• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.15-27
• /
• 2024

Background: This study examined the effects of the muscle energy technique and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy to patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Twenty-six patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (n=13) and the control group (n=13). The two groups performed the muscle energy technique and for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, in 70-minute sessions. Pain, range of motion, function, and muscle performance were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer, neck disability index (NDI), and stabilizer pressure biofeedback, before and after training. Results: After four weeks of therapy, the VAS (p<.001), NDI (p<.01), and the maximum strength of the deep neck flexion muscles significantly decreased (p<.01) and CROM significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The muscle energy technique and therapeutic modalities such as cervical traction are effective in reducing VAS and NDI and increasing CROM and muscle performance in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to provide more whiplash injury-specific measurement tools for Korean patients by measuring the validity and reliability of Korean version of Whiplash Disability Questionnaire (WDQ). Methods Bilingual clinicians translated the original WDQ into Korean. After consensus conference between researchers, it was back-translated into English. The pre-final version was completed and administered to 71 hospitalized patients diagnosed with whiplash injury. Validity was evaluated by concurrent validity. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ and intraclass correlation coefficient. Results The Korean WDQ showed good reliability with high internal consistency and intra-class correlation coefficient (Cronbach's ${\alpha}=0.96$, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.82). Concurrent validity demonstrated positive correlations between Neck Disability Index, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and WDQ. Conclusions The Korean version of WDQ is a valid and reliable tool for use as a measurement of whiplash injury in Korean patients, and it will be a very useful evaluation tool for both clinicians and researchers.

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

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.13-25
• /
• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) and stretching exercise (SE) on office workers with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : A total of 32 office workers with forward head posture were randomly assigned to experimental (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. The experimental group underwent combined CSE and SE, and the control group underwent cervical self-myofascial release and SE. Both groups performed exercises for 40 min per day, thrice per week for a total of 6 weeks. Craniovertebral angle (CVA), respiration, disability, and joint range of motion (ROM) before and 6 weeks after intervention were measured and compared. Results : There was no significant between-group difference in the general characteristics (p>.05). The intra-group comparison showed significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) of both groups post-intervention (p<.05). CVA and forced expiratory volume in 1 seconds (FEV₁) were significantly improved post-intervention in the experimental group only (p<.05). In the experimental group, all ROM variables were significantly improved post-intervention. In contrast, in the control group, all ROM variables improved significantly post-intervention, except for extension (p<.05). The inter-group comparison showed significant differences in NDI, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, and left rotation between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion : The combination of CSE and SE, which stabilizes the cervical spine, had positive effects on cranial rotation angle, respiration, disability, and joint ROM in office workers with forward head posture. Therefore, the combination of the two exercises may be an effective option to reduce symptoms and prevent postural problems in office workers with FHP.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of M-test (Meridian test) as an adjunctive evaluation and treatment in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods This study was a single arm pre-post comparison study. Thirty-six eligible subjects with chronic neck pain were recruited from August to September, 2015. M-test was used for evaluating the condition of meridian, which can induce the limitation of ROM and body discomfort. Subjects were offered intradermal acupuncture treatment on one-acupoint for 48 hours. Cervical numeric rating scale (NRS), cervical range of motion (ROM), neck disability index (NDI) and surface electromyography (SEMG) were measured before and after the treatment. Total NRS and the number of movement limitation of M-test were also measured before and after the treatment. Results Among the 36 participating subjects, 4 subjects were lost to follow-up or excluded in accordance with the criteria. Significant differences on Cervical NRS and NDI were found after the treatment (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the range of left cervical rotation (p<0.05). Root mean square (RMS) of SEMG significantly decreased on the right sternocleidomastoid muscle (p<0.05), but significantly increased on the right trapezius muscle (p<0.05). Median frequency (MdF) of SEMG significantly increased on both sternocleidomastoid muscles. There appears to be significant differences after the treatment in total NRS and the number of movement limitation of M-test (p<0.05). Conclusions These results suggest that the evaluation and treatment of M-test based on the meridian and collateral theory were effective on cervical NRS and NDI, and also improved the movability of human body.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.129-139
• /
• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of supine JS cervical therapy and muscle release/strengthening technique in patients with acute neck pain caused by traffic accidents. Methods We studied 42 patients with acute neck pain caused by traffic accidents from July 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019. The study was conducted as a retrospective study which analyzes the patient's medical records. 21 patients (group A) had received supine JS cervical therapy and 21 patients (group B) had received muscle release/strengthening technique. We used the neck disability index (NDI) and visual analog scale (VAS) to evaluate improvements in symptoms and pain, and used the five point Likert scale to evaluate patient's satisfaction with chuna manual therapy. In each group, we compared the NDI and VAS of hospitalization day to those of 5 days later. Then we compared the NDI, VAS variation and five point Likert scale between the groups. Statistical analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS for windows 25.0. Result Both group A and group B showed a statistically significant decrease in the NDI and VAS on the 5th day of hospitalization. In group A, there was a statistically significant decrease in the NDI compared to group B. The VAS and Five Point Likert Scale decrease was greater in group A than in group B, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion We found that using supine JS cervical therapy may be more effective than muscle release/strengthening technique in acute stage after traffic accidents.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Chuna treatment for neck pain patients caused by traffic accident. Methods : 64 patients were divided into two groups, experimental group and control group, of 32 patients each. Control group was treated with general korean medical treatment three times per week for 2 weeks. Experimental group was treated with Chuna treatment and general korean medical treatment three times per week for 2 weeks. We evaluated the treatment effect of each group with the visual analog scale(VAS) and neck disability index(NDI). Results : 1. In both two groups, VAS were decreased significantly in statistics after treatment. 2. In both two groups, NDI were decreased significantly in statistics after treatment. 3. There were significant reduction of the VAS in experimental group than control group, but, there were not significant reduction of the NDI in experimental group than control group. Conclusions : We suggest that Chuna treatment could be recommended as a useful therapy to neck pain patients caused by traffic accident.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.209-230
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to describe the details and to assess the clinical evidence of acupuncture and moxibustion for non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods : We searched seven databases including Korean, English, and Chinese databases through July 2016. Studies using acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular-acupuncture, acupressure for non-specific chronic neck pain were included. Only controlled clinical trials or randomized clinical trials were assessed. Study design, number of subject, inclusion criteria, intervention, and results were extracted. In addition, details of intervention including needle type, retention time, acupoints were analyzed. Results : Total 64 studies(39 acupuncture, 9 laser, 6 pharmaco-acupuncture, 3 electro-acupuncture, 3 auricular-acupuncture, 3 moxibustion, 1 acupressure) were included. Among 39 acupuncture studies, 35 used acupuncture as sole intervention. Sham treatment was the most common intervention for control group, followed by no intervention. Various outcome including pain, disability, quality of life, range of motion was used as outcome measurement. The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion was different depending on the type of control and outcome measurement. The most commonly used method in acupuncture for neck pain was GB21, SI3, GB20, LI4, BL11 acupoints, 10~30 mm insertion depth, 20~30 retention time, and 1~2 times per week. Conclusions : Analyzing the details of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment could be helpful for researches and clinics. Further studies should consider the characteristics of study design, intervention, and outcome to assess the effect of TKM.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.39-48
• /
• 2008

Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference of treatment effects and allergic responses to stiff neck between Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture. Methods Forty one patients who felt stiff neck were randomly divided into two groups, a Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture group(group I) and a Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture group(group II). Evaluations of the treatment effects were made before and after a treatment using Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Neck Disability Index(NDI), Clinical Evaluation Grade(CEG). The comparison of allergic responses was measured with VAS. The obtained data were analyzed and compared with SPSS. Results The group I and group II showed significant improvement(p<0.05) according to the VAS, NDI, CEG. And the differences between the two groups were insignificant according to VAS, NDI, CEG. But allergic responses such as localized edema, localized itching were significantly lower in group II than group I. Conclusions It seems that there are no big different treatment effects between the two groups. Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture appears to be more effective measurement against allergic reactions than the Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture. Further studies are needed for the comparison of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.123-131
• /
• 2021

Purpose : The time spent using smart devices is constantly increasing, particularly in recent times. Using smart devices for a long time with an incorrect posture may lead to cerebral palsy (CP), instability, and abnormal muscle tone. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationships among cervical instability, deep neck flexor (DNF) activity, range of motion (ROM), and muscle tonus. Methods : Fifty subjects with CP participated in this study, and they were physiotherapists at W Hospital in Daejeon. Those who voluntarily participated in the research were selected as candidates who fulfilled the selection criteria. According to an instability test, 25 subjects were assigned to the instability and control groups. All subjects first underwent the instability test to be allocated to the appropriate group. Those in the instability group tested positive on the instability test. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), ROM, muscle tone, and DNF activity were measured to evaluate their relationships. The DNF strength and endurance were measured using a cranio-cervical flexion test. The upper trapezius (UT), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and suboccipital (SO) muscle tones were measured using a contact soft tissue tone measuring instrument. The statistical significance level was set to .05. Results : There were significant differences in the flexion, extension, and rotation of the cervical ROM (CROM) between the two groups (p<.05). The SCM, UT, and SO muscle tones were significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). The DNF strength and endurance showed a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion : We found that there were significant increases in the CROM and muscle tone and decrease in the DNF strength and endurance in the instability group. This indicated that cervical instability is affected by the DNF strength and endurance. We may recommend DNF exercises in cases of cervical instability in clinical environments.