• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.156-169
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• 2009

In this study, the authors introduced DASH (Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand), which had been developed for evaluating the functional impairment in the movement of upper extremities in regular daily activities, work ability and sports/performing arts ability. It is an ergonomic risk assessment tool used for industrial workers and also a disability measurement tool for upper extremity disorders arising from musculoskeletal disorders and symptom. This study intended to examine the applicability of DASH in occupational health field. Firstly, DASH development process and composition were reviewed through The DASH outcome measure user's manual and early articles. Secondly, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the DASH in various languages at the application stage as well as its reliability and validity at the early stage of development were investigated. Thirdly, focusing on the application of DASH to clinical cases, workers with musculoskeletal symptoms, healthy workers, workers with other diseases, and general population were discussed besides workers with major musculoskeletal disorders. Lastly, DASH questionnaire was examined for its potential as a reference for assessing the functional impairment in the movement of upper extremities of workers with musculoskeletal symptoms in industrial workers in Korea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report on the residual symptoms after decompression of traumatic compartment syndrome experienced by a patient whose condition was much improved by electroacupuncture and bee venom therapy. Methods : The patient was treated with electroacupuncture and bee venom therapy. The progress of symptoms was checked by visual analog scale, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand(DASH) and range of motion. Results : All results were improved. Scores from the visual analog scale and DASH decreased, while the range of motion increased. Conclusions : Electroacupuncture and bee venom therapy have an effect on residual symptoms after decompression of traumatic compartment syndrome.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.222-230
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• 2023

Background: Distal biceps tendon repairs are commonly performed using open techniques. A minimally invasive distal biceps tendon repair technique using a speculum and hooded endoscope was developed to improve visualization, reduce soft-tissue dissection, and minimize complications. This paper describes the technique and reports the outcomes of 75 minimally invasive distal biceps tendon repairs. Methods: The operation reports and outcomes of 75 patients who underwent distal biceps tendon repair using this technique between 2011 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Median time to follow-up was 12 months (interquartile range [IQR], 6-56 months). Primary outcomes were function as measured by the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (DASH) questionnaire, and rate of complications. Median DASH score was 1.7 of 100 (IQR, 0-6.8). There were 2 of 75 (2.7%) re-ruptures of the distal tendon. There were no cases of vascular injury, proximal radius fracture, or posterior interosseous nerve, median, or ulnar nerve palsy. Conclusions: In this series, minimally invasive distal biceps repair was safe and effective with a low rate of major complications. Recovery of function, as indicated by low DASH scores, was satisfactory, and inconvenience during recovery was minimized. Level of evidence: IV.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.335-343
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ischemic compression treatment (ICT) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to the trigger points of the infraspinatus muscle on shoulder pain and function in patients with shoulder pain. Design: A randomized clinical trial Methods: Thirty patients with shoulder pain were randomly allocated into the ICT group (n=15) or LLLT groups (n=15). ICT was performed on three myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) of the infraspinatus muscle twice a week for 4 weeks (eight sessions), with 5 minutes of treatment per trigger point. LLLT was performed similarly. Shoulder pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain pressure threshold (PPT), and shoulder function was assessed using the Korean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, rotator cuff strength, and range of motion (ROM) of shoulder flexion and abduction. Results: Significant changes in VAS score and PPT were found after the intervention in both groups (p<0.05). Significant changes were observed in the Korean DASH score, rotator cuff strength, and ROM of shoulder flexion (p<0.05) but not in the ROM of shoulder abduction (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: This study showed that both ICT and LLLT applied on the MTrPs of the infraspinatus muscle were effective for relieving shoulder pain and improving shoulder functions in patients with shoulder pain.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1153-1163
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of task-oriented activities on hand functions in patients with hand injuries. From December 2011 to October 2012, sixteen patients with hand injuries at C Hospital in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea were randomly divided into two groups. One group was subjected to task-oriented activity and the other to general exercise. Two groups performed each activity once a day, three times a week, for four weeks. The group with the task-oriented activities was provided with the tasks according to subject-preference based on the result of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). To verify the effect of intervention, the following hand function measures were used: grip strength, pinch strength, and the range of opposition and abduction, Purdue pegboard test and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Both groups showed significant increase in all of the hand function measures after 4-week activities(p<.05). The task-oriented activity group was significantly different from the control group in powers for tip pinch, lateral pinch and three-jaw chuck pinch, Purdue pegboard test and DASH(p<.05) except in grip strength and the range of opposition and abduction suggesting better improvement in hand functions. This study shows that task-oriented activities improve the hand functions more effectively in patients with hand injuries.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2012

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of arthroscopic release of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon in chronic recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis and tried to determine any prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 24 patients with lateral epicondylitis treated by arthroscopic ECRB release was performed. Outcome measures included a patient self rating and visual analog scale (VAS). Functional evaluation was made with Quick-disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score system to identify preoperative factors that might be associated with the outcomes. Results: Twenty one (88%) elbows received benefit from the procedure. A mean preoperative VAS pain score and the mean Quick-DASH were significantly improved at final follow up. Age, sex, dominant arm and duration of symptom, presence of capsular tear or calcification did not correlate significantly with the clinical outcome. Three of four patients without T2-weighted high signal focus of the ECRB origin on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed higher Quick-DASH score. Conclusion: Arthroscopic release of the ECRB is an effective option for chronic recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. Lack of high signal focus on preoperative MRI is significantly associated with a poor surgical outcome and a considerable factor for the proper surgical indication.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare therapeutic climbing exercise and general isometric exercise in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: Among 20 adults, study subjects were arbitrarily classified into an experimental group of 10 and a control group of 10. The control group performed general isometric exercise (ISE) and the experimental group performed therapeutic climbing exercise (TC) (3 sets, 3 times per week for 8 weeks). To evaluate the effects of exercise, subjects were evaluated using a Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score (DASH), a goniometer for range of motion, and shoulder activity measured serratus anterior, upper trapezius, and lower trapezius. Independent and paired t-test were used for comparison of the effect between groups. Results: DASH scores showed a significant decrease in both groups after 8 weeks of treatment (p<0.001) and significant difference was observed between the TC groups (p<0.01). Flexion and abduction were significantly increased after 8 weeks of treatment in the ISE group (p<0.001) and flexion, abduction, external and internal rotation were significantly increased after 8 weeks of treatment in the TC group (p<0.001). Serratus anterior and lower trapezius activity were significantly increased after 8 weeks of treatment (p<0.001) and upper trapezius activity was not significantly increased after 8 weeks of treatment in the ISE group (p>0.05). Serratus anterior, lower trapezius, and upper trapezius activity were significantly increased after 8 weeks of treatment in the TC group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Scapular stabilizing exercise using a therapeutic climbing exercise increases range of motion and decreases DASH, and increases activity of shoulder muscles in patients with impingement syndrome.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of early stabilization exercise focused on the scapulothoracic joint on the recovery of surgical patients due to rotator cuff tear. Methods: The subjects were 30 patients divided randomly into two groups. Group I consisted of 15 patients who practiced shoulder joint stabilization exercises, including glenohumeral joint movement. Group II consisted of 15 patients who practiced scapulothoracic joint stabilization exercises, excluding glenohumeral joint movement. The duration of stabilization exercise was 30 minutes for one day, five days a week, and five weeks. To measure the dependent variables, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, range of motion (ROM), dynamometer of measured grip were used. Results: The DASH, ROM, and grip power were compared. A significant difference was observed before the intervention in each group (p<.05), and there was no significant difference between group I and group II (p>.05). Conclusion: Both shoulder joint and scapulothoracic joint stabilization exercises were effective after the intervention compared to preintervention, but there was no difference between the two groups. Unlike many recent studies on the initiation of stabilization exercises, this study allays the concerns between the advantages of 'early exercise' and oppositions of previous studies about 'early exercise'. Nevertheless, further research regarding these subjects is needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.143-154
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• 2024

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to improve the understanding of the Korean Standard Functional, Disability, and Health Classification (KCF) and its ease of use in the clinical domain of the musculoskeletal system by comparing, analyzing, and linking the KCF codes with items from patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which are currently mainly used to evaluate patients with neck, shoulder, waist, and knee pain. METHODS: The items of the most widely used PROMs, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the codes of the KCF were linked by two experts according to the linking rules. RESULTS: The concordance between the items of each of the PROMs and the KCF code linked by the two experts was NDI,86.4%86.4%, DASH 83.3%, ODI 92.0%, and WOMAC 80.7%. The NDI, DASH, and WOMAC indexes were found to comprise items corresponding to physical function, activity, and participation areas, and were linked to 22, 43, and 31 KCF codes, respectively. In addition to these two areas, the ODI included items related to environmental factors and was linked to 25 codes (duplicated codes are treated as one). CONCLUSION: This research can be used by adding the KCF code to the questions of the currently used evaluation tool. This coding can be easily applied and will contribute to the easy understanding of the KCF.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.223-229
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• 2018

Purpose: A number of procedures were introduced to stabilize the 1st metacarpal bone after resection of the trapezium in the thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) arthroplasty. However, some surgical procedures may inevitably damage normal structures, such as harvesting tendons or drilling of a bone for tendon passage. Suture suspension arthroplasty is relatively less invasive and easier to perform than the previously described surgical methods. The purpose of this study was to report the therapeutic efficiency of the suture suspension arthroplasty. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients who underwent suture suspension arthroplasty for the treatment of thumb CMCJ arthritis. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS), satisfaction about surgical outcomes, and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores were measured to evaluate the functional outcomes and the Trapezial Space Ratios were measured. Satisfaction was measured in the range of "very dissatisfied" (0) to "very satisfied" (10). Results: The mean follow-up period was 23 months. Pain VAS score improved significantly from 7.0 to 2.9 (p<0.05). And mean satisfaction scale was 6.9. However, there was no significant difference in DASH scores between before and after surgery (p=0.06). The mean trapezial space ratio was calculated to be 0.45 before surgery, 0.33 immediately after surgery, 0.23 at the last follow-up. Conclusion: Suture suspension arthroplasty is a satisfactory surgical procedure. And compared with other procedures, there is no significant difference in the reduction of the trapezial space. It may be useful in advanced thumb CMCJ arthritis.