• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.37-47
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• 2017

Background: Active trigger points (TrPs) of the suboccipital muscles greatly contribute to the occurrence of chronic tension-type headache, with increased sensitivity of TrPs and facilitated referred pain. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether the integration of high-frequency diathermy into suboccipital release is more beneficial than the use of suboccipital release alone. Methods: Thirty subjects were assigned to either experimental group-1 (EG-1) to undergo suboccipital release combined with high-frequency diathermy (frequency: 0.3 MHz, and electrode type: resistive electronic transfer), or EG-2 to undergo suboccipital release alone, or the control group (CG) with no intervention, with 10 subjects in each group. The assessment tools included the headache impact test 6 (HIT-6), perceived level of tenderness, neck disability index, and neck mobility. Intervention was performed for 10 minutes, twice per week, for 4 weeks, and measurements were performed before and after the interventions. Results: The between-group comparison of the post-test values and changes between pretest and post-test showed significant differences for all parameters at p<.05, except for the left-to-right lateral bending range. In the post hoc test, EG-1 showed significant differences for the parameters in comparison with the CG, while no significant differences in the perceived tenderness level, on both temporal regions, were found between EG-2 and CG. Furthermore, the HIT-6 score and perceived tenderness level, in the right temporal region, showed significant differences between EG-1 and EG-2. In the within-group comparison, EG-1 and EG-2 appeared to be significantly different between pretest and post-test (p<.05), except for the perceived tenderness level in the right temporal region, with significance for the EG-1 group only (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the suboccipital release technique may be advantageous to improve headache, tenderness, and neck function and mobility, with more favorable effects with the incorporation of high-frequency diathermy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2014

This paper tries to examine whether the application of joint mobilization to subjects who have the forward head posture due to malalignment in the cervical joint has influence on posture changes and functions in the cervical joint. The subjects were 39 students from G University in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The cervical joint mobilization was applied to 20 subjects and not to 19. The students with a cervical lordosis angle of $21^{\circ}C$ or less, an anterior weight bearing (AWB) of 15mm or greater, and a cervical extension ROM of $70^{\circ}C$ or less in terms of radiography were selected as subjects under their voluntary agreement. The patients actively performed the joint mobilization slowly 8 times per session while therapists continuously applied sustained accessory glide to their painful joints 3 times per week for 4 weeks along with the cervical expansion and flexion in SNAGS among other Mulligan's (1995) techniques. The measurement was carried out in terms of radiographic inspection and neck disability indexes. As a result of the experiment, it turned out that the subjects with the forward head posture had changes in the cervical AWB and ARA, the ranges of expansion and flexion, and the NDI(Neck Disability Index) after the intervention for the experimental group by applying cervical joint mobilization. There were no changes observed in the control group. In conclusion, the application of joint mobilization turned out to have influence on the improvement of cervical joint postures, and craniocervical region functions.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Background: This study examined the effects of cervical traction group and cervical traction & nerve mobilization exercise group after applying conservative physical therapy to Computer Workers with Cervical Radiculopathy. Methods: They were randomly divided into two groups: 18 subjects were cervical traction group, 22 subjects were cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group. Each group performed its own exercise 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 4 weeks. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Cervical extensor muscles strength (CEMS) was measured by the Pressure biofeedback unit. Grasping power (GP) was measured by the Grip Track Commander. Results: After 4 weeks therapy, VAS and NDI were significantly reduced in both groups (p<.05) and CEMS and GP were significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Significant differences were also evident between the two groups for these three measurements (p<.05). Conclusions: cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group is more effective than cervical traction group for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing GP in computer workers with cervical radiculopathy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.151-159
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• 2019

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sitting questionmark exercise (SQE) and brugger's relief exercise (BRE) on pain, ROM, proprioception, NDI in 60 Patients with Chronic Cervical Pain (CCP). Methods : In this study the VAS and NDI were used to investigate changes in pain and disability with SQE and BRE. The pre and post intervention intra group differences were analysed with a paired t-test for mean values, and the inter group differences were analyzed with an independent t-test for mean values. Results : The pain of both of groups was lowered with statistical significance. Pain of SQE group is lower than that of BRE group with statistical significance. ROM in both groups was improved, but there is no significant difference between two groups. NDI in both of groups were significantly decreased after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between groups. there was NDI ratio (%) significant difference between each groups. Conclusion : SQE intervention may be considered a more effective clinical approach for reducing pain and restoring proprioception in patients with CCP.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2021

Objectives: This case report presents the effects of Korean medicine treatment in a patient with a new daily, persistent headache. Methods: A 58-year-old female patient with a new daily, persistent headache was treated with Yonggakgyodaeyeong-tang and Kyoungbang Chungsanggyuntong-tang granules, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and chuna therapy for 68 days. Headache and neck disability were assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS), the headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), and the neck disability index (NDI). Results: After 68 days of treatment, headache was relieved, as measured by an NRS decrease from 7 to 4. In addition, the HIT score decreased from 30 to 18, and the NDI score decreased from 42 to 20. Conclusion: These results show that a daily, persistent headache can be relieved with Korean medicine treatment. However, additional well-designed studies are required to confirm these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.314-320
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• 2016

Purpose: This study compared the effectiveness of sling exercise and McKenzie exercise in patients with acute cervical whiplash associated disorder (WAD) caused by rear-end collision. Methods: Thirty WAD patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups; a sling exercise (SE) group, a McKenzie exercise (McE) group, and a control group. Members of the SE and McE exercised three times a week for four weeks under the researcher's guidance. Three groups performed TENS treatment three times a week for four weeks. Diagnostic radiological equipment was used to measure whiplash injury. Visual analog scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), and range of motion (ROM) were used in this study. Results: The three groups showed a significant pre-post treatment difference in measures of VAS and NDI (p<0.05). The SE group showed a significant pre-post treatment difference in measures of flexion and extension changes compared to the McE and control group (p<0.05). The SE group also showed significantly greater improvement in the VAS, NDI, and ROM changes than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that sling exercise is a stronger and more aggressive intervention for treatment of acute WAD patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of kinesio taping and neuromuscular rehabilitation exercise for patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders. Methods: Twenty acute whiplash-associated disorders patients were recruited for the study. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. Neuromuscular rehabilitation group (NRG) received neuromuscular rehabilitation exercise, kinesio taping group (KTG) received kinesio taping. All subject was evaluated before and after intervention by their range of motion (ROM), neck disability index (NDI), numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and fatigability. Results: First, the ROM was significantly increased in all group (p<.05). The NDI, NPRS and fatigability were significantly decreased in all group (p<.05). Secondly, NRG had significantly more increased ROM (flexion, both rotation) than KTG (p<.05). NRG had significantly more decreased NDI, NPRS and fatigability than KTG (p<.05). Conclusion: According to the results above, increased in range of motion in the neck, decreased in NDI, NPRS, fatigability were more effective in the NRG that received neuromuscular rehabilitation exercise than the KTG that received kinesio taping.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.21-28
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this meta-analysis study was to identify the degree-of-effect size and the variables for the effects of manual physical therapy on myofascial pain syndrome. METHODS: This study collected six studies published between 2015.01.01 and 2019.12.31. The analysis result verified nine effect size data. The random-effect model was chosen because of the heterogeneity of the data. RESULTS: First, the full case showed the largest mean effect size of 2.297 (p < .001). Second, the size of the effect based on the fascial distortion model (FDM) intervention showed an effect size of 4.654 (p < .001). Third, the number of participants showed a 15 or less effect size of 2.612 (p > .058). The number of treatments showed a 10 less effect size of 2.844 (p > .129). The publication type showed a thesis effect size of 3.095 (p < .002). CONCLUSION: Manual physical therapy has a great effect on myofascial pain syndrome in the neck and shoulders, and that the effects differ according to the methods of intervention.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.248-251
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• 2018

This retrospective study reports the effects of combined traditional Korean treatment of cervical radiculopathy in patients who underwent ineffective epidural steroid injection treatment. This study analyzed cervical radiculopathy in patients who visited traditional Korean medicine hospital following an ineffective epidural steroid injection. There were 29 cases included in this study. Scores for Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were measured before and after combined treatment with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and chuna therapy. The results of this study showed that patient VAS scores for neck and shoulder pain were significantly reduced (p < 0.001) when comparing scores before treatment ($6.03{\pm}2.04$) with after treatment ($2.14{\pm}1.27$). In addition, the VAS score for radiating pain before treatment ($6.67{\pm}1.44$) compared with after treatment ($2.89{\pm}1.83$) showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the NDI score before treatment ($25.85{\pm}6.33$) compared with after treatment ($11.33{\pm}7.47$), also showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001). The results in this study showed the positive effects of combined traditional Korean medicine treatment in significantly reducing pain for patients with cervical radiculopathy, who had ineffective anesthesia.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.241-256
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• 2011

Objectives: This study is to observe the effect of oriental medicine treatment combined with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy on traumatic rupture of intervertebral disc patients caused by traffic accidents. Methods: The patients who have traumatic rupture in lumbar(L)-spine(case 1) and cervical(C)-spine(case 2) were treated by oriental medicine treatment in combination with Soyeom pharmacopunture therapy. VAS(visual analog scale), ROM(range of motion), and physical exam were checked on a daily basis while NDI(neck disability index) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) were examined for 3 times at 7 day interval. Results: 1. Fer 8-9 days from the admission day, the sole use of oriental medicine treatment did not make many improvements in the case of two patients' symptoms. After combining with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy, chief complaints were improved significantly. 2. In case 1, lumbago decreased from VAS 10 to VAS 5 and lumbar ROM got better than before. ODl score cropped from 42 to 27. 3. In case 2, left shoulder pain and nuchal pain lowered from VAS 10 to VAS 4, left upper limb numbness and weakness were improved, The patient showed nearly fun ROM. NDI score decreased from 26 to 19. Conclusions: Oriental medicine treatment in combination with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy is proved to be helpful to improve the symptoms of the traumatic rupture of intervertebral else patients caused by traffic accident.