• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.61.1-61.8
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• 2019

Background: The prognosis of recovery following microneurosurgery for injured lingual nerves varies among individual cases. This study aimed to investigate if recovery ratios of sensory and taste functions are improved by the microneurosurgery within 6 months after lingual nerve injury. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 70 patients who underwent microneurosurgery at the Wakayama Medical University Hospital for lingual nerve injuries between July 2004 and December 2016. Sensory and taste functions in lingual nerves were preoperatively evaluated using a static two-point discrimination test, an intact superficial pain/tactile sensation test, and a taste discrimination test. They were evaluated again at 12 and at 24 months postoperatively. The abundance ratio of Schwann cells in the excised traumatic neuromas was analyzed with ImageJ software following immunohistochemistry with anti S-100β antibody. Results: In early cases (microneurosurgery within 6 months after the injury), recovery ratios of sensory and taste functions were not significantly different at 24 months after microneurosurgery compared with later cases (microneurosurgery more than 6 months after the injury). Meanwhile, the ratio of patients with taste recovery within 12 months after microneurosurgery was significantly decreased in late cases compared with early cases. The abundance ratio of Schwann cells in traumatic neuroma was also significantly lower in later cases. Conclusion: Microneurosurgery more than 6 months after lingual nerve injury did not lead to decreased recovery ratio of sensory and taste functions, but it did lead to prolonged recovery of taste. This delay may be associated with a decrease in the abundance ratio of Schwann cells in traumatic neuromas.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.8-16
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mobilization of the sciatic nerve on hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke. This study was a randomized clinical trial with a crossover design. Sixteen subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two intervention groups and underwent either of the following two interventions: sciatic nerve mobilization or static stretching of the hamstring. We assessed hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance using a digital inclinometer, a hand-held dynamometer, and the 10-meter walk test, respectively. Subjects had a 24-hour rest period between each session in order to minimize carryover effects. Measurements for each test were assessed prior to and immediately after the intervention sessions. Using a two-way analysis of variance test with repeated measures, data from the two trials were analyzed by comparing the differences between both techniques. The level of statistical significance was set at .05. Sciatic nerve mobilization resulted in significantly better knee extensor strength (p=.023, from $15.32{\pm}5.98$ to $18.16{\pm}6.95kg$) and knee flexor strength (p=.011, from $7.80{\pm}4.80$ to $8.15{\pm}4.24kg$) in the experimental group than in the control group. However, no significant effects of static stretching of the hamstring were observed on hamstring flexibility from the ankle plantar flexion (p=.966) and ankle neutral positions (p=.210) and on gait performance (p=.396). This study indicated that the sciatic nerve mobilization technique may be more effective in muscle activation of the knee extensor muscle and knee flexor muscle than hamstring static stretching technique in patients with chronic stroke.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.130-132
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• 2005

Isolated posterior antebrachial cutaneous (PABC) neuropathy is rare. A 62 year-old man presented with hypesthesia over the skin region of PABC nerve territory after an injection at the proximal to the lateral epicondyle. Antidromic sensory nerve conduction studies of PABC nerve was not evoked on the affected side. Our case showed that sensory nerve conduction of PABC nerve can be performed without much difficulty and that this test is useful in confirming PABC neuropathy.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) on the alteration of pressure pain threshold of myofascial trigger points. We used fifty nine patients with upper trapezius mayofascial pain syndrome. Participants classified according to each group in conventional TENS(high rate, low intensity) and acupuncture like TENS(low rate, high intensity). The test was measured continuously pre test, post-test by algometer. The following results were obtained; 1. Pressure pain threshold were significantly increased in all groups(p<.001). 2. In comparison between groups, pressure pain threshold were not significantly differenced. These results lead us to the conclusion that each method by TENS were significantly increased pressure pain threshold of upper trapezius trigger points. Therefore, a further direction of this study will be to provide more evidence that TENS method have an effect on pressure pain threshold of myofascial trigger points.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2008

Although various criteria on the diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy are applied from trial to trial, being tailored in concert with its purpose, the utmost evidences of the diagnosis are subjective symptoms and objective signs of neurologic deficit. The application and interpretation of auxiliary electrophysiological test including nerve conduction study (NCS) should be made on the context of clinical pictures. The evaluation of the functions of small, thinly myelinated or unmyelinated nerve fibers has been increasingly stressed recently with the advent of newer techniques, e.g., measurement of intraepidermal fiber density, quantitative sensory testing, and autonomic function test. And the studies with those techniques have shed light to the nature of the evolution of diabetic neuropathy. The practical application of these techniques to the diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy in the individual patients, however, should be made cautiously due to several shortcomings: limited accessibility, wide overlapping zone between norm and abnormality with resultant unsatisfactory sensitivity and specificity, difficulty in performing subsequent tests, unproven quantitative correlation with clinical deficit, and invasiveness of some technique. NCS, as an extension of clinical examination, is still the most reliable electrophysiological test in evaluating neuropathy and gives the invaluable information about the nature of neuropathy, whereas the newer techniques need more refinement of the procedure and interpretation, and the accumulation of large scaled data of application to be considered as established diagnostic tools of peripheral neuropathy.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2001

