• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2019

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis using Kellgren-Lawrence scores is commonly used to help decision-making during assessment of the severity of OA with assessment of pain, function and muscle strength. The association between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and functional/clinical outcomes remains controversial in patients with knee OA. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and knee pain associated with OA, function during daily living and sports activities, quality of life, and knee muscle strength in patients with knee OA. Methods: We recruited 66 patients with tibiofemoral knee OA and determined knee joint Kellgren-Lawrence scores using standing anteroposterior radiographs. Self-reported knee pain, daily living function, sports/recreation function, and quality of life were measured using the knee injury and OA outcome score (KOOS). Knee extensors and flexors were assessed using a handheld dynamometer. We performed Spearman's rank correlation analyses to evaluate the relationships between Kellgren-Lawrence and KOOS scores or muscle strength. Results: Kellgren-Lawrence scores were significantly negatively correlated with KOOS scores for knee pain, daily living function, sports/recreation function, and quality of life. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between Kellgren-Lawrence scores and knee extensor strength but not flexor strength. Conclusion: Higher Kellgren-Lawrence scores were associated with more severe knee pain and lower levels of function in daily living and sports/recreation, quality of life, and knee extensor strength in patients with knee OA. Therefore, we conclude that knee OA assessment via self-reported KOOS and knee extensor strength may be a cost-effective alternative to radiological exams.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 2018

Background: Related to escalating health care costs and the questionable effectiveness of multiple interventions including lumbar facet joint interventions, cost effectiveness or cost utility analysis has become the cornerstone of evidence-based medicine influencing coverage decisions. Methods: Cost utility of therapeutic lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in managing chronic low back pain was performed utilizing data from a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial with a 2-year follow-up, with direct payment data from 2016. Based on the data from surgical interventions, utilizing the lowest proportion of direct procedural costs of 60%, total cost utility per quality adjusted life year (QALY) was determined by multiplying the derived direct cost at 1.67. Results: Patients in this trial on average received $5.6{\pm}2.6$ procedures over a period of 2 years, with average relief over a period of 2 years of $82.8{\pm}29.6$ weeks with $19{\pm}18.77$ weeks of improvement per procedure. Procedural cost for one-year improvement in quality of life showed USD $2,654.08. Estimated total costs, including indirect costs and drugs with multiplication of direct costs at 1.67, showed a cost of USD $4,432 per QALY. Conclusions: The analysis of therapeutic lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in the treatment of chronic low back pain shows clinical effectiveness and cost utility at USD $2,654.08 for the direct costs of the procedures, and USD $4,432 for the estimated overall cost per one year of QALY, in chronic persistent low back pain non-responsive to conservative management.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.56-60
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• 2009

More than 80% of cancer-related pain is pharmacologically controllable, whereas $10{\sim}20%$ of patients require interventional treatments. Neurolytic nerve block can play a major role in cancer pain treatment, and it has been proposed to prevent the development of pain and improve the quality of life of patients with cancer. If the pain is well localized and restricted to certain peripheral parts of the body, spinal peripheral or sympathetic nerve blocks may result in excellent therapeutic effects. Neurolytic sympathetic block, especially Celiac plexsus block (CPB) performed in earlier stages, is effective with successful long term results. However, selection of patients is critical for succeful outcomes. Neurolytic plexus block significantly improves the quality of life of patients and reduces abdominal and pelvic cancer pain, analgesic consumption and adverse opioids-related side effects. Interventional pain management should be considered at earlier stages to provide patients with the best quality of life possible.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.29-42
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of training on breathing re-education on pain and dysfunction levels, posture, quality of life (QoL), and pulmonary function in patients. Methods: This study included 34 patients with chronic neck pain and upper thoracic breathing pattern were included. The participants were assigned to either the routine physical therapy program (RPTP) (CG; n=17) or RPTP and breathing pattern re-education training (EG; n=17). The CG and EG groups performed RPTP for 40 minutes, and only the EG groups performed breathing re-education training for 10 minutes. Exercises were performed thrice weekly for both groups. Level of pain and dysfunction, posture, QoL and pulmonary function status were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: After four weeks of intervention, numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Korean version of neck disability index, cranio-vertebral angle, cranial rotation angle, and 12-item short form health survey-physical and mental component summaries had significant differences before and after intervention in both groups (p<.01). However, only NPRS, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1s, and maximum voluntary ventilation showed significant interactions between the two groups and measurement time (p<.01). Conclusion: Breathing re-education training and RPTP may be optimal for patients with chronic neck pain and may be more effective in improving neck pain and pulmonary function.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4564-4571
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• 2012

