• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 1998

This study was conducted to examine the increasing effects of Ga-As-Al laser Koryo-hand acupuncture on experimental pressure threshold. Forty healthy subjects (female=20. male=20) aged 21 to 30 years were randomly assigned to two treatment groups with same ratio in sex. The subjects in the experimental group (n=20) received Ga-As-Al laser stimulation, and those in the control group (n=20) received sham stimulation on appropriate Koryo-hand acupuncture points M10 on the left hand which is reflex point of upper trapezius portion. Experimental pressure threshold at the contralateral upper trapezius was determined with a pressure algometer and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) before and after treatment. The change of pressure threshold between pretreatment and posttreatment in the experimental group was greater than that in the control group (p<0.05). The result indicates that Ga-As-Al laser Koryo-hand acupuncture increases experimental pressure threshold and suggests that it is an effective noninvasive pain management technique.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare the application method of ultrasound on the alteration of pressure pain threshold of myofascial trigger points. We used thirty patients with mayofascial pain syndrome in upper trapezius. Participants classified according to each group in non noxious dose, noxious dose by the ultrasound. The test was measured continuously pre test, post-test by algometer. The following results were obtained; 1. Pressure pain threshold were significantly increased in non-noxious dose and noxious dose group(p<.001). 2. In noxious dose group, pressure pain threshold were more significantly increased than non-noxious dose group(p<.001). These results lead us to the conclusion that non-noxious dose and noxious dose were significantly increased pressure pain threshold of upper trapezius trigger points. Therefore, a further direction of this study will be to provide more evidence that noxious dose have more effect on pressure pain threshold of myofascial trigger points.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2004

The purpose of this study were to determine the changes between pre, during, intermed, post of each two groups of 16 persons and to compare the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) at shenmen of auricular point on experimental pressure pain and tactile threshold measured at both ulnar styloid process and medial malleoli. Sixteen healthy adult men and women, aged 20 to 28 years, were assigned randomly to eight of one groups. Control group received TENS to exception of auricular point. Experimental group received TENS to shenmen of auricular point. Experimental pressure pain and tactile pain threshold at the both ulnar styloid process and medial malleoli was determined with algometer and von frey filament before 10 minute, during 10 minute, intermediate and post 30 min of treatment. In pressure pain and tactile threshold showed a statistically significant increase(p<0.05) ipsilateral and contralateral of treatment group. These results suggest that TENS at shenmen of auricular point has the capability to higher pressure pain and tactile threshold in whole body.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 1994

The authors investigated the relationship between the response to the external stimulation and ability of verbal behavior in the patients with somatoform disorder who have pain. The subjects consisted of 34 patients(male 10, female 24) and 37 normal controls(male 19, female 18). Pressure pain thesholds were measured by algometer and alexithymia was assessed by Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS). Somatization Scale of SCL-90R and Parental Bonding Instrument were also used. It was shown that 82.4% of the patients had chronic somatic complaints. The mean values of TAS, degree of somatic symptoms and pressure pain thresholds were significantly higher in the patient group than in the normal controls. 44.1% of the patients was considered alexithymia group and there was no correlation between scores of alexithymia and value of pressure pain thresholds. In conclusion, the patients with somatoform disorder who had pain were dull in pain perception to external physical stimulation. This result suggested that their low perception of pain could be closely related with chronicity of illness. And the Poverty of verbal expression of inner emotion was suggested to be one of the factors affecting somatization and difficulty in psychotherapy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-83
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effects of single treatment of strain-counter strain (SCS) on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and muscle activity during scapular plane abduction with 3% body weight load. Fifteen asymptomatic male adults with upper trapezius latent trigger point (LTrP) (PPT<2.9 $kg/cm^2$) participated in this study. Pressure algometer was used to measure PPT and surface electromyography was used to record upper, middle arid lower trapezius, serratus anterior, infraspinatus and middle deltoid muscle activity and relative ratio during scapular plane abduction between pre- and post-intervention. There was a significant increase in upper trapezius PPT after a 90-second SCS (p<.05). The activity of the upper trapezius and middle deltoid was significantly decreased (p=.014, p=.001), coupled with a decreased muscle activity ratio between the upper and lower trapezius (p<.05). These results indicate that the SCS may effectively deactivate upper trapezius activity, thereby alleviating muscle balance and reducing pain sensitivity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.113-119
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of using a smartphone in the sitting position on the pelvic posture and the low back pressure pain threshold (PPT). METHODS: Thirty participants (15 women and 15 men) were recruited for this study. The participants were asked to sit in a normal sitting position without using a smartphone, followed by sitting while watching a video using a smartphone. The pelvic posture was measured using the back range of motion II (BROM II) device and a palpation meter. We measured PPT using the digital pressure algometer. RESULTS: Pelvic posterior tilting was significantly greater when sitting while using a smartphone relative to sitting without using a smartphone (p < .05). There was no significant difference in the height of the iliac crest when sitting while using a smartphone compared to sitting without using a smartphone (p > .05). The PPTs of L1, L3, and L5 were significantly lower when sitting while using a smartphone relative to sitting without using a smartphone (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it can be concluded that frequent smartphone use while sitting may potentially increase the risk of developing low back problems.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the low-intensity ultrasound (noblelife) treatment on the pain points of upper trapezius muscle. The study recruited 20 patients who had trigger points in one side of the upper trapezius. The effectiveness of the low-intensity ultrasound treatment was assessed with subjective pain intensity using visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT). The PPT was measured by pressure threshold algometer. Before and after the treatment, changes of pain were evaluated. Wilcoxon test for VAS data and paired t-test for PPT data were used for statistical significance. Compared to the pain intensity before the treatment, the pain intensity after treatment was significantly decreased (p<.05). Low-intensity ultrasound could be safely used in clinical application and at home for the treatment of patients with pain in upper trapezius muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.321-325
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• 2022

