• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.20-25
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• 2022

This study aimed to examine the changes in the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) scores before and after epidural steroid injection (ESI) in patients with lower back pain, and the correlation between the three scales in patients with reduced scores on these scales. Patients completed the NRS, ODI, and RMDQ before and after receiving ESI. A paired t-test was performed to compare the mean scores obtained before and after ESI. The correlations between the scores were estimated by calculating the difference between the baseline and follow-up scores. Of the 49 patients, 37 completed both questionnaire assessments. Among them, 26 patients (70%) presented a post-ESI decrease in scores obtained on all three scales. The NRS score decreased from 6.81±1.91 points at baseline to 3.66±2.22 points at follow-up (P<0.0001); similarly, the ODI score decreased from 41.65±14.76 to 30.38±16.16 points (P=0.0025); and the RMDQ score decreased from 11.11±5.68 to 7.64±5.74 points (P=0.011). Of the 37 patients who completed the two questionnaires, 26 had reduced NRS, ODI, and RMDQ scores. The intraclass correlation coefficients between the NRS and ODI, NRS and RMDQ, and ODI and RMDQ scores were 0.7943, 0.6615, and 0.7182, respectively. The concordance correlation coefficients between the NRS and ODI, NRS and RMDQ, and ODI and RMDQ scores were 0.6020, 0.4938, and 0.5202, respectively. Among the measurements, the correlation between the NRS and ODI scores was the highest, and a moderate correlation was found between the scores obtained using the other instruments.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.111-128
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• 2023

Trigger finger is a common cause of hand disability that results in finger catching, clicking, or locking. Conventional treatment options such as medication, injection, and surgery have limitations. Studies have indicated that acupuncture and acupotomy can be effective in treating trigger finger. However, no review regarding these treatment modalities has been published yet. This review included randomized controlled trials published until January 2023, investigating acupuncture-related interventions. The primary outcomes of interest included the effectiveness rate (ER) and pain intensity, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and secondary outcomes were the Quinnell grade (QG) and recurrence rate (RR). Adverse events (AEs) have also been reported wherever available. Overall, 19 studies were included, and results demonstrated that arcedge acupuncture improved the ER and QG and reduced NRS, and acupuncture was effective in reducing VAS. Compared with conventional surgery, acupotomy alone improved the ER and QG and lowered VAS and RR, with relatively fewer AEs. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than conventional treatment; however, careful interpretation is needed for VAS. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than acupotomy alone. However, the overall results must be interpreted with caution because of study quality, small sample size, and heterogeneity of the results.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.195-207
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and intra-articular injection (IAI) of steroid-bupivacaine in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: After randomization, patients received either a PENG block or IAI under ultrasound-guidance. Clinical evaluations were recorded at baseline, day 1, and weeks 1, 4, and 8 post-intervention. The numerical rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Harris Hip Scale (HHS) scores, pain medication use determined by a quantitative analgesic questionnaire, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results: Sixty patients were included in this study. NRS scores improved significantly for both groups during the follow-up compared to pretreatment (P < 0.001), with better pain scores for the PENG group (P < 0.001) at day 1 with larger effect size (Cohen's d = 4.62), and IAI group at 4 (Cohen's d = 5.15) and 8 (Cohen's d = 4.33) weeks (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in pain medication consumption (P = 0.499) and patient satisfaction (P = 0.138) between groups. Patients in the IAI group experienced significant improvement in HHS (Cohen's d = 2.16, P = 0.007) and WOMAC (Cohen's d = 1.02, P = 0.036) scores at 8 weeks compared to the PENG group. Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided PENG block provides effective pain relief which improves functionality and quality of life in hip OA patients up to 2 months. The PENG block can be considered an easy, safe, and useful alternative treatment modality for hip OA.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.213-220
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• 2023

