• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.51-60
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of Extravascular Laser System on pain treatment. Methods : On this study, we carried out with the 9 cases of children who visited in the Department of Pediatrics, OO University Oriental Hospital as pain. 9 children suffering from pain were treated with Extravascular Laser System, and two of these were treated with combined acupuncture. In order to determine the degree of pain relief, a visual analogue scale was used. Results : Extravascular Laser System for pain resulted in a significant decline in the visual analogue scale. For Extravascular Laser System combined with acupuncture, VAS score has fallen by 30% each time compared to 17.5% of Extravascular Laser System only. In 2 cases of chronic pain, VAS score decreased to 0. In 7 cases of acute pain, All of 7 children improved 50% on VAS score, On average VAS score have seen 79.2% reduction. The average treatment times of chronic pain were 5 times, while that of acute pain were 4.1 times. Conclusions : We report the good result of the efficacy of extravascular laser system on children's pain. but, this study's cases were small in number. so more study is need.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2001

Background: The categorical scales and visual analogue scales (VAS) are methods used for evaluating variations of postoperative pain intensity. Several studies have introduced the idea that there is a clear correlation between visual scales and categorical scales. However, when VAS is the only pain measure in the study, we do not know what point on the VAS represents a category on the categorical scale and their degree of correlation with satisfaction for postoperative pain. Methods: 252 patients who had undergone elective surgery were studied. A 5-point categorical scale (none, mild, moderate, severe, worst possible pain), a 0-100 mm VAS (no pain to worst possible pain) and patient satisfaction score were checked 24 hours after surgery using a pain questionnaire and VAS tool. Results: The mean VAS score of the 14 patients reporting 'no-pain' was $1.9{\pm}0.9$, $23.9{\pm}1.0$ for the 132 patients reporting 'mild-pain', $47.2{\pm}1.1$ for the 82 patients reporting 'moderate-pain' and $67.5{\pm}2.8$ for the 24 patients reporting 'severe-pain'. Of the patients reporting moderate pain, 85% scored over 45.6 mm on the corresponding VAS, with a mean score 47.2 mm. The mean satisfaction scores were $90.6{\pm}2.7$ for the 'no pain', patients, $75.1{\pm}1.3$ for ‘mild pain', $58.3{\pm}1.5$ for 'moderate pain', and $55.1{\pm}4.0$ for 'severe pain' patients. The categorical scale was significantly correlated with VAS (P < 0.01). The satisfaction score was significantly inversely correlated with VAS (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our results indicate that if a patient records a VAS score in excess of 45.6 mm they would probably have recorded at least moderate pain on a 5-point categorical scale. The categorical scale can be used properly for postoperative pain measurement with VAS. More research is required for the development of suitable pain descriptor for a categorical scale and pain questionnaire in Korean.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was to evaluate the effectiveness of manipulation complex therapy on ankle sprain with ankle pain. Methods : We divided ankle sprain with ankle pain patient into 2 groups; one group combined manipulation therapy and acupuncture therapy, another group was only acupuncture therapy. To estimate the efficacy of treatment that applied for two groups, we used visual analog scale(VAS) and ankle-hindfoot scale(AHS). We compared the VAS score and AHS score of two groups statistically. Results : 1. As a result of evaluation by using visual analog scale(VAS) and ankle-hindfoot scale(AHS), treatment score at final was marked more higher than score before treatment on each groups. 2. treatment at final, acupuncture and manipulation therapy group had significant result on visual analog scale(VAS) and ankle-hindfoot scale(AHS) compared with acupuncture therapy group. Conclusions : Manipulation therapy can be used with acupuncture therapy for highly effective treatment for ankle sprain with ankle pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intramuscular stimulation (IMS) therapy in older persons with musculoskeletal pain. The subjects were 181 older persons (54 males, 127 females) with musculoskeletal pain. Intramuscular stimulation unit with needles (size $.3{\times}30$ mm) was applied for the treatment. The analgesic effects were measured by visual analog scale (VAS). Results showed that the post-treatment VAS score was significantly decreased after IMS therapy for fifteen minutes compared to pre-treatment score. In addition, the post-treatment VAS score was significantly decreased in patients with chronic pain (pain duration of one year after onset) compared to the post-treatment VAS score in patients with subacute pain (pain duration less than three months after onset). There was no significant difference in analgesic effects according to gender and age groups. It is determined from this study that IMS therapy can be beneficial for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in clinical setting. Further study is needed to identify whether the IMS therapy can change the pain threshold in patients with neurologic pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.127-134
