• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.109-126
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• 2003

This study was designed 10 investigate the effects of therapeutic gymnastic ball exercise on pain, flexibility, lumbar disability level and daily activity levels in male patients of the armed forces medical hospital who complain of chronic low back pain. Twenty-three males were placed in the experimental group and twenty-nine males were placed in the control group. All of the subjects were chosen on the basis of availability among in-patients who were diagnosed with low back pain. The control patients were matched to the experimental group and they were selected considering gender, pain duration and age. Gymnastic ball exercise therapy was developed by the author with the assistance of a rehabilitation specialist. Gymnastic ball exercise therapy includes muscle relaxation, flexibility, muscle strength and posture development exercises. The gymnastic ball exercise therapy was carried out by the experimental group three times a week for eight weeks. Before and after the experiments, the intensity of pain, the lumbar joint mobility (flexibility), the lumbar disability levels, and the daily activity levels of the subjects were measured, respectively. The intensity of pain and the lumbar disability levels were measured by the Visual Analogue Scale, the level of flexibility by a measurement ruler, and the level of disability by the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Scale. Data were analysed using a t-test, a paired t-test and an unpaired t-test. The results were as follows: 1. The intensity of pain in the lumbar spine in the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group during the 4th week and 8th week. 2. The flexibility of the lumbar spine in the experimental group was significantly increased compared with that of the control group during the 4th week and 8 week. 3. The level of pain caused by anterior, posterior, left lateral and right lateral bending and by rotation in experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. 4. The Oswestry Disability score of the experimental group was significantly increased compared with that of control group. These findings indicate that gymnastic ball exercise therapy could be effective in decreasing pain and lumbar disability, and increasing the daily activity levels and lumbar flexibility in patients with chronic low back pain. The study also suggests that gymnastic ball exercise therapy could be an essential factor for effective nursing intervention for patients suffering from chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.163-177
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• 2004

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to use more Traction treatment clinically by comparing th Improvement of Low Back Pain and Sciatica between Common treatment Group and Common treatment with Traction treatment. Methods : This study was carried out on 40 patients with Low Back Pain and Sciatica who were hospitalized in Dongshin Univ. Oriental Hospital from January, 2003 to May, 2004. Group A of 20 patients were taken both common treatment and Traction treatment. And Group B of 20 patients were only taken common treatment. And at discharge day, we checked and compared VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) out of these two groups. SPSS(Statistical Program for Social Science) for Window was used for a statistical analysis and the independent T-test was performed to gauge the improvement of VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) out of these two groups, in which case, value of P below 0.05 is considered as useful. Results : The result of the VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) of comparison analysis between two groups at discharge day, shows that the improvement of Low Back Pain and Sciatica in cmmon treatment with Traction treatment Group is more effective than that in Common treatment.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associated factors of self-reported dry mouth in adults. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 249 adults in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do from June to October, 2014. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, age, monthly income, smoking, alcohol drinking, and systemic diseases including systemic diseases, medication, oral health status, and stress. The question for dry mouth consisted of dryness in skin, eyes, lips, and nasal mucosa. The subjective dry mouth consisted of 6 questions measured by visual analogue scale(VAS). Cronbach's alpha was 0.881 in the study. Oral health related quality of life (OHIP-14) was adapted from Yoon. The questionnaire for OHIP-14 included functional limitation, physical pain, psychological disability, social disability, and experience in hadicap measured by Likert 5 scale. Cronbach's alpha was 0.885 in the study. Data was analyzed for a t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis by using SPSS(SPSS 18.0, USA) program. Results: There were positive correlations between oral health-related quality of life and self-reported dry mouth (functional limitation r=0.288, physical pain r=0.219, psychological discomfort r=0.193, physical disability r=0.280, psychological disability r=0.205, social disability r=0.224 and handicap r=0.270). In the multiple regression analysis, variation of self-reported dry mouth were positively associated with dry eyes{very often(${\beta}=0.305$)), sometimes(${\beta}=0.186$)}, dryness on lips{very often(${\beta}=0.247$), sometimes(${\beta}=0.177$)}, handicap(${\beta}=0.152$), physical disability(${\beta}=0.128$) and alcohol drinking(1-2 times/week)(${\beta}=0.116$) (p<0.001). Conclusions: Self-reported dry mouth may cause deterioration of the entire body dryness(dryness on eyes and lips), low oral health-related quality of life(handicap and physical disability) and alcohol drinking. Thus, It is necessary to develop oral health education programs to prevent and manage dry mouth in adults.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.324-329
