• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined whether a single application of a lumbar flexion muscle energy technique (MET) could significantly influence pain, functional status, and range of motion in chronic back pain patients with restricted active trunk flexion. Methods: Twenty volunteers were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Ten subjects in the control group received no treatment. Ten subjects in the experimental group received five sessions with the muscle energy technique, five times per week for two weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after two weeks of treatment in both groups. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Range of motion was measured using the sit-and-reach test (SRT). Functional disability levels were assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (KODI). Results: The experimental group showed a significant difference in VAS, KODI, and SRT between pre- and post-treatment (p < .05), while the control group showed no significant changes. The changes in VAS, ODI, and SRT were statistically significant between the groups pre- and post-treatment (p < .05). Conclusion: This muscle energy technique is clinically effective for chronic low back pain patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.203-215
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate abdominal muscles in chronic low back pain patients by meridian-electromyograph. Methods : Sample group of 11 with from low back pain during three months and control group of 10 subjects without low back pain have been recruited. Outcomes were assessed using meridian-electromyograph, visual analogue scale, and oswestry disability index. Results : Contraction power of external oblique abdominalis in control group was significantly higher than sample group, but there was no significant difference in muscle fatigue. Conclusions : According to above results, there are correlations between abdominal muscles and low back pain.

• 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 the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if the program focusing on gluteal muscle exercise combined lumbar stabilization had an effects on pain, functional disability and lumbar instability in chronic low back pain patients who had lumbar instability. METHODS: Thirty four patients were recruited in this study. The participants were randomly allocated stabilization exercise group (SEG) (n=17) and gluteal muscle exercise group (GEG) (n=17). The gluteal muscle exercise group conducted gluteal muscle exercises combined lumbar stabilization and stabilization exercise group did only lumbar stabilization exercise for 30 minutes three times a week for six weeks. Pre-exercise assessment tools, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Korean version Oswestry Disability Index level (KODI) were used for pain and functional disability each. Also, these were scored by the tool of lumbar instability. The pain, functional disability levels, and lumbar instability after six weeks with this exercise were re-evaluated. RESULTS: First, SEG showed a significant decrease in the lumbar pain, functional disability levels and lumbar instability. Second, GEG showed a significant decrease in the lumbar pain, functional disability levels and lumbar instability. The third, GEG showed even more significant decrease in the lumbar pain levels, functional disability levels and lumbar instability than SEG. CONCLUSION: Gluteal muscle exercises combined lumbar stabilization are more effective than only lumbar stabilization exercise in the pain levels, functional disability levels and lumbar instability for the chronic low back pain patients with lumbar instability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.193-202
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• 2008

Purpose : This study was performed for effects of intervention of mat & ball exercise, sling exercise, and general intervention. The purpose of this study was to know influenced on the change of Oswestry back pain disability index (OBPDI) with chronic low back pain(CLBP) patients. Methods : Three groups of CLBP patients(n=53) were allocated randomly in this study experimental group I (mat & ball exercise group MBE, n=18), experimental group II(sling exercise group SE, n=18) and control group(general intervention, n=17). Intervention was provided 6 weeks(S days a week). Experimental group was provided 3 set a day(10 time/ 1 set, 10sec holding and 10sec resting/ 1 time). The following was the result of the data analysis about OBPDI experiment that had been carried on a week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, S weeks, 6 weeks after, and even comparing with pre-experimental state. Results : The results were as follows. OBPDI about intervention period had decrease in the MBE and the SE groups. but there was no difference in the control group. Among three groups, The MBE and the SE groups had difference compare with control group. This shows that the MBE and the SE groups had effective decrease pain and disability. Conclusion : Therefore, this study shows that trunk stabilization exercise program influenced on the change of OBPDI with CLBP patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.73-88
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out The effect of Low back pain on the total pattens of Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF). Methods : The subjects of the study were 62 low back pain patients. They were divided into two groups: 31 in the experimental group and 31 in the control group. the experimental group performed modalities and PNF total patterns three times for a week. the control group performed only modalities and ROM exercise three times for a week. Back muscle strength was measured by a back muscle strength measuring machine, the intensity of pain was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the level of disability was measured by Oswestry low back pain disability index. Study measurements were compared before and after 6 weeks exercise program. The two groups of subjects were assessed by utilizing two different balance measurement: Static standing balance was measured by balance performance monitor (BPM) and Dynamic standing balance was measured by one leg standing(OLS). The scale for static standing balance was measured by using, sway area, sway path, max velocity. Results : The results of this study were as follow: 1) The score on visual analogue scale shows statistically significant increase on PNF group of post test(p<.05). 2) The score on Oswestry low back pain disability index. shows statistically significant decrease on PNF group of post test(p<.05). 3) The change sway area was statistically significant on pre-test and post-test(p<.05). 4) The change sway path was statistically significant on pre-test and post-test(p<.05). 5) The change max velocity was statistically significant on pre-test and post-test(p<.05). 6) The score on one leg standing shows statistically significant increase on PNF group of post test(p<.05). Conclusion : These results of this study indicated that Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Total patterns which performed for six weeks had a statistically significant influence on low back pain. If the exercise for muscle strength is performed along with therapeutic stabilizing exercise, a better effect can be expected on low back pain. We hope that this study will provide a basic data for further research with a bigger group and on a long-term effect.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2022