Background: Third molar extraction is the most commonly performed minor oral surgical procedure in outpatient settings and requires regional anesthesia for pain control. Extraction of the maxillary molars commonly requires both posterior superior alveolar nerve block (PSANB) and greater palatine nerve block (GPNB), depending on the nerve innervations of the subject teeth. We aimed to study the effectiveness of PSANB alone in maxillary third molar (MTM) extraction. Methods: A sample size comprising 100 erupted and semi-erupted MTM was selected and subjected to study for extraction. Under strict aseptic conditions, the patients were subjected to the classical local anesthesia technique of PSANB alone with 2% lignocaine hydrochloride and adrenaline 1:80,000. After a latency period of 10 min, objective assessment of the buccal and palatal mucosa was performed. A numerical rating scale and visual analog scale were used. Results: In the post-latency period of 10 min, the depth of anesthesia obtained in our sample on the buccal side extended from the maxillary tuberosity posteriorly to the mesial of the first premolar (15%), second premolar (41%), and first molar (44%). This inferred that anesthesia was effectively high until the first molars and was less effective further anteriorly due to nerve innervation. The depth of anesthesia on the palatal aspect was up to the first molar (33%), second molar (67%), and lateromedially; 6% of the patients received anesthesia only to the alveolar region, whereas 66% received up to 1.5 cm to the mid-palatal raphe. In 5% of the cases, regional anesthesia was re-administered. An additional 1.8 ml PSANB was required in four patients, and another patient was administered a GPNB in addition to the PSANB during the time of extraction and elevation. Conclusion: The results of our study emphasize that PSANB alone is sufficient for the extraction of MTM in most cases, thereby obviating the need for poorly tolerated palatal injections.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.885-893
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment with cervicogenic dizziness and headache. Methods: We used Korean medicine treatments (herbal medicines, acupuncture, pharmaco-acupuncture, and Chuna) to treat a hospitalized patient with cervicogenic dizziness and headache. The treatments were assessed using the Korean Dizziness Handicap Inventory (K-DHI) to evaluate the degree of dizziness. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to evaluate headaches and post-traumatic neck pain. General health status was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5d) scale. Results: The patient's NRS and EQ-5d scores improved after treatment. The change in the K-DHI scores showed that the patient's cervicogenic dizziness symptoms were relieved. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Korean medicine therapies may be effective for treating cervicogenic dizziness and headaches.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.261-267
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• 2023

Forward head posture (FHP) is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes neck pain. Several exercise interventions have been used in South Korea to improve craniovertebral angle (CVA) and relieve neck pain. There has been no domestic literature review study over the past 5 years that has investigated trends and effects of exercise intervention methods for CVA with neck pain. This domestic literature review aimed to evaluate the trends and effects of exercise interventions on CVA and neck pain in persons with FHP. A review of domestic literature published in Korean or English language between 2018 and 2022 was performed. Literature search was conducted on Google Scholar and Korea Citation Index by using the following keywords: "exercise," "exercise therapy," "exercise program," "forward head posture," and "neck pain." Ten studies were included in this review. All of the studies showed positive improvements after intervention programs that included exercises. Notably, four of these studies demonstrated significant differences in results between the experimental and control groups. Among the 10 studies, nine measured visual analogue scale or numerical rating scale scores and reported significant reductions in pain following interventions, including exercise programs. Five of these studies showed significant differences in results between the experimental and control groups. Furthermore, six studies that used neck disability index exhibited a significant decrease in symptoms after implementing intervention programs that included exercise, and significant differences in results were found between the experimental and control groups. This domestic literature review provides consistent evidence to support the application of various exercise intervention programs to improve CVA and relieve neck pain from FHP. Further studies are warranted to review the effects of various exercise interventions on FHP reported not only in domestic but also in international literature.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.131-139
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• 2024

In this case report, we describe the effects of Korean Medicine therapies, including Bunshimgi-eum, on a patient hospitalized with insomnia due to fibromyalgia in a Korean Medicine Hospital. We treated the patient with Bunshimgi-eum for 21 of 27 hospital days. Post-treatment, we used the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to measure the severity of insomnia. To determine the severity of multiple pain, including neck, low back, Lt. shoulder, Lt. elbow, Rt. knee, and hand, we used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). For evaluation of generic health status, we used the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale. After the treatment, the patient's clinical symptoms improved, according to the ISI, NRS, and EQ-5D. The results of this case study suggest that Korean Medicine therapies, including Bunshimgi-eum, may have positive effects as a treatment for insomnia related to fibromyalgia.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.45-51
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• 2024

Background: It is essential to distinguish between symptomatic- and asymptomatic radiographic acromioclavicular (AC) osteoarthritis (OA) because AC-targeted physical examinations are dubious. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of a preoperative AC injection in discriminating between symptomatic- and asymptomatic radiographic AC OA based on patient arthroscopic distal clavicle resection (aDCR) outcomes. Methods: Forty-eight patients who underwent aDCR for AC OA were included. Their satisfaction was objectified using a 5-point Likert scale and patient willingness to repeat the surgery. The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) were used to assess postoperative shoulder function and pain. Patients were subdivided into groups based on their good or minimal reaction to an AC injection (good reaction: ≥7 consecutive days of pain reduction, Minimal reaction: <7 consecutive days of pain reduction). Results: Twenty-seven patients had a good reaction and 21 patients had a minimal reaction to the AC injection (median follow-up, 45.0 months; range, 31.0-52.8 months). No significant differences were found in level of satisfaction (P=0.234) or willingness to repeat the surgery (P=0.861). No significant differences were found in OSS (P=0.612), SSV (P=0.641), NRS at rest (P=0.684) or during activity (P=0.422). Conclusions: This study found no significant differences between patients with a good reaction or a minimal reaction to an AC injection after aDCR surgery. The outcomes of this study seem to suggest that a distinction between symptomatic and asymptomatic radiographic AC OA is unnecessary, as all patients were equally satisfied with the outcome.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.1186-1197
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• 2022

Objectives: A case study about the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in a psychogenic tremor patient. Case presentation: A 36-year-old male diagnosed with psychogenic tremor with low back pain underwent 29 days of inpatient treatment and 4 weeks of outpatient treatment. His pattern identification was a psychogenic tremor of the weakness of the heart and gall bladder (SimDamHeoGup) type. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. He took Cheongshimondam-tang for 29 days and Chunwangbosim-dan for 6 weeks when he had symptoms. He also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at GB20 (Pungji), L14 (Hapgok), HT4 (Yeongdo), PC6 (Naegwan), HT7 (Sinmun), GB34 (Yangleungcheon), ST36 (Joksamni), SP6 (Sameumgyo), and LR3 (Taechung). After 8 weeks of treatment, the Fahn Tolosa Marin rating (FTM) scale of his tremor, at rest, dropped from Grade 4 on both upper extremities, trunk, and both lower extremities at the time of admission to Grade 2 in both upper extremities and trunk, and Grade 0 in both lower extremities at the time of discharge. His Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score decreased from 38 to 7, and his numerical rating scale (NRS) decreased from 8 to 1 for low back pain and from 9 to 2 for tremor. A follow-up visit to the hospital 2 months after the end of treatment confirmed continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects. Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility of treating psychogenic tremor using only Korean medicine treatments. Further studies with control groups and long-term follow-up are needed.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.116-131
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to observe the changes of women's postpartum symptoms, the quality of life and depression scale over the first six weeks after childbirth. Methods: Twenty seven mothers who received Korean medical treatment in the outpatient department treatment (from September 27th, 2017 to January 5th, 2018) were evaluated for Verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS), edema index, EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Results: There were 17 high risk participants (63.0%) and 10 normal participants (37.0%). The VNRS of edema is the highest in the first week, and the VNRS of joint pain is the highest from the second week to the sixth week in all patients. The Extra Cellular Water/Total Body Water (ECW/TBW) of high risk group significantly decreased from $0.403{\pm}0.011$ to $0.387{\pm}0.006$(p<0.05) in the first 2 weeks. The ECW/TBW of normal group significantly decreased from $0.393{\pm}0.070$ to $0.383{\pm}0.011$ (p<0.05) in the first 2 weeks. The EQ-VAS of high risk group increased from $64.12{\pm}13.941$ to $69.35{\pm}18.155$ (p<0.05) in the first 2 weeks. But this difference was not significant statistically (p=0.234). The EQ-VAS of normal group significantly increased from $62.50{\pm}21.763$ to $74.00{\pm}9.661$ (p<0.05) in the first 2 weeks. The difference of EPDS was not statistically significant between the first week and the sixth week in every participants. Conclusions: VNRS was the highest in edema in the first week, joint pain was the highest from the second week to six week. The edema index of high risk groups was higher than that of the normal group in the first week (p<0.05). The EQ-VAS of normal group significantly increased (p<0.05) in the first 2 weeks but high risk group didn't. In the EPDS, the ratio of nine or more points of high risk group was more than twice than normal group in the first 2 weeks.