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition defined as pain and dysfunction of temporomandibular joints and masticatory muscles. Abnormal interconnections between temporomandibular muscles and cervical spine structures can cause the changes of postural alignment and balance ability. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in static balance ability in subjects with painrelated TMD. Methods: This study conducted on 25 subjects with TMD and 25 control subjects with no TMD. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were measured using a pressure algometer. Static balance ability was assessed during one leg standing using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor. During balance task, the IMU sensors measured motion and transfer movement data for center of mass (COM) motion, ankle sway and hip sway. Results: PPTs of masseter and temporalis muscles were significantly lower in the TMD group than in the control group (p<0.05). One leg standing, hip sway, and COM sway results were significantly greater in the TMD group (p<0.05), but ankle sways were not different between group. Conclusion: We suggest pain-related TMD is positively related to reduced PPTs of masticatory muscles and to static balance ability. These results should be considered together with global body posture when evaluating or treating pain-related TMD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 1997

Objects: This study aimed to evaluate the role of somatic delusion on the pain perception in patients with schizophrenia. It was hypothesized that pressure pain thresholds would be rather higher in schizophrenic patients who had somatic delusion than patients with other delusion. Methods The subjects were consisted of 3 groups, 23 men with schizophrenia who had somatic delusion, 25 men with schizophrenia who had other delusion, and 22 normal healthy controls. By using Algometer, pressure pain thresholds were examined to subjects on three non-tender sites with 6 weeks interval. The severity of delusion was evaluated in both patient groups. Statistically, Chi-square test, One-way ANOVA, Multivariate ANOVA, and Scheffe's test were used. Results : 1) There was significant difference between somatic and other delusion groups and normal control group at initial stage. 6 weeks later even when severity of delusion was thought to be ameliorated, this finding were sustained. 2) The severity of the components of delusion, conviction and preoccupation, were significantly decreased in both somatic delusion group and other delusion group according to the time interval. The decrements of the severity of delusion seems to be related with changes in pressure pain thresholds in both patient groups. Conclusions : We re-confirmed that both schizophrenic patient groups showed higher pressure pain thresholds compared to normal healthy control. However we failed to find the role of somatic delusion on pain perception in schizophrenia. Delusion, including somatic delusion, as a whole, seems to affect the increased level of pressure pain threshold due to attention deficit and decreased motivation in patients with schizophrenia.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to investigate high energy and low energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and which one is more effective for shoulder pain. Design: Single blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Fifty two subjects with upper trapezius (UT) trigger point (TrP) participated in this study. They were allocated to high energy (n=26) and low energy group (n=26). This study applies ESWT and investigates the changes of pressure pain threshold (PPT) and visual analogue scale (VAS). The high and low energy groups received focused piezo electric type ESWT 4 Hz, 1,000 pulses and 0.351 and $0.092mJ/mm^2$ respectively. Outcome measures of PPT and pain was measured by algometer and pain VAS. These measurements were performed before and after treatment. Results: The PPT value was significantly increased in both groups after treatment (p<0.05) and VAS scores were significantly decreased after treatment in both groups (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions: ESWT is an effective treatment for the application of the UT TrP. Although there were significant effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on PPT and VAS scores, there were no signficant differences between high and low energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy.