• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.511-519
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this clinical trial was to examine the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture on liver cirrhosis patients suffering from muscle cramps. Methods: Fourteen patients with liver cirrhosis who experienced muscle cramps at least once a week, regardless of cramp location, were enrolled and randomly allocated to an experimental group (n=12) or a control group (n=12). The experimental patients were treated with electroacupuncture at an electrical stimulation frequency of 100 Hz three times a week for four weeks (12 times in total). Muscle cramps were evaluated by a questionnaire that probed subjective symptoms. We analyzed the frequency of muscle cramps 3 times (at screening, 14 th visit, 15 th visit) during 8 weeks. Results: The number of patients with cramps occurring 'more than once a week' was reduced and the proportion of patients decreased in response to electroacupuncture. The number of patients with cramps occurring 'less than once every two weeks' increased and the proportion of patients also increased in response to eletroacupunture. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that electroacupuncture treatment will be beneficial for improving muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis. Electroacupuncture is considered a safe and efficacious treatment for patients with liver cirrhosis who complain of muscle cramps.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this clinical trial is to examine the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture on liver cirrhosis patients suffering from muscle cramps. Methods: A total of 14 liver cirrhosis patients with muscle cramps were treated by electroacupuncture three times a week for four weeks (12 times total). The electrical stimulation was a frequency of 100 Hz. Evaluation of the muscle cramps was measured by a questionnaire of subjective symptoms. The patients' condition was evaluated four times over a period of eight weeks. We also assessed the deterioration of liver disease using the Child-Pugh score and blood tests. Results: This study proves that four weeks of electroacupuncture treatment is effective in reducing the frequency of muscle cramps and that the effects of electroacupuncture treatment lasted during another four-week follow-up period after treatment. Conclusions: This study suggests that electroacupuncture treatment is beneficial for improving muscle cramps in liver cirrhosis patients (p=0.000). Electroacupuncture is thought to be a safe treatment for liver cirrhosis patients with muscle cramps without contributing to the worsening of liver function. Further study with a larger sample size is needed to confirm our findings.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.15
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• pp.54.1-54.4
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• 2023

Objective: A single-patient case study on the use of OCNT for cervical spinal stenosis. Methods: A50-year-old Korean male with frequent leg muscle cramps and severe muscle weakness was treated with OCNT. Results: After OCNT, pain and cramps disappeared, and muscle strength improved to the point of no longer hindering daily activities. Conclusion: OCNT can be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of pain and muscle weakness in patients with cervical spinal stenosis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.13-29
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this review is to investigate the use of conventional Western medicine (WM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on leg cramps. Leg cramps are the occurrence of muscular spasm in the leg muscles which occur frequently in the elderly and are frequently observed in the clinical field. Methods: Relevant clinical studies were searched from five medical databases including PubMed, KISS, RISS, OASIS, and J-STAGE. Systematic review, clinical studies, and clinical practice guideline were included in this review. Results: In total, 27 clinical studies, 9 systematic review and meta-analysis, and 1 clinical practice guideline met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were classified and analyzed according to the type of intervention. Studies on quinine and magnesium have been most studied in WM and CAM, respectively. Although quinine shows some clinical effects on leg cramps, however, the risk of side effects are suggested. In addition, magnesium failed to improve the clinically significant effects in most studies. Five case reports using Oriental herbal medicine (OHM) were included and OHMs were effective in improving leg cramps without side effects, however, the quality of evidence was low. Clinical studies on other interventions were lacking. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that there is no definite treatment standard for leg cramps until now, and there are limitations such as low level of evidence and side effects for each treatment. OHM can be an effective alternative to conventional intervention on leg cramps, therefore, related clinical studies are needed.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.134-137
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• 2021

