• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.63-69
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• 2019

Background: Both the rapid concentric and eccentric contractions during exercise repeatedly impose excessive stress on muscle tissue. The hamstring muscles are very susceptible to injury due to the tensile stress. Various interventions are currently being undertaken to prevent strain injury before exercise. Stretching is the most common method and is known to have a positive effect on flexibility and muscle performance. However, relatively few studies have investigated the potential negative factors of stretching. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in pain following the different intensity of the stretching and types of physical stress. Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups based on the intensity of stretching: 100% (S100), 75% (S75), and 50% (S50) of the measured force at the point of discomfort in static stretching and 100% (P100), 75% (P75), and 50% (P50) of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching. The pain individual subjects perceived after stretching was measured via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and compared between the groups Results: Despite the decrease in the intensity of static stretching, no decrease in VAS value was observed. In PNF stretching, a significant decrease was observed at P50 compared to P100. S100 was significantly higher than P75 and P50. Conclusion: Previous studies have shown that PNF has a superior or the same effect on flexibility in comparison with static stretching. This effect was maintained even in moderate intensity. PNF stretching performed under moderate rather than high intensive static stretching, which causes pain and discomfort, might be recommended in clinical settings.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.247-251
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• 2020

Objectives: Ganglion cysts require a sustainable treatment that suppresses their frequent recurrence. This study aimed to explore the clinical effects of Scolopendra pharmacopuncture (SP) and electroacupuncture on ganglion cysts. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patient records and follow-up reports for 20 patients with wrist ganglion cysts who received SP and electroacupuncture from April 2016 to March 2017. The cyst diameter, recurrence, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, the Korean version of the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (K-DASH) score, and the Korean version of the patient-rated wrist evaluation (K-PRWE) score before and after treatment were noted. Results: After treatment, the cyst diameter decreased significantly from 13.61 ± 6.41 mm to 5.15 ± 6.18 mm (p < 0.001), and VAS score for pain decreased from 1.31 ± 1.77 to 0.41 ± 0.33 (p = 0.021). Further, the K-DASH score decreased significantly from 8.97 ± 12.66 to 2.21 ± 7.39 (p = 0.016), and score for the function subscale of K-PRWE decreased from 11.37 ± 4.48 to 9.1 ± 3.67 (p = 0.046). No recurrences were reported from the followed-up patients. Any complication related to SP or electroacupuncture was not observed, except mild rash, itching, and swelling at the injection site in four patients. Conclusion: Combination of SP and electroacupuncture may be effective in treating ganglion cysts; further prospective studies with large population are needed to clarify the effect of SP and electroacupuncture.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.4-8
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• 2021

