• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.195-199
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• 1999

Background: At present, there is no reliable objective test for the diagnosis of myofascial trigger points (MFTP). We evaluated the usefulness of skin resistance point finder for the diagnosis of MFTP. Methods: 40 subjects with clinical MFTPs at the upper trapezius muscle were included in this study. Using skin resistance point finder (UNIQUE S-2010$^{(R)}$, Seik medical, Korea), we tried to find out the point of low skin resistance. At three different current level, sensitivity and specificity of this method for the diagnosis of clinically identified MFTP was evaluated. Pressure threshold for pain of low skin resistance point was measured using Pressure Threshold Meter$^{(R)}$ (Pain Diagnostics and Thermography, U.S.A.). 3 groups of point detected at different current were compared in mean pressure threshold. Results: Fixed single current of skin resistance point finder showed variable sensitivity and specificity. But, by adjusting current level, skin resistance point finder detected all of 40 clinically identified MFTPs. Although it is partially statistically significant, the mean pressure threshold of points detected at high current was high. Conclusion: Skin resistance finder can be used as objective diagnostic tool of MFTPs. There is possibility that it can be useful in evaluating treatment effect. However, more investigation is necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.39-46
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of the stretching to increase the range of motion of the joint, reduce the risk of injury, enhance athletic performance or decrease post exercise muscle soreness. This study was to compare the effect of the stretching method applied on the shortened hamstring muscle for flexibility, strength, pressure pain threshold value and muscle tone. METHODS: This study is a two-group pretest- posttest design. Fifty-four healthy young adults were randomly assigned to a vibration-assisted stretching group (VASG, n=27) or a static stretching group (SSG, n=27). Participants performed each stretch in 4 sets of 30 seconds each. A 30-second break time was provided between the sets. The range of motion, strength, pressure pain threshold values and muscle tone of the hamstring muscle were measured to compare the effects of the stretching methods. RESULTS: Both the VASG and the SSG participants showed significant improvement in the range of motion and strength (p<.05); however, the increase in the VASG was significantly higher than that in the SSG (p<.05). The pressure pain threshold values and muscle tone were significantly decreased only in the VASG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that vibration-supported stretching is an effective intervention for people with hamstring shortening, with high pain level and muscle tone decrease.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2010

Purpose : This study is to offer clinical primary data that examines the change of imaging structure and the quantitative evaluation of muscle activity on myofascial trigger points. This study examines neuromuscular physiological characteristic by comparing the differences in physical findings, pressure pain threshold, imaging, and electrophysiological characteristics in latent and active myofascial trigger points muscle and normal muscle through the following experimental procedures. Methods : The participants for the study were thirty-three adults in their twenties. We divided three groups into normal, latent and active myofascial trigger points groups by physical findings. We analyzed the results of measured pressure pain, threshold for pain, ultrasound imaging perform for structure characteristic of muscle, surface EMG according to type of muscle contraction for function of muscle contraction. Results : Significant differences were indicated in pressure pain threshold (p<0.05). Significant differences were discovered in the ultrasound imaging analysis. There were increases in muscle Echogenicity white area index (p<0.001). There were significant differences that decrease in %MVIC (p<0.05), increase in MDF (p<0.05). Conclusion : From these results, active rnyotascial trigger points muscle showed quality deterioration on ultrasound imaging and decreased function of muscle contraction, increased motor unit action potential of II type fiber, and electrophysiologically. Imaging structure and neuromuscular physiological characteristic can be diagnostic and quantitative analytical techniques for myofascial pain syndrome and a primary factor that reflected in physical therapy intervention.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.539-542
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• 2011

Thin-film transistors (TFTs) are fabricated using an amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) channel layer by rf-magnetron sputtering. Oxygen partial pressure significantly changed the transfer characteristics of a-IGZO TFTs. Measurements performed on a-IGZO TFT show the change of threshold voltage in the transistor channel layer and electrical properties with varying $O_2$ ratios. The device performance is significantly affected by adjusting the $O_2$ ratio. This ratio is closely related with the modulation generation by reducing the localized trapping carriers and defect centers at the interface or in the channel layer.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 1992

