• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.225-234
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• 2021

Objective: We aimed to identify the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: In total, 45 patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into a conventional stretching group (n=22) and a PNF stretching group (n=23). Both interventions were performed three times per week for 6 weeks. Assessments were made using the visual analog scale, Flexion-Abduction-External Rotation test, modified Thomas test, prone hip extension test, and Oswestry disability index before and after the 6-week intervention period. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group findings before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare the between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at α=0.05, for all variables. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability after the intervention (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed in pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability in patients belonging to the PNF stretching group (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the application of PNF stretching can effectively reduce pain and improve hip range of motion and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2022

Background: The current pandemic has affected people's health multidimensionally. This study aims to investigate musculoskeletal pain, sleep quality, depression levels, and their relationships in individuals belonging to different age groups during COVID-19 in Turkey. Methods: A web-based self-administered survey that consisted of demographic questions, The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and scores of musculoskeletal pain was sent to participants. Pearson correlation analysis was used for determining the statistical relationship between variables. Results: The study includes 1,778 participants. The highest percentage for mild, moderate, and severe pain was in the head (49.8%), back (15.5%), and head (11.5%), respectively. The PSQI-total had shown a weak correlation with pain levels in all body parts. The highest correlation for sleep quality and pain levels was between the PSQI-5 and lower back pain. There was a weak correlation between PSQI-2 and the BDI score, and a moderate correlation between the PSQI-1, PSQI-5, PSQI-7, PSQI-total, and BDI score. Pain in all body parts showed a weak correlation with depression level. Conclusions: This study showed that musculoskeletal pain was varied in body parts with different intensities according to age groups in Turkey during the pandemic. The most common pain was in the head, back, and lower back. Headache was found correlated with the parameters of sleep quality. Pain of the head, neck, back, lower back, and shoulder were correlated with sleep latency. Sleep quality was associated with depression and musculoskeletal pain, while musculoskeletal pain was correlated with depression.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.41-50
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to know that Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) score to effect on improvement degree of low back pain after oriental medical treatment. Methods : We analyzed charts of 33 inpatients who were treated in Ja-Seng Hospital of Oriental Medicine and Bu-Cheon Ja-seng Hospital of Oriental Medicine. Subject is divided into Group A(BDI<10) and Group B(BDI${\geqq}$10). Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) were checked on admission, after 1 week, NRS and ODI were rechecked to estimate the efficacy of treatments. Results : 1. In both groups, NRS was significantly decreased(p<0.05). Analyzed result of the interaction between the two groups didn't show significant difference(p=0.197). 2. In Group A, ODI was significantly decresed(p<0.05). In Group B, ODI wasn't significantly decreased(p=0.058). The interaction analysis between the two groups didn't show significant difference(p=0.173). 3. Analyzing patients with chronic back pain longer than 6 months by the presence of depression tendency and NRS, ODI decrease after 1 week of ambulation, while the NRS reduction showed relevancy by the depression tendency (p<0.05), the ODI reduction didn't(p=0.272). Conclusions : 1. Although improvement of pain before and after the treatment and degree of functional recovery in high-level BDI group was less than low-level BDI group, but it was stastically insignificant. 2. High BDI score of patients with chronic low back pain is the factor of disturbing pain improvement.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.29-34
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short term effects of the traction and decompression device, which is a newly developed domestic medical device, on pain and functional activity in patients with chronic low back pain with or without radicular pain. Methods: Forty patients with chronic low back pain were included and allocated to decompression (n=20) and traction groups (n=20). They received decompression or traction therapy for 20 minutes a day, 3 days per week for two weeks. For evaluating pain and functional activity, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for low back pain and the Oswestry back pain disability index (ODI) were obtained on pre-treatment, and at 6, 12 and 15 days after treatment. Patients'satisfaction levels were measured 15 days after treatment. Results: VAS was significantly decreased at 12 days and 15 days post-treatment compared to pre-treatment in both groups (p<0.05). ODI was significantly decreased at 12 days and 15 days post-treatment compared to pre-treatment in the decompression group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the VAS and ODI scales (p>0.05). Patients' satisfaction levels were significantly higher in the decompression group than in the traction group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that decompression therapy might be effective for increasing functional activity in patients with low back pain and could provide patients with higher satisfaction than traction therapy. This study provided validity data for the therapeutic effects of the decompression device in patients with low back pain and it will be useful for medical cost development and patient education of this device.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.86-95
