• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2021

Background: Flat-back posture refers to a posture in which the pelvis is tilted backward, the lumbar spine is bent, the upper thoracic spine is increasingly bent, and the lower thoracic spine is straight. Given that most of the day is spent sitting, we need to develop exercise programs and devices that are suitable for people who spend less time exercising than sitting. Objects: This study investigated the effects of resistance footrest exercise on spine posture angles in visual display terminal (VDT) workers with flat back. Methods: We measured the upper lumbar angle (ULA) and lower lumbar angle (LLA) using a flexible ruler for the ULA and LLA. Then, after 1 week of resistance footrest exercise designed to strengthen the lumbar spine musculature, we measured these angles again. We measured each angle three times and then compared measurements from before and after exercise. Results: There were no significant differences in the ULA following the strengthening exercise, but significant differences were observed in LLA. Conclusion: The resistance footrest exercise strengthened the muscles affecting the pelvic and lumbar lordotic angles, and increases in the LLA were changed. This suggests that the role of the lower lumbar spine in the lumbar lordotic curve is greater than that of the upper lumbar spine. In addition, considering the contemporary tendency to lead fairly sedentary lives, these results indicate that exercising while seated can be effective.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the duration of smartphone usage on cervical and lumbar spine flexion angles and reposition error in the cervical spine. The study included 18 healthy smartphone users (7 males and 11 females). We measured the kinematics of the upper and lower cervical and lumbar spine flexion angles and the reposition error of the upper and lower cervical spine after 3 s and 300 s smartphone use in sitting. A paired t-test was used to compare the effects of the duration of smartphone usage on the kinematics of cervical and lumbar spine flexion angles and reposition error. The flexion angles of the lower cervical and lumbar spine and the reposition error in the upper and lower cervical spine were significantly increased after 300 s smartphone of use (p<.05). However, the flexion angle of the upper cervical spine was not significantly different between the 3 s and 300 s smartphone of use (p>.05). These findings suggest that prolonged use of smartphones can induce changes in cervical and lumbar spine posture and proprioception in the cervical spine.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.49-55
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• 2014

Excessive lumbar flexion during sit-to-stand (STS) is a risk factor for lower back pain. Postural taping can prevent unwanted flexion of the lumbar spine. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of taping the lower back on the lumbopelvic region and hip joint kinematics during STS. Sixteen healthy subjects participated. All subjects performed the STS with and without taping of the lower back. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to measure the kinematics of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip joint during STS. The angle of the peak lumbar flexion, pelvic anterior tilting, and hip flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine between starting position and maximal lumbar flexion were collected. Paired t-tests, or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test for non-parametric distribution, were used to assess differences in the measurements with and without taping. A p-value <.05 was taken to indicate a significant difference. Significant differences were observed in the angle of the peak lumbar flexion, pelvic anterior tilting, hip flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine (p<.05). Taping was associated with a significant decrease in the angle of peak lumbar flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine between the starting position and maximal lumbar spine flexion. In addition, the peak angle of pelvic anterior tilting and hip flexion were significantly increased with taping. The findings of this study suggest that taping the lower back can decrease excessive lumbar flexion, and increase the pelvic anterior tilting and hip flexion motion during STS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.93-104
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of work environment and low back pain on the structural and muscle strength changes in lumbar spine to helpful for preventation and cure of low back pain. Methods : Through measuring of lumbosacral angle, lumbar lordotic angle, lumbar gravity line ratio analyzed structure of lumbar spine and using Trunk Extension Flexion Program of CYBEX NORM System(cybex770+TMC, USA) analyzed Flex. PT, Ext. PT, E/F ratio of lumbar spine of company employees given a medical examination. Results : According to work environment, lumbar gravity line ratio is higher in white collar group than in blue collar group, Ext. PT is significantly lower in white collar group than in blue collar group. According to low back pain or not, lumbar gravity line ratio, Ext. PT is lower in low back pain group than in non-low back pain group. Conclusions : Work environment and low back pain effects on the structural and muscle strength changes in lumbar spine.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-69
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• 2018

Background: This study investigates association modified category medical specialization (CMS) and hospital charge, length of stay (LOS), and mortality among lumbar spine disease inpatients. Methods: This study used National Health Insurance Service-cohort sample database from 2002 to 2013, using stratified representative sampling released by the National Health Insurance Service. A total of 56,622 samples were analyzed. The primary analysis was based on generalized estimating equation model accounting for correlation among individuals within each hospital. Results: Inpatients admitted with lumbar spine disease at hospitals with higher modified CMS had a shorter LOS (estimate, -1.700; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.886 to -1.514; p<0.0001). Inpatients admitted with lumbar spine disease at hospitals with higher modified CMS had a lower mortality rate (odds ratio, 0.635; 95% CI, 0.521 to 0.775; p<0.0001). Inpatients admitted with lumbar spine disease at hospitals with higher modified CMS had higher hospital cost per case (estimate, 192,658 Korean won; 95% CI, 125,701 to 259,614; p<0.0001). However, inpatients admitted with lumbar spine surgery patients at hospitals with higher modified CMS had lower hospital cost per case (estimate, -152,060 Korean won; 95% CI, -287,236 to -16,884; p=0.028). Inpatients admitted with lumbar spine disease at hospitals with higher modified CMS had higher hospital cost per diem (estimate, 55,694 Korean won; 95% CI, 46,205 to 65,183; p<0.0001). Conclusion: Our results showed that increase in hospital specialization had a substantial effect on decrease in hospital cost per case, LOS, and mortality, and on increase in hospital cost per diem among lumbar spine disease surgery patients.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.380-388
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• 1998

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of bone density according to age and the prevalence rate of osteoporosis I 613, middle-aged women who visited Saint Bundo Hospital in Pusan from June to December, 1997. Mean bone density of lumbar spine(L2L4), and femoral neck of 50-59 years of age was significantly lower than those of 40-49 years of age(p<0.05). At the 60years of age, mean bone density of two sites were less than those of 50-59 years of age. Mean bone density of lumbar spine tin the group of sixties were 20.7% lower than that of group aged under 40 ; For femoral neck, women in their sixties showed 22.6% lower density compared to the women aged under forty. Bone density of ward's triangle of sixties were the least, which was 34.2% lower than that of group aged under 40. Bone density in lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter and ward's triangle correlates strongly with each other(p<0.001). The proportion of osteoporosis was 3.6% in the group of forties, 10.9% in the group of fifties and 33.8% for the group aged over 60, which was assessed by bone density of lumbar spine. Bone density of lumbar spine, femoral neck and ward's triangle were positively correlated with height, weight and BMI(p<0.001∼p<0.01), and weight showed highest correlation with the bone density. Forty-four percent of variation in lumbar spine bone density was explained by age and weight.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.12-20
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was designed to find out the effectiveness of vertebral segment instability, muscle fatigue response on lumbar spine after apply lumbosacral stabilization exercise program to 4 patients with chronic low back pain and for 12 weeks. In this study, the lumbar spine motion with blind by MedX test machine and the difference of instability to lumbar vertebra segments in flexion, extension test of standing position and spinal load test(Matthiass Test) by Spinal Mouse. The stabilization exercise program was applied 2 times a week for 12 weeks in hospital and 2 times a day for 20 minutes at home. The results of the present study were as follows: 1. Instability test of lumbar vertebra segment is 2 type differential angle test between vertebrae segment and loading test of spine(matthiass) by Spinal Mouse. It appeared to improve stability of segments in sagittal plane after applying program. So lumbar spine curve increased lordosis toward anterior and was improved of the lumbar spine flexibility in flexion and extension. Specially, in matthiass test, (-) value was increased between lumbar vertebra segment when was the load on spine. And so applying stability improved after program. 2. Fatigue response test(FRT) results, in male, was raised muscle fatigue rate during increase weight, on the other hand female appeared lower than male. As a results, lumbosacral stabilization exercise was aided to improvement of lumbar spine vertebra segments stabilization. Spine instability patients will have a risk when in lifting a load or working with slight flexion posture during the daily of living life and it is probably to increase recurrence rate. Thus, not only lumbar extension muscle strength but also stability of vertebra segments in lumbar spine may be very important.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.7-16
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was designed to find out the effectiveness of vertebral segment instability, muscle fatigue response on lumbar spine after apply lumbosacral stabilization exercise program to 4 patients with chronic low back pain and for 12 weeks. In this study, the lumbar spine motion with blind by MedX test machine and the difference of instability to lumbar vertebra segments in flexion, extension test of standing position and spinal load test(Matthiass Test) by Spinal Mouse. The stabilization exercise program was applied 2 times a week for 12 weeks in hospital and 2 times a day for 20 minutes at home. The results of the present study were as follows: 1. Instability test of lumbar vertebra segment is 2 type differential angle test between vertebrae segment and loading test of spine(matthiass) by Spinal Mouse. It appeared to improve stability of segments in sagittal plane after program. So lumbar spine curve increased lordosis toward anterior and was improved of the lumbar spine flexibility in flexion and extension. Specially, in matthiass test, ( - ) value was increased between lumbar vertebra segment when was the load on spine. And so stability improved after program. 2. Fatigue response test(FRT) results, in male, was raised muscle fatigue rate during increase weight, on the other hand female appeared lower than male. As a results, lumbosacral stabilization exercise was aided to improvement of lumbar spine vertebra segments stabilization. Spine instability patients will have a risk when in lifting a load or working with slight flexion posture during the daily of living life and it is probably to increase recurrence rate. Thus, not only lumbar extension muscle strength but also stability of vertebra segments in lumbar spine may be very important.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.33-44
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• 2017

