• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.269-279
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• 2008

Purpose: The study was to examine the effect of lumbar stabilization exercise on back pain, physical fitness, sleep, and depression in middle-aged women who have chronic back pain. Methods: With one group pre-post test design, 18 subjects who have had more than 6 months of back pain were recruited by convenience sampling in D metropolitan area. Lumbar stabilization exercise was based on Tai Chi for back pain program developed by Lam(2003). This program was mainly focusing on strengthening lumbar stabilizing muscle for one hour per session, twice a week for 20 weeks. Degree of back pain, back pain disability, sleep, and depression were measured at three time points(pretest, 12 weeks, and 20 weeks) by a structured study questionnaire. Physical fitness variables including waist flexibility, mobility, and back muscle strength were measured three times at health promotion center located in the university hospital. Data were analyzed by frequency, descriptive statistics, and repeated measures of ANOVA. Results: Mean age of subjects was 52 years(SD = 6.4). Most of them(90%) had suffered from back pain more than one year and 67% was taking medicine to relieve their back pain. Results showed that back pain score and disability score were not significantly decreased after the exercise. On physical fitness variables, however, waist flexibility(F = 3.50, p = .04) and mobility(F = 3.31, p = .04) were improved after the exercise. Quality of sleep(F = 4.48, p = .03) was improved gradually and depression scores were also decreased(F = 3.12, p = .05) after the exercise. Conclusion: This lumbar stabilization exercise was not able to reduce chronic back pain, but could improve physical fitness and psycho-social variables for community dwelling women who have chronic back pain. Further study is needed to replicate this exercise with control group to confirm the positive effect.

• 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.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.213-222
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• 1998

The prevalence rate of low back pain in nurses is higher than that of other jobs, because there are many more risk factors(for example, standing postures, lifting and carrying heavy loads, transfering patients, changing a patient's position etc.). This investigation is to provide basic data for prevention of low back pain by analyzing the prevalence rate and related factors of low back pain in nurses(esp. operating room staff) in general hospitals. A self-reported questionaire survey was carried out on three hundred and five nurses of three general hospitals in Seoul from June, 1996 to August, 1996. Subjects of the survey were divided into a low back pain group(LBP) and a cotrol group to investigate the association between low back pain and the general characteristics and work related factors of each group. The results were as follows: 1. In the subjects of the survey, the prevalence rate of low back pain was 60.0% for the last year. 2. 73.6% of operating room(OR) staff complained of low back pain. 3. Standing for a long time and working in twisting postures were associated with low back pain, and so were the shift, the type of work, and the frequency of transfering patients. 4. The weight loads which nurses frequently carried were, under 5kg, 5-10kg, 15-20kg, 15-20kg, over 20kg, and all, except for 10-15kg, were associated with LBP. 5. 76.9% of the LBP experienced low back pain within 3 years after starting nursing jobs. 6. Concerning the degrees of low back pain: 75.8% was limited to waist; 18.8% reached the knees; 4.2% reached ankles. In conclusion, the prevalence rate of low back pain in general hospital nurses was associated with the works in operating room and other work related factors, therefore it is necessary to develop on educational program for the prevention of low back pain as well as and to improve working environments.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2002

BACKGROUND: Back pain is a popular disease in general population as well as in workers. School students handle heavy bag and keep awkward postures during class long time. However, the prevalence of back pain among students and the risk factors associated with back pain are not well known. METHODS: In this study, we assess the frequency of risk factors for back pain among 2,717 high school students. From April 2001 to May 2001, using a self-reported questionnaire, we collected data on occurrence of back pain and potential risk factors for back pain. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of high school students reported having daily back pain for a week or more during the past 12 months. Female students had a higher prevalence of back pain than males(OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.69-2.91). Using a multiple logistic regression model, we found six factors associated with back pain for females; alcohol(OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.26-2.45), depression(OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.84-2.28), poor physical health(OR=2.57, 95% CI 1.84-8.58), obesity(OR=0.29, 95% CI 0.12-0.68), exercise(OR=l.50, 95% CI=1.07-2.16), and good performance(OR=l.50, 95% CI 1.05-2.18). Only alcohol, however, associated with back pain for males(OR=1.70, 95% CI 1.05-2.77) CONCLUSIONS: High school students had a relatively high prevalence of back pain. Students with alcohol consumption had the higher risk for back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 1998