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical effects of heating-conduction acupuncture therapy on anterior talofibular ligament injury induced by acute ankle sprain. Methods : From October 31, 2008 to July 21, 2009, the 11 outpatients who had admitted to department of oriental rehabilitation medicine, Dae-Jeon oriental medicine hospital, Dae-Jeon university with acute ankle sprain were performed heating-conduction acupuncture therapy on anterior talofibular ligament injury. To evaluate the efficiency of heating-conduction acupuncture therapy, pain threshold with Pressure algometer and visual analogue scale(VAS) were applied before treatment and after 1st, 2nd treatment. Results : 1. The pain threshold score and the VAS score showed statistical significant improvement after 1st treatment. 2. The pain threshold score and the VAS score showed improvement but had no statistical significance after 2nd treatment. 3. The difference between left and right were not statistical significant in pain threshold score and VAS score. Conclusions : Heating-conduction acupuncture therapy has clinical effects of pain reduction on patient with anterior talofibular ligament injury induced by acute ankle sprain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.315-321
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• 2021

Background: Pillar pain may develop after carpal tunnel release surgery (CTRS). This prospective double-blinded randomized trial investigated the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in pillar pain relief and hand function improvement. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 patients with post-CTRS pillar pain, randomized into two groups. The ESWT group (experimental) received three sessions of ESWT, while the control group received three sessions of sham ESWT, one session per week. Participants were evaluated before treatment, and three weeks, three months, and six months after treatment. The pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Hand functions were assessed using the Michigan hand outcomes questionnaire (MHQ). Results: The ESWT group showed significant improvement in VAS and MHQ scores after treatment at all time points compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Before treatment, the ESWT and control groups had a VAS score of 6.8 ± 1.3 and 6.7 ± 1.0, respectively. Three weeks after treatment, they had a VAS score of 2.8 ± 1.1 and 6.1 ± 1.0, respectively. Six months after treatment, the VAS score was reduced to 1.9 ± 0.9 and 5.1 ± 1.0, respectively. The ESWT group had a MHQ score of 54.4 ± 7.7 before treatment and 73.3 ± 6.8 six months after. The control group had a MHQ score of 54.2 ± 7.1 before treatment and 57.8 ± 4.4 six months after. Conclusions: ESWT is an effective and a safe non-invasive treatment option for pain management and hand functionality in pillar pain.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.99-109
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigated factors influencing the xerostomia symptoms in the patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Methods: Eighty-six participants over the age of twenty were randomly enrolled from patients with TMDs. The patients were diagnosed by Diagnostic Criteria-TMD (DC-TMD). Intensity of the pain and level of stress of the patients were recorded using TMD pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and stress VAS, respectively. The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90R), dry mouth symptom questionnaire, unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR) and oral moisture were measured. Results: The patients who had above the mean of the TMD pain VAS had significantly higher scores on the stress VAS, subjective dry mouth symptoms and T-score of somatization. The patients who suffered from pain more than three months had significantly higher TMD pain VAS, subjective dry mouth symptoms and T-score of somatization. There were no significant differences in xerostomic symptoms according to the diagnosis of TMDs. Moreover, TMD pain VAS and the stress VAS did not correlated to USFR and oral moisture. Conclusions: The level of individuals' TMD pain and stress significantly affect their subjective dry mouth symptoms, however, it did not affect USFR and oral moisture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.95-98
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• 2011

