied to chronic back pain patients as a useful therapy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2011

The objective of this research was to examine the effects of lumber stabilization exercise and a general physiotherapy program for caregivers with chronic low back pain. Sixteen people participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two groups for either lumbar stabilization exercise or for general physiotherapy, respectively. The experiment was performed for eight weeks. To examine the general as well as the medical characteristics of the participants, the following measurements were used: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); Back Performance Scale (BPS); Roland - Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); and Beck Depression Index (BDI). To compare the general and medical characteristics of the participants in the two groups, an independent t test were used. During the experiment, a paired t test was conducted to determine whether there was a significant difference in the values of VAS, ODI, BPS, RMDQ, and BDI before and after the experiment. To examine the difference in the VAS, ODI, BPS, RMDQ, and BDI values in the two groups, ANCOVA was used with pre test values as a covariate. According to the test results, in the lumbar stabilization exercise group, the VAS, ODI, BPS, RMDQ, and BDI values showed a statistically significant difference before and after the test (p<.05). In comparison, in the general physiotherapy program group, only the ODI and BPS values showed a statistically significant level of improvement. Regarding the degree of improvement, participants in the lumbar stabilization exercise group showed statistically significant progress compared to those in the general physiotherapy group. In summary, lumbar stabilization exercise is regarded as more effective than general physiotherapy for treating caregivers with chronic low back pain. In future studies, it will be useful to expand the research and to examine the long term effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on workers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.139-148
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of waist mobilization technique intervention for patients with chronic back pain on balance and the low back pain disability index. Methods : The subjects were 30 patients with chronic back pain. They were sampled and divided into a manual therapy group and a spinal decompression group. 15 subjects were randomly assigned to each group. Each training in this study participated for 6 weeks, 5 times a week, once a day, 15 minutes a day. Balance ability was measured with a balance analyzer, and the low back pain disability index was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results : In the balance abilities, there was a significant difference in the manual therapy group compared to the spinal decompression group. In the low back pain disability index, there was a significant difference in the manual therapy group compared to the spinal decompression group. Conclusion : The analysis results of the effect of 6 weeks of waist mobilization technique intervention on the balance and low back pain disability index for patients with chronic back pain revealed that the manual therapy is more effective for static and dynamic balance ability and the low back pain disability index. In the future, we can promote independent life skills and expect a rapid recovery of patients with chronic back pain. Based on this study, further studies are needed on the effects of balance, the mechanical properties of muscle, and the low back pain disability index depending on various manual therapy techniques.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2016

Objectives : This study reports the clinical effects of Korean medical treatment on a patient with suspected diabetic muscle infarction (DMI). Methods : A patient diagnosed with spinal stenosis was suspected of DMI. The patient was treated with acupuncture, bee-venom pharmacopuncture and gastrocnemius stretching. Symptoms were evaluated by verbal numeric rating scale (vNRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Manchester foot pain and disability index (MFPDI). Results : After approximately 5 weeks of Korean medical treatment, including 8 bee-venom treatments, vNRS, ODI, and MFPDI all decreased. Conclusion : The results suggest that Korean medical treatment is effective for treating pain caused by DMI.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study was to analyze the interrelation of therapeutic effects according to the bee venom pharmacopuncture-induced skin hypersensitivity reaction and the sasang constitution. Methods : Data were collected from 62 patients who had been treated with bee venom pharmacopuncture due to low back pain. The patient's symptoms were evaluated with visual analogue scale(VAS), oswestry disability index(ODI). And we classified the patients according to the manifestation of skin hypersensitivity reaction, sasang constitution by QSCC II. Results : 22 patients had the skin hypersensitivity reaction, 40 patients hadn't. And 12 patients were Soeumin, 30 patients were Soyangin, 17 patients were Taeeumin. After treatment with bee venom pharmacopuncture 6 times(three times per week for 2 weeks), VAS was changed from $6.15{\pm}1.63$ to $4.00{\pm}1.64$. ODI was changed from $19.61{\pm}8.15$ to $14.76{\pm}8.07$. And there were significant associations. By the change of VAS and ODI between skin hypersensitivity reaction group and not, there were no significant associations. By the occurrence of skin hypersensitivity reaction between the sasang constitution, there were no significant associations. By the change of VAS and ODI between the Sasang constitution, there were no significant associations. Conclusion : This study shows that there were no significant associations in the frequency of skin hypersensitivity reaction according to the Sasang constitution. And the therapeutic effects of bee venom pharmacopuncture had no concern with skin hypersensitivity reaction and the Sasang constitution.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.75-84
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• 2005