Purpose: We investigated the effects of multimodal vs. stabilization exercises on chronic low back pain. Methods: Study participants were randomly assigned to a multimodal exercise (n = 20) or a stabilization exercise group (n = 20). Participants in the multimodal exercise group performed stabilization, stretching, and endurance exercises, whereas those in the stabilization exercise group performed only stabilization exercises. Participants in both groups performed the exercises for 1 hour thrice a week for 5 weeks. The following outcomes were evaluated: pain intensity (numeric rating scale), disability (the Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]), pain-induced fear (the Fear of Daily Activities Questionnaire [FDAQ], the Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire [FABQ], and the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia-11 [TSK-11]). Outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and after intervention. Results: Significant post-intervention improvement was observed in pain intensity and the RMDQ and FDAQ scores in both groups (p < 0.01). The post-intervention ODI, FABQ, and TSK-11 scores were improved in the multimodal exercise group (p < 0.01). Additionally, significant differences were observed in pain intensity, as well as in the ODI, FDAQ, and FABQ scores in the multimodal exercise group compared with these findings in the stabilization exercise group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The multimodal and stabilization exercise programs reduced pain intensity, disability, and pain-induced fear. Compared with stabilization exercises, multimodal exercises more effectively reduced pain intensity, disability, and pain-induced fear. This study highlights that musculoskeletal rehabilitation for people with chronic low back pain should include a multimodal exercise program.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1834-1839
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• 2019

Background: Lumbar lordosis is a result of muscle shortening and may cause low back pain. Objective: To examine the effects of static and dynamic stretching on lumbar lordosis and low back pain in university students. Stretching is an intervention that can be applied to shortened muscles; however, very few studies have compared the effects of static and dynamic stretching on lumbar lordosis and low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single-blind) Methods: The 12 selected subjects were randomly assigned static stretching and dynamic stretching groups each containing six students. The subjects in each group performed their respective stretching programs for 17 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Lumbar lordotic angle, low back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Intragroup comparisons showed significant reductions in lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain in the static stretching group while the dynamic stretching group showed significant decreases in lumbar lordotic angle, low back pain, and ODI. The intergroup comparisons showed significantly greater differences between pre- and post-intervention in lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain in the dynamic stretching group compared to those in the static stretching group while ODI did not show any intergroup difference. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that, while both static and dynamic stretching helped to reduce the lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain, dynamic stretching was more effective in alleviating lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain compared to static stretching.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2020

Background: Opioids can present intolerable adverse side-effects to patients who use these analgesics to mitigate chronic pain. In this retrospective analysis, cooled radiofrequency (CRF) denervation was evaluated to provide pain and disability relief and reduce opioid use in patients with sacroiliac joint (SIJ) derived low back pain (LBP). Methods: Twenty-seven patients with pain from SIJ refractory to conservative treatments, and taking opioids chronically (> 3 mo), were included. Numeric rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were collected at 1, 6, and 12 months post-procedure. Opioid use between baseline and each follow-up visit was compared for the entire group and for those who experienced successful (pain reduction ≥ 50% of baseline value) or unsuccessful CRF denervation. Results: Severe initial mean pain (NRS score: 7.7 ± 1.0) and disability (ODI score: 50.1 ± 9.0), and median opioid use (morphine equivalent daily dose: 40 ± 37 mg) were significantly reduced up to 12 months post-intervention. CRF denervation was successful in 44.4% of the patients at 12 months. Regardless of procedure success, patients demonstrated similar opioid reductions and changes in opioid use at 12 months. Two patients (7.4%) experienced neuritis following CRF denervation. Conclusions: CRF denervation of the SIJ can safely elicit pain and disability relief, and reduce opioid use, regardless of intervention success. Future studies may support CRF denervation as a dependable therapy to alleviate opioid use in patients with SIJ-derived LBP and show that opioid use measurements can be a surrogate indicator of pain.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.347-355
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pelvic adjustment on low back pain and spino-pelvic parameters in middle-aged women. Thirty-eight middle-aged women with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to the pelvic adjustment (n = 20) oruntreated control (n = 18) group. Pelvic adjustment interventionswereperformed four times a week for 8 weeksin the former group. At baseline and after 8 weeks, the back pain and back function were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and back flexibility. Additionally, the spino-pelvic radiographic parameters and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed. After 8 weeks, the VAS, ODI, and back flexibility significantly improved in the pelvic adjustment group compared with the control group. It was found that the changes from baseline in the lumbar lordotic angle, sacral slope, pelvic crest unleveling, and femoral head height inequality were significantly greater in the pelvic adjustment group than in the control group. There were no significant changes in the pelvic incidence or serum CRP levels in either group. In conclusion, pelvic adjustment has beneficial effects on chronic low back pain and back function, suggesting that the effects of pelvic adjustment on back pain may at least in part result from changes in the spino-pelvic alignment.