Objectives : Scalenus anticus syndrome and Piriformis syndrome is representative of myogenic Nerve entrapment syndrome, and their clinical symptoms are similar to HIVD(herniated Intervertebral disc) of cervical or lumbar spine. But, distinguished by muscle test, these syndrome apply to Meridian-muscle therapy. Methods : Meridian-muscle therapy consists of Ashi(阿是)-point therapy, taping therapy, myofascial release technique, manipulation, their based on the traditional meridian-muscle theory. This theory is similar to myofascial pain syndrome in western medicine. The study population consisted of 9 patients who were already diagnosed as Nerve entrapment syndrome with radiological examination & physical examination and muscle test. The evaluation of clinical outcome was done by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Pain Assesment Questionnaire(PAQ). Results and Conclusions : After treatment, All patient's VAS is decreased as $2.11{\pm}1.59$ and the evaluation of clinical effect was excellent(6 cases) or good(3 cases) according to PAQ. Conclusively, Meridian muscle therapy is efficacious against Nerve entrapment syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.39-55
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate effects of electroacupuncture and Cervi Pantortichum Cornu pharmacopuncture on pain and nerve regeneration after crush injury of sciatic nerve in rats. Methods : We divided the subjects into 5 groups : control group, acupuncture treated group, electroacupuncture treated group, Cervi Pantortichum Cornu pharmacopuncture treated group, electroacupuncture and Cervi Pantortichum Cornu pharmacopuncture group. Hot plate test and degree of Substance P antibody in each group were observed at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th day. Sciatic function index and change of BDNF immunoreactivity had been estimated at the 7th, 14th, 21st day respectively. Atrophy of the gastrocnemius at the 21st day was observed. Results : All the experimental groups showed significant changes in hot plate test, degree of Substance P antibody, sciatic function index and change of BDNF immunoreactivity compared with control group. Especially, when electroacupuncture and Cervi Pantortichum Cornu pharmacopuncture used together, results were more effective than other groups. Recovery of the gastrocnemius was also the same. Conclusions : It is suggested that electroacupuncture and Cervi Pantortichum Cornu pharmacopuncture may play a significant role on pain decrease and nerve regeneration after crush injury of sciatic nerve in rats and these two treatments could be more effective when used together.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2011

Purpose: Sensory impairment in infraorbital nerve is common symptom following mid-facial fractures. The purpose of this study is to document the incidence of sensory impairment in infraorbital nerve following midfacial fractures and its recovery. Methods: Three hundreds fourteen patients with midfacial fracture were included involving emergence areas of infraorbital nerve. Fractures were classified into zygoma fracture, maxilla fracture, complex comminuted fracture and pure blow out fracture. Neurosensory function was assessed with clinical symptoms and light touch test in infraorbital nerve regions. Patients were followed and sensory function was evaluated immediately, 1, 3 and 6 months after trauma. Results: The total series consisted of 198 zygoma fractures, 19 maxilla fractures, 30 complex comminuted fractures and 67 pure blow out fractures. The incidence of sensory impairment was 60% (63% in zygoma fractures, 84% in maxilla fractures, 93% in complex comminuted fractures, 31% in pure blow out fractures). Persistent sensory impairments were remained in 32% (33% in zygoma fractures, 47% in maxilla fractures, 73% in complex comminuted fractures, 6% in pure blow out fractures) 6 months after trauma. Younger patients had better prognosis than older patients in recovery of infraorbital nerve function ($p$ <0.05, $x^2$-test). Mean recovery time was 11 weeks. Conclusion: The incidence of post-traumatic sensory impairment was different according to fracture types. Age of patients and fracture type were important factors that influence to recovery of sensory impairment. Complex comminuted fracture had poor prognosis, and pure blow out fractures had better prognosis than other fractures.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.31-39
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sciatic nerve mobilization technique on perceived pain, straight leg raise test (SLR), and strength of knee extensor, location of symptoms (LOS) in patients with chronic low back pain. 22 patients with chronic low back pain were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG), with 11 patients in each group. All patients received a routine physical therapy (hot pack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). The mobilization technique of the sciatic nerve was performed for 10 min in the case of the EG subjects. Outcome measurements included the level of the perceived pain, SLR, and strength of the knee extensor, LOS. The measurements were recorded 3 times: before the intervention, after the intervention, and at 1 hour of follow up. The two groups did not significantly differ with regard to the level of perceived pain, SLR, and strength of the knee extensor, LOS before the test (p>.05). In the case of the EG subjects, all the variables measured after the intervention significantly differed from those measured before the intervention (p<.05). However, in the case of the CG subjects, a significant difference was noted only with regard to the level of perceived pain (p<.05). The findings indicate that sciatic nerve mobilization technique exerts a positive effect on the control of subjective symptoms and knee strength in patients with chronic low back pain. Further studies are required to generalize the result of this study.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.25-37
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• 2008

Objectives : Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) has been used for many years as a treatment for sciatica in oriental medicine. And electrical acupuncture also has been used as a treatment for sciatica in recent study. By the way, it is hard to find the study that apply two treatments in the same time. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) and electrical acupuncture on nerve regeneration after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve in the same time. Methods : This study was designed with 4 subgroups to evaluate the effects of Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) and electrical acupuncture on nerve regeneration. As control groups, group I has not been treated during 3 weeks after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve. Group II has been treated Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san), Group III has been treated electrical acupuncture, and Group IV has been treated both during 3 weeks. This study has been estimated sciatic function index and change of GAP-43 immunoreactivity about sciatic nerve regeneration. Results : 1. The test for nerve regeneration had significantly good result of sciatic function index in the experimental groups as compared with control groups(p<.05). Especially, Group IV has the greatest result of sciatic function index. 2. GAP-43, the marker of nerve regeneration, more increased in the experimental groups as compared with control groups. Especially, Group IV has the greatest result of GAP-43. Conclusions : Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) and electrical acupuncture have good effects on nerve regeneration after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve.