• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in the vertebral segments between patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) and healthy participants without back pain and to determine the correlation between vertebral bone-segment PPT and pain level, lower back pain dysfunction, and psychological status in patients with CLBP. Methods: The subjects of this study were 23 healthy adults and 23 adults with CLBP. PPT was measured in 23 spinal bone segments using a PPT device, and the CLBP group was subjected to a pain level test (NRS) and a psychological test using the Korean version of the pain catastrophizing scale (KPCS). The functional level was assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (KODI). Results: PPTs of the spinal sclerotomes were significantly lower in patients with CLBP than in healthy participants. In the CLBP group, the composite score of lumbar PPTs showed a high correlation with the composite scores for all segments, but not with the pain level (NRS), KPCS score, and spinal sclerotome PPT. Moreover, PPT in the sacral sclerotomes showed a significant negative correlation coefficient with function, with a KODI score of -.462 (p<.01). Conclusion: In this study, PPTs in all spinal segments in patients with CLBP was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects. The PPTs of the lumbar region was significantly correlated with the PPTs of other spinal regions. Through this study, it was found that there were changes in PPTs in CLBP patients not only in the lumbar region but also in other spinal regions. This information should be considered during clinical treatment of patients with low back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.23-29
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to validate the Korean version of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (KWHODAS 2.0) in 12 item-self administered version (12-self). Methods: The KWHODAS 2.0 and Korean Functional Rating index (KFRI) were tested for internal consistency, ceiling and floor effects, and concurrent validity in 111 patients with low back pain and/or neck pain. Results: A very high level of internal consistency was shown for both instruments; ${\alpha}$=0.96 with KWHODAS 2.0; 12-self and ${\alpha}$=0.97 for KFRI. No ceiling and/or floor effects were found in both the instruments. The KWHODAS 2.0 and KFRI were highly correlated (r=0.77), and the relationship of each item between KWHODAS 2.0 and KFRI was ranging from r=0.09 to 0.72. Conclusion: We conclude that the KWHODAS 2.0: 12-self and KFRI are reliable and are valid instruments for the measurement of disability in Korean speaking patients with low back and/or neck pain. Both instruments, the KWHODAS 2.0; 12-Self and KFRI are now suitable for use in clinical practice and research applications.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2019

Background: Compared to healthy people, patients with chronic lower back pain have reduced balance abilities which may cause proprioception problems, patients with chronic lower back pain avoid physical activities due to pain, and reduced activity levels lead to muscle weakening, which can further exacerbate pain. Recently, there have been many studies on the use of sensory stimulation; and among these studies, interventions that use vibrational stimulation have shown functional improvements in the patients. Objects: This study examined the effects of a stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation on the balance ability and disability in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: The subjects of the study were 30 persons who were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group, with 15 subjects in each. The subjects were evaluated before and after intervention via a balance ability test, the Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI) test, a pain test, and a proprioceptive sensory test. Both groups received general physical therapy. The experimental group performed the stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation, and the control group performed a general stabilization exercise, three times a week for six weeks. Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in the balance ability test, the KODI test, the pain test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. The experimental group showed statistically significant, higher improvements than the control group in the balance ability test, the KODI test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. Conclusions: The stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation for patients with chronic back pain has been reported to provide greater functional improvements than the conventional intervention method. Therefore, the stabilization exercise in a vibration stimulation environment could be a useful intervention for patients with chronic back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.200-207
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• 1999

Herniation of intervertevral disc(HIVD) is the most common disease causing low back pain. Acupuncture, electroacupuncture and moxibustion has been used for treatment of HIVD. Bee venom (BV) also has been traditionally applied to relieve pain. Recently, it has been reported that BV is effective in treating HIVD. But more objective methods were required to assess the efficacy of BV on HlVD. So we assessed of BV-acupuncture effect on herniated disc patients by use of rating scale for low back pain. We researched 22 patients who were treated at Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Kyung Hee Medical Center from January 1999 to June 1999. The patients were diagnosed by MRI as having a herniated disc. The results of treatment using rating scale for low back pain in HIVD showed that $43.77{\pm}14.39$ point of pre-treatment score and $84.5{\pm}3.97$ point post-treatment score. The improvement index showed $0.43{\pm}0.15$. Especially, clinical score of neurologic deficits showed most highest improvement index of $0.7{\pm}0.45$. Assessment of BV-acupuncture Effect by MRI finding were showed that protruded disc and extruded disc got more higher improvement index than bulging disc. Among 22 patients, satisfactory assessment of BV-acupuncture effect showed that 15(68.2%) were excellent, and 7(31.8%) were good. The result suggest that BV-acupuncture is good method for treatment of HIVD.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Background: In this study, the importance of constipation and back pain was assessed by regression analysis of the effects of stress, dietary habits, and water intake on constipation in women in their twenties and the influence of constipation and body mass index (BMI) To provide basic data. Methods: This study selected 109 having constipation of 120 students attending G University in Gwangju and eating habits, water intake level, stress and BMI. Trigger point at the tip of erector spina was palated with tenderness set in order to examine whether muscle tenderness and actual low back muscle tenderness level were same and left and right parts were measured three times and average of Max values was used. We examined the effect of constipation on low back pain and examined constipation and BMI to determine whether they affected low back pain. Results: There was no significant difference in eating habit although there was a significant difference in the effect of stress and water intake on constipation. Constipation had significant difference in back pain. However, there was no significant difference in BMI, normal weight, overweight, and obesity except for low body weight. Conclusions: This study found that constipation was associated with stress levels, water intake, and back pain. In conclusion, this study suggests basic data to prevent and treat constipation-related back pain, and recommends plenty of water intake, proper exercise and stress management to prevent constipation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.347-355
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pelvic adjustment on low back pain and spino-pelvic parameters in middle-aged women. Thirty-eight middle-aged women with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to the pelvic adjustment (n = 20) oruntreated control (n = 18) group. Pelvic adjustment interventionswereperformed four times a week for 8 weeksin the former group. At baseline and after 8 weeks, the back pain and back function were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and back flexibility. Additionally, the spino-pelvic radiographic parameters and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed. After 8 weeks, the VAS, ODI, and back flexibility significantly improved in the pelvic adjustment group compared with the control group. It was found that the changes from baseline in the lumbar lordotic angle, sacral slope, pelvic crest unleveling, and femoral head height inequality were significantly greater in the pelvic adjustment group than in the control group. There were no significant changes in the pelvic incidence or serum CRP levels in either group. In conclusion, pelvic adjustment has beneficial effects on chronic low back pain and back function, suggesting that the effects of pelvic adjustment on back pain may at least in part result from changes in the spino-pelvic alignment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 2024