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• 2000

Objective : Psychological factors may have a major influence on the outcome of treatment for back pain. We investigated the relationship between the outcome and some psychological factors, such as self-reported pain intensity, disability, sleep disturbance and fatigue. Method : The study was conducted as a survey using a questionnaire and telephone interviews. The survey included consecutive 294 patients who visited the neurosurgical out-patient department complaining of low back pain and contacted by telephone on average seven months after the first visit. Pain intensity was measured by visual analog scale, and disability was assessed by Waddell's chronic disability index. Results : The outcome of treatment for back pain was recovered in 36.7%, improved in 30.6%, almost same in 28.6%, and aggravated in 4.1%. Overall rate of improvement was 67.3%. The rate of improvement was related to the duration, patterns and intensity of the symptom, and Waddell index. It was not influenced by the doctors, special studies, and methods of treatment. When the duration was more than 6 months, there were the symptoms of both back and legs, and the self-reported Waddell index was 1-3, the rate of improvement was relatively low. Although the intensity of the pain and disability was closely related to the degree of sleep disturbance, fatigue, appetite, or indigestion, the outcome of treatment for back pain was not always bad in patients with high psychological stress. Actually the outcome of the patients who complained severe pain and disability was better than the outcome of the others. Conclusion : The outcome of the back pain can be predicted by the duration, patterns and intensity of the symptom, and Waddell index. The multidisciplinary treatment will be necessary for the patients whose expected outcome is not good to reduce not only the physical symptoms but also the psychological stress.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.158-163
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among pain, range of motion of the neck, neck disability index and grip strength after thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: In this study, twelve subjects with chronic neck pain were included. All participants had thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training. Intervention was conducted three times per a week, for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of neck, neck disability index (NDI), as well as the grip strength before and after intervention were measured in all participants. Paired t-test was used to compare variables before and after intervention. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the correlations between the variables. Results: All variables after the intervention were significantly improved. There was a significant negative correlation between VAS and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.669, p<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between NDI and VAS (r=0.636, p<0.05), and a significant negative correlation between NDI and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.692, p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with reduced pain following therapeutic intervention illustrated that there would be an improvement in the flexion angle rather than the extension angle of the neck, and that those with increased flexion angle would have less restriction of activities in daily living.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.61-68
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a workplace-based work-conditioning program (WCP) on the management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in an automobile-parts manufacturing company. In total, 1,110 subjects with WRMDs participated in workplace-based WCP emphasizing function-centered management and ergonomics. We investigated the incidence of WRMDs variables (number of persons diagnosed with industrial accident-related WHMDs, number of cases of WRMD) and financial benefits (cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs) per year before and after WCP. Additionally, we compared self-reported pain intensity and functional disability in subjects with musculoskeletal pain before and after the WCP. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and functional disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI) and the Oswestry disability Index (ODI). The number of person diagnosed with industrial accident-related WRMDs, the number of cases of WRMD, the cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs per year decreased by 51%, 37%, 34%, and 47%, respectively, and VAS, NDI, and ODI scores decreased significantly after implementation of WCP (p<.05). Thus, the results of the present study suggest that function-centered, workplace-based WCP was effective in managing WRMDs at an automobile-parts manufacturing company.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find out the effects of myofascial releasement on nuchal pain caused by traffic accidents. Methods : The 30 patients were divided into 2 groups : group A was treated except myofascial releasement and group B was treated with myofascial releasement. Both group were treated with acupuncture treatment, physical theraphy and herbal medication. Patients were evaluated by McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form(SF-MPQ), Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Pain Disability Index(PDI) and Neck Disability Index(NDI). Results : 1. Both Group were significantly decreased in affective of SF-MPQ, VAS, after 10 times of treatment. 2. Group B compared with the Group A was significantly decreased in affective of SF-MPQ, NDI and PDI after 10 times of treatment. Conclusions : We found out that myofascial releasement is considered to be effective and useful on nuchal pain caused by traffic accidents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.147-156