Background: As nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids have similar effects, steroids can be avoided to reduce adverse effects. This study aimed to compare the differences in symptom improvement after subacromial injection of steroids or NSAIDs. Methods: Sixty patients with rotator cuff syndrome for at least 3 months were enrolled and divided into steroid and NSAID groups. The steroid group received a mixture of 1 mL of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/mL) and 1 mL of lidocaine hydrochloride 2%, while the NSAID group received a mixture of 1 mL of Ketorolac Tromethamine (30 mg/mL) and 1 mL of lidocaine hydrochloride 2%. The patients were assessed before and at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after the procedure. Shoulder scores from visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) were used for evaluation. Results: Both groups showed improvements in the clinical outcomes. Overall VAS, ASES, and UCLA scores improved from 6.9, 32.7, and 16.0 before the procedure to 2.0, 1.2, and 1.1; 81.5, 87.6, and 88.5; and 29.7, 31.8, and 32.0 at weeks 3, 6, and 12 weeks after the procedure, respectively. Twenty-six patients (86.7%) in the steroid group and 28 (93.3%) in the NSAID group reported satisfactory treatment outcomes. There were no significant differences in the outcomes between the two groups (p=0.671). Conclusions: Subacromial injection of NSAIDs for rotator cuff tendinitis with shoulder pain had equivalent outcomes with those of steroid injection at the 12-week follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.183-189
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of the current study was to investigate short- to mid-term outcomes and complications following radial head replacement (RHR) for complex radial head fractures and to identify factors associated with clinical outcomes. Methods: Twenty-four patients with complex radial head fractures were treated by RHR. The mean age of the patients was 49.8 years (range, 19-73 years). Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated for a mean follow-up period of 58.9 months (range, 27-163 months) using the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (Quick-DASH) score, and serial plain radiographs. Complications were also evaluated. Results: At the final follow-up, the mean VAS score, MEPS, and Quick-DASH score were 0.6±1.1, 88.7±11.5, and 19.4±7.8, respectively. The mean range of motion was 132.7° of flexion, 4.7° of extension, 76.2° of pronation, and 77.5° of supination. Periprosthetic lucency was observed in six patients (25%). Heterotopic ossification was observed in four patients (16.7%). Arthritic change of the elbow joint developed in seven patients (29.2%). Capitellar wear was found in five patients (20.8%). Arthritic change of the elbow joint was significantly correlated with MEPS (P=0.047). Four cases of complications (16.6%) were observed, including two cases of major complications (one stiffness with heterotopic ossification and progressive ulnar neuropathy and one stiffness) and two cases of minor complications (two transient ulnar neuropathy). Conclusions: RHR for the treatment of complex radial head fractures yielded satisfactory short- to mid-term clinical outcomes, though radiographic complications were relatively high.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2021

Background: To evaluate whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the pain point is a more effective treatment than the trigger point for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper trapezius. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the most effective areas when applying extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Methods: A total of 30 patients with MPS were randomly assigned to the trigger point in the ESWT (n = 15) and pain point ESWT (n = 15) groups. Interventions in both groups were performed in one session, i.e., 2,000 shocks with 1.5 bar intensity. Pain and function were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and cervical range of motion (ROM) and based on mechanical muscle properties. Statistical analysis was performed using the repeated measures two-way analysis of variance to determine the significance probability between pre- and post-test. Results: Changes in mechanical muscle properties were not statistically significant between the two groups. However, VAS and cervical ROM showed statistically significant differences at pre- and post-intervention, regardless of the group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although no significant difference was observed in the intervention effect, applying an extracorporeal shock wave to the pain point rather than the pain trigger point should be considered in order to save time in effectively and accurately identifying the pain trigger point and site.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of the heart rate variability (HRV) index in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and to evaluate the predictive value of HRV for Korean medical treatment responsiveness to tongue pain in BMS. Methods: Among BMS patients who visited the Oral Diseases Clinic of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital from January 1, 2018, to May 31, 2021, we reviewed the clinical records of 217 women aged 50 years and over. HRV and unstimulated saliva flow rate (USFR) measurements were carried out, and all patients were asked to indicate their degree of tongue pain using the visual analog scale (VAS). The subjects were classified into subgroups according to the presence or absence of hyposalivation and VAS improvement, and each subgroup was compared using the HRV index. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to confirm whether cause-effect relationships were present between statistically significant values. Results: BMS patients had lower LF and HF than healthy people. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that there were some statistically significant differences in the HRV index according to salivation rate and degree of pain. In addition, as the LF/HF ratio increased, the pain improvement rate decreased after treatment. Conclusion: The autonomic nerve activity of BMS patients was lower than that of healthy people; however, autonomic balance was not impaired. In addition, tongue pain in BMS patients responded more favorably to Korean medical treatment when patients fell within a normal range of the LF/HF ratio, suggesting that autonomic imbalance could be used as one of the predictable factors in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.237-243
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical treatment of a nighttime sensation of heat on the palms and soles of the feet of a 71-year-old female patient using Sammulhwanggeum-tang. Methods: Sammulhwanggeum-tang was administered for 19 days to reduce the patient's symptoms, which were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and by duration. Results: The heat sensation began to improve after four days and continued to do so for the subsequent 15 days. From May 12, X to May 30, X, the degree of subjective symptoms decreased from a VAS score of 10 before treatment to 0 after treatment, and their daily duration decreased from 10 to 0 hours. In addition, considering that the duration of the patient's symptoms was about 30 days, the duration of the symptoms decreased to 17 days, including the period before the start of treatment. Conclusion: This clinical study suggests that Sammulhwanggeum-tang might be effective in resolving the sensation of heat on the palms and soles of the feet at night.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data on the thera-tainment intervention method and to relieve dysmenorrhea by identifying the effects of silver spike point therapy on menstrual pain, muscle tone, and muscle stiffness among 30 women in their 20s. The subjects had a regular menstrual cycle, had a visual analog scale score of more than 4 for dysmenorrhea pain, and did not have any gynecological disease. SSP therapy was applied for 20 minutes on San-Yin-Jiao on the first day of their menstrual cycles. Muscle tone and stiffness were measured with Myoton before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 3 hours after treatment. SPSS version 19 was used to analyze the collected data. Using Friedman test, muscle tone and stiffness were measured before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 3 hours after treatment. The results indicate that after treatment dysmenorrhea pain steadily decreased and muscle tension and stiffness decreased significantly. This shows that using SSP therapy is effective on reducing primary dysmenorrhea and improving women's health care. This shows that using SSP therapy is effective at reducing primary dysmenorrhea and improving women's health care.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.140-144
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• 2022