The pressure pain thresholds of head and neck muscles of patients suffering from tensiontype headache220, all female, ages ranged from 13 to 50 years (28.4$\pm$9.6) and 39 healthy controls, all female, ages ranged from 14 to 46 years (24.4$\pm$9.2) were recorded by the electronic algometer (Electyronic Algometer Type I, Somedic, Stockholm, Sweden). And the obtained results were as follows : 1. The pressure pain thresholds of patient group were lower than those of controls in superior sternocleidomastoid muscle, middle sternocleidomastoid muscle, and trapezius insertion muscle (P<0.001) 2. The pressure pain thresholds of patient group were not different from those of controls in anterior temporal, middle temporal, posterior temporal, deep masseter, anterior masseter, inferior masseter, medial pterygoid, posterior digastric, splenius capitus and upper trapezius muscle (P>0.05). 3. Seventy-one percent of tension-type headache patients had more than one muscle, of whicb pressure pain threshold was lowered significantly (less than mean of control - 1.5SD). 4. The pressure pain thresholds of head and neck muscles should be considered as a criterion for the diagnosis of tension-type headache.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations between anxiety and preoperative pressure pain assessments and postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in impacted lower third molar tooth surgery. Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 60 patients who underwent impacted lower third molar surgery. The preoperative State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-I (STAI-I), pressure pain threshold, and pressure pain tolerance scores were measured. At 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours, and at 6 days following surgery, the patients scored their pain on the visual analogue scale and recorded their analgesic drug usage. The data were evaluated, and the results were statistically analyzed. Results: Of the 60 patients, 38 were female. Mean age was 24.62±7.42 years. The study found no relationship between preoperative pressure pain assessments and postoperative pain (P>0.05). There was also no relationship observed between preoperative STAI-I scores and postoperative pain (P>0.05). However, there was a positive correlation between operation time and total medication taken (P<0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative pressure pain threshold, pressure pain tolerance, and anxiety level had no significant effects on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in impacted lower third molar surgery.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2042-2051
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• 2020

Background: Many trials have been conducted the methods and types of intervention of form rollers, but no research has been done yet that mixes the methods and types of intervention. Objectives: To analyze the effects of myofascial release on the improvement of range of motion (ROM), flexibility, pain pressure threshold, and balance. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: All subjects measured ROM, flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and dynamic balance by pre-test. After pre-test, subjects were randomized that static-vibration foam rolling group (n=12), dynamic-vibration foam rolling group (n=12), general foam rolling group (n=12). For the intervention, 3 sets of 90 seconds were applied to each group, and rest time was set to 60 seconds between sets. In the post-test and follow-up test after 10 minutes, all three groups were measured the ROM, flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and dynamic balance. Results: The results of comparing ROM, flexibility, pressure pain thresholds, dynamic balance ability appeared higher significant difference in the pre-post-10 minutes follow up test in comparison between time in the intragroup (P<.001). As a result of comparing the change of pre-post-10 minutes follow up, static vibration foam rolling showed higher significant difference compared to control groups (P<.001). Conclusion: Through this study, when foam rolling is applied within the same intervention time, static foam rolling can be expected to have a better effect than the existing dynamic foam rolling as well as vibration foam roller can expect better effect than general foam rolling.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the low-intensity ultrasound (noblelife) treatment on the pain points of upper trapezius muscle. The study recruited 20 patients who had trigger points in one side of the upper trapezius. The effectiveness of the low-intensity ultrasound treatment was assessed with subjective pain intensity using visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT). The PPT was measured by pressure threshold algometer. Before and after the treatment, changes of pain were evaluated. Wilcoxon test for VAS data and paired t-test for PPT data were used for statistical significance. Compared to the pain intensity before the treatment, the pain intensity after treatment was significantly decreased (p<.05). Low-intensity ultrasound could be safely used in clinical application and at home for the treatment of patients with pain in upper trapezius muscle.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.363-367
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• 1996

Background: Recently postoperative pain control with continuous epidural analgesia has been increased. This study aimes to evaluate backpain following continuous epidural analgesia by pressure threshold meter (algometer). Methods: After informed consent, 50 ASA physical status I or II patients undergoing elective gynecologic surgery were selected. After placing epidural catheter, patients received morphine 0.05mg/kg with 0.25% bupivacaine 5 ml followed by continuous infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine 100 ml with morphine 4 mg for 48 hours. backpain was measured by pressure algometer over lumbar paraspinalis at the L4 level, 5 and 7 cm from the midline on preoperative, operation day, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th postoperative days. Results: Postoperative mean pressure thresholds of were higher than preoperative value (p<0.05). Conclusion: The continuous epidural analgesia dose not provide or aggravate postoperative backpain, but it must be evaluated for long term follow-up.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the McKenzie cervical exercise program on cervical pressure pain and balance in industrial workers. Method : The subjects, who consisted of 26 industrial workers, were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n=13) went about their daily living routines. The other group (n=13) used the McKenzie cervical exercise program for 6 weeks (2 to 3 times/day). Pressure threshold and balance ability tests were completed before and after the experiment. The balance test was performed both with the eyes open and closed in a standing position. Result : There were significant improvements in the pressure threshold and balance ability test for the McKenzie cervical exercise program group (p<.05), while the control group showed no significant changes (p>.05). Conclusion : The above results revealed that the McKenzie cervical exercise program is effective in improving balance and cervical pressure pain.