• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.243-249
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• 2017

Pain is subjective, while statistics related to pain research are objective. This review was written to help researchers involved in pain research make statistical decisions. The main issues are related with the level of scales that are often used in pain research, the choice of statistical methods between parametric or nonparametric statistics, and problems which arise from repeated measurements. In the field of pain research, parametric statistics used to be applied in an erroneous way. This is closely related with the scales of data and repeated measurements. The level of scales includes nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales. The level of scales affects the choice of statistics between parametric or non-parametric methods. In the field of pain research, the most frequently used pain assessment scale is the ordinal scale, which would include the visual analogue scale (VAS). There used to be another view, however, which considered the VAS to be an interval or ratio scale, so that the usage of parametric statistics would be accepted practically in some cases. Repeated measurements of the same subjects always complicates statistics. It means that measurements inevitably have correlations between each other, and would preclude the application of one-way ANOVA in which independence between the measurements is necessary. Repeated measures of ANOVA (RMANOVA), however, would permit the comparison between the correlated measurements as long as the condition of sphericity assumption is satisfied. Conclusively, parametric statistical methods should be used only when the assumptions of parametric statistics, such as normality and sphericity, are established.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.367-376
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• 2009

In this clinical research, the fluoride tape(SCMC-T-5) using fluoride(NaF) was developed and manufactured and the treatment effect of the fluoride tape in dentin hypersensitivity patients was evaluated and compared with the effect of existing fluoride varnish($CavityShield^{TM}$). Twenty two healthy adult patients(88 teeth) having dentin hypersensitivity participated in this clinical research and they were divided into two groups. The fluoride product was applied according to the manufacturer's instruction and the level of pain in the tooth after giving irritation using compressed air and ice stick was measured just after the application, after 3 days, after a week and after 4 weeks each using visual analog scale(VAS). In the experimental group, compared with the early VAS scores, all other VAS scores showed the significant decreases statistically. In the control group, all VAS scores except the VAS score of 34.091(air) measured 3 days after(using the irritation examination by the compressed air) showed the significant decreases statistically when compared with the early VAS scores. The fluoride tape and fluoride varnish used in this clinical research were able to treat the dentin hypersensitivity effectively.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect and satisfaction measurement of the Korean medicine treatment on the adolescent dysmenorrhea. Methods: The subjects of this study were 24 volunteers, suffering from dysmenorrhea, who were middle and high school students in Jeonbuk province. They were treated by Korean medicine, those were acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion and herbal medicine, for two months from July to December 2015. The results were investigated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) of overall pain, most severe pain and amount of the analgesic taken for menstrual period. The effects of treatment were assessed three times, those were before treatment, after treatment for 1 month and after treatment for 2 months, for two months. Results: The VAS score on dysmenorrhea was decreased significantly. Also, the VAS score on the disturbance in school activity was decreased significantly. The amount of analgesic taken for menstrual period was decreased, but not significantly. Conclusions: This study suggests that the Korean medicine treatment on the adolescent dysmenorrhea is effective.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical effect of oriental treatment for lumbago patients by comparing of Improvement index, Visual analog scale, DITI gap between common acupuncture with Dong-Si acupuncture treatment group and common acupuncture treatment group. Methods : The 38 patients who had a diagnosis of lumbago were observed from June 2002 to February 2003, were divided into two classes ; the A group was 19 cases practised Dong-Si acupuncture with common acupuncture, B group 19 cases only common acupuncture. Then the time of 2 weaks after, I compared Improvement index, Visual analog scale, DITI gap of two groups. Results : In Improvement Index, Group A is $0.4442{\pm}0.1165$ and Group B is $0.3061{\pm}0.1402$. So Group A is thought to be significant(P=0.002). In VAS(visual analogue scale), Group A is $7.4737{\pm}1.1239$ and Group B is $6.3684{\pm}1.0116$. So Group A is thought to be significant(P=0.003). In DITI, temperature differance of Group A is lower than Group B after treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2013

Background: Olfactory dysfunction, including anosmia and hyposmia is difficult to treat. Although the mechanism is not well known, stellate ganglion block (SGB) is used to treat olfactory dysfunction. There are no prior studies on the long-term effects of SGB on olfactory dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the continuity of therapeutic effects and patient satisfaction with SGB treatment. Methods: This was a follow-up study carried out via a telephonic survey. The olfactory function of the patient was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). We checked VAS three times: VAS-I (pre-treatment VAS), VAS-A (post-treatment VAS), and VAS-C (VAS at follow up telephone survey). We divided the subjects into 2 groups according to their responsiveness to SGB: the responsive (R group) and the unresponsive groups (UR group). Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a Likert scale. Results: Out of the 40 subjects, 37 responded to the telephone survey. In the UR group, there was difference in the olfactory function. However, in the R group, there were significant VAS differences; VAS-I was $9.6{\pm}0.7$, VAS-A was $5.1{\pm}4.2$, and VAS-C was $2.7{\pm}$2.7 (P < 0.05). On the Likert scale, patient satisfaction was as follows: grade 1, 17 patients (45.9%); grade 2, 6 patients (16.2%); grade 3, 6 patients (16.2%); and grade 4, 8 patients (21.6%). Conclusions: SGB is a safe, long-lasting, and effective therapeutic modality for olfactory dysfunction treatment.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2012

