• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.47-63
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral Disc on MRI accompanying or not High-intensive zone(HIZ) by Korean Medical Combination Treatment Methods : 324 patients who received inpatient treatment from January 2017 to September 2017 in the Daejeon-Jaseng of Korean Medicine Hospital were divided into 2 groups by High-intensive zone(HIZ) confirmed with a Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging. All patients received a combination of treatment including acupunture, chuna manual therapy, pharmacopunture, herbal medication. They were compared and analyzed on the basis of improvement between measuring Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ5D Index), physical examination as they were hospitalized and as they were discharged. The statistically significance was evaluated by SPSS 18.0 for windows. Results : After treatment, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ5D Index), physical examination was improved respectively. But there was no statistically significance between 2 group's improvement after treatment. Conclusions : After inpatient treatment by Korean Medical Combination Treatment, Most patient's pain, disability and Health Related Quality of Life was improved significantly. But there was no statistically difference between accompanying or not High-intensive zone(HIZ). So We think that future research of higher quality and correct statistics shall be necessary.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined whether a single application of a lumbar flexion muscle energy technique (MET) could significantly influence pain, functional status, and range of motion in chronic back pain patients with restricted active trunk flexion. Methods: Twenty volunteers were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Ten subjects in the control group received no treatment. Ten subjects in the experimental group received five sessions with the muscle energy technique, five times per week for two weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after two weeks of treatment in both groups. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Range of motion was measured using the sit-and-reach test (SRT). Functional disability levels were assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (KODI). Results: The experimental group showed a significant difference in VAS, KODI, and SRT between pre- and post-treatment (p < .05), while the control group showed no significant changes. The changes in VAS, ODI, and SRT were statistically significant between the groups pre- and post-treatment (p < .05). Conclusion: This muscle energy technique is clinically effective for chronic low back pain patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2018

Background: Patients with lumbar disc herniation are treated with physiotherapy/medication and some with surgery. However, even after technically successful surgery some develop a failed back syndrome with persistent pain. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of epiduroscopy in patients who suffer chronic low back pain and/or radicular pain with or without surgery and the gender difference in outcome. Methods: A total of 88 patients were included with a mean age of 52 years (27-82), 54 women and 34 men. 66 of them were operated previously and 22 were non-operated. They all had persistent chronic back pain and radicular pain despite of medication and physical rehabilitation. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated preoperatively, after one month, six months and one-year after the epiduroscopy. Results: All patients, and also the subgroups (gender and operated/non-operated) improved significantly in pain (VAS) and disability (ODI) at one month. A significant improvement was also seen at one year. No differences were found between men and woman at the different follow-up times. A slight worsening in VAS and ODI was noticed over time except for the non-operated group. Conclusions: Epiduroscopy helps to improve the back and leg pain due to lumbar disc herniation in the early stage. At one year an improvement still exists, and the non-operated group seems to benefit most of the procedure.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2020

Background: Low back pain secondary to discopathy is a common pain disorder. Multiple minimally invasive therapeutic modalities have been proposed; however, to date no study has compared percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) with intradiscal injection of radiopaque gelified ethanol (DiscoGel^®). We are introducing the first study on patient-reported outcomes of DiscoGel^® vs. PLDD for radiculopathy. Methods: Seventy-two patients were randomly selected from either a previous strategy of PLDD or DiscoGel^®, which had been performed in our center during 2016-2017. Participants were asked about their numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, and progression to secondary treatment. Results: The mean NRS scores in the total cohort before intervention was 8.0, and was reduced to 4.3 in the DiscoGel^® group and 4.2 in the PLDD group after 12 months, which was statistically significant. The mean ODI score before intervention was 81.25% which was reduced to 41.14% in the DiscoGel^® group and 52.86% in the PLDD group after 12 months, which was statistically significant. Between-group comparison of NRS scores after two follow-ups were not statistically different (P = 0.62) but the ODI score in DiscoGel^® was statistically lower (P = 0.001). Six cases (16.67%) from each group reported undergoing surgery after the follow-up period which was not statistically different. Conclusions: Both techniques were equivalent in pain reduction but DiscoGel^® had a greater effect on decreasing disability after 12 months, although the rate of progression to secondary treatments and/or surgery was almost equal in the two groups.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4402-4411
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of chiropractic treatment using Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) on low back pain (LBP) and physical functions in patients with chronic LBP. Forty-five women with chronic LBP were randomly assigned to the Diversified Technique (DT), SOT or DT+SOT group and received chiropractic treatment two times a week for 8 weeks. LBP was measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Physical functions were evaluated using lumbar strength, flexibility, and body symmetries. After 4 and 8 weeks, VAS, ODI, and RMDQ were significantly decreased in all 3 groups (all p<.001). Lumbar strength, flexibility, and shoulder and pelvic balances were significantly improved in all 3 groups (all p<.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that SOT and DT both may be effective for reducing LBP and improving physical functions.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2008