Background: Lumbar stabilization exercise and gluteal muscle strengthening exercises are widely used to treat for lower back pain patient. The present study aimed to compare the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise and gluteal muscle strengthening exercises on chronic lower back pain with lumbar spine instability, with regard to pain intensity, disability, and psychosocial factors. Methods: Among 53 patients with chronic lower back pain, those with spine instability were selected using 5 examination tests. The selected 28 patients were randomly assigned to lumbar stabilization exercise group (LSE, n=15) and gluteal strengthening exercise group (GSE, n=13). Each group performed the corresponding exercise for 40 minutes, twice a week for 4 weeks. To analyze and compare the effects, pain intensity, the level of low back disability, and psychosocial factors were assessed before and after intervention. Results: There was significant difference in lower back pain intensity between the two groups before and after intervention. The change in low back disability was significant in the GSE group alone following intervention (p<.05), but no other significant difference was found between the groups. Among psychosocial factors, the changes in the fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ)-physical activity and FABQ-total were significant in the LSE group alone following intervention (p<.05). However, no significant difference were found in these factors between the two groups before and after intervention. Conclusions: LSE and GSE for lower back pain with lumbar spine instability showed no significant difference for pain intensity, physical disability, or psychosocial functioning.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to analyze the corrective effect of the general coordinative manipulation (GCM) joint intervention model on distort leg with imbalance of the lower extremity joints, pelvic and shoulder girdles, and lumbar spine. Methods : The study used a comparative analysis of the size of the distort leg and the imbalance of the lower extremity joints, pelvic and shoulder girdles, and lumbar spine before and after the application of the GCM joint intervention model. A total of 31 subjects from movement center G and the department of physical therapy at university M were selected as research subjects, and they were divided into two groups. The GCM joint intervention model was applied to 18 subjects in the bow knee group and 13 subjects in the knock knee group. The two groups received daily intervention three times a week for four weeks. The corrective effect of the GCM joint intervention model for each type of distort leg was compared and analyzed. Results : The effects of the GCM joint intervention model in correcting bow knee and knock knee with knee deformation and imbalance of the lower extremity joints, pelvic and shoulder girdles, and lumbar spine were significant in most domains (p<.05). The correlation between the bow knee and knock knee groups showed significance in most domains (p<.05). Conclusion : The GCM joint intervention model showed significant corrective effect in the bow knee and knock knee groups in terms of knee deformation, lower extremity joints, pelvic and shoulder girdles, and lumbar spine (p<.05).