Objective : Some patients with disc herniation who underwent discectomy complain of back pain after surgery and are unsatisfied with the surgical results. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative disc height (DH), postoperative DH, and pain score 12 months after surgery in patients who underwent microdiscectomy for herniated lumbar disc. Methods : This study enrolled patients who underwent microdiscectomy at a medical center between January 2012 and December 2020. Patients with X-ray or computed tomography and pain score assessment (visual analog scale score) prior to surgery, immediately post-op, and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery were included. The DH index was defined as DH/overlying vertebral width. The DH ratio was defined as the postoperative DH/preoperative DH. Simple linear regression and multivariate linear regression analyses were applied to assess the correlation between DHs and leg pain scores 12 months after surgery. Results : A total of 118 patients who underwent microdiscectomy were included. DH decreased up to 12 months after surgery. The DH ratio at 1, 6, and 12 months after discectomy showed a significant positive correlation with the pain scores at 12 months after discectomy (1 month : p=0.045, B=0.52; 6 months : p=0.008, B=0.78; 12 months : p=0.005, B=0.69). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the level of surgery, sex, age, and body mass index had no significant relationship with back pain scores after 12 months. Conclusion : In patients who underwent microdiscectomy, the DH ratios at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery were prognostic factors for back pain scores at 12 months after surgery. Aggressive discectomy is recommended for lower postoperative DH ratios and Visual analog scale scores, leading to improved patient satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.66-75
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of muscle energy technique and stretching on pain and pressure pain fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire in patients with chronic back pain aged 30~40 years. Design: Pretest-Posttest design: single blind. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30, 22 males and 8 females between the ages of 30 and 40 with chronic back pain. Each group consists of three groups of 10 people. Changes in back pain were observed using Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS), and fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ). And the change in tenderness was observed using digital pressure statistics. Changes between groups after 3 weeks were compared with those before the experiment using one way ANOVA to determine the changes after 3 weeks. And the change within the group was investigated using the paired t-test. Results: As a result of the experiment, there were significant differences in the group changes in K-ODI, VAS, FABQ, and pressure pain (p<0.05). And there was a significant difference in all items after 3 weeks compared to before the experiment (p<0.05). Conclusion: In patients with chronic back pain, the muscle energy technique and stretching gave a significant difference in pain and pressure pain, fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire changes. And this result suggests the possibility of providing basic data for future research and clinical physiotherapy intervention.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.105-110
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Calculus Bovis Fel Ursi Moschus(BUM) pharmacopuncture on the treatment of acute low back pain patients. Methods : The subjects in this study were 30 patients with acute low back pain who were treated in Dept. of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Jein Oriental Medicine Hospital from November 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. These patients were randomly divided into two groups. In one group(control group), patients were treated with acupuncture. And in the other group(experimental group), patients were treated with both acupuncture and BUM pharmacopuncture. For evaluating change of pain, visual analog scale(VAS) and Oswestry disability index(ODI) were checked before and after. Results : Each group had significant decrease in VAS and ODI after each treatment. Experimental group had more significant decrease in VAS after each treatment than control group. Conclusions : We suggest that cotreatment of acupuncture and BUM pharmacopuncture on acute low back pain patients can be recommended as a useful therapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2006

Objectives : Low back pain is common symptom in clinics. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of spiral taping on the low back pain patients. Methods : A total of 60 patients with low back pain were assigned to two groups : taping group and non taping group. Patients were evaluated and analyzed VAS, ODI(Oswestry Disability Index), lumbar flexion angle and lumbar extension angle. Results and Conclusion : 1. VAS score of pain was significantly decreased in the taping group(p<.05), compared with the non taping group. 2. Lumbar flexion angle was significantly increased in the taping group(p<.05).