Background: A transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is one of the methods for the conservative treatment of the lumbar spinal stenosis. As efforts to prolong the therapeutic duration and to predict the outcome of TFESI are very important, we analyzed factors considered to be associated with the therapeutic duration of a TFESI. Methods: Between August 2006 and March 2007, 69 patients (Group A: patients with no pain relief, Group B: patients with pain relief of less than 6 months, Group C: patients with pain relief of more than 6 months) who failed to the medical treatment were included to undertake a fluoroscopic-guided TFESI. Prior to treatment, the VAS (visual analogue scale), ODI (Oswestry disability index), BDI (Beck depression inventory), and BAI (Beck anxiety inventory) scores were determined to evaluate the degree of pain, disability, and psychological status. The VAS and ODI scores were used to assess the degree of pain relief. To identify the total duration of pain relief, regular outpatient visits for six months were conducted, and for the patients who were not able to visit the outpatient clinic regularly, outcome was assessed by telephone interviews after six months. Results: The dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCSA), ODI, pain duration, BDI, BAI, and age showed similar distribution for patients in the A, B, and C groups. Conclusions: The DSCSA, ODI, pain duration, BDI, BAI, and age were not associated with the therapeutic duration of TFESI in lumbar spinal stenosis patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.600-607
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• 2018

Objective : It has been reported in recent studies that 50-80% of patients with cervical disc hernia have concomitant sleep disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of sleep before and after surgical treatment in patients with cervical disc hernia and to assess the effects on treatment. Methods : The study included 32 patients performed discectomy and fusion with an intervertebral cage through the right anterior cervical approach. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were applied to all patients preoperatively and at one month postoperatively. Results : The postoperative PSQI total points and all the PSQI subscale points, the ODI and VAS scores were significantly reduced compared to the preoperative values. A positive correlation was determined between the preoperative ODI points and the PSQI total points and sleep duration, sleep latency and daytime functional loss subscale points. A positive correlation was also found between preoperative ODI points and VAS points. A positive correlation was determined between the preoperative VAS points and and the PSQI total points and sleep duration, and sleep latency subscale points. A negative correlation was determined between the postoperative ODI and the daytime functional loss subscale points. Conclusion : The results of the study showed that in patients with cervical disc hernia, sleep quality and daytime functionality were negatively affected by severity of pain that limited daily activities. Bringing the pain under control with surgical treatment was observed to increase sleep quality. It can be concluded that when planning treatment for these patients, it should be taken into consideration that there could be a sleep disorder in addition to the complaints and symptoms such as pain, hypoestesia and loss of strength.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of Korean medical treatments combined with Embedding acupuncture on patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 40 patients with chronic lowerback pain hospitalized at Dongshin Korean Medicine Hospital from March, 2015 to February, 2016. They were divided into two groups: the embedding acupuncture group(20 patients) and the non-embedding acupuncture group(20 patients). To evaluate the efficacy of the treatments, the 40 patients were asked to complete a Numerical Rating scale (NRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) four times during admission. Results : The mean NRS of the embedding acupuncture group decreased more significantly than the non-embedding acupuncture group at days three and ten of admission. The ODI change and ODI rate of change of the embedding acupuncture group were significantly greater than the non-embedding acupuncture at days three and ten of admission. Conclusion : Korean medical treatment combined with embedding acupuncture might be effective in reducing pain and improving the life quality of patients with chronic lower back pain. We hope that further studies will be done to produce more clinical data and ensure effective application of these results.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.23-28
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• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on chronic low back pain in elderly patients with impaired functioning in daily life. Methods: 35 subjects with chronic low back pain were randomly allocated into two groups, HBOT group and Placebo group. We applied TENS and mechanical massage to the lower back in both groups. Then 35% oxygen at 1.4 ATA was given to the HBOT group and atmospheric oxygen at 1 ATA to the placebo group. Results: Comparing the HBOT group with the placebo group after performing interventions six times in 2 weeks, a statistically significant difference in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores was observed between the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference in VAS and ODI scores (56% and 34.97% respectively) between the HBOT group and the placebo group. A statistically significant difference was ascertained in the degree of variables VAS and ODI in the HBOT group. Conclusion: Application of HBOT in chronic low back pain could be beneficial for reducing pain and could help in functional recovery.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1834-1839
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• 2019

Background: Lumbar lordosis is a result of muscle shortening and may cause low back pain. Objective: To examine the effects of static and dynamic stretching on lumbar lordosis and low back pain in university students. Stretching is an intervention that can be applied to shortened muscles; however, very few studies have compared the effects of static and dynamic stretching on lumbar lordosis and low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single-blind) Methods: The 12 selected subjects were randomly assigned static stretching and dynamic stretching groups each containing six students. The subjects in each group performed their respective stretching programs for 17 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Lumbar lordotic angle, low back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Intragroup comparisons showed significant reductions in lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain in the static stretching group while the dynamic stretching group showed significant decreases in lumbar lordotic angle, low back pain, and ODI. The intergroup comparisons showed significantly greater differences between pre- and post-intervention in lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain in the dynamic stretching group compared to those in the static stretching group while ODI did not show any intergroup difference. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that, while both static and dynamic stretching helped to reduce the lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain, dynamic stretching was more effective in alleviating lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain compared to static stretching.