The result of studying papers about management of lower back pain published in domestic and foreign nursing and medical magazines in these 10 years is as follows ; 1. General characteristic of lower back pain ; 1) In sex distribution, there were more men than women in 5 papers and more women than men in 4 papers among 9 papers surveryed. 2) In age distribution, thirties to forties of patients had more lower back pain as surveyed by general hospitals and fifties to sixties of patients had more lower back pain as surveyed by oriental medical hospitals. 3) In cause factor, there were 50 to 65% of sprain, 32 to 44% of herniated intervertebral disc and 13 to 29% of degenerative changes. 4) In symtom distribution, there were 26 to 57% of lower back pain, 42 to 65% of lower back pain with radiating pain and 34 to 99% of paravertevral muscle spasm. 5) In period of pain management distribution, 18 to 40% of patients experienced pain for less than 6 months and 59 to 82% of them experienced pain for more than 6 months in 3 papers among 4 papers. 6) In surveying the treatment, 66 to 88% of patients had conservative treatment and there were treatments of general hospital, oriental medicine, self remedy and traditional practice in conservative treatment. 7) In job distribution, 12 to 50% of them were housekeepers, 23 to 31% office workers, 4.6 to 36% blue color workers and 11 to 15% students. 2. As psychological character lower back pain paients had anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, phobic anxiety, neurasthenia, hypochondriasis, and interpersonal sensitivity. 3. To distinguish the cause of lower back pain, plain lumbar roentgenogram, straight leg rasing test, eletromyelogic findings, somatosensory evoked potentials CT and MRI were performed. 4. To relieve lower back pain. epidural adhesiolysis, epidulal injection of local anesthetic in mixture with steroid, lumbar spinal root block, low level laser therapy, acupuncture like transcutaneous nerve stimulation(AL TENS), topical capsaicin and lumbar orthotics were used in medical field, and relaxation technique was used in nursing field. 5. Mckenzie's extension exercise and William's flexsion exercise for lower back pain were used in medical field and Yoga exercise was applied in nursing field. 6. The more school education and self efficacy were high, the better they had active coping lower back pain positively and the less self efficacy was the more they had serious pain. As a result of studying the paper there have been very little research for lower back pain in nursing fields of Korea and foreign countries. Because 60 to 80% of population expeience lower back pain at least more than once, it is necessary to develop the study and clinical practice for management of lower back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.9-15
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• 2021

Background: This study investigated the effects of sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGS) technique on lower back pain and pain disability among university students with lower back pain. Methods: A total thirty 20~30 year old university students with lower back pain were divided into two groups. A lumbar flexibility exercise was applied to the control group (n=15). The SNAGS technique group (n=15) received L1~L4 segment mobilization using SNAGS technique. Intervention was implemented for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The SNAGS were performed using belt with flexion and extension, whereas lumbar flexibility exercise included lumbar flexion and extension. Lower back disability was measured using the Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI), and pain sensitivity was measured by pain pressure threshold (PPT). The groups were assessed for lower back pain disability and pain, before and after the intervention. Results: There were significant improvements in both the KODI and PPT of the SNAGS technique group (p<.05), while the lumbar flexibility exercise group showed no significant change (p>.05). In addition, the SNAGS technique group had a statistically significant difference in KODI and PPT compared to the lumbar flexibility exercise group (p<.05). Conclusion: SNAGS technique is more effective than lumbar spine joint flexibility exercise in the improvement of lower back pain disability and pain among university students with lower back pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.29-37
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to classify patients with chronic back pain according to the degree of their back pain, and to compare the pain dysfunction index with the qualitative changes in abdominal muscles. Therefore, we aimed to provide a basis for the treatment intervention method for patients with back pain. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic back pain were purposive sample to a group of 10 patients with a back pain index of 60 % or more and a group with less than 60 % of back pain, and the subjects who voluntarily participated in the study After receiving the letter, I conducted the research the dysfunction of back pain was measured by the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (KODI), and the ultrasonic wave (Ultrasound MyLabOne, ESAOTE, Italy) And the white area index, and the abdominal muscle movement was used as the exercise instrument POWER breathe K5 (Hab direct, UK), which strengthens the respiratory muscles through threshold-muscle traction. Result: In this study, patients with chronic back pain were subjected to breathing exercises, which led to the decrease in back pain dysfunction. The ultrasonographic analysis of abdominal muscles revealed that both the white area index and muscle image density in the skeletal muscle and in the outer muscle of the abdomen gradually decreased over time. Conclusion: It is thought that introducing back pain patients to abdominal muscle reinforcement training is effective in improving the functions of the patients' muscles, thus increasing their quality of life.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2005

