• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.99-106
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on plasma beta endorphin concentration level and the influences on pain score of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) mediation to patients During a prostate needle biopsy. Methods: TENS was administered to only the experimental group. The electric current was given in high frequency (40-100 pps) and low intensity ($2-50{\mu}s$) from the waiting room stage until the end of the procedure. The average time spent was 35 minutes. Following 10 minutes of retention in the rectum, there was a biopsy. In two groups, the pain score was assessed twice when vas pain penetrated into the rectum, during the needle biopsy. The Beta endorphin concentration level was assessed through blood gathering 2 times in the Nuclear Medicine Labs before and after the test. Results: There was not much difference in pain levels from both groups when a microscope probe penetrated into the rectum and in the time when tissues were collected. However, the average overall pain level was reduced during those two procedures. The plasma beta endorphin level was increased in the TENS medicated group compared with the unmedicated group after the procedures were completed. Conclusion: The research indicates that TENS was desirable to be considered as a non-invasive method for controlling pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2016

Background: The study aimed to determine if ultrasonography of masseter can be used to evaluate the outcome of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) such as myositis and myofascial pain. Methods: Fifteen TMD subjects with myofascial pain/myositis who satisfied the RDC/McNeil criteria were included in the study. All the subjects were administered TENS therapy for a period of 6 days (30 minutes per session). The mouth opening (in millimeters) and severity of pain (visual analogue scale score) and ultrasonographic thickness of the masseter (in millimeters) in the region of trigger/tender areas was assessed in all the subjects both prior and post TENS therapy. A comparison of the pre-treatment and post-treatment values of the VAS score, mouth opening and masseter thickness was done with the help of a t-test. Results: There was a significant reduction in the thickness of masseter muscle (P = 0.028) and VAS scores (P < 0.001) post TENS therapy. There was also a significant improvement in the mouth opening (P = 0.011) post TENS therapy. Conclusions: In the present study, ultrasonography was found to be an effective measuring tool in the assessment of TENS therapy in subjects with myositis and myofascial pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.217-228
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in chronic low back pain and neuropathic pain. Methods: Seventy-four patients aged 18-65 with chronic low back pain were included in the study. Baseline measurements were performed, and patients were randomized into three groups. The first group received burst TENS (bTENS), the second group conventional TENS (cTENS), and the third group placebo TENS (pTENS), all over 15 sessions. Patients' visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were evaluated before treatment (preT), immediately after treatment (postT), and in the third month after treatment (postT3). Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4), the Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (MOS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and sympathetic skin response (SSR) values were also evaluated preT and postT3. Results: A statistically significant improvement was observed in mean VAS scores postT compared to preT in all three groups. Intergroup comparison revealed a significant difference between preT and postT values, that difference being assessed in favor of bTENS at multiple comparison analysis. Although significant improvement was determined in neuropathic pain DN4 scores measured at postT3 compared to preT in all groups, there was no significant difference between the groups. No statistically significant difference was also observed between the groups in terms of MOS, BDI, or SSR values at postT3 (P > 0.05). Conclusions: bTENS therapy in patients with low back pain is an effective and safe method that can be employed in short-term pain control.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.344-352
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• 2019

Epilepsy is one of the major chronic neurological diseases affecting many patients. Resection surgery is the most effective therapy for medically intractable epilepsy, but it is not feasible in all patients. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive neuromodulation therapy that was approved in 1997 for the alleviation of seizures; however, efforts to control epilepsy by stimulating the vagus nerve have been studied for over 100 years. Although its exact mechanism is still under investigation, VNS is thought to affect various brain areas. Hence, VNS has a wide indication for various intractable epileptic syndromes and epilepsy-related comorbidities. Moreover, recent studies have shown anti-inflammatory effects of VNS, and the indication is expanding beyond epilepsy to rheumatoid arthritis, chronic headaches, and depression. VNS yields a more than 50% reduction in seizures in approximately 60% of recipients, with an increase in reduction rates as the follow-up duration increases. The complication rate of VNS is 3-6%, and infection is the most important complication to consider. However, revision surgery was reported to be feasible and safe with appropriate measures. Recently, noninvasive VNS (nVNS) has been introduced, which can be performed transcutaneously without implantation surgery. Although more clinical trials are being conducted, nVNS can reduce the risk of infection and subsequent device failure. In conclusion, VNS has been demonstrated to be beneficial and effective in the treatment of epilepsy and various diseases, and more development is expected in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.145-155
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Korean medicine treatment of cervical vertigo. Three patients were diagnosed as cervical vertigo with correlating symptoms of imbalance and dizziness with neck pain. The diagnosis of cervical vertigo is also dependent on excluding other vestibular disorders on the basis of history, examination, and vestibular function tests. They were treated by acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound at acupoints and sympathetic ganglion chain of their cervical and upper thoracic region. The evaluation of clinical outcome was done by numeric rating scale (NRS), dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and neck disability index (NDI), EuroQol-five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) index. After the treatment, the value of their NRS, NDI, DHI was significantly decreased and their EQ-5D index was significantly increased. The traditional Korean medicine treatment at cervical and upper thoracic region could be an effective way to treat cervical vertigo.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.285-292
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 8 direction incline and rotation exercise on pain and dynamic balance in the patients with chronic low back pain(CLBP). 20 patients who were diagnosed with CLBP were included for the study. 10 patients(experimental group) were treated by modality{Hot Pack(H/P), Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation(TENS), Ultra Sound(U/S)} and then performed 8 direction incline and rotation exercise. The other 10 patients(control group) were only treated by modality. The therapeutic intervention was taken three times a week for 6 weeks. Dynamic balance was assessed by Star Excursion Balance Test(SEBT) and pain was assessed by Visual Analog Scale(VAS). VAS scores of both groups were decreased. However, the experimental group was more significantly decreased than the control group. The dynamic balance of both groups was significantly increased in anterior, posterior, medial, lateral direction. But experimental group was more significantly increased than the control group. In conclusion, 8 direction incline and rotation exercise was effective on pain and dynamic balance in CLPB.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.198-202
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• 2020