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is a disease in which excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH) are secreted and calcium levels in the blood increase. Hypercalcemia caused by PHP has a major influence on the peripheral nervous system and produces symptoms such as muscle cramps, paresthesia, and proximal muscle weakness. Here we report a rare case of sensory-dominant polyneuropathy caused by PHP, which improved after surgery.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by loss of motor neurons, resulting in motor weakness of the limbs and/or bulbar muscles. Pain is a prevalent but neglected symptom of ALS, and it has a significant negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. This review outlines the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, underlying mechanisms, and management strategies of pain in ALS to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes related to pain. Pain is a prevalent symptom among patients with ALS, with a variable reported prevalence. It may occur at any stage of the disease and can involve any part of the body without a specific pattern. Primary pain includes neuropathic pain and pain from spasticity or cramps, while secondary pain is mainly nociceptive, occurring with the progression of muscle weakness and atrophy, prolonged immobility causing degenerative changes in joints and connective tissue, and long-term home mechanical ventilation. Prior to treatment, the exact patterns and causes of pain must first be identified, and the treatment should be tailored to each patient. Treatment options can be classified into pharmacological treatments, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiepileptic drugs, drugs for cramps or spasticity, and opioid; and nonpharmacological treatments, including positioning, splints, joint injections, and physical therapy. The development of standardized and specific assessment tools for pain-specific to ALS is required, as are further studies on treatments to reduce pain, diminish suffering, and improve the quality of life of patients with ALS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.1165-1169
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• 2002

Satoyoshi syndrome(generalized Komuragaeri disease) is a rare disorder of unknown cause, characterized by progressive, painful, intermittent muscle spasms and alopecia. Endocrinopathy with amenorrhea, secondary skeletal abnormalities, and diarrhea or unusual malabsorption are frequently seen. It seems that autoimmunity may play a role in its pathogenesis. We report a 13-year-old girl with characteristic manifestations of the syndrome. She was treated with intravenous gammaglobulin and Prednisolone. Painful muscle cramps were gradually improved, but the scalp condition did not change. Satoyoshi syndrome should be considered in children with unexplained muscle spasms and alopecia.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.94-98
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• 2013

Dystrophinopathy, caused by mutations in the DMD gene, presents with variable clinical phenotypes ranging from the severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to the milder Becker muscular dystrophy(BMD) forms. DMD is a recessive X-linked form of muscular dystrophy. Two-thirds of mothers of affected males are thought to be DMD carriers. Approximately 2.5-7.8% of female DMD carriers have muscle weakness and are categorized as manifesting DMD carriers. The symptoms of female carriers of DMD range from mild muscle weakness to severe gait problems. The most commonly presented symptom is mild proximal muscle weakness, which is often asymmetric and progressive, but shows variable clinical spectrum with BMD of more severe DMD-like phenotype. Atypical presentations in manifesting carriers are myalgia or cramps without limb weakness, isolated cardiomyopathy and camptocormia. Multiplex PCR and MLPA analysis are common techniques to identify mutations in the DMD gene. Relationship between X-chromosome inactivation and clinical severity is not clear. Female carriers of DMD are not less common, and they have an important role of birth of a male DMD.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.115-123
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• 2020

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of liver-tonification acupuncture (LTA) on periodic muscle cramps (MC). Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 28 patients treated for periodic MC with LTA in a Korean medicine clinic. Patients were treated with (A) LTA alone, (B) LTA and treatments for myofascial meridian, or (C) LTA and treatments for other diseases. We mainly investigated effectiveness of treatments, the number of treatments, the number of relapses, and time to relapse. Results After treatments, periodic MC disappeared in all patients except two in group C. The number of treatments in group C was significantly greater than that of group A (p<0.05). Periodic MC recurred in one patient in each of groups A and C, but symptoms disappeared after re-treatments. Periodic MC did not recur for a median of 7.0, 8.5, and 5.0 weeks in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Conclusions We found some therapeutic effects of LTA treatments for periodic MC in middle-aged and elderly patients.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 2013

The patient who has congenital hypothyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism could have mental retardation even though adequate hormone treatment and cannot endure conventional dental treatment. In this case, general anesthesia is selected to administer effective dental treatment. But, there could be symptoms such as anemia, neuropathy, associated pituitary or adrenal hypofunction, cardiac failure even in euthyroid state. And, bradycardia, mental dullness, hypothermia, slow reflexes can appear in case of inadequate thyroid hormone replacement. Especially, macroglosssia, slow drug metabolism, exaggerated responses to anesthetic agents and decreased ventilatory responses could be problem during general anesthesia. The presentation of hypoparathyroidism also varies depending on the chronicity of the result of hypocalcemia. Muscle spasms/tetany, paresthesias, and seizures may occur in an acute onset. Chronic hypocalcaemia causes fatigue, muscle cramps, lethargy, personality changes, and cerebration defects.