• 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 Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.86-95
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ultra-thin microcurrent patch application on pain, tenderness, trunk flexion, and trunk extension in patients with back pain. Design: pretest-posttest design: single blind. Methods: Thirty men and women diagnosed with chronic back pain were classified into 15 microcurrent application groups and 15 placebo groups. Changes in pain were observed on a visual analog scale, tenderness was observed with a digital tenderness meter, and changes in trunk flexion and trunk extension angles were evaluated with a posture analyzer. The paired t-test was used to see the changes within each group before and one week after the experiment, and the independent t-test was used to see the change in the difference between the groups, and the significance level was 0.05. Results: In both the experimental group and the control group, there was a significant difference in pain within and between groups(p<0.05). In the experimental group, there were significant differences in the intra- and inter-group changes in the erector spinae muscle tenderness and low back pain disorder index(p<0.05). In the experimental group, there was a significant difference in the change in trunk flexion and extension within the group(p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was confirmed that the application of ultra-thin microcurrent was effective for pain, tenderness, and movement of back extension in patients with low back pain. It is expected that it will be used as a basic data for microcurrent therapy and as a treatment method for improving the function of patients with back pain in the future.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare sling exercise group to McKenzie exercise group in patients with chronic neck pain. Design: Two group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Twenty subjects who have chronic neck pain were randomly divided into sling exercise group (n=10) and McKenzie exercise (n=10). Sling exercise group (n=10) received sling exercise for 30 minutes per day, twice a week over a 4 week period. And the other group were exercised McKenzie exercise (n=8) for 30 minutes per day, twice a week over a 4 week period. Neck disability index (NDI), Visual analog scale (VAS), algometer, digital manual muscle tester (MMT) and cervical muscle strength and cervical range of motion (ROM) are closely measured to identify the effect of sling exercise and McKenzie exercise. Results: For NDI, VAS, algometer on both trapezius, both rotation of cervical muscle strength, both lateral flexion of cervical muscle strength, cervical extension of ROM and both lateral flexion of ROM were significantly increased after intervention in sling exercise group (p<0.05), For VAS, algometer on both trapezius, left (Lt.) rotation of cervical muscle strength, Lt. lateral flexion of cervical muscle strength, cervical flexion and extension of ROM and Lt. lateral flexion of ROM were significantly increased after than before intervention in McKenzie exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These study outcomes clearly support the notion that sling and McKenzie exercise improved pain, Muscle strength and ROM of patients with chronic neck pain. These results suggest that sling and McKenzie exercise program is suitable for chronic neck pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.51-60
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• 2012

This study aimed to determine the usefulness of classifying patients with neck pain on the basis of the results of passive scapular elevation test. We classified 21 patients with neck pain into positive (n=12) and negative (n=9) groups on the basis of passive scapular elevation test; the 2 groups then equally performed scapular stabilization exercise program for 30 min, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), and range of motion (ROM) were recorded both before and after the intervention for both groups. Paired t-test was used to determine that there were significant changes between before and after the intervention, and independent t-test was used for analyzing changes between two groups of dependent variables. After 4 weeks of training, we observed significant decrease in pain and disability (p<.05) and a significant increase in rotation, flexion, extension, and side-bending ROM (p<.05) in both groups. Further, between pre- and post-intervention evaluations, we observed a significant decrease in pain and disability and a significant increase in rotation and flexion ROM in the positive group than in the negative group (p<.05). These results indicate that passive scapular elevation test may be used to identify mechanical disorders of the cervicoscapular muscle in patients with neck pain. Therefore, we recommend the use of passive scapular elevation test to determine appropriate treatment intervention when treating patients with neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of mobilization combined active movement(SNAGS) on the pain and recovery of function of acute low back pain patients. Methods: The subjects were consisted of 135 patients with acute low back pain. All subjects randomly assigned to mobilization group, stretching exercise group and modality treatment group. The mobilization group received mobilization combined active movement(SNAGS) with modality treatment, exercise group received stretching exercise with modality treatment and modality treatment group received modality treatment. Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) was used to measure patient's pain level and Patient Specific Functional Scale(PSFS) was used to measure patient's functional disability level. Results: The results of this study were summarized as follows : 1. Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) was mobilization group showed significantly decreased more than comparison group(p<.01) and active treatment group showed significantly decreased more than passive treatment group(p<.01). 2. Patient Specific Functional Scale(PSFS) was mobilization group showed significantly increased more than comparison group(p<.01) and active treatment group showed significantly increased more than passive treatment group(p<.01). Conclusion: It maybe suggested that mobilization combined active movement(SNAGS) is beneficial treatment for acute low back pain patient.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.261-267
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• 2023

