• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.211-216
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• 1999

Background: Transdermal fentanyl patch (TDFP) is a simple, noninvasive analgesic with continuous effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effect of TDFP. Methods: Sixty healthy patients undergoing cesarean section were divided into 3 groups. Postoperative pain was controlled with different methods; Group I: application of TDFP-$25{\mu}g/hr$, Group II: intramuscular injection of ketoprofen; Group III: continuous epidural block. Pain scores (numerical rating scale, NRS), number of patients who needed additive ketoprofen injections and side effects were recorded at 8, 20, 32, 44 hours postoperatively. Results: There was no significanant difference in pain score between Group I and Group II. The numbers of patients who need additive ketoprofen injections were lower in group I than group II. Pruritis (25%), nausea/vomiting (10%), leg numbness (40%) was experienced in group III, but not in Group I & II. Conclusions: TDFP-$25{\mu}g/hr$ for postoperative pain control is simpler and more convinient than intramuscular injection of analgesics.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.74-78
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• 2000

Background: Epidural Adhesiolysis is an interventional pain management technique for patients with low back pain. In addition to local anesthetics and corticosteroid, hypertonic saline (NaCl) are used for the technique. Present study was aimed to compare analgesic and adverse effects of two different concentration of hypertonic saline in Epidural Adhesiolysis. Methods: Fifty-three subjects with low back pain with radiculopathy were assigned to one of two epidural adhesiolysis treatment groups: 8% (Group I, n=26) or 10% (Group II, n=27) hypertonic saline. 17 G epidural needle was inserted at sacral hiatus and catheter was advanced untill its tip was located at lesion site under fluoroscopic guidance. Subjects in all treatment groups received epidural corticosteroid and local anesthetic. And then, hypertonic saline injection via catheter were carried out daily for 3 days. Evaluation included assessment of pain relief (Numerical Rating Scale; NRS) at post-epidural adhesiolysis 1, 2, 3 days, 1 week, and 1, 3 months. We also looked for complications of epidural adhesiolysis at different concentration of hypertonic saline. Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated that NRS was not significantly different between two groups during 3 months after epidural adhesiolysis. There were no major differences of complications between two groups and disappeard after a few months without residual sequelae. Conclusions: We conclude that epidural adhesiolysis using 8% hypertonic saline is effective for relief of low back pain with proven lumbosacral fibrosis without any residual sequelae compared with 10%.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2015

Objective : This case report presents the effects of Gunchilgyebok-Jung to a patient who was clinically diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Methods : The study involved a 74-year-old male patient clinically diagnosed with advanced (stage III) lung cancer by chest computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography. The patient had two masses (11.32 mm and $23.03mm{\times}35.34mm$) in the right upper lobe of the lung and in the mediastinum respectively. Gunchilgyebok-Jung commonly used for its anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effect is composed of Rhus verniciflua stokes and Guizhifuling wan extracts. We prescribed Gunchilgyebok-Jung at a dosage of 1 g three times a day for 50 days. Results : After the administration of Gunchilgyebok-Jung, a decrease in tumor size to 10.69 mm and $22.71mm{\times}34.21mm$ on chest CT was observed. A numerical rating scale (NRS) showed an improvement in symptoms from points 7-8 to 3-4. Conclusion : This study suggests that Gunchilgyebok-Jung may have considerable anti-tumor and immunopotentiating activity in lung cancer without any adverse effects.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.234-240
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic effect of 0.25% and 0.5% levobupivacaine for real time ultrasound guided single-injection femoral nerve block for the patients who are undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: Femoral nerve block was done to all patients with 20 ml of 0.9% normal saline on one leg and 20 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine on the other leg for group I (n = 16) and 0.5% levobupivacaine for group II (n = 15) with 1:200,000 epinephrine and using real-time ultrasound and a nerve stimulator. The data concerning the verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) for each leg, the consumption of the intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) and the demands for the additional analgesics was collected at 0, 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after the operation. Results: The legs on which femoral nerve block was done with levobupivacaine showed a lower VNRS score than the legs with normal saline in either group I or group II. The VNRS scores between the two legs, the consumption of the IV PCA and the demand for additional analgesics showed no significant differences between the groups. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that single-injection femoral nerve block using real-time ultrasound with either 0.25% levobupivacaine or 0.5% levobupivacaine 20 ml provides a good effect for the postoperative pain control after TKA.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.220-228
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• 2017

Background: The transforaminal (TF) epidural steroid injection (ESI) is suggested as more effective than the interlaminar (IL) route due to higher delivery of medication at the anterior epidural space. However, serious complications such as spinal cord injury and permanent neural injury have been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness, technical ease, and safety of the TF and parasagittal IL (PIL) ESI. Methods: A total of 72 patients were randomized to either the PIL group (n = 41) or the TF group (n = 31) under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients were evaluated for effective pain relief by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (%) before and 2 weeks after the ESI. The presence of concordant paresthesia, anterior epidural spread, total procedure time, and exposed radiation dose were also evaluated. Results: Both the PIL and TF approach produced similar clinically significant improvements in pain and level of disability. Among the 72 patients, 27 PIL (66%) and 20 TF (64%) patients showed concordant paresthesia while 14 (34%) and 11 (36%) patients in the same respective order showed disconcordant or no paresthesia. Radiation dose and total procedure time required were compared; the PIL group showed a significantly lower radiation dose ($30.2{\pm}12$ vs. $80.8{\pm}26.8$ [$Cgy/cm^2$]) and shorter procedure time ($96.2{\pm}31$ vs. $141.6{\pm}30$ seconds). Conclusions: ESI under fluoroscopic guidance with PIL or TF approach were effective in reducing the NRS and ODI. PIL ESI was a technically easier and simple method compared to TF ESI.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.281-284
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• 2020