Objectives : Research on the effect and satisfaction between Acupuncture Treatment, Physical Treatment and contemporary Treatments of Acupuncture and Physical of lumbago patients Methods : We separated lumbago patients into three groups. A group with only Acupuncture Treatment and a group with only Physical Treatment and a group with contemporary treatments of Acupuncture and Physical. Questionnaire survey and score of Visual Analog Scale(VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) were examined for comparison. Results & Conclusion : 1. Of the 54 patients Acupuncture Teatment group had 17 patients with similar ratio of gender and the average age was 39.5 years old. For the Physical Treatment group the ratio of male was 75% of the 8 patients and had the youngest average age which was 29.1 years old and the group with contemporary Treatments the ratio of female was 62% of 29 patients and had the oldest average age which was 46.7 years old. 2. The Acupuncture Treatment group had the shortest treatment period because of many acute stage caused by lumber sprain and the improvement score was the best. The group of contemporary treatments had the longest history day and treatment period by serious disease like HIVD and spinal stenosis but the improvement score of VAS and ODI was good similar to the Acupuncture Treatment group. For the Physical Treatment group there was many patients with degenerative change but not severe pain. The VAS, ODI and the improvement score was the lowest before and after the treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.149-158
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• 2004

Objective: Herniation of Nucleus Pulpous(HNP) of L-spine is the most important reason that causes low back pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Bee venom acua-acupuncture therapy for HNP. Methods: We divided HNP patient into 2 groups: Control group with acupuncture therapy only, and Experimental group with both acupuncture and bee venom acua-acupuncture therapy. To estimate the efficacy of treatment that applied for two groups, we used visual analog scale(VAS) and Oswestry disability index(ODI). We compared the VAS and ODI score of two groups statistically. Results & Conclusions: 1. In VAS, experimental group shows statitically significant improvement rate, but control group does not show statistical significance. 2. In ODI, both the experimental and control group shows statistically significant improvement. 3. By comparing the experimental and control group, there was more significant improvement in experimental group than control group of VAS and ODI. As a result, bee venom acua-acupuncture therapy can be used with acupuncture therapy for highly effective treatment for HNP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.282-287
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of patients with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) in disability, pain, and cognition, and to compare those characteristics to the ICF concept analyzing the association between World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0: 12 item-interviewer version (WHODAS 2.0) and those of scales i.e. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMPQ), and the Fear avoidance & belief questionnaire (FABQ). Methods: A total of 91 patients with CLBP were invited to participate in the study. Physical therapists interviewed all participants using SFMPQ, FABQ, ODI, and WHODAS 2.0 for collection of information on pain, cognition, and functional level data. Subjects scored their disability, pain, and cognition related to LBP using WHODAS 2.0, ODI, SFMPQ, and FABQ. Data analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: A positive relationship was observed between WHODAS 2.0 and each scale indicating that lower back specific disability components could be related to the ICF concept in ODI (r=0.77). Pain intensity and pain oriented movement were found to be related to general functioning in patients with CLBP (r=0.52, r=0.55, respectively). Conclusion: It can be suggested that the specific disability scale for LBP, ODI can be related to the ICF concept, WHODAS 2.0, and it may be a useful measure for patients with CLBP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2019

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) causes morphological changes in muscles, reduces muscle strength, endurance and flexibility, negatively affects lumbar stability, and limits functional activity. Plank exercise strengthens core muscles, activates abdominal muscles, and improves intra-abdominal pressure to stabilize the trunk in patients with CLBP. Objects: We investigated the effect of plank exercise on abdominal muscle thickness and disability in patients with CLBP. Methods: We classified 33 subjects into 2 groups: An experimental (n1=17) and a control group (n2=16). Patients in the experimental group participated in plank exercise and those in the control group participated in stretching exercise. Patients in both groups attended 20-minute exercise sessions thrice a week for 4 weeks. Abdominal muscle thickness in each subject was evaluated ultrasonographically, and disabilities were assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results: Four weeks later, abdominal muscle thickness showed a significant increase over baseline values in both groups (p<.05). Patients in the experimental group reported a more significant increase in the thickness of the external oblique muscle than that in the control group (p<.05). ODI scores in the experimental group were significantly lower after intervention than before intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Plank exercise increases the thickness of the external oblique muscle and reduces disability secondary to mild CLBP. Therefore, plank exercise is needed to improve lumbar stability and functional activity in patients with mild CLBP.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.163-177
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• 2004

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to use more Traction treatment clinically by comparing th Improvement of Low Back Pain and Sciatica between Common treatment Group and Common treatment with Traction treatment. Methods : This study was carried out on 40 patients with Low Back Pain and Sciatica who were hospitalized in Dongshin Univ. Oriental Hospital from January, 2003 to May, 2004. Group A of 20 patients were taken both common treatment and Traction treatment. And Group B of 20 patients were only taken common treatment. And at discharge day, we checked and compared VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) out of these two groups. SPSS(Statistical Program for Social Science) for Window was used for a statistical analysis and the independent T-test was performed to gauge the improvement of VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) out of these two groups, in which case, value of P below 0.05 is considered as useful. Results : The result of the VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) of comparison analysis between two groups at discharge day, shows that the improvement of Low Back Pain and Sciatica in cmmon treatment with Traction treatment Group is more effective than that in Common treatment.