• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.5-13
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• 2010

Objectives : Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc is common reason causing back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercise prevent back pain recurrence by strengthening lumbar muscles. Sling Exercise Therapy(SET) is a system for spinal muscle stabilization and strengthening using fixed string and mobile band. The purpose of this study is to investigate and measure the effectiveness of SET and oriental medicine for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods : The subjects for this study are 40 patients suffering from Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc in our clinic. They were measured and compared by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), 4 grades of recovery degree and sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type, times of exercise. Results : In the above index, the score(VAS, 4 grades of recovery degree) improved after treatments. But they make no difference between sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type and times of exercise. Conclusions : These results suggest that SET may be used for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc for pain management and muscle strengthening as an essential treatment regardless of sex, age, period of disease and disc herniation type.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to identify the differences of the static and the dynamic balance reactions in the flexion syndrome (FS) and the extension syndrome (ES) group of the patients with chronic lowback pain (LBP) and healthy subjects. Twenty subjects were included in each group. By using EquiTest 5.02, the static balance was measured by the equilibrium score and the strategy score of sensory organization test (SOT), while the dynamic balance was measured by the latency of motor control test (MCT) and the sway energy of adaptation test (ADT). Oswestry Disability Index (OSI) was used to measure level of the disability in patients with chronic LBP. The equilibrium scores, the strategies of SOT, and thelatencies of MCT of three groups were compared with one way ANOVA, while the sway energy of ADT was compared with repeated measures one way ANOVA. The results of this study showed that the equilibrium scores and the strategy scores of SOT were significantly lower in patients with chronic LBP than in healthy subjects. The equilibrium scores and the strategy scores of SOT were significantly differences between the FS and ES groups in condition 5 (support surface was sway-referenced and visual information waseliminated by eye closure), and 6 (support surface was sway-referenced and visual information was altered by sway-referencing). The FS group showed delayed average reaction time at large posterior translation, however, the ES group showed delayed average reaction time at large anterior translation, Even though the sway energy of the patients with chronic LBP were greater than that of healthy subjects during the toe down (plantar flexion rotation), the values between the FS and ES groups didn't show any significant difference. The disability level showed highly correlation with the equilibrium score of the condition 5. As the results, the FS and ES groups divided by the their symptoms and signs in patients with chronic LBP showed different balance reaction. Therefore, more accurate evaluation and balance treatments are needed to focus on their symptoms and signs in patients with chronic LBP.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.938-947
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• 2019

Objective: This study was performed to report the changes in symptoms and radiological consequences of a patient diagnosed with spinal neurofibroma and complaining of lower back pain. Methods: The patient was diagnosed with a spinal neurofibroma after MRI examination and was treated with traditional Korean medicine, including traditional Korean medication and acupuncture. We measured the change in symptom severity using a numerical rating scale (NRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). We also used the EQ-5D (EuroQoL-5D) scale to assess the patient's quality of life. In addition, we examined the change in the size of the cyst by MRI twice after discharge: at about 3 months after discharge and at about 8 months after discharge. Results: After about 6 weeks of treatment, most pathological symptoms had decreased. The patient showed a decline in NRS and ODI scores and showed an increase in quality of life. The two MRI examinations after the discharge revealed a decrease in the size of the cyst. Conclusions: Traditional Korean medicine can be a solution for patients with spinal neurofibroma causing neurological pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.230-239
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• 2002

Kyphotic cervical curvature, straghtening is commonly caused by trauma, muscle spasm without trauma and wrong posture, etc. Objective : This study is performed to evaluate the clinical effect of neck pain associated with Kyphotic cervical curvatre on cervical x-ray lateral view. Methods : One of the many causes, We examined the patients with neck pain & upper back pain who visited to Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Gumi Oriental Hospital of Kyung-San University from 16th June 1999 to 22th June 2000. Pre and post treatment, We evaluated the cervical angle, Jochumsen's method, VAS(visual analogue scale) and effective score of treatment. Results & Conclusion : 1. Kyphotic cervical curvature is mainly caused by wrong posture during long term, sudden trauma, etc. therfore, postcervical muscles and tendon are injuryed by strong stress. So, muscle imbalance and pain is occured. 2. On these cases, The improvement index for pre/post treatment showed 28/42, 10/15, 9/30, 28/42 degree in cervical angle. Jochumsen's method showed -1/+2, -9/-3, -5/-2, -1/+2mm. Afer treatment VAS is 2, 1, 1, 1 and effective score of treatment is above good. The results suggest that treatments of Oriental Medicine(Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Chu-Na, Cupping and Physical therapy) are effective methods for neck pain with kyphotic cervical curvature on cervical x-ray lateral view.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.170-181
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• 2022