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory motor training using ball exercise on shoulder range of motion, pain, dysfunction, and quality of life in Breast Cancer Women after Mastectomy. METHODS: A total of 26 patients from D University Hospital in Daejeon were included and randomly allocated to two groups (n=13 per group). The two groups performed the exercise five times a week for 4 weeks. A sensory motor training group (SMTG) received general physical treatment for 10 minutes and sensorimotor training for 20 minutes. A control group (CG) received general physical therapy for 30 minutes. Shoulder pain (the Visual Analog Scale), range of motion, disability (the shoulder pain and disability index) and quality of life (the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-Breast instrument) were measured in both groups before and after 4-weeks intervention. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in joint range of motion, shoulder pain, functional disability level, and quality of life within the two groups (p <.05). In addition, changes in joint range of motion, pain, functional disability level, and quality of life after then intervention were significantly different between the two groups (p <.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a sensory motor training program is feasible, safe, and suitable exercise for shoulder functions and quality of life in Breast Cancer Women after Mastectomy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.219-229
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate a influence in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, and self-assisted ROM exercise of shoulder adhesive capsulitis. METHODS: The methods of the study was to investigate a change in range of motion (ROM), an increase in ROM, visual analogue scale (VAS) and disability questionnaire by Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, and self-assisted ROM exercise on 32 patients who were diagnosed with shoulder adhesive capsulitis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups who were treated in the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and self-assistive ROM exercise group for flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, VAS and disability questionnaire. Both group's flexion, extension, internal ratation, and external rotation levels were significantly different before and after the treatment. And significant statistical decrease in VAS and disability was seen. The extension of the shoulder joint was closely related to external rotation (r=0.84). There was a close relationship between internal rotation and external rotation at the shoulder joint. There was no increased range of extension through the exercise method. However, flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, VAS, and disability questionnaire of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation groups were obviously higher than in the self-assisted ROM exercise group. CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that considering Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation for the patient who has shoulder adhesive capsulitis in clinic.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.42-56
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• 2019

Background: Individuals with mechanical neck pain show biomechanical and neurophysiological changes, including cervical spine muscle weakness. As a result of deep muscle weakness, it causes stability disability and reduced upper thoracic spine mobility, which finally leads to functional movement restriction such as limited range of motion and dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that thoracic spine manipulation and mobilization could reduce symptoms of mechanical neck pain in patients. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thoracic mobility exercise on cervicothoracic function, posture feature, and pain intensity in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Methods: The study subjects were 26 persons who were randomly assigned to the experimental (with thoracic mobility exercise) and control groups (without thoracic mobility exercise), with 13 subjects in each group. The cervicothoracic function (neck functional disability level and cervicothoracic range of motion), posture feature, and pain rating (using a quadrupled visual analogue scale [QVAS]) were measured before, after 3 weeks, and after 6 weeks. Results: Statistically significant group-by-time interactions were found with repeated analyses of variance for the Korean neck disability index (KNDI), all cervical range of motion (CROM), all thoracic range of motion (TROM), cranial rotation angle, sagittal shoulder posture (SSP), and QVAS (p<.05). All groups showed significant improvements from all times in all the evaluated methods. The KNDI, CROM, TROM of left rotation, and SSP in the experimental group showed significant improvements after 3 weeks, and the TROM of the right rotation and QVAS in the experimental group showed significant improvements after 6 weeks when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Thoracic mobility exercise during 6 weeks might be effective intervention to improve the functional level, posture feature, and QVAS pain rating for managing individuals with mechanical neck pain.