• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

The aims of this study were to compare and analyze two types of deep cervical flexion exercises, craniocervical flexion and cervical flexion, and to ascertain their relative effects on neck and shoulder pain and functional improvement. The participants of the study were individuals who work in sedentary jobs in an office environment. 54 appropriate subjects were chosen and randomly divided into two groups: one group underwent a craniocervical flexion exercise program and the other a cervical flexion exercise program. The six week exercise program consisted of home exercises performed by each subject five times a week and education once a week. Neck-shoulder pain, muscle strengthening, cervical alignment were measured prior to commencement of the exercise programs and again after six weeks. At completion of the six week, both exercise programs decreased neck pain (p<.05). Forward head postures were reduced, and the craniocervical flexion exercise program was more effective in reducing forward head posture (p<.05). The maximum muscle strength and 50% of maximum muscle strength maintaining time of the deep cervical flexor muscles were significantly increased. There were no significant changes of the cervical lordotic curve. The results of this study showed deep cervical flexion exercise was effective in the treatment of neck and shoulder pain, however craniocervical flexion exercise was more effective than cervical flexion exercise.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.454-462
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• 2021

Background: This study was performed to reveal the relationships between the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the paraspinal muscles and the severity of low back pain (LBP), including the level of disability. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 164 patients with chronic LBP. The effects of demographic characteristics, posture, level of physical activity, disc herniation type, and sarcopenia risk on the CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated along with the relationship between the CSAs and severity of pain and disability in all patients. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated using the software program Image J 1.53. Results: A negative significant correlation was found between age and the paraspinal muscle's CSA (P < 0.05), whereas a positive correlation was present between the level of physical activity and the CSA of the paraspinal muscle at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles in patients with sarcopenia risk was significantly lower than those in patients without sarcopenia risk (P < 0.05). The CSAs of paraspinal muscles at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels in obese patients were significantly higher than those in overweight patients (P = 0.028, P = 0.026, respectively). There was no relationship between the CSAs of paraspinal muscles and pain intensity or disability. Conclusions: Although this study did not find a relationship between paraspinal CSAs and pain or disability, treatment regimens for preventing paraspinal muscles from atrophy may aid pain physicians in relieving pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrence in patients with chronic LBP.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.184-197
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics related to the musculoskeletal disorders in pediatric dentists and general dentists. This study was conducted based on the survey results of a total of 109 dentists who have been working for the last year. Forty - three pediatric dentists and 66 general dentists were surveyed through online survey tool. Both pediatric dentists and general dentists mainly complained of musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulders, wrists, and back. Most pediatric dentists usually suffered from back pain due to their unbalanced posture while giving dental treatments. Pediatric dentists in sedative treatment felt more pain in particular part of their body, such as neck and shoulder. Regular exercise and stretching for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorder have been shown to mainly relieve pain in the back but no other parts in their body.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

In general, dizziness is caused by various situations, but among them, symptoms due to dysfunction of the motor system belonging to the nervous system are the most severe, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Treatment of these dizziness includes drug therapy, surgical therapy, and rehabilitation. Drug therapy and surgery are generally performed in vest rehabilitation training, which is a rehabilitation therapy because of the risk of aftereffects. The vestibular rehabilitation training includes eye training, posture stabilization training, and walking training. Among them, walking training is performed in a certain space under the supervision of a doctor or a professional therapist, so that the time and space burden is increased. In order to solve this problem, we implemented gait training contents which can be used for rehabilitation training by using the augmented reality technology. It is expected that it can be utilized as dizziness rehabilitative contents which can be used in medical environment through clinical tests for patients with dizziness.

• Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.500-507
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• 2018

Background: The sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis is not only closely related to the overall posture of the body but also to the evaluation and treatment of spine disease. In the last few years, the EOS imaging system, a new low-dose radiation X-ray device, became available for sagittal alignment assessment. However, there has been little research on the reliability of EOS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability of EOS for the sagittal alignment assessment of the spine and pelvis. Methods: Records of 46 patients were selected from the EOS recording system between November 2016 and April 2017. The exclusion criteria were congenital spinal anomaly and deformity, and previous history of spine and pelvis operation. Sagittal parameters of the spine and pelvis were measured by three examiners three times each using both manual and EOS methods. Means comparison t-test, Pearson bivariate correlation analysis, and reliability analysis by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for intrarater and interrater reliability were performed using R package "irr." Results: We found excellent intrarater and interrater reliability of EOS measurements. For intrarater reliability, the ICC ranged from 0.898 to 0.982. For interrater reliability, the ICC ranged from 0.794 to 0.837. We used a paired t-test to compare the values measured by manual and EOS methods: there was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. Correlation analysis also showed a statistically significant positive correlation. Conclusions: EOS showed excellent reliability for assessment of the sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of sagittal spinopelvic alignment on the clinical parameters, motor symptoms, and respiratory function in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: This study was a prospective assessment of treated patients (n=28, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage 2-3) in a PD center. Twenty-eight subjects ($68.5{\pm}5.7yrs$) participated in this study. The clinical and demographic parameters, including age, sex, symptoms duration, treatment duration, and H&Y stage, were collected. Kinematic analysis was conducted in the upright standing posture with a motion capture system. A pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed in the sitting position using a spirometer. The motor symptoms were assessed on part III of the movement disorder society sponsored version of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS). SPSS 18.0 was used to analyze the collected data. Results: The exceeding 12 degrees group of the lower trunk showed significantly higher on the clinical parameters than the below 12 degrees group. In addition, the exceeding 12 degrees group of the lower trunk showed a significantly lower forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) / forced vital capacity (FVC) (%) and 25-75% forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF) (L/s) than in the below group. On the other hand, there was no difference in the upper trunk and the cervical pelvis between the groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the sagittal balance in the lower trunk is related to the clinical parameters and respiratory function, but not the motor symptoms in patients with mild to moderate PD.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.195-201
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• 2020