This review evaluated the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for chronic fatigue syndrome. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using EA as an intervention for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were identified in 6 databases (PUBMED, EMBASE, CNKI, J-STAGE, KMBASE, OASIS). Fatigue indicators were used as the primary outcome measures. The quality-of-life index, efficiency rate, and level of pain were used as secondary outcome measures. There were 408 patients from seven RCTs included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that EA was significantly associated with fatigue relief compared with the control group (n = 141 SMD = -1.55, 95% CI; -2.58 - -0.52, p = 0.003, I² = 92%). In addition, EA had a statistically significant improvement in quality of life compared with the control group (n = 176, SMD = -2.29, 95% CI; -3.68 - -0.90, p = 0.001, I² = 96%). One study reported ten cases of bleeding, however, no serious adverse events were reported in any of the included studies. This review determined that EA may have a greater clinical effect than the control group for fatigue relief and improved quality of life. However, there were several risks of bias identified. Not all of the RCTs accurately reported the research method, all studies were conducted in 1 country (China), and the number of studies included were small.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.103-110
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect and adverse events of Gamiwolbigachul-tang on the changes of body composition and musculoskeletal pain in overweight patients. Methods : A total of 28 patients with overweight patients who were complaining musculoskeletal pain were treated with Gamiwolbigachul-tang more than 4 weeks between January 2011 and August 2011 in Kyung Hee University Oriental Medical Hospital were observed. We have evaluated the efficacy of treatments by measuring the changes of body composition (Body weight, Body mass index, Skeletal muscle mass, Body fat mass and Waist hip ratio) and musculoskeletal pain. The 28 patients were analyzed according to the distribution of sex, age, body compostition and musculoskeletal pain. Results : 1. There were statistically significant changes on Body weight and BMI in 28 patients after 4 weeks of treatment. 2. Gamiwolbigachul-tang had effect on reducing Body fat mass rather than Fat free mass. 3. There were statistically significant changes on musculoskeletal pains such as lower back pain, knee pain after treatment. 4. There were few side effects except those common complications such as insomnia(3 patients), palpitation(2 patients) and indigestion(1 patients), which did not have effects on everyday living. Conclusions : These results suggest that Gamiwolbigachul-tang will be beneficial for overweight patients with musculoskeletal pain, having both effectiveness and safety.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.111-118
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• 2009

Objectives: Herniated Intervertebral Disk(HIVD) of L-spine is one of the most common diseases that cause back pain and radiating pain. The aim of this study is to find out if the acupuncture therapy combined with Soyeom Pharmacopuncture therapy can improve the symptoms of the patients suffering from the disease more effectively than the acupuncture only therapy. Methods: We separated 30 patients into two groups. Group A was treated with the acupuncture only therapy, and Group B was treated with Soyeom Pharmacopuncture therapy in addition to the acupuncture therapy. We have observed patients for 7 days. We checked the Visual Analog Scale(VAS) for 4 times and did Straight Leg Raising Test(SLRT) twice. Results: 1. For 7 days from the admission day, the VAS score has been decreased significantly in both Group A and Group B. 2. For 7 days from the admission day, the VAS score of Group B has been appeared signifi cantly lower than that of Group A, so that we can know that patients in Group B has more rapidly improved than patients in Group A 3. From the admission day to the 3rd hospital day, the improvement index of VAS scroe of Group B has appeared significantly higher than that of Group A, but after 5th hospital day, there was no significance between the improvement index of VAS score of Group A and that of Group B. 4. For 7 days from the admission day, the SLRT(degree) has been improved significantly in both Group A and B, but there was no significance between the SLRT(degree) of Group A and that of Group B. Conclusion: We can use Soyeom Pharmacopuncture therapy with acupuncture therapy to make the patients suffering from back pain and radiating pain improve more rapidly.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1106-1116
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• 2018

Study Design: Prospective observational study. Purpose: To evaluate the disability domains relevant to Indian patients with low backache and propose a modified disability questionnaire for such patients. Overview of Literature: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a self-reported measurement tool that measures both pain and functional status and is used for evaluating disability caused by lower backache. Although ODI remains a good tool for disability assessment, from the Indian perspective questions related to weight lifting and sexual activity of ODI are questioned in some of the earlier studies. Activities of daily living in Indian patients vary substantially from those in other populations and include activities like bending forwards, sitting in floor and squatting which are not represented in the ODI. Methods: In this prospective observational study, a seven-step approach was used for the development of a questionnaire. Thirty patients were interviewed to identify the most challenging issue they faced while performing their daily activities (by free listing) and understand how important the questionnaire items were in terms of the standard ODI. Thus, a comprehensive disability questionnaire comprising 14 questions was developed and administered to 88 patients. Both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative methods (to establish the validity, reliability, and correlation with the Visual Analog Scale [VAS] and Rolland Morris disability questionnaire) were used to identify the 10 questions that best addressed the disability domains relevant to Indian patients. Results: According to free listing, four new questions pertaining to bending forward, sitting on the floor, walking on uneven surfaces, and work-related disabilities were included. In the second phase, wherein the questionnaire with 14 items was used, 56.8% patients did not answer the questions related to sexual activity, whereas 23.8% did not answer those related to walking on uneven surfaces. The modified questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.892) and correlation with the Rolland Morris questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha=0.850, p>0.05), as well as with the VAS score for disability (Cronbach's alpha=0.712, p>0.05) and pain (Cronbach's alpha=0.625, p>0.05). Conclusions: A modified disability questionnaire that was designed by adding two questions related to bending forward and work status and removing questions related to sexual activity and weight lifting or traveling (depending on the occupation) can help evaluate disability caused by back pain in Indian population.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.185-195
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• 2015

Objectives : This is a case series reporting of the improvement in patients with a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc by means of acupotomy combined with oriental medicine. Methods : We treated seven patients with a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc with acupotomy combined with oriental medical treatment. We checked the numeric rating scale(NRS), oswestry low back pain disability index(ODI) and range of motion(ROM). Results : NRS and ODI decreased, and ROM improved in all cases. Conclusions : This study shows acupotomy has a meaningful effect when applied on a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report a case of Brown-Sequard syndrome caused by traumatic cervical fracture, presenting pain in the right upper extremity and back of the left hand, motor weakness in the right side and diminished pain and temperature in the left side. Methods : A patient received Korean medical treatment(acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, Silver Spike point electrotherapy(SSP)) and rehabilitation treatment. We evaluated pain with the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), motor grade with a Medical Research Council(MRC) scale, sensory function and Modified Barthel Index(MBI). Results : After treatment, the patient showed considerable improvement in NRS, motor & sensory function, and MBI. Conclusions : Korean medical and rehabilitation treatments could be effective for Brown-Sequard syndrome patients. More extensive studies should be carried out.