This study performed a virtual reality exercise program for self-back pain control of industrial workers with chronic back pain and analysed their physical function and health-related quality of life relating to industrial chronic back pain. The subjects of the study were thirty chronic back pain patients working for K company and were divided into Nintendo Wii Sports Group made of 15 subjects and Physical Therapy Group made of 15. As variables for physical functions, back strength, flexibility, balance and pain were measured and for the health-related quality of life, SF-36 of each group was measured before and after the exercise program. To compare differences before and after the program, a paired t-test was used and to compare differences between both groups, an independent samples t-test was used. As a result of the test, it was discovered that balance and pain of the both groups were improved statistically significantly. Physical functions of the Nintendo Wii Sports Group were improved statistically significantly in comparison with those of the Physical Therapy Group. The health-related quality of life was improved statistically significantly only for the Nintendo Wii Sports Group. In conclusion, it is suggested that as the virtual reality exercise program had a positive influence on chronic back pain of industrial workers, it should be considered as a home exercise program for back pain control.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate about sleep quality and orofacial pain pattern between experimental and control group. 101 subjects with temporomandibular disorders without any psychologic and neurologic problem were selected from the patients presented to Wonkwang University dental hospital. Routine clinical examination for TMD was carried out, especially for the frequency of headache and the craniocervical muscles were also done by the author in the first visit. All the subjects filled out the questionnaires, that was, for the evaluation of sleep quality using Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI), and for the analysis of behavioral pain scale questionnaires. Data obtained were statistically processed by the SPSS Windows program and the results of this study were as follows: 1. Subjective sleep index, sleep latency, sleep disturbance, global score in control group were significantly lower than 2. Subjective sleep index, sleep disturbance, global score in subject with headache were significantly lower than subject without headache(P<0.05). 3. Medicine taker have sleeping drug. Caffeine drinkers was significantly higher in daytime dysfunction, global score than no drinker. 4. It have more frequent head and neck pain, pain spreading, daily life difficult in poor sleeper than good sleeper.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of hospice home care on the pain relief and quality of life of terminal cancer patients. Method: Experimental pre and post tests were provided to a single group to see the changes of quality of life of patients who were referred to a hospice home care department after having cancer treatment. They were visited at least 8 times for the duration of 4~6 weeks and were provided a 24 hour phone call service. 41 subjects were transferred to a hospice home care department after being discharged from hospital were selected. Result: 1)The first hypothesis that "the pain score of the subjects after receiving hospice home care would be different from before receiving hospice home care would be different from before receiving hospice home care" which scored 4.06 point at the first test and 3.41 at the second did not statistically show a significant difference(t=1.421 p=1.66), even though the pain score is decreased. 2)The 2nd hypotheses that "the quality of life score of the subjects after receiving hospice home care would be different from before receiving hospice home care" which scored 2.88 point at the first test and 3.39 at the second showed a significant difference(t=-6.759, p=.000) and was supported. Regarding the changes of quality of life score, social aspect(t=-5.745, p=.000), emotional aspect(t=-5.684, p=.000), and spiritual aspect(t=-6.889, p=.000) has significantly been increased, while physical aspect has been more decreased significantly than before the hospice home care is provided(t=4.282, p=.000). Conclusion: It was effective to provide hospice home care in relieving the terminal cancer patients' pain and in improving their quality of life, even though a short term hospice home care for 4-6 weeks was provided.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.7
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• pp.207-218
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• 2017

This is the Study of descriptive research to look into influence factors about how pain, nutritional risk, loneliness and perceived health status have an effect on the health-related quality of life. The subjects were 110 elderly women living alone over the age of 65 living in D gu, Y gu, D metropolitan city and collected data by giving questionnaire, and used the SPSS/WIN 18.0 version to analyze. The correlated factors of health-related quality of life included pain(r=-.565, P<.001), nutritional risk(r=-.485, P<.001), loneliness(r=-.546, P<.001) and perceived health status(r=.706, P<.001). Factors influencing health-related quality of life are perceived health status, loneliness, pain, type of residence, number of diseases. Therefore, in order to improve health-related quality of life for elderly women living alone, it is necessary to induce the practice of education and health behavior for improvement of health status, to establish social network to increase emotional support and to apply various protection systems.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.59-72
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• 2019

This is the study of descriptive research to look into factors which influence the health-related quality of life for young-old and old-old in women living alone. This research was conducted using the primary data from 2017 -Influences on the quality of health-related life based on pain, nutritional risk, loneliness, and cognitive health condition in women living alone- and the secondary analysis which additionally collected from total 85 cases. According to the analyzed result using SPSS/W IN 18. program, the factors of affecting on the health-related quality of life is followed by pain, regular exercise, and social support for young-old women living alone and regular exercise, activities of Daily Living, and pain for old-old women living alone. The explanatory power was 70.6 percent and 69.7 percent respectively. Thus, it is necessary to improve the health-related quality of life by seeking ways to alleviate pain, enhance the system of social support, activate daily exercise, and maintain the ability of routine activities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.19-28
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to apply manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and high-frequency diathermy (HFD) to patients with axillary web syndrome (AWS), one of the side effects of breast cancer surgery, and to treat upper extremity pain, volume, function of the upper extremity, (joint range of motion; ROM, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand; DASH) and quality of life before and after treatment. It is to determine the effect of treatment by checking the level change. Methods : This study is a case series. A total of 5 patients diagnosed with AWS after breast cancer surgery voluntarily participated in this study. The intervention program consisted of stretching, MLD and HFD. It was conducted 3 times a week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. In order to compare the effects of pain (numeric pain rating scale; NPRS), volume, upper limb function (ROM, DASH) and quality of life (the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-breast, EORTC QLQ-BR23) evaluations were compared before and after 4 weeks of intervention. All measured variables were analyzed and expressed as mean, standard deviation and percentage. Results : The shoulder NPRS level of the subjects in all case groups decreased, the volume decreased and the shoulder flexion, abduction ROM increased. It showed improvement in DASH and quality of life, QLQ-BR23. Conclusion : After breast cancer surgery, we confirmed the possibility that MLD and HFD treatments could be effective in improving pain, decreasing volume, increasing upper extremity function, and quality of life for patients who have difficulties with AWS. The possibility has been confirmed, and additional research is needed by increasing the number of participants in the experiment in the future.