A 30-year-old woman with Grade III hemorrhoid complained of excruciating pain that continued for several hours, especially with defecation. She was not able to frequent the clinic due to COVID-19 shutdowns, therefore additional treatment using acupoint electrical stimulation (AES) was self-administered. She administered AES bilaterally on BL57 and LR10 for fifteen minutes before each defecation as a preconditioning treatment. She assessed her pain using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) during defecation, and 3 hours later. The patient initially complained of pain rating 9 on the NRS. After the first session of AES, the pain dropped to 5. On one-month follow-up, the pain was at 3 and the patient was able to terminate all treatment. Self-administered AES preconditioning at BL57 and LR10 can be used to reduce extreme cases of hemorrhoid pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation(TENS) after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats. Methods: The EA for experimental group I (Exp I, n=15) and TENS for experimental group II (Exp II, n=15) was applied from post-injury day(PD) 1 to PD 14 after sciatic nerve injury using low frequency stimulator that gave electrical stimulation(15min/60Hz). In order observe the effect of EA and TENS, this study examined GAP-43 expression in rat lumbar spinal cord at the PD 1, PD 7 and PD 14. In addition, the stride length(SL) and toe out angle(TOA) were measured at the PD 7 and PD 4. Results; Exp I and Exp II had higher GAP-43 immunoreactivity than control group(PD 1, 7, 14). The SL of Exp I and Exp II were significantly higher than control group(PD 7, 14). The TOA of Exp I and Exp II were significantly lower than control group(PD 7, 14). Conclusion: EA and TENS application increased motor nerve recovery and expression of GAP-43 immunoreactivity after sciatic nerve crush injury. Therefore effect of TENS and EA had similar effect on nerve regeneration and functional recovery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.280-290
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• 2022

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of complex decongestive therapy applications on upper extremity function in breast cancer patients who developed adhesive capsulitis after lymphedema. Methods: Thirty patients who developed adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema were divided into two groups as study (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Both groups received 20 minutes of exercise five days a week for three weeks using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, as well as a hot pack and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) treatment to the shoulder joint. The study group received 45 minutes of intensive decongestive therapy along with the adhesive capsulitis treatment. The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain, circumference, and volumetric measurements were used to assess edema, and the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems Questionnaire (DASH: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) was used to assess upper extremity functionality. The shoulder range of motion was evaluated. Results: Both groups had improvements in pain (P < 0.001), shoulder joint range of motion (P < 0.001), and upper extremity functionality (P < 0.001) after the treatment. There was a significant decrease in circumference and volumetric measurements in the study group (P < 0.001). However, no differences were seen in measurements in the control group. Conclusions: The results showed that complex decongestive therapy was beneficial in reducing lymphedema in breast cancer patients who acquired adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema. Consequently, the authors believe that supplementing conventional physiotherapy with complex decongestive therapy will benefit patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.47-50
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• 1991

Bells palsy is a usually innocuous but psychologically distressing disease. The majority of cases are of the so-called idiopathic type, the etiology of which is unknown. This 52 year-old female patient was treated with repeated stellate ganglion bupivacaine blocks, acupuncture and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, with return of function. In our case studies, using thermographic images to diagnosis and to evaluate objective assessment of treatment of Bells palsy, we observed the correlation between neurologic symptoms and thermographic image.