• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.144-147
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate that electro-acupuncture might relieve chronic back pain in horses. Twenty horses with chronic back pain were chosen from referring to College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida. They were assigned the patients referred to 2 treatment groups and 1 control group. The treatment group I was electrostimulated to 4 acupoints. The acupuncture points of Lumbosacral point, GV-6, BL26, and BL54 were used.; The treatment group II was taken the phenylbutazone orally. Control group was administered the normal saline per oral. Back pain score system was used to evaluate the degree of back pain. The treatment group r had significant lower back pain score from two times of electroacupuncture treatment. However, the treatment group II and control group did not change back, pain scores during experimental periods. Thus, Electroacupuncture treatment might be effective therapy for chronic back pain in horses.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.765-771
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• 2000

Objectives : To evaluate the pain control effect of combination treatment of Oriental Medicine on patients who suffered from thalamic pain syndrome caused by thalamic stroke. Methods : We reviewed the medical records and brain imaging data of all patients with thalamic stroke from September 1998 to August 2000 who visited to Department of Oriental Internal Medicine, National Medical Center. We evaluated clinical features of thalamic pain syndrome, including incidence, onset interval from stroke, nature, pain distribution, and assessed the pain control effect of combination treatment by Visual Analog Scale(VAS). Results : 64 cases were selected under the inclusion criteria, and 17 patients(26.5%) with thalamic pain syndrome were identified from 64 thalamic strokes. VAS proved combination treatment effective to control pain of thalamic pain syndrome. In 12 cases(70.5%), pain onset was within the first week poststroke. The patients with allodynia were 6(35.3%). In 12 cases(70.5%), the lesion was mainly located in the posterolateral areas of thalamus. Conclusion : We conclude that combination treatment of the Oriental Medicine modalities have pain control effectiveness on thalamic pain syndrome.(t=-5.47, p=0.0001)

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.297-300
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• 2014

This report describes the long term safety and efficacy of intrathecal therapy using Sufentanil for the management of chronic intractable neuropathic pain in 12 chronic pain patients. Standardized psychological screening was used to determine treatment suitability. Evaluation data included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Wong-Baker Faces Scale, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire, and complications (granulomas, toxicity, withdrawal, or deaths). SPSS version 18 was used for data analysis. Pre- and post- treatment BPI measures and pain scale scores showed a statistically significant difference. There were no complications directly related to drug toxicity, nor drug withdrawals, granulomas, or deaths. Intrathecal therapy with Sufentanil therapy offers a good treatment alternative for those cases that have failed both surgery and standard pain treatment. Strict patient selection based on psychological screening, control of co-morbidities, a proper pain management may contribute to successful outcome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2019

Background: Discogenic pain is a common cause of disability and is assumed to be a major cause of non-specific low back pain. Various treatment methods have been used for the treatment of discogenic pain. This study was conducted to compare the therapeutic success of radiofrequency (an intradiscal procedure) and laser annuloplasty (both an intradiscal and extradiscal procedure). Methods: This single-center study included 80 patients and followed them for 6 months. Transforaminal laser annuloplasty (TFLA, 37 patients) or intradiscal radiofrequency annuloplasty (IDRA, 43 patients) was performed. The main outcomes included pain scores, determined by the numeric rating scale (NRS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI), at pre-treatment and at post-treatment months 1 and 6. Results: The patients were grouped according to procedure. In all procedures, NRS and ODI scores were significantly decreased over time. Mean post-treatment pain scores at months 1 and 6 were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in both groups, and between-group differences were not significant. The ODI score was also significantly decreased compared with baseline. Among patients undergoing TFLA, 70.3% (n = 26) reported pain relief (NRS scores < 50% of baseline) at post-treatment 6 months, vs. 58.1% (n = 25) of those undergoing IDRA. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in ODI reduction of > 40%. Conclusions: Our results indicate that annuloplasty is a reasonable treatment option for carefully selected patients with lower back and radicular pain of discogenic origin, and TFLA might be superior to IDRA in patients with discogenic low back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 2005

Background: Frozen shoulder is not an uncommon disease, which is associated with chronic pain and joint movement limitation. However, there are numerous devices to assist in the treatment of shoulder pain, but their efficacy has not been proven and their use remains immensely controversial. Therefore, a randomized clinical study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a low-frequency stimulator for the treatment of frozen shoulder. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out on 40 patients with frozen shoulder, with 40 patients assigned to two groups; a control treatment group (group C, n = 20) and a low frequency stimulator application group (group T, n = 20). Both groups were given a routine treatment modality, such as trigger point injection, intramuscular stimulation or suprascapular nerve block etc. The level of the shoulder pain was evaluated using a 100mm VAS (visual analog scale) at each visit, with the limitation in the range of motion simultaneously evaluated. Results: All the subjects improved after treatment, with the VAS scores after termination of treatment showed a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups. One month after termination of 5 cycles of treatment, group T maintained their improved state, whereas the pain in some of those in group C reemerged, which also showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The limitation in the range of motion improved, with most subjects able to resume daily activity. Conclusions: Although the low frequency stimulation provided no more pain relief than routine treatment, the effect was significantly prolonged. From this result, low frequency stimulation can be considered to aide the therapeutic effect of classical frozen shoulder therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.202-205
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• 2008

