• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.100-104
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• 2011

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a regional musculoskeletal pain disorder that is caused by myofascial trigger points. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MPS among chronic back pain patients, as well as to identify risk factors and the outcome of this disorder. Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving 126 patients who attended the Pain Management Unit for chronic back pain between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2009. Data examined included demographic features of patients, duration of back pain, muscle(s) involved, primary diagnosis, treatment modality and response to treatment. Results: The prevalence of MPS among chronic back pain patients was 63.5% (n = 80). Secondary MPS was more common than primary MPS, making up 81.3% of the total MPS. There was an association between female gender and risk of developing MPS ($x^2$ = 5.38, P = 0.02, O.R. = 2.4). Occupation, body mass index and duration of back pain were not significantly associated with MPS occurrence. Repeated measures analysis showed significant changes (P < 0.001) in Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and Modified Oswestry Disability Score (MODS) with standard management during three consecutive visits at six-month intervals. Conclusions: MPS prevalence among chronic back pain patients was significantly high, with female gender being a significant risk factor. With proper diagnosis and expert management, MPS has a favourable outcome.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.70-73
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• 2001

Phase transformation of TiSi$_2$ confined in sub-micron area of which the size is around or smaller than the grain size of C49 TiSi$_2$ phase is studied. It has been known that the C49 to C54 phase change is massive transformation that occurs abruptly starting from C54 nuclei located at triple point grain boundaries of C49 phase. When the C49 phase is confined in sub-micron area, however, the massive phase transformation is observed to be hindered due to the lack of the triple point grain boundaries of C49 phase. Heat treatment at higher temperatures starts to decompose the C49 phase, and the resulting decomposed Ti atoms diffuse to, and react with, the underneath Si material to form C54 phase that exhibits spherical interface with silicon. The newly formed C54 grains can also trigger the massive phase transformation to convert the remaining undecomposed C49 grains to C54 grains by serving as nuclei like conventional C54 nuclei located at triple point grain boundaries.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.141-152
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of ischemic compression (IC) therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in patients with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome and to present an effective treatment method for these patients. Methods: A total of 42 patients with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome were randomly assigned to the IC group (n = 21) and ESWT group (n = 21). IC therapy and ESWT were performed in the IC and ESWT groups, respectively. Treatment was applied to the trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle. Visual analog scales (VAS), pain pressure threshold (PPT), range of motion, neck disability index (NDI), and fear-avoidance belief questionnaire (FABQ) were evaluated before and after the intervention to compare its effectiveness. Results: Both groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention in VAS, PPT, NDI, FABQ, flexion, extension, right side bending, and left side bending (p <.05). In addition, there were significant differences in the IC group compared to the ESWT group in VAS, PPT, and NDI (p <.05). Conclusion: IC therapy and ESWT applied to patients with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome are mediating methods of pain, function, and psychosocial effects. In addition, IC therapy may be a more effective mediating method for pain and dysfunction than ESWT.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.13-23
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to develop the combined medical stimulus system consisted of the PEMFs (Pulsed electromagnetic fields) and LED which are able to stimulate local point such as acupoints and trigger points. Methods : To evaluate the therapeutic effect on the musculoskeletal disorders and the possibility of alternative method on manual acupuncture, we compared the fatigue recovery of two groups by analyzing the EMG and peak torque (non-stimulation and, stimulation group) after strenuous knee exercise. We chose the LR9 as a stimulation point. Results : The median frequency (MF) and fatigue index (F.I) of the stimulation group were recovered faster than those of the non-stimulation group. Also the peak torques of both groups were not restored until after 20 minutes. However, the peak torque of the stimulation group was regained higher than that of the non-stimulation group. Conclusions : We confirmed that the proposed combined stimulus system had useful effects as treatment instrument of musculoskeletal disorder using non-invasive method of PEMFs and LED.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.168-178
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• 1991

It has been generally known that shoulder pains are attributed to the degenerative changes around the shoulder joint. However, many patients who complain of pain or limited range of motion of the shoulder have no definite pathology on X-ray or laboratory examinations. I examined 134 patients with shoulder pain and found the fact that compression of the axillary nerve, which leads to contraction of the deltold muscle or teres minor muscle, resulted in pain and limited range of motion in many cases. Accordingly, relieving the compression of the axillary nerve by laser stimulation or local anesthetic infiltration on the identified trigger point, anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxant together with ordinary physical therapy was found to be very effective in the treatment of shoulder pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.63-68
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• 1992

One hundred and four patients who complained of chest pain or back pain in the region between scapular were studied. In most cases, anatomical location of pain was in the rhomboid or serratus anterior muscle. Hyperactivity of dorsal scapular nerve or long thoracic nerve which innervate those muscles was thought to be responsible for the pain. The hyperactivity of the nerves may be due to the spasm of the scalenus medius muscle which the nerves meet during their course to the rhomboid or serratus anterior muscles. Therefore, spasmolytic treatment including trigger point injection, physical therapy, laser therapy, or NSAIDs may be effective for the treatment of chest pain or back pain.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.345-351
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• 2005