목적: 이 증례 보고는 성인 특발성 측만증 환자에 있어서 등의 통증과 척추 만곡에 대한 침 치료의 효과를 보고하기 위한 것이다. 방법: 증례의 환자는 25세 여자 환자로 9년 동안 우측 흉추 측만증과 등과 허리의 통증이 있었다. 1주일에 3번, 3주간 침 치료를 시행했고, 치료 전후로 Whole spine x-ray를 촬영하였으며, 환자의 통증 정도를 Visual Analog Scale(VAS)로 평가하였다. 내원시 Cobb angle은 $22^{\circ}$였고, 관상면 균형은 -3.0cm, 쇄골각은 $-3.5^{\circ}$였다. VAS 8의 통증을 호소하였다. 결과: Cobb angle은 $5^{\circ}$ 감소하였고, 관상면 균형은 1.4cm, 쇄골각은 $1.7^{\circ}$ 회복되었다. 등과 허리의 통증은 VAS 8에서 VAS 3으로 감소하였다. 결론: 침 치료는 특발성 척추 측만증 환자에 있어서 등과 허리의 통증뿐만 아니라 척추 측만을 개선시키고 관상면 균형 회복에도 효과적이다.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to compare the Effect of Acupuncture on Local Acupoints and Distal Acupoints for Patients with Whiplash Injury. Method : From January 1st 2009 to September 31th 2009, 10 patient were divided into 2 groups. One group was taken Local Acupoints, and the other group was taken Distal Acupoints. To check pain and treatment satisfaction, visual analog scale(VAS) and five-point likert scale were used before and after treatment. Result : Both acupuncture theraphy showed improvement in VAS and five-point likert scale. And Local Acupoints group showed more effective than Distal Acupoints group on five-point likert scale. Conclusion : This Study suggests that Acupuncture on Local Acupoints and Distal Acupoints can be applicable to improve symptom in Patients with Whiplash Injury.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.123-128
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the action observation and visual feedback on the alignment, pain and function of forward head posture(FHP) and round shoulder(RS). A total of 24 participants with FHP and RSP were randomly assigned to general exercise(GE, n=8), action observation(AO, n=8), and visual feedback(VF, n=8). All subjects were exercised three times a week for four weeks. The groups were assessed for craniovertebral angle(CVA), round shoulder posture(RSP), visual analog scale(VAS), and neck disability index(NDI) before and after exercise, There was a significant difference in CVA in the GE, AO and RSP, VAS and NDI were significantly different in all groups. AO was more effective than GE, VF for VAS. The results of this study suggest that action observation may be effective to improve the FHP and RS.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dry-hydrotherapy to release pain in patient with low back pain. Methods: The subjects of the study were fifty patient with low back pain in orthopedic clinic. Fifty patients who had low back pain were randomly divided into 2 groups, 1) dry-hydrotherapy group 2) control group. Visual analog scale(VAS) and Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire were measured before and after treatment. The treatment plan Was as follows; 15 min. exercise per day and 5 days per week for 2 weeks. Results: 1. Before dry-hydrotherapy, there was no significant difference in VAS score and Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire score between two groups. 2. The VAS score was significantly decreased in both groups after 2-week dry-hydrotherapy and the decrease in the AS score in dry-hydrotherapy group was significantly lower than in control group. 3. The Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire score was significantly decreased in both groups after 2-week dry-hydrotherapy and the decrease in Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire score dry-hydrotherapy group was significantly lower than in control group. Conclusion: In conclusion, the dry-hydrotherapy was effective to alleviate pain in patients with low back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 2005

Background: Frozen shoulder is not an uncommon disease, which is associated with chronic pain and joint movement limitation. However, there are numerous devices to assist in the treatment of shoulder pain, but their efficacy has not been proven and their use remains immensely controversial. Therefore, a randomized clinical study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a low-frequency stimulator for the treatment of frozen shoulder. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out on 40 patients with frozen shoulder, with 40 patients assigned to two groups; a control treatment group (group C, n = 20) and a low frequency stimulator application group (group T, n = 20). Both groups were given a routine treatment modality, such as trigger point injection, intramuscular stimulation or suprascapular nerve block etc. The level of the shoulder pain was evaluated using a 100mm VAS (visual analog scale) at each visit, with the limitation in the range of motion simultaneously evaluated. Results: All the subjects improved after treatment, with the VAS scores after termination of treatment showed a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups. One month after termination of 5 cycles of treatment, group T maintained their improved state, whereas the pain in some of those in group C reemerged, which also showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The limitation in the range of motion improved, with most subjects able to resume daily activity. Conclusions: Although the low frequency stimulation provided no more pain relief than routine treatment, the effect was significantly prolonged. From this result, low frequency stimulation can be considered to aide the therapeutic effect of classical frozen shoulder therapy.