Objective : This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of selective median neurotomy (SMN) for spastic wrist and fingers. Methods : We studied 22 patients with wrist and finger spasticity refractory to optimal oral medication and physical therapy. The authors evaluated spasticity of the wrist and finger muscles by comparing preoperative states with postoperative states using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS). We checked patients for changes in pain according to the visual analog scale (VAS) and degree of satisfaction based on the VAS. Results : The preoperative mean MAS score was $3.27{\pm}0.46$ ($mean{\pm}SD$), and mean MAS scores at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery were $1.82{\pm}0.5$, $1.73{\pm}0.7$, and $1.77{\pm}0.81$ ($mean{\pm}SD$), respectively. On the last follow-up visit, the mean MAS score measured $1.64{\pm}0.9$ ($mean{\pm}SD$). Wrist and finger spasticity was significantly decreased at 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation (p<0.01). The preoperative mean pain VAS score was $5.85{\pm}1.07$ ($mean{\pm}SD$), and the mean pain VAS score on the last follow-up visit after surgery was $2.28{\pm}1.8$ ($mean{\pm}SD$). Compared with the preoperative mean pain VAS score, postoperative mean pain VAS score was decreased significantly (p<0.01). On the basis of a VAS ranging from 0 to 100, the mean degree of patient satisfaction was $64.09{\pm}15.93$ ($mean{\pm}SD$, range 30-90). Conclusion : The authors propose SMN as a possible effective procedure in achieving useful, long-lasting tone and in gaining voluntary movements in spastic wrists and fingers with low morbidity rates.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 2014

Background: The diagnostic criteria of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) have mainly focused on dichotomous (yes/no) categorization, which makes it difficult to compare the inter-patient's condition and to evaluate the intra-patient's subtle severity over the course of time. To overcome this limitation, many efforts have been made to create laboratory methods or scoring systems to reflect the severity of CRPS; measurement of the skin temperature asymmetry is one of the former, and the CRPS severity score (CSS) is one of the latter. However, there has been no study on the correlations among the CSS, temperature asymmetry and subjective pain score. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is any correlation between the CSS, skin temperature asymmetry and subjective pain score. Methods: Patients affected with CRPS in a unilateral limb were included in this study. After making a diagnosis of CRPS according to the Budapest criteria, the CSS and skin temperature difference between the affected and unaffected limb (${\Delta}T$) was measured in each patient. Finally, we conducted a correlation analysis among the CSS, ${\Delta}T$ and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the patients. Results: A total of 42 patients were included in this study. There was no significant correlation between the ${\Delta}T$ and VAS score (Spearman's rho = 0.066, P = 0.677). Also, the CSS and VAS score showed no significant correlation (Spearman's rho = 0.163, P = 0.303). Conclusions: The ${\Delta}T$ and CSS do not seem to reflect the degree of subjective pain in CRPS patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.557-565
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture on trunk flexors compared with trunk extensors in patients with chronic low back pain. The experimental group was treated with acupuncture on trunk flexors. The control group was treated with acupuncture on trunk extensors. Acupuncture treatment was performed 12 sessions over the course of 6 weeks. Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in the study. Chronic low back pain was evaluated based on the VAS for bothersomeness, VAS for pain intensity at every treatment and 8, 12 and 24 weeks after starting the treatments, and ODI, SF-36 and BDI before and after treatments and 8, 12 and 24 weeks after starting the treatments. The VAS score for bothersomeness significantly decreased after treatment for up to 24 weeks after starting the treatments in both group (p<0.05). The VAS score for bothersomeness in the experimental group decreased more rapidly than that of the control group with statistical significance (p<0.05). The VAS score for pain intensity, ODI, SF-36 and BDI significantly improved after treatment for up to 24 weeks after starting the treatments in both group (p<0.05). The VAS score for pain intensity, ODI, SF-36 and BDI in the experimental group showed more rapid improvement than those of the control group. But, there were no statistical significances. Treating trunk flexors using acupuncture was more effective in decreasing the degree of bothersomeness caused by chronic low back pain than treating trunk extensors with acupuncture. There is a need to perform further studies.