• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.253-263
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• 2017

Regardless of whether it is acute or chronic, the assessment of pain should be simple and practical. Since the intensity of pain is thought to be one of the primary factors that determine its effect on a human's overall function and sense, there are many scales to assess pain. The aim of the current article was to review pain intensity scales that are commonly used in dental and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). Previous studies demonstrated that multidimensional scales, such as the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire were suitable for assessing chronic pain, while unidimensional scales, like the Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), Verbal descriptor scale, Verbal rating scale, Numerical rating Scale, Faces Pain Scale, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBS), and Full Cup Test, were used to evaluate acute pain. The WBS is widely used to assess pain in children and elderly because other scales are often difficult to understand, which could consequently lead to an overestimation of the pain intensity. In dental or OMFS research, the use of the VAS is more common because it is more reliable, valid, sensitive, and appropriate. However, some researchers use NRS to evaluate OMFS pain in adults because this scale is easier to use than VAS and yields relatively similar pain scores. This review only assessed pain scales used for post-operative OMFS or dental pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.141-152
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare with the effect of acupuncture treatment with or without indirect moxibustion treatment for acute ankle sprain. Methods : This study was carried out on the 48 patients who had been treated for acute ankle sprain from June 1st to November 30th 2009 in the Dept. of Oriental Rehabilitation, Pohang Oriental Medical Hospital, Daegu Hanny University. The patients were divided into 3 groups ; Group A took near acupuncture point_needling, Group B took remote acupuncture point needling, Group C took remote acupuncture point needling with indirect moxibustion. 3 Groups had been co-treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation(RICE) therapy, physical treatment and administered Ojeok-san(Wuji-san) extract granule. To evaluating the efficiency of each treatment, Ankle-Hindfoot Scale(AHS) and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) were applied before treatment and after 3rd treatment. Results : In results, the AHS scores were increased and the VAS scores were decreased after 3rd treatment in all group. Also, AHS scores and the VAS scores of intergroup were showed no significant change. Conclusions : In this study, there is no significant effect between only acupuncture treatment and moxibustion co-treatment for acute ankle sprain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2015

Objective : This study aims to visualize the subjective symptoms before and after the treatment of whiplash injury using infrared (IR) thermography. Methods : IR thermography was performed for 42 patients who were diagnosed with whiplash injury. There were 19 male and 23 female patients. The mean age was 43.12 years. Thermal differences (${\Delta}T$) in the neck and shoulder and changes in the thermal differences (${\Delta}dT$) before and after treatment were analyzed. Pain after injury was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after treatment (${\Delta}VAS$). The correlations between ${\Delta}dT$ and ${\Delta}VAS$ results before and after the treatment were examined. We used Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging equipment of Dorex company for IR thermography. Results : The skin temperature of the neck and shoulder immediately after injury showed $1-2^{\circ}C$ hyperthermia than normal. After two weeks, the skin temperature was normal range. ${\Delta}T$ after immediately injuy was higher than normal value, but it was gradually near the normal value after two weeks. ${\Delta}dT$ before and after treatment were statistically significant (p<0.05). VAS of the neck and shoulder significantly reduced after 2 week (p=0.001). Also, there was significant correlation between ${\Delta}dT$ and reduced ${\Delta}VAS$ (the neck; r=0.412, p<0.007) (the shoulder; r=0.648, p<0.000). Conclusion : The skin temperature of sites with whiplash injury is immediately hyperthermia and gradually decreased after two weeks, finally it got close to normal temperature. These were highly correlated with reduced VAS. IR thermography can be a reliable tool to visualize the symptoms of whiplash injury and the effectiveness of treatment in clinical settings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

Objective : This study was performed to confirm the effects of acupuncture on myofascial pain syndrome(MPS) through the change of visual analogue scale(VAS) and pain pressure threshold(PPT) and the usefulness of pressure algometer on the evaluation of pain. Methods : We perfomed this study with 20 outpatients complaining of upper back pain. Before acupuncture therapy(AT), immediately after AT and 2-3 days after AT, we respectively checked visual analogue scale(VAS) and pain pressure threshold(PPT) through pressure algometer, with patients seated and relaxed. The PPT was checked at major trigger point of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, rhomboideus minor. and the patients were needled at the same points and maintained for 15 minutes. Results : VAS of immediately after AT was mild higher than that of before AT, but not significantly different. and VAS of 2-3 days after AT was significantly lower than before AT and immediately after AT. PPT of immediately after AT was lower than before PT, but not significantly different. PPT of 2-3 days after AT was significantly higher than that of before AT and immediately after AT. Also PPT was significantly correlated with VAS. Conclusion : PPT of omen was signicantly lower than that of men. and there was no significant difference by age. PPT was increased according to pain duration. Effectiveness of acupuncture on myofascial pain syndrome through PPT and VAS is showed at 2-3 days after AT rather than immediatly after AT. and pressure algometer is useful for the evaluation of Acupuncture therapy on myofascial pain syndrome.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was designed to estimate the effects of Spiral Taping theraphy on low back pain or neck pain patients by using pressure pain threshold, visual analogue scale(VAS), and range of motion(ROM). Methods : The patients were allocated into two groups by randomisation. Spiral Taping theraphy group consisted of 11 patients and acupuncture theraphy group consisted of 10 patients. The degree of improvement of neck pain was evaluated by pressure pain threshold, VAS, and ROM before treatment and after treatment. The patients were commonly treated with acupuncture theraphy. After acupuncture Spiral Taping theraphy was peformed in Spiral Taping theraphy group. Results : Pressure pain threshold and VAS were significantly different between two groups. In Spiral Taping theraphy group the pressure pain threshold of the all points was significantly increased and VAS was significantly decreased than control group. But there was no significant difference between the two groups in ROM. Conclusion : The effectiveness of Spiral Taping theraphy on low back pain and neck pain patients was shown through pressure algometer and VAS. These imply that Spiral Taping theraphy may be useful for on low back pain or neck pain. Further study is needed about Spiral Taping theraphy.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 2023

