• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.169-174
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was accomplished to find out clinical features of knee pain of female after menopausal and their recognition of moxibustion treatment. Methods : Before and after 8 times moxibustion treatment(mostly 2 times a weak), survey was done. Moxibustion treatment was done on painful location, 3 times per each point. Results & Conclusions : Other symptom with Knee pain was Click 30.8 %, stiffness 25.6 %, press pain 16.7 %, swelling 14.1 %, fever 5.1 %, none 7.7 %. VAS of moxibustion treatment is significantly increased after treatment. Expectation of moxibustion treatmen is not. "Bad smell" is the first cause of evasion of moxibustion therapy. It should have been considered to reduce bad smell in development of moxibustion.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.35-45
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• 2005

Objectives : To investigate the applicability of thermography as severity measurement in the patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Methods : Data were obtained from 80 patiens with OA of the knee. They were asked to answer two disease-specific questionnaire (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) OA index. Lequesne's Functional Index (LFI)), one generic instrument (Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ)), VAS in order to assess the severity of disease, quality of life, and degree of pain and taken thermography in standardized environment. Results : The thermal difference between ipsilateral side and contralaterla side of lateral aspect of knee was correlated with that of medial aspect of knee, and the thermal difference of anterior thigh was correlated with that of lateral, medial aspect of knee and patella region. Age, duration of disease, duration of morning stiffness, sex, crepitus, and painful side of knee were not correlated with the thermal differences of each region. LFI, WOMAC, WOMAC pain subscale, WOMAC stiffness subscale, WOMAC physical function, KHAQ, VAS were not correlated with the thermal differences of each region. Conclusion : Futher study on the thermography on OA of the knee in population with appropriate severity grade and the standardization of analysis of thermographic data were recommended.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.571-580
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was to compare the effects among Tai-Chi exercise, aquatic Exercise, and a self-help program for knee osteoarthritis patients on symptoms of arthritis, muscle strength, balance, and difficulty of performing activities. Method: There were 50 final subjects50. A non-equivalent pretest-posttest design was used. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS for Window. One-way ANOVA and Scheffe's multiple comparison test were used 8weeks after each program. Result: There were significant differences in joint pain(p=.000), stillness (p=.001), knee extensor peak torque(p=.006), knee flexor(p=.002), and difficult of performing activity (p=.000), but there was no significant difference in balance(p=.648). The Tai-Chi group was significantly different from the self-help group for knee extensor peak torque, knee flexor and stiffness on Scheffe's multiple comparison tests. In addition, the Tai Chi group or aquatic group were significantly different from the self-help group for difficulty of performing activities(p<0.05). Conclusion: There are significant differences in the effects of the nursing intervention among the three groups. The Tai Chi group and aquatic group were significantly different from the self-help group. However, it seems that Tai-chi exercise may be more suitable than aquatic exercise in osteoarthritis exercise programs. Further studies with a longitudinal study are necessary to confirm the longer exercise period.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.239-245
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• 2013

Purpose: Osteoarthritis occurs in many different joints of the body, causing pain, stiffness, and decreased function. The knee is the most frequently affected joint of the lower limb. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of biomechanics between independent gait and anterior walker dependent gait of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Methods: Lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics were evaluated in 15 patients with knee osteoarthritis when walking independently and when walking with an anterior walker. Participants were evaluated in a gait laboratory, with self-selected gait speed and natural arm swing. Results: When walking with a dependent anterior walker, participants walked significantly faster (p<0.01), using a longer stride length (p<0.01), compared to independent gait. When walking with a dependent anterior walker, participants exhibited significantly greater knee flexion/extension motion (p<0.01) and lower knee flexion moment (p<0.05) compared to independent gait. When walking with a dependent anterior walker, participants showed significantly greater peak ankle motion (p<0.01), ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion moments (p<0.01), and ankle power generation (p<0.05) compared to independent gait. Conclusion: These biomechanical properties of gait, observed when participants walked with a dependent anterior walker, may be a compensatory response to impaired knee function to allow sufficient power generation for propulsion. Therefore, rehabilitative strategies for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee are needed in order to improve not only knee function but also hip and ankle function.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2019

Objective: Degenerative knee arthritis is the most common disease that occurs in older people. Constriction-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been reported to be as an effective treatment for the impairments, such as asymmetric weight-bearing and reduced balance that occurs after receiving a total knee replacement (TKR). Game-based rehabilitation training for persons with TKR is interesting and provides a variety of feedback. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-six subjects with TKR were randomly assigned to either the CIMT game training (n=12), general game training (n=12), or the control (n=12) group. Each group underwent twelve sessions (30 min/d, 3 d/wk for 4 weeks). In the CIMT game training group, the application of CIMT adjusted the weight of the pressure delivered from the two boards used in Wii games. In the general game training group, the game was played without adjusting the weight of pressure. The game training used the Wii Fit's Ski Slalom application. Subjects were assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Results: All three groups showed significant improvements in pain, stiffness and physical function, total WOMAC scores, and ABC scores after the intervention (p<0.05). Significant differences were observed in physical function, total WOMAC scores, and ABC scores of the CIMT game training group compared with the other groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The CIMT game training and general game training exhibited improvements on stiffness, but the CIMT game training exhibited a larger effect on lower extremity function and balance confidence levels.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.205-218
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• 2021

