• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2007

Background: Cervical radicular pain can arise fromvarious structures, including spinal nerves, discs, zygapophyseal joints, ligaments, and myofascial connective tissue. However, no adequate experiments have been found regarding methods for the microadhesiolysis of adhesional connective tissue around the zygapophyseal joints and nerves. The first objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of fluoroscopy guided interventional microadhesiolysis and nerve stimulation (FIMS) on chronic cervical radicular pain caused by zygapophyseal joint dysfunction. The second objective was to identify the duration of pain alleviation, as well as commonly occurring regions for zygapophyseal joint dysfunction. Methods: Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with cervical radicular pain. The cervical zygapophyseal joints and adhesional structures around the cervical zygapophyseal joints were stimulated by adhesiolysis with a rounded needle; the procedure was performed once every second week. A visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and neck range of motion (ROM) were used as indices for evaluating the degree of pain 1 and 3 months after completion of the procedures. A relief effect of FIMS was accepted when the VAS index decreased 50% compared with a previous VAS, and when there was absence of limitation of ROM. Results: Among the patients, 52% showed zygapophyseal joint dysfunction in C5-6, 38% in C4-5, 7% in C2-3, and 3% in C6-7. After performing FIMS, the VAS index decreased in most of the patients after 1 and 3 months (92.8% and 75%, respectively), and treatment frequency was $2.7{\pm}1.2$. There was no correlation between the number of FIMS procedures and the degree of VAS. Conclusions: FIMS is considered an effective modality in patients suffering from cervical radicular pain.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.277-288
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• 2019

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) distraction and counter-stimulation (CS) on dental anxiety and pain perception to local anesthesia in children. Methods: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded interventional clinical trial with a parallel design was used. Seventy children 7-11 years old who required local anesthesia (LA) for pulp therapy or tooth extraction were recruited and allocated to two groups with equal distribution based on the intervention. Group CS (n = 35) received CS and Group VR (n = 35) received VR distraction with ANTVR glasses. Anxiety levels (using pulse rate) were evaluated before, during, and after administration of local anesthesia, while pain perception was assessed immediately after the injection. Wong-Baker faces pain-rating scale (WBFPS), visual analog scale (VAS), and Venham's clinical anxiety rating scale (VCARS) were used for pain evaluation. Student's t-test was used to test the mean difference between groups, and repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the mean difference of pulse rates. Results: Significant differences in mean pulse rates were observed in both groups, while children in the VR group had a higher reduction (P < 0.05), and the mean VCARS scores were significant in the VR group (P < 0.05). Mean WBFPS scores showed less pain perception to LA needle prick in the CS group while the same change was observed in the VR group with VAS scores. Conclusions: VR distraction is better than CS for reducing anxiety to injection in children undergoing extraction and pulpectomy.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.788-797
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• 2018

Objective To investigate the effect of upper limb rehabilitation combining robot with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on unilateral spatial neglect in stroke patients. Methods Patients who had hemispatial neglect after right hemisphere stroke were randomly divided into rTMS only group, robot only group, and combined group. All groups received conventional neglect therapy and additional treatment for each group. rTMS group received rTMS therapy. Robot group received robot therapy, while combined group received both therapies. The effect of therapy was assessed with Motor-Free Visual Perception Test-3 (MVPT-3), line bisection test, star cancellation test, Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). These measurements were evaluated before and after treatment. Results For each group, 10 patients were recruited. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or initial values among the three groups. Two weeks after the therapy, all groups showed significant improvement in MVPT-3, line bisection test, star cancellation test, CBS, MMSE, and K-MBI. However, changes in measurements showed no significant differences among groups. Conclusion Treatment effect of the combined therapy of robotic therapy and low-frequency rTMS therapy for hemispatial neglect was not statistically different from that of each single treatment. Results of this study did not prove the superiority of any of the three treatments. Further study with large number of patients is needed to evaluate the superiority of these treatments.

• 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 The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2021

Purpose : Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has been widely used to improve pain and range of motion. However, research on IASTM using vibration stimulation is lacking. Therefore, this study investigates how IASTM using vibration stimulation affects chronic pain on muscle activity and flexibility of the shoulders. Methods : A total of 20 patients with chronic shoulder pain were divided into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group (n=10) used vibration stimulus for IASTM, while the control group (n=10) used general IASTM. For six weeks, this training lasted for 30 min a day, twice a week. Muscle activity was evaluated using the surface electromyograph. The back and reach test was used to assess flexibility, the visual analogue scale to measure pain, and the paired t-test to compare the groups before and after the experiment. An independent ANCOVA was conducted to assess differences in the degree of transition between the two groups before and after the experiment. Results : Significant differences in muscle activity, flexibility, and pain in both groups before and after the experiment (p<0.05) were observed, as well as in the muscle activity of the pectoralis major and associated pain (p<0.05). however, muscle activity and flexibility of the upper trapezius and infraspinatus were not significantly different between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion : This study confirms the importance of IASTM using vibration. Design and manufacture of IASTM using vibration based on our results would be useful in the management of shoulder pain, Further clinical evidence are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.79-87
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the pain and balance of patients who receive total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: This study subjects were 24 patients in Hospital T, located in Daegu, South Korea who received TKA after being diagnosed with degenerative arthritis. The subjects were randomly divided into and experimental group and a control group, with each group including 12 patients. Both group received superfical thermal therapy, interferential current therapy (ICT), and continue passive motion (CPM), which are conventional knee therapy on the knee joint. The experimental group received the tDCS treatment three times a week for three weeks, from October 1st to October 20th. The visual analogue scale and Wii Balance Board system were used to measure the pain and balancing ability, respectively, of both groups. In the statistical result analysis, to compare about pre and post test difference in each groups was accomplished. Statistical analysis of independent t-test and paired t-test were conducted using SPSS version 23.0. Results: After three weeks of intervation, there were significantly difference in balance ability in pre and post test in the tDCS group. VAS decreased significantly in both groups(p<.05), There was a significantly difference in pain, balance ability in the tDCS group compared to the sham group. Conclusion: These results indicate that applying tDCS together with conventional knee joint therapy for TKA patients is effective in promoting the patients' recovery.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.93-107
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• 2023