Background: A significant number of patients complain of persistent pain or neurologic symptoms after lower back surgery. It is reported that facet joint pain plays a role in failed back surgery syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, there are few studies that have investigated the outcome of radiofrequency neurotomy in the patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Methods: The study group was composed of thirteen patients who were operated on due to their low back pain, and they displayed no postoperative improvement. All the patients underwent double diagnostic block of the lumbar medial branch of the dorsal rami with using 0.5% bupivacaine. The patients who revealed a positive response to the double diagnostic block were then treated with percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy. The effect on their pain was evaluated with using a 4 point Likert scale. Results: Eleven patients revealed a positive response to the double diagnostic block. Ten patients were given percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy. Nine patients showed sustained pain relief for 3 months after the percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy. Conclusions: We found lumbar facet joint syndrome in the patients with failed back surgery syndrome by performing double diagnostic block and achieving pain relief during the short term follow-up after percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy of the lumbar zygapophysial joints. This suggested that facet joint pain should be included in failed back surgery syndrome.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine levels of pain, depression, and adjustment to military life in soldier who experienced low back pain, in order to produce fundamental data for the development of health improvement programs to prevent and manage low back pain in soldiers with low back pain. Methods: Subjects of this study consisted of 317 soldiers who had low back pain. Study instruments were Visual analog scale (VAS), the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and adjustment to military life scale. Collected data were analyzed by the SPSS Win 14.0 program. Results: Mean score of pain was 4.16 points, depression was 8.58 points, and adjustment to military life was 69.15 points. The level of pain was negatively related to adjustment to military life (r=-.241, p<.001) and positively related to depression (r=.262, p<.001). There was a negative relationship between depression and adjustment to military life (r=-.442, p<.001). Conclusion: Soldiers who had low back pain experienced higher levels of pain and depression and lower level of adjustment to military life. Therefore, further study is needed to develop and examine a nursing intervention to manage low back pain for them.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2004

This study was undertaken to investigate the severity of depression and to analyze various factors related to depression in chronic back pain patients in urban-rural areas. In this study, 30 patients who suffered from back pain more than 6 months, and 30 normal subjects who had similar demographic characteristics as the patient group were evaluated using the Back Depression Inventory(BDI). Various factors such as age, sex, causes of back pain, vocational history, pain continuity, visual analogue scale(VAS), duration of pain, type of management, and urban or rural residence were recorded for the study group. The results are 1) The study group revealed higher BDI scores than the control group(p＜0.05). 2) The patients who were older and had higher VAS, longer duration of pain, or previous history of surgical management for back pain, and an urban 033residence revealed higher BDI scores(p<0.05). 3) The BDI scores were not significantly influenced by the subjects' sex, causes of back pain, pain continuity, and vocational history in the study group(p>0.05). From this study, we concluded that a Psychosocial approach is required for the management of chronic back pain patients. Also, it is necessary to assess the factors, which are making depression worse in other chronic diseases for comprehensive rehabilitation.