근막동통(myofascial pain syndrome, MPS)은 근막발통점에 의해 야기되는 지각, 운동 및 자율신경계의 증상으로 발통점이 자극되면 이환부에 동통을 발생할 뿐 아니라 연관통, 연관압통, 운동신경장애, 자율신경반응을 야기할 수 있다. 본 연구는 근막동통의 다양한 치료법 중에서 botulinum toxin type A(BTX-A)의 주사의 효과를 국소마취제인 lidocaine의 주사효과와 비교하였다. 상부 승모근에 6개월 이상 활동성 발통점을 가진 21명의 환자를 선정한 다음, 무작위로 두 군으로 나누어 한 군(BTX-A 주사군, n=12)에는 발통점에 BTX-A(15 unit of $Botox^{(R)}$ / 0.3 ml per trigger point (TrP))를 주사하고 다른 군(lidocaine 주사군, n=9)에는 0.5% lidocaine (0.3 ml /TrP)를 주사하였다. 두 군 모두 주사는 1 회만 시행하였으며 운동요법이나 물리치료 및 약물치료는 시행하지 않았다. 주사 후 동통의 변화를 관찰하기 위하여 주사 전 및 주사 후 2 주, 4 주, 6 주, 8 주에 주관적 동통척도인 VAS와 압력통각역치(PPT)를 측정하였으며 실험은 이중맹검으로 시행되었다. 실험결과, BTX-A 주사군은 주사 후 8 주의 시간이 경과되는 동안 VAS가 지속적으로 감소하였으며 PPT는 지속적으로 증가하였으나 lidocaine 주사군에서는 VAS의 감소만이 관찰되었다. 즉, 주관적인 동통척도에 있어서는 BTX-A 주사군과 lidocaine 주사군 사이에 유의한 통계학적 차이가 나타나지 않고(p=0.347), 두 군 모두 시간경과에 따라 동통이 감소하는 양상을 보여주었다. 그러나 PPT의 경우에는 BTX-A 주사군에서만 감소하여 두 군 사이에 유의한 통계학적 차이가 관찰되었다(p=0.000). 본 연구의 결과에 따르면 상부승모근 발통점에 대한 BTX-A 주사는 효과적이고 신뢰할 만한 치료법이라고 생각된다.

• 대한추나의학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.43-50
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• 2001

Objectives : Scalenus anticus syndrome and Piriformis syndrome is representative of myogenic Nerve entrapment syndrome, and their clinical symptoms are similar to HIVD(herniated Intervertebral disc) of cervical or lumbar spine. But, distinguished by muscle test, these syndrome apply to Meridian-muscle therapy. Methods : Meridian-muscle therapy consists of Ashi(阿是)-point therapy, taping therapy, myofascial release technique, manipulation, their based on the traditional meridian-muscle theory. This theory is similar to myofascial pain syndrome in western medicine. The study population consisted of 9 patients who were already diagnosed as Nerve entrapment syndrome with radiological examination & physical examination and muscle test. The evaluation of clinical outcome was done by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Pain Assesment Questionnaire(PAQ). Results and Conclusions : After treatment, All patient's VAS is decreased as $2.11{\pm}1.59$ and the evaluation of clinical effect was excellent(6 cases) or good(3 cases) according to PAQ. Conclusively, Meridian muscle therapy is efficacious against Nerve entrapment syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.283-287
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• 1998

Background: Recently, pain clinic is attracting attention and interest of both physicians and laymen. It is the purpose of this article to analyze our 10 years' experience to seek and improve better protocol of treating pain. Methods & Materials: We analyzed retrospectively 11,235 patients who visited the clinic during 10 years from 1986 to 1996. Total number of hospital visits was 51,908. Male to female ratio was 35：65(3910：7325). Treatment modalities employed were SGB(stellate ganglion block), TPI(trigger point injection), etc. Results: Yearly distribution showed a gradual upward curve until 1992 and remains in a horizontal pattern thereafter. Of age distribution, 6th decades occupied the largest proportion(27.29%). As of disease entities, Low back pain & lower extremities pain comprised of the majority(34.01%) and the epidural block was most frequently given as a treatment. Conclusion: Pain clinic is improving rapidly as an important part of medical science in Korea and outpatients of clinic are on an increasing trend. So, anesthesiologists should be make every efforts to research for treatment of good quality.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.25-34
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• 2005

측두하악장애 및 구강안면통증 환자들 중 근막통증에 의한 기능제한이나 통증을 호소하는 경우를 흔히 볼 수 있다. 근막통증환자를 치료할 때 여러 가지 물리치료가 유용하지만, 즉각적인 통증완화효과를 나타내는 발통점주사요법이 근막통증의 치료로서 널리 적용되고 있다. 발통점주사요법에 흔히 사용하는 화학약제로 생리식염수, 국소마취제, 스테로이드 등이 있으며, 국소마취제는 근육에 대한 부작용이 보고되어 있어 사용상 주의가 필요하다. 이 연구는 상품화된 lidocaine과, dexamethasone 주사제의 혼합용액을 근육내 주사한 후 조직학적 변화를 관찰함으로써 근육에 대한 위해성 여부를 평가하고자 하였다. 또한 용액의 농도에 따라 각각 조직학적 변화를 관찰함으로써 위해성이 없는 적정한 농도를 제시하고자 하였다. 이 연구에서는 생후 9주된 BALB/c 생쥐 (자성) 63마리를 7군으로 분류하여, 앞정강근 (전경골근, tibialis cranialis) 에 각각 생리식염수, dexamethasone, 2.0% lidocaine, 생리식염수와 혼합한 1.0% lidocaine, 생리식염수와 혼합한 1.5% lidocaine, dexamethasone과 혼합한 1.0% lidocaine, dexamethasone과 혼합한 1.5% lidocaine을 주사하였다. 그 후 1일, 7일, 14일째에 희생시켜 실험부위를 절취한 후 조직절편을 만들어 HE염색과 Van-Gieson염색을 거쳐 광학현미경으로 관찰하여 다음의 결론을 얻었다. Lidocaine과 dexamethasone의 혼합용액을 근육내 주사하였을 때, lidocaine의 농도가 1.5% 이하인 경우 조직학적으로 유해하지 않았으며, 통증완화효과와 항염증작용을 동시에 기대할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 향후 상기 혼합용액을 발통점주사요법의 약제로 사용할 경우, 인체에서도 동일한 결과가 나올 것인가에 대해서는 추가적인 연구가 필요하다.