Background: This study comparatively evaluated the effects of equipment-based pilates exercises (EPE) and lumbar stability exercises (LSE) in patients with chronic low back pain in terms of their Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), and abdominal muscle thickness. Methods: A total of 30 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the EPE or the LSE. The VAS, ODI, and abdominal muscle thicknesses of the participants were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The EPE were more effective in terms of the duration of a sustained reduction in VAS scores. post hoc test revealed that EPE were more efficacious in terms of a sustained improvement in ODI scores. With respect to changes in abdominal muscle thickness, there was a significant difference in the thickness of internal oblique muscles(IO) and the external oblique muscles(EO) between the two groups. Conclusion: In this study, both types of exercise interventions resulted in improvements in the VAS, ODI scores, and abdominal muscle thickness in patients with chronic low back pain. However, EPE were found to be more effective than LPE in terms of longer sustained improvements in VAS and ODI scores. Also, with respect to abdominal muscle thickness, the thickness of EO and IO improved only in the EPE group.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.13-22
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of functional massage and stretching, applied to the elbow and shoulder joints, on pain, tenderness threshold, and grip strength. Methods: A total of 29 individuals were assigned to a single site (n=15) or multiple sites (n=14). Pain measured through the visual analogue scale (VAS), tenderness threshold (TTH), and grip strength (GI) were measured before and four weeks after the intervention. Results: After four weeks of treatment, visual analogue scale significantly decreased in both groups (p<.05), and the tenderness threshold and grip strength significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). There was also a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The reduction of visual analogue scale and the increase in the tenderness threshold and grip strength were more significant in the multi-site treatment group than in the single-site treatment group.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate various tools including C-spine X-ray for estimating cervical curvature and identify the effect of wooden pillow on patients diagnosed with straightening of cervical curvature. Methods : This study was carried out on 51 subjects who were encountered traffic accident suffering cervical pain and diagnosed with straightening of cervical curvature by X-ray. 51 subjects were divided into wooden pillow(experimental) group and conservative therapy(control) group. Visual analogue scale, neck disability index and lateral pictures were used and compared after treatment. C-spine AP., Lat. X-ray were used on admission day to calculate cervical curvature and scoliosis by various ways. Results : 4 different measurements of cervical curvature didn't show common results. Both wooden pillow(experimental) group and conservative therapy(control) group showed significant improvement in the visual analogue scale(VAS) and neck disability index(NDI) after hospital treatment. Comparison between center line pictured by lateral view and C-spine Lat. pictured by X-ray showed significant difference in cervical curvature. Lateral deviation of cervical vertebra showed lengthened distance between mastoid process and spinous process of C7. Conclusion : As a result of this research, I found out that various tools for calculating cervical lordosis could derive different results and C-spine AP., Lat X-ray could cause artificial cervical lordosis. According to visual analogue scale(VAS) and neck disability index(NDI) wooden pillow was not effective to reduce pain & disability caused by straightening of cervical curvature. Futhermore, correction effect of straightening of cervical curvature and scoliosis by wooden pillow was weak.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.39-54
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• 2006

Objectives : Herniation of Nucleus Pulpous (HNP) of Lumbar is one of the most common causes of low back pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture (BVA), and bee venom Pharmacopuncture (BVP) therapy for HNP. Methods : We separated 35 patients with HNP of L-spine into three groups; Acupuncture treated group, BVA treated group, and BVP treated group, and monitored for 30 days. 4 grades of recovery degree, score of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were examined for comparison. Results : 1. Visual Analogue Scale of low back pain and radiating pain showed significant decrease in BVA and BVP groups compared to the Acupuncture group at VAS0_2, VAS0_3 evaluations. 2. ODI of disability of daily activities showed significant decrease in BVA and BVP groups compared to the Acupuncture group at VAS0_1, VAS0_2, and VAS0_3 evaluations. 3. Compared to the Acupuncture group, BVA and BVP groups were improved in S.L.R.T and R.O.M of L-spine as confirmed by the physical examination. 4. Treatment efficacy was more apparent in acute cases as ODI was significantly lower than chronic cases. Conclusion : BVA and BVP therapies can be used in addition to the acupuncture therapy for highly effective treatment of HNP. Further clinical studies are required to verify these findings.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.153-166
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• 2002

Objective : There is no case report on the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) treated by CHUNA manual therapy in oriental medicine. We experienced a patient(32-year-old female) with OPLL improved by CHUNA manual therapy in X-ray image and visual analogue scale(VAS), and we report it clinically. Methods : During the patient with OPLL was treated CHUNA manual therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy, we examined cervical X-ray, CT and Moire topography and evaluated the patient's symptoms by VAS. And we observed whether the changes exist or not in X-ray and VAS. Results : VAS in symptoms was improved significantly(p<0.05), and the radiologic X-ray image in OPLL patient was improved. Conclusion : OPLL was generally treated conservative treatment and operation in severe case. But CHUNA manual therapy may be more effective in conservative treatment of OPLL, if more clinical studies and reaches are accomplished.