Background: Korean medicine treatment was assessed in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) according to subgroups of: sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 122 inpatients who were admitted to the Hospital of Korean Medicine for Korean medicine treatment of knee pain, and were diagnosed with knee OA based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. Analysis of patient subgroups (sex, age, cause of knee OA, body mass index, hospitalization period, history, OA compartment, phenotype, and comorbidity) was carried out and treatments including acupuncture, cupping, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna therapy, medicinal steaming therapy, manual therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy were listed. The numeric rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 5-level EuroQol- 5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) scores were measured before and after treatment to assess the effects of treatment on pain and quality of life. Results: Seventeen males and 105 females were included in this study. Most patients were in their 60s. In the total study population, NRS, WOMAC, and EQ-5D-5L scores were improved statistically significant when comparing before and after treatment. The NRS and WOMAC scores improved statistically significant in the medial, patellofemoral, medial + patellofemoral, medial + lateral + patellofemoral compartment. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment significantly reduced pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, and improved the quality of life of patients with knee OA, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative to the current conservative treatments.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of tools (i., extracorporeal shock wave therapy, massage gun, and foam roller) on range of motion, muscle tone and pain threshold among patients with hamstring stiffness. Methods : Fourteen participants with hamstrings stiffness were recruited. Interventions were performed 6 times, and each session was for 30 seconds using the three tools. The range of motion, muscle tone, and pain threshold were measured. The order of the use of the three tools was randomly determined. The foam roller was made to move from the bottom of the hip crease to the upper part of the back of the hamstring. Additionally, velocity 5 vibration stimulation was performed on the hamstring using a massage gun. Moreover, vibration stimulation was performed on the hamstring with extracorporeal shock wave therapy 5 minutes, 5 Hz, and 1,500 strokes. The flexibility of the posterior thigh muscle was based on maintaining the knee and hip joints in a 90 ° bend in the supine position. The joint angle of the knee was measured, when the knee was actively extended, at the maximum point where the posterior thigh muscle was stretched. The elasticity of the posterior thigh muscle was measured while the subject was prone and in a relaxed state without any force. Measurements were made at the muscle abdominal area of the semitendinosus muscle of the posterior femur, and the area to be measured was marked with a pen. The measurement of the tenderness threshold of the posterior femur was measured using a tenderness meter(Commander Algometer, J-Tech, USA). The force value at the point at which the pressure sensation change to pain was measured after applying vertical pressure to the posterior femur muscle, which was the halfway point between the ischial tuberosity and the popliteal surface of the subject lying on their stomach. Results : The extracorporeal shock wave therapy increased stiffness and, muscle tone, and caused changes in the pain threshold, whereas the other two tools had no effect on these indices. Conclusion : Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has important effects on range of motion and muscle stiffness and can be used in warmup protocols.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2021

Gait kinematics and kinetics have a similar tendency between men and women, yet it remains unclear how walking while carrying a load affects the gait mechanism. Twenty adults walked with preferred velocity on level ground of 20 m relative to change of a load carriage (no load, 15%, 30% of the body weights) aimed to observe gait mechanism. We measured gait posture using the three-dimensional image analysis and ground reaction force system during stance phase on left foot. In main effect of gender difference, men showed increased displacement of center of gravity (COG) compared to women, and it showed more extended joint angle of hip and knee in sagittal plane. In main effect of a load difference, knee joint showed more flexed postuel relative to increase of load carriage. In main effect of load difference on the kinetic variables, medial-lateral force, anterior-posterior force (1st breaking, 2nd propulsive), vertical force, center of pressure (COP) area, leg stiffness, and whole body stiffness showed more increased values relative to increase of load carriage. Also, men showed more increased COP area compared to women. Interaction showed in the 1st anterior-posterior force, and as a result of one-way variance analysis, it was found that a load main effect had a greater influence on the increase in the magnitude of the braking force than the gender. The data in this study explains that women require little kinematic alteration compared to men, while men in more stiff posture accommodate an added load compared to women during gait. Additionally, it suggests that dynamic stability is maintained by adopting different gait strategies relative to gender and load difference.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-68
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a joint health self-management program for knee osteoarthritis elders in communities. Methods: This program was developed based on the IMB (information-motivationbehavioral skills) model. The program methods include education, setting and achieving goals, sharing experiences, telephone counseling, and self-monitoring. The topics of the program include joint assessment, exercise, massage, joint protection, medication, depression management, diet, and healthcare approach. The research was conducted following the principles of the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Participants were 26 subjects in the experimental group, and 27 subjects in the control group. The experimental group participated in the self-management program, and the control group received general education. Results: Both post-test scores of personal motivation, social motivation, behavior skill, self-management behavior, joint pain, joint stiffness, physical function disability, right knee extension, left knee extension, and depression were significantly different between the experimental group and the control group. Conclusion: The results of the study can be used to develop and standardize a systematic joint health self-management program. Further research is highly recommended to develop a strategy to continuously facilitate self-management of osteoarthritis patients' procedures.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2023

Background: Although warm-ups before exercise are widely accepted, research on sex differences in improving hamstring flexibility is limited. Differences in the physical and physiological characteristics between males and females may result in different responses to warm-ups. Objects: This study aimed to examine sex differences in the effects of specific warm-up on hamstring flexibility. Methods: This study included 24 young adults with hamstring tightness. The participants performed five maximal knee extensions and flexions at 90° flexion of the hip, and the maximal knee extension angle was measured in real-time using a smartphone clinometer application. Results: The groups did not significantly affect the maximal knee extension angle but showed a significant effect for repetition (p = 0.002) and group-repetition interaction (p = 0.002). Males had no significant change in hamstring flexibility; however, females showed a significant increase in flexibility in the 5^th trial compared with the 1^st trial (p = 0.041). These results demonstrated sex-specific differences in flexibility improvement over time. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that specific warm-up can successfully improve hamstring flexibility in females. This may be due to various factors, such as muscle stiffness of the lower extremity, estrogen levels, and temperature sensitivity. In clinical settings, specific warm-up might be helpful for females who participate in sports or activities, such as running or jumping, which require a full range of motion in the hip and knee joints.