• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2018

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between neuroticism, pain catastrophizing, and experimentally induced pain threshold and pain tolerance in a healthy adult sample from two regions of the country of Croatia: the island of Korcula and city of Split. Methods: A total of 1,322 participants were enrolled from the Island of Korcula (n = 824) and the city of Split (n = 498). Participants completed a self-reported personality measure Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and pain catastrophizing questionnaire Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), followed by a mechanical pain pressure threshold and tolerance test. We have explored the mediating role of catastrophizing in the relationship between neuroticism and pain intensity. Results: The results showed that pain catastrophizing partially mediated the relationship between neuroticism and pain intensity, suggesting the importance of pain catastrophizing in increasing vulnerability to pain. The results also indicated gender-related differences, marked by the higher pain threshold and tolerance in men. Conclusions: This study adds to the understanding of the complex interplay between personality and pain, by providing a better understanding of such mechanisms in healthy adults.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.146-151
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• 2014

Purpose: To determine whether a fatiguing clench significantly affects the changes in pressure pain threshold (PPT) in men compared to women. Methods: The changes of PPTs from before to after a sustained clench in 12 men and 12 women were obtained. We used a decrease in median frequencies of surface electromyography (EMG) power spectra from the start to the end of the sustained clench as evidence of fatigue. Endurance time for the clench was used as a covariate. Results: The median frequencies decreased after the clench in both the anterior temporalis and masseter muscles, did not differ with the muscle or the gender of the subjects, and none of the interaction terms were significant. The PPTs were lower for women for both muscles, were decreased after the sustained clench, but failed to show the hypothesized gender by time interaction. Conclusions: Our results show that women have lower PPTs than men, but do not respond differently than men to jaw muscle fatigue.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.166-172
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• 2018

Purpose: This study compared the different sling and resistance exercises on pelvic rotation during active straight leg raises (ASLR) and on pain in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Twenty subjects were divided randomly into a sling group (SG) and a resistance exercise group (REG). Internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), rectus abdominis (RA), and rectus femoris (RF) muscle activity; pelvic rotation angle during ASLR; and visual analogue scale, pressure pain threshold were measured. Sling and resistance exercises were then performed for 30 minutes and the measurements taken again. Results: Both groups showed significantly lower RF muscle activity and significantly higher EO and IO muscle activity (p<0.05). The RA muscle activity decreased significantly in the SG, but increased significantly in the REG (p<0.05). The pelvic rotation angle was significantly lower in the SG (p<0.05). The pain press threshold increased significantly in both groups (p<0.05). The visual analogue scale decreased significantly in the SG (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both exercises appear to be beneficial for modifying the muscle activity and pain control in the intervention of CLBP. On the other hand, the sling was more effective in increasing the pressure threshold than resistance exercise, and the pelvic rotation angle was reduced. Therefore, both exercises can help patients with CLBP change their muscle activity and control pain. CLBP patients should use a sling for short periods of time to learn to reduce the pain and control pelvic rotation.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.461-468
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of upper cervical stabilization exercise on Temporomandibular Disorder(TMD) and pressure pain threshold. 36 subjects were divided into two groups: upper cervical stabilization exercise group(UCSEG) and control on three times a week for a total of four weeks. The upper cervical stabilization group showed more significant effect than the control group (p <.01, 95% CI: 8.074, 16.899). (p <.01, 95% CI: .826, 3.243). In the change of pressure pain threshold, the upper cervical stabilization group showed significant improvement in both the masticatory muscle(p <.01, 95% CI: .251, 1.382) and masticatory muscle(p <.01, 95% CI: .462, 1.826).The results of this study showed that the upper cervical stabilization exercise was effective that TMD. It will be able to provide more effective interventions for patients suffering from TMD, and to suggest new approaches for TMD patients.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.67-72
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of computer game usage time on trunk muscle thickness and pressure pain threshold. The 33 study participants were divided into Group A, which spent less than 10 hours per week playing computer games; Group B, which spent between 10 and 20 hours per week playing computer games; and Group C, which spent more than 20 hours per a week playing computer games. The thickness of the participants' upper trapezius (UT), pectoralis minor (PM), anterior scalene (AS), and middle scalene (MS) muscles as well as the pressure pain threshold of their UT, PM, AS, MS, and levator scapular (LS) were measured. The study found that the PM, AS, and MS muscle thickness in group C was significantly greater than in the other groups (p<.05), and the UT, AS, PM, and LS pressure pain threshold in group C was significantly lower than in other groups (p<.05). Therefore, those who use computers for a long period of time during the week should recognize that their computer usage may cause musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1066-1070
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• 2016