Background: Lumbar radicular pain is a frequent and often debilitating event. Although many treatment methods have been described in several studies, the available evidences regarding efficacy is not sufficient enough to draw definitive conclusions on an optimal therapy regime. Pulsed radiofrequency (RF) treatment was found to exert a beneficial effect on intractable radicular pain in individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of pulsed RF of the dorsal root ganglion for chronic lumbar radicular pain. Methods: Twenty five patients with chronic lumbar radicular pain that was refractory to selective nerve root blockage met the inclusion criteria of our study and received pulsed RF treatment. The average numeric rating scale (NRS) for leg pain during usual activities and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were measured at 1 and 3 months after the procedure. Results: Of the 25 patients accepted for pulsed RF treatment, one dropped out due to a vertebral compression fracture during this study. ODI and NRS showed a positive trend in favor of the pulsed RF treatment. No significant complications were observed during the study period. Conclusions: It appears that pulsed RF treatment of the lumbar spinal dorsal root ganglion may be an effective treatment method for patients suffering from lumbar radicular pain, and who were not responsive to selective nerve root blockage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.473-476
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• 2010

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is an effective treatment for bladder and bowel dysfunction, and also has a role in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain. We report two cases of intractable pain associated with cauda equina syndrome (CES) that were treated successfully by SNS. The first patient suffered from intractable pelvic pain with urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence after surgery for a herniated lumbar disc. The second patient underwent surgery for treatment of a burst fracture and developed intractable pelvic area pain, right leg pain, excessive urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, voiding difficulty and constipation one year after surgery. A SNS trial was performed on both patients. Both patients' pain was significantly improved and urinary symptoms were much relieved. Neuromodulation of the sacral nerves is an effective treatment for idiopathic urinary frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence. Sacral neuromodulation has also been used to control various forms of pelvic pain. Although the mechanism of action of neuromodulation remains unexplained, numerous clinical success reports suggest that it is a therapy with efficacy and durability. From the results of our research, we believe that SNS can be a safe and effective option for the treatment of intractable pelvic pain with incomplete CES.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.129-137
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• 2003

A single subject experimental design (alternating treatment design) was used to compare the effects of only ultrasound and ultrasound combined with stretching of the joint capsule on the ROM increase and pain reduction in patients with frozen shoulder. Two subjects were included in each group. In the only ultrasound treatment sessions, ultrasound was applied at the pain point of the shoulder joint in supine position. In the ultrasound combined with stretching treatment sessions, ultrasound was applied at the pain point of the shoulder joint positioned in external rotation and abduction in sitting position. Only ultrasound treatment and ultrasound combined with stretching treatment were alternately performed on each patient. Pain and disability was measured by shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and range of motion (ROM) was measured by scratch test. The results of this study showed that ultrasound combined with stretching treatment were more effective than only ultrasound treatment in ROM increase and pain reduction. However, disability score was not significantly different.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.97-106
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) in the patients of dysmenorrhea. A total of thirty subjects were assigned randomly to one of the two experimental groups or to a control group : 1) an Experimental group I received high-frequency TENS(100pps with a 100-microsecond pluse width), 2) an Experimental group II received low-frequency TENS(2pps with a 100-microsecond pulse width), 3) a Control group received medication(Acetaminophen 600mg). All subjects completed visual analogue scale(VAS) pre-treatment; after post-treatment; 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 hours post-treatment; and the next morning. The results of study were as follows; 1. The mean pain scores decreased in thru groups. 2. The experimental group II and the control group exhibited a significant decrease in pain post - treatment. 3. The experimental group I had the pain relief obtained after three hours post - treatment. The experimental group II had the pain relief obtained immediately after the post - treatment Control group had the pain relief obtained immediately after the post - treatment, but increased pain after four hours of post-treatment. Finally. this result suggests that TENS can reduce significantly the pain of dysmenorrhea. Besides. low-frequency TENS provided a good result to the excellent subjective pain relief in the subject, compared with high-frequency TENS and medication.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.315-321
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• 2021

Background: Pillar pain may develop after carpal tunnel release surgery (CTRS). This prospective double-blinded randomized trial investigated the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in pillar pain relief and hand function improvement. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 patients with post-CTRS pillar pain, randomized into two groups. The ESWT group (experimental) received three sessions of ESWT, while the control group received three sessions of sham ESWT, one session per week. Participants were evaluated before treatment, and three weeks, three months, and six months after treatment. The pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Hand functions were assessed using the Michigan hand outcomes questionnaire (MHQ). Results: The ESWT group showed significant improvement in VAS and MHQ scores after treatment at all time points compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Before treatment, the ESWT and control groups had a VAS score of 6.8 ± 1.3 and 6.7 ± 1.0, respectively. Three weeks after treatment, they had a VAS score of 2.8 ± 1.1 and 6.1 ± 1.0, respectively. Six months after treatment, the VAS score was reduced to 1.9 ± 0.9 and 5.1 ± 1.0, respectively. The ESWT group had a MHQ score of 54.4 ± 7.7 before treatment and 73.3 ± 6.8 six months after. The control group had a MHQ score of 54.2 ± 7.1 before treatment and 57.8 ± 4.4 six months after. Conclusions: ESWT is an effective and a safe non-invasive treatment option for pain management and hand functionality in pillar pain.