This study studied scoliosis, one of the most common modern diseases caused by lifestyle patterns of office workers sitting in front of computers all day and modern people who use smart phones frequently. Scoliosis is a typical complication that takes more than 80% of the nation's total population at least once. X-ray are used to test for these complications. X-ray, a non-destructive testing method that allows scoliosis to be easily performed and filmed in various areas such as the chest, abdomen and bone without contrast agents or other instruments. We uses NI DAQ to miniaturize digital X-ray imaging devices and image intensifier in self-shielding housing with Vision Assistant for drawing lines to the top and the bottom of the spine to acquire angles, i.e. curvature in real-time. In this way, the research was conducted to see scoliosis patients and their condition easily and to help rapid treatment for solving the problem of posture correction in modern people.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2021

Background: Researchers have previously commenced examining the degree of concordance between parent proxy and child self-reports on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of many disease and impairment populations. Objects: To explore the differences between parent proxy and child self-reports on the HRQOL using Korean version of KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaires for applying to elementary school children and their parents who participated for a school-based wellness program. Methods: The focus groups were recruited for a school-based wellness program by implementing the following wellness services: 1) referring to a screening session for detecting potential posture-related musculoskeletal problems and 2) recommending home exercise programs. Before a primary field testing for the program, two focus groups were formed with a group of 9 parents and their 9 elementary school children aged 8-10 years of age. The parent proxy and child self-report versions of KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaires were administered to both groups after completion of the wellness program. Item level Rasch rating scale analysis was applied to compute logit scales of KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and scatterplot of item difficulty between two reports were analyzed. Results: For fit statistics of parent proxy report, all items except 4 items (i.e., psychological well-being, mood/emotions, self-perception, parent relation) were found to be acceptable. For fit statistics of child self-report, all items except 3 items (i.e., psychological well-being, autonomy and home life) were acceptable. The relationship between two reports using ICCs were ranging from weak to very strong at p = 0.05 (i.e, ICCs = 0.011 to 0.905). Scatterplot analysis between two reports showed a major disparity on self-perception item at 95% confidence intervals. Conclusion: Both item level analyses and ICC comparisons provided a disparity between parent proxy and child self-reports of the HRQOL on self-perception item after competing a school-based wellness program. Therapist should consider the item as part of the HRQOL assessment.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.76-81
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• 2021

Objective: Smartphone addiction can cause forward head posture, carpal tunnel syndrome and depression, and anxiety. Various interventions have been proposed to resolve Smartphone addiction. However, research regarding the efficacy of these interventions remains lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) on smartphone addiction solution and stress reduction. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: The participants were divided randomly into two group (tDCS vs. Control). tDCS was applied to 41 adults (22.95±2.76 years). The tDCS group was applied 2 mA, for 13 minutes twice over a 26 minute period (n₁ = 21). The control (n₂ = 20) was not applied after padding and was applied twice for 13 minutes over a 26 minute period. This study was conducted four times a week for a total of four weeks. Results: Smartphone addiction for tDCS showed significant improvement in the results in the S-score (p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.702, 4.922), and the result of heart rate (HR) and skin conductivity (SC) to stress. The tDCS group and control group showed no significant decrese in the results in the HR (p>0.05, 95% CI: -3.390, 8.332), but tDCS group showed significant decrese in the results in the SC (p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.060, 1.343) Conclusions: This study suggected that smartphone addiction treatment and decreses of stress. The use of tDCS will reduce the addiction rate of adults and reduce stress, so that possible side effects in society can be solved.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.221-232
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• 2022

Purpose : In this study, rectus abdominis relaxation intervention was administered to office workers who were experiencing low back pain due to sitting for extended periods of time in an incorrect posture. This study aimed to develop an effective treatment program for individuals who experience low back pain. This was done by verifying changes using the Korean Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI) and considering kyphosis. Both factors are related to low back pain. Methods : This study included 39 office workers with low back pain. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups. 1) The functional massage and self-stretching (FAS) group (n=14). 2) The diaphragmatic breathing and self-stretching (DAS) group (n=13). 3) The self-stretching (S) group (n=12). All groups applied the intervention for 30 minutes a day, thrice a week for four weeks. All participants were evaluated using the K-ODI and thoracic kyphosis measurements before and after the intervention. Results : The findings of this study are as follows. All three groups had improved K-ODI scores after the intervention. The FAS and DAS groups showed a greater effect than the S group. However, there was no difference in effect between the FAS and DAS groups. Kyphosis was not improved in any of groups after the intervention, and there was no difference between the three groups. Conclusion : This study showed that the FAS, DAS, and S programs were effective relaxation interventions that improved the K-ODI for office workers with low back pain. The FAS and DAS programs were more effective than the S program. Therefore, it is recommended to combine relaxation and stretching of the rectus abdominis muscle for office workers who experience low back pain. Clinically, a relaxation intervention that is most appropriate for the patient, depending on his or her condition, should be.