The purpose of this article was to investigate the effects of Maitland's transverse movement on change of pain, trunk flexion movement and Cobb's angle in patient with upper thoracic scoliosis. The subject are 37 years old with chronic low back pain participated in this study and has no experience surgery within the last six months due to back pain. 10 set was applied 10 times on the T3-T5 applied the transverse movement with grade IV to each segment by skilled physical therapist. Transverse movement was applied convex toward the concave side. Pressure pain threshold was reduced from 4/10 to 2/10. Trunk flexion range that is the distance between the middle finger and floor was increase from 7.3cm to 2cm. Cobb's angle was decreased from degree 18 to 16. This result demonstrated that the Maitland's transverse movement was benefit to reduce the pain and Cobb's angle, and to increase the trunk flexion movement.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.69-78
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• 2021

Background: Approximately 30% of people suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain. Chronic neck and shoulder pain arise due to the exposure to continuous low loading and monotonous work. This is a common musculoskeletal disorder in a society. As physical therapists, we should give appropriate treatment to these people. Methods: A total of 26 patients with chronic neck and shoulder myalgia were randomly allocated into two experimental groups. First, 13 patients received shoulder strength training, while the other 13 patients received cervical mobilization. Outcome measures included bilateral pressure pain threshold by using an algometer at upper trapezius, visual analogue scale (VAS) to express their pain scale, and muscle tension by using myoton pro device pre-intervention and after the final treatment. Results: The VAS and muscle tension in upper trapezius significantly decreased (p<.05) in both groups; however, no differences between two groups were observed (p>.05). The pressure pain threshold in upper trapezius significantly increased (p<.05) in both groups; yet, again, the differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance (p>.05). Conclusion: As methods of treatment, shoulder-specific strength training and cervical mobilization can be appropriate approaches to the treatment of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorder.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.704-707
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine if complex exercises could improve pressure-pain threshold and postural alignment in university students. Subjects in the CON group did not receive an intervention. Subjects in the EXP1 group were applied stretching exercises after applying hot packs on their both shoulders. Subjects in the EXP2 group were applied complex exercises including stretching, stabilization exercises of shoulder girdle and correction of wrong postures. Changes in pressure-pain threshold in the EXP1 group and EXP2 group were greater than that in the CON group (p<0.05). Changes in VAS scores in the EXP1 group and EXP2 group were greater than that in the CON group (p<0.05). Changes of postural alignment did not significantly differ among three groups (p>0.05). The results of this study indicates that complex exercises including stretching exercises, stabilization exercises of shoulder girdle and correction of wrong postures about neck and scapular can be an effective in reduction of shoulder pain and increase of pressure-pain threshold in women university with shoulder pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2008

Purpose : To evaluate the effects of elastic resistance exercise of lumbo-pelvic region and upper limbs muscle on equilibrium ability and shoulder pain of the elderly. Methods : The subject consisted of sixteen healthy elderly people(14 females. 2 males). They were from 61 to 83 years old and the mean age was 68.06. All subjects were assigned only the elastic resistance exercise group. The subject group received elastic resistance exercise for about 60 minutes per day, two times per weeks, during 8 weeks period. A Stop watch was used to measure static equilibrium ability and dynamic equilibrium ability and then pressure algometer was used to measure shoulder press pain threshold. All measurements of each subjects were measured at pre-experiment and post-experiment stage. SPSS 12.0 program was used to compile results. A Paired samples t-test was conducted to examine changes of static equilibrium, dynamic equilibrium and shoulder press pain threshold between pre-experiment and post-experiment. Results : The static equilibrium ability, dynamic equilibrium ability and shoulder press pain threshold were significantly differences between pre-experiment and post-experiment(p<.05). Conclusion : This data suggests that an eight week elastic resistance exercise improved static equilibrium ability and dynamic equilibrium ability and then reduced shoulder pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2023

Background: Understanding the stability of quantitative sensory tests (QSTs) over time is important to aid clinicians in selecting a battery of tests for assessing and monitoring patients. This study evaluated the short- and long-term reliability of selected QSTs. Methods: Twenty healthy women participated in three experimental sessions: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 months. Measurements included pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the neck, upper back, and leg; Pressure-cuff pain tolerance around the upper-arm; conditioned pain modulation during a pressure-cuff stimulus; and referred pain following a suprathreshold pressure stimulation. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Results: Reliability for PPT was excellent for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.96-0.99; MDC, 22-55 kPa) and from good to excellent at 6 months (ICC, 0.88-0.95; MDC, 47-91 kPa). ICC for pressure-cuff pain tolerance indicated excellent reliability at both times (0.91-0.97). For conditioned pain modulation, reliability was moderate for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.57-0.74; MDC, 24%-35%), while it was moderate at the neck (ICC, 0.54; MDC, 27%) and poor at the upper back and leg at 6 months. ICC for referred pain areas was excellent at 2 weeks (0.90) and good at 6 months (0.86). Conclusions: PPT, pressure pain tolerance, and pressure-induced referred pain should be considered reliable procedures to assess the pain-sensory profile over time. In contrast, conditioned pain modulation was shown to be unstable. Future studies prospectively analyzing the pain-sensory profile will be able to better calculate appropriate sample sizes.