Background: Ultrasound (US)-guided techniques reported for the treatment of calcific tendinitis have mostly demonstrated good results. This study investigates the effect of US-guided barbotage using a spinal needle in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Methods: Thirty-six patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder treated by US-guided barbotage with a spinal needle and subacromial steroid injection were included in the study. We evaluated clinical outcomes based on American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant score, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score. Radiological outcomes were assessed by X-ray imaging at each visit. Results: Our results showed that US-guided barbotage and subacromial steroid injection produced good clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Of the 36 patients, only one required surgical treatment, while the others showed improvement without any complications. Compared to values before the procedure, calcific deposit size and VAS, ASES, and Constant scores showed significant improvement 6 weeks after the procedure. No significant correlation was found between the initial calcific deposit size and clinical outcomes at each time point. Conclusions: In patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, US-guided barbotage using a spinal needle and subacromial steroid injection can yield satisfactory clinical and radiological results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.112-120
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• 2022

Background: The prognostic factors for patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs) include tear size, muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. However, the influence of early coexisting degenerative changes on RCT outcomes is unappreciated. The purpose of this study was to calculate the impact that pre-existing partial glenohumeral cartilaginous changes have on patients undergoing arthroscopic RCT repair. Methods: A study of 54 patients undergoing arthroscopic RCT repair was undertaken. The presence of co-existing patches of glenohumeral degenerative cartilaginous changes and RCT size was recorded at surgery. Pre- and postoperative outcomes were assessed using traditional (Oxford Shoulder Score [OSS], 5-level EuroQol-5D [EQ-5D-5L] questionnaire and EuroQol visual analog scale [EQ-VAS]) and patient-centric re-formatted prisms. Outcomes were assessed as an entire dataset, and sub-group analysis was performed according to the grade of co-existing arthritis and tear size. Results: Significant improvements (p<0.05) in clinical outcomes were recognized when assessed using either the traditional or reformatted prisms (average % improvements in OSS, EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS were 47%, 33% and 43%, respectively; average improvements in pain, function, and psychological well-being were 48%, 33% and, 29%, respectively). Positive gain was noted in all sub-groups of arthritic grading and tear size. Conclusions: Good clinical outcomes can be achieved following RCT repair even in the presence of local partial degenerative cartilage changes and advancing tear size. These benefits are patient-centered but require RCT repairability.