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ultra-thin microcurrent patch application on pain, tenderness, trunk flexion, and trunk extension in patients with back pain. Design: pretest-posttest design: single blind. Methods: Thirty men and women diagnosed with chronic back pain were classified into 15 microcurrent application groups and 15 placebo groups. Changes in pain were observed on a visual analog scale, tenderness was observed with a digital tenderness meter, and changes in trunk flexion and trunk extension angles were evaluated with a posture analyzer. The paired t-test was used to see the changes within each group before and one week after the experiment, and the independent t-test was used to see the change in the difference between the groups, and the significance level was 0.05. Results: In both the experimental group and the control group, there was a significant difference in pain within and between groups(p<0.05). In the experimental group, there were significant differences in the intra- and inter-group changes in the erector spinae muscle tenderness and low back pain disorder index(p<0.05). In the experimental group, there was a significant difference in the change in trunk flexion and extension within the group(p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was confirmed that the application of ultra-thin microcurrent was effective for pain, tenderness, and movement of back extension in patients with low back pain. It is expected that it will be used as a basic data for microcurrent therapy and as a treatment method for improving the function of patients with back pain in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of thoracolumbar junction's Hyeopcheok points(夾脊穴) for low-back pain in the thoracolumbar junction syndrome. Method : 1. Measurement : We investigated 26 patients with low-back pain. The unpleasantness of pain was measured by visual analogue scale(VAS), and the Oswestry low-back pain disability index(ODI). We compared the VAS and ODI scores of the two groups statistically. 2. Intervention : Use Acupuncture and bee venom injection in thoracolumbar junction's Hyeopcheok points that display main tender points. Also, herb medication and physical therapy was used. Results and Conclusion : As a result of treatment, thoracolumbar junction's Hyeopcheok points is very effective for low-back pain. However, more cases are required to oriental medicine in order to prove the availability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.23-28
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• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on chronic low back pain in elderly patients with impaired functioning in daily life. Methods: 35 subjects with chronic low back pain were randomly allocated into two groups, HBOT group and Placebo group. We applied TENS and mechanical massage to the lower back in both groups. Then 35% oxygen at 1.4 ATA was given to the HBOT group and atmospheric oxygen at 1 ATA to the placebo group. Results: Comparing the HBOT group with the placebo group after performing interventions six times in 2 weeks, a statistically significant difference in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores was observed between the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference in VAS and ODI scores (56% and 34.97% respectively) between the HBOT group and the placebo group. A statistically significant difference was ascertained in the degree of variables VAS and ODI in the HBOT group. Conclusion: Application of HBOT in chronic low back pain could be beneficial for reducing pain and could help in functional recovery.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.268-277
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates breathing exercises on functional disability and lumbar flexibility in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: 30 patients with non-specific low back pain were selected and classified into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Both groups were assessed for functional disability using the Oswestry Disability Index and flexibility of the lumbar spine using the modified-modified Schober test before and after the intervention. The intervention was applied twice a week for four weeks. The experimental group performed Pilates breathing exercises followed by spinal stabilization exercises, while the control group only performed spinal stabilization exercises. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in functional disability and lumbar flexibility after the intervention. However, when comparing between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant effect than the control group. Conclusions: The combination of Pilates breathing exercises and spinal stabilization exercises can be considered an effective approach to improve low back pain and prevent chronic pain in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.351-363
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates exercise on the back pain index, pelvic tilt angle, and physical fitness of pregnant women with low back pain. Methods: All study participants, all of whom had pregnancy-induced back pain, were randomly assigned to either a Pilates exercise group (PG, n = 8) or control group (CG, n = 7). The PG performed a Pilates exercise for 50 minutes three times a week for eight weeks. The back pain scale and pelvic tilt angle were measured using a visual analogue scale and angulometer, respectively. Cardiopulmonary endurance, flexibility, and grip strength were measured to examine the physical fitness. The variables were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with the Holm-Sidak post hoc procedure. Results: Back pain in the PG significantly decreased from 4.69 ± 1.28 to 1.06 ± 0.94, whereas the CG showed significantly increased back pain from 2.63 ± 2.20 to 4.71 ± 2.56. The left pelvic angle in the PG showed a significant decrease from 13.94 ± 3.70° to 12.29 ± 2.95°, while the CG showed a non-significant difference from 13.07 ± 4.42° to 17.37 ± 3.13°. The right pelvic angle in the PG showed a significant decrease from 13.50 ± 4.47° to 10.34 ± 3.66°, while a non-significant difference in the CG from 44 ± 4.98° to 15.30 ± 3.61° was found. These results showed that the regular participation in Pilates exercise was effective in reducing the pelvic tilt angle. In terms of physical fitness, the PG showed a significant increase in cardiopulmonary endurance, flexibility, and grip strength. However, the CG showed any significance increase in those variables. Conclusion: Eight weeks of Pilates exercise was associated with a decrease in lower back pain, a maintained or reduced pelvic tilt angle, and increased cardiopulmonary endurance, grip strength, and flexibility in pregnant woman with lumbar pain.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1683-1686
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• 2018

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common reason for seeking physical therapy (PT) care. Recent studies suggest that axial loading can have a positive impact on the intervertebral disc by improving its tensile strength. Further, whole body vibration (WBV) appears to improve spinal muscle relaxation. Therefore, this case study describes the use of axial loading using a mini-trampoline in a female with chronic LBP. This case report is a single subject design. This patient is a 29-year-old female with a six-month history of low back pain following a motor vehicle accident. MRI found herniated discs at L4 and L5, clinical tests were positive for pain in the L4 and L5 dermatome and myotome the slump test was positive for neural tension, and LBP was constant at 4-6/10 over the past four months. She received axial loading exercises using a mini-trampoline and performed six sessions that were, scheduled twice a week for three weeks. Her Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score improved from 40% at the time of her first visit to 22% at her final visit. Pain measure on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) after the first treatment was 7/10, and her pain after the final treatment was 0/10. These changes in the pain scores are clinically significant and exceed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). This patient had a significant improvement in her pain using the NPRS and the ODI. This case study suggests that axial loading may be an effective treatment for some individuals with discogenic chronic low back pain.