This study aimed to design a knee brace with dry electrode EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) for elite badminton players suffering from knee pain and assess its effectiveness in relieving pain and improving mobility. The assessment measured knee joint range of motion (ROM), Sargent jump height, and pain perception using a visual analog scale (VAS). Four experimental groups were established: stability, pain induction after 100 squats, muscle soreness induction with a regular knee brace, and muscle soreness induction with the EMS knee brace. The most suitable knee brace was selected from four samples to design the EMS knee brace. The conductive fabric was integrated into the inner surface of the knee brace to enhance EMS conductivity for the quadriceps muscles. Tensile strength tests showed that the dry electrode did not significantly affect the physical functionality of the knee brace.Regarding knee joint ROM and Sargent jump height, the EMS knee brace outperformed muscle soreness induction with a regular knee brace and wearing a standard knee brace. VAS measurements demonstrated that the EMS braces effectively alleviated pain perception in most cases. The results indicate the potential for developing EMS braces to alleviate pain and prevent injuries for athletes across various sports.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.151-158
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• 2012

Objectives : We hypothesized that reinforcing-reducing manipulations produce different effects by quantity of stimulation, and examined whether the difference is statistically significant or not. Methods : The study was conducted to the students of College of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University. We needled into $ST_{36}$ and applied 6 kinds of basic reinforcing-reducing manipulations in Huang di nei jing by randomized sequence. And we had the students to fill up the questionnaire in form of visual analog scale(VAS). We examined whether significant differences in VAS existed between reinforcing-reducing manipulations(by t-test). And we examined whether significant differences in VDRRT(VAS difference between reinforcing-reducing technique) values existed along the gender, body mass index(BMI), age(by t-test), and psychological sensitivity(by ANOVA). Results : 1. The total stimulation quantity from reducing technique was significantly higher than that from reinforcing technique. Individually VAS values of reducing techniques were significantly higher in rotation, slow-rapid, lift-thrust, respiration and open-close manipulation. 2. The highest stimulation quantity was from rotation manipulation. And the highest VDRRT value was from slow-rapid manipulation. 3. When VDRRT values were analyzed by gender, age, BMI, and psychological sensitivity, VDRRT was significantly different by BMI in rotation manipulation, and by psychological sensitivity in rotation, lift-thrust, and slow-rapid manipulation. Conclusions : We could verify that reinforcing-reducing techniques induce different therapeutic effects by different quantities of stimulations. It suggests that reinforcing-reducing techniques could be applied universally, regardless of gender or age. Further studies are needed to consider control group, or patient groups in characteristic conditions.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 1999

연구배경 및 목적 : 시각 인지 과정은 영장류 실험을 통하여 다소 정보를 얻을 수 있었으나 인간에서는 아직 완전하게 이해되지 않고 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 뇌자극과 시가유발전위 검사를 토대로 인간의 시각피질의 기능적 분화와 시간 순으로 활성화되는 양상을 보고자 한 것이다. 연구방법 : 간질 수술을 위하여 후두엽과 인접 부위에 광범위하게 피질하전극을 넣은 22명의 환자를 대상으로 전기적 뇌자극과 시각유발전위 검사를 시행하였다. 뇌자극시 나타나는 반응은 형태, 색, 및 움직임의 세 가지로 크게 나누고 형태는 다시 단순, 중간 및 복잡한 형태로 세분하였다. 시각유발전위는 P1 혹은 IV파의 latency를 측정하였다. 결과 : 단순 혹은 중간 형태는 흔히 occipital pole과 striate cortex에서 발생하였다. 색반응은 후두엽의 기저부 즉, fusiform, lingual, inferior occipital gyri를 자극할 때 관찰되었다. 움직임 반응은 내측기저부 및 외측의 측후두엽 혹은 측두정후두부의 경계부에서 주로 나타났다. 결론 : 이러한 결과는 인간의 시각피질이 시각의 여러 가지 구성성분 즉, 형태, 색, 및 움직임에 대해서 각각 별도로 분화되어 있다는 것을 보여준다. 도한 시각자극이 전해지면 striate cortex와 occipital pole이 가장 먼저 활성화되고 이어서 내측 및 외측 후두엽 부위가 활성화된다는 것을 알 수 있다. 이러한 사실을 종합하여 보면 인간의 시각피질은 시각의 여러 구성성분별로 별도로 발달된 해부학적 경로를 통하여 각각의 기능에 대하여 특수하게 분화된 뇌세포에서 시각정보를 각각 분석하되 일정한 시간순서에 의한다는 것을 시사하는 것이다.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of left visual stimuli for reducing the severity of unilateral neglect. Method : This research used a reversal design(ABAB) of single case study. The subject was a 60-year-old male patient who had left unilateral neglect. Remedial approach is more valuable method than compensatory approach in term of reducing the unilateral neglect. One of the method of remedial approach is controlled sensory stimulation. Result : I performed the line bisection test before and after the stimulation, and while doing that, put blinking lights to the patient from the left side. The average errors in the line bisection test decreased in B B', the intervention period, compared with A A'. The MVPT left response behavior score increased from 13 to 18. Conclusion : This shows that the light stimulation is effective in the reduction of unilateral neglect.