Filum terminale lipoma is an inherited lumbosacral abnormality that can cause tethered cord syndrome. This report describes an unusual case of lumbago and sciatica, pain suspected to be caused by a filum terminale lipoma where a herniated intervertebral disc had occurred. The patient was hospitalized for 43 days and received integrative Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, Chuna therapy, cupping therapy, physiotherapy and herbal medicine. Treatment effectiveness was assessed using the numerical rating scale, Oswestry Disability Index, European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions, and patient symptoms. After inpatient treatment, the pain the patient suffered was significantly reduced, and the evaluation indices scores reflected this. Integrative Korean remedies may be an effective option for lower back pain and lower extremity symptoms which are caused by filum terminale lipoma where a herniated intervertebral disc has occurred. Additional clinical research is required to support this observation.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic effect of a single application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on spontaneous pain and pain on chewing after placement of initial archwires. Methods: Forty-two patients (26 women, 16 men) were randomly recruited for this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. Each patient received super-elastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) initial archwires (0.012, 0.014, 0.016, and 0.018-inch [in]) in the maxilla for leveling and alignment for an interval of 4 weeks between archwires. One side of the mouth was randomly designated as experimental, while the other side served as placebo. After insertion of each archwire, the experimental side was irradiated with a diode laser for 3 seconds each on 5 points facially and palatally per tooth, from the central incisor to first molar. On the placebo side, the laser device was held the same way but without laser application. A numerical rating scale was used to assess the intensity of spontaneous and masticatory pain for the following 7 days. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare pain scores between sides. Results: Patients in the LLLT group exhibited significantly lower mean scores for spontaneous pain after insertion of the initial two archwires (0.012-in and 0.014-in NiTi; p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for 0.016-in and 0.018-in wires between the LLLT and placebo groups. LLLT significantly reduced chewing pain scores (p < 0.05) for all archwires. Conclusions: A single dose of LLLT considerably lessened postoperative pain accompanying the placement of super-elastic NiTi wires for initial alignment and leveling.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.81-90
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• 2015

Objectives This study was designed to compare the effects Gwibi-tang herbal-medication with Danggwisusan herbal-medication for patients with acute cervical and lumbar sprains due to a traffic accident. Methods This study was carried out on 119 acute cervical & lumbar sprain patients by traffic accident. We divided these patients into 2 groups. Group A was treated with Gwibi-tang and Group B was treated with Danggwisusan three times a day for three days. Each patient was treated with acupuncture, physical therapy and two types of herbal-medication. We measured the numerical rating scale (NRS) at two time points : pre-treatment (Tx). and post-Tx. Results 1. The NRS scores significantly decreased after treatment in all patients. 2. The changed NRS scores of nuchal pain showed a borderline significant difference between Group A and Group B (p=0.067). 3. In sub-group analysis, Gwibi-tang showed a greater effect on NRS scores of lumbago pain in female patients (p=0.068) and patients under 30s (p=0.054) compared to Danggwisusan. Conclusions In this study, both types of herbal-medication; Gwibi-tang and Danggwisusan were highly effective on acute cervical and lumbar sprain patients. Especially Gwibi-tang (Group A) was more effective than Danggwisusan (Group B) in reducing the initial nuchal pain. Also Gwibi-tang was more effective for lumbago pain in female and patients under 30s.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2020

This study reports on the effectiveness of Korean traditional medicine treatment on a patient with right hip pain caused by obturator nerve entrapment due to ganglion cyst. The patient had been misdiagnosed for a stenosis at the other hospital, but he got a different diagnosis this time with the examination. The patient was treated with Korean traditonal medicine, which includes pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, manual treatment (Chuna), and herbal medicine. Numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Euroqol five dimension (EQ-5D) index were used as a objective tool for evaluating the patient's symptoms. After treatment, NRS and ODI were decreased, while EQ-5D index was increased. This study suggests that a combined Korean traditional medicine may be effective in reducing symptoms related to obturator nerve entrapment.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of oriental medical treatments and Chuna treatment on patients with pain and limited range of motion(LOM) about shoulder subsequent to scapular fracture. Methods : Two patients suffered from pain and LOM about shoulder after scapular fracture, one is scapular body fracture with multiple rib fractures, the other is only intraglenoid fracture were treated with Chuna therapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, physical therapy and measured by VNRS(Verbal numerical rating scale) and ROM (Range of motion). Results : After oriental medical treatments and Chuna treatment, we found out a recovery from two patients suffered from pain and LOM about shoulder subsequent to scapular fracture. Conclusions : Through this study, we suggest that oriental medical treatments and Chuna treatment were effective to cure patients with pain and LOM subsequent to scapular fracture.