Forward head posture (FHP) is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes neck pain. Several exercise interventions have been used in South Korea to improve craniovertebral angle (CVA) and relieve neck pain. There has been no domestic literature review study over the past 5 years that has investigated trends and effects of exercise intervention methods for CVA with neck pain. This domestic literature review aimed to evaluate the trends and effects of exercise interventions on CVA and neck pain in persons with FHP. A review of domestic literature published in Korean or English language between 2018 and 2022 was performed. Literature search was conducted on Google Scholar and Korea Citation Index by using the following keywords: "exercise," "exercise therapy," "exercise program," "forward head posture," and "neck pain." Ten studies were included in this review. All of the studies showed positive improvements after intervention programs that included exercises. Notably, four of these studies demonstrated significant differences in results between the experimental and control groups. Among the 10 studies, nine measured visual analogue scale or numerical rating scale scores and reported significant reductions in pain following interventions, including exercise programs. Five of these studies showed significant differences in results between the experimental and control groups. Furthermore, six studies that used neck disability index exhibited a significant decrease in symptoms after implementing intervention programs that included exercise, and significant differences in results were found between the experimental and control groups. This domestic literature review provides consistent evidence to support the application of various exercise intervention programs to improve CVA and relieve neck pain from FHP. Further studies are warranted to review the effects of various exercise interventions on FHP reported not only in domestic but also in international literature.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2000

A study was conducted in order to determine back pain experience status of elementary. junior and senior high school teachers and the factors affecting their knowledge of back pain and physical therapy from April 2 through June 30, 1999 in major big cities and small and medium towns. Questionnaires were sent to 924 teachers and the collected daa were analyzed. The results summarized are as follows ; 1. $46.3\%$ of the respondents had experienced back pain, and $47.0\%$ of females, $62.0\%$ of the people over 50years old, $57.4\%$ of junior high school teachers, $47.5%$ of teachers of art and physical education, $46.9\%$ of married persons, $47.8\%$ of the people living in medium or small towns, and $58.6\%$ of the persons whose economic status was low han experienced back pains, $58.9\%$ of respondents who were not healthy, and $49.3\%$ of those who did not drink alcohol, $47.9\%$ of nonsmokers, and $49.1\%$ of those who slept on ondol had experienced back pains. $76.7\%$ of the respondents got health information on back pains from health professionals. 2. An average level of the respondents en physical therapy was $14.95\pm8.32$ points out of 44 and it was 34 points when converted to 100. The knowledge levels of males,. elementary teachers, married persons, those teaching students far more than 20 hours a week, smokers, those who did not drink, those who exercised regularly, and those who had experienced back pains were higher than those in other groups. The knowledge level of those who had experienced back pain prevention education was $18.88\pm8.88$ points and the difference between those with experience and those without experience was statistically significant. The depression level of those who got 40 pome on back pains, and physical therapy was higher than other group(p<0.001). 3, Depression levels of teachers on back pains and physical therapy related knowledge was higher in those with back pains than those without back pains(p<0.01). 4. The factors affecting experience of back pains were back pain related age, economic status, health status, smoking, style of kitchen, sown of information on back pain, and back pain prevention education. (p<0.001), 5. The factors affecting the knowledge on physical therapy were general knowledge levels on back pains, position when tilling, and moving heavy stuffs, driving position, sources of information on back pain prevention, type of bed, age, and health status, and the explanation power of those factors was $45.2\%$.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2016

Background: Instability due to ankle sprains will be accompanied by a problem of balance and pain change. Balance trainer is used to improve the ankle strength and balance ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of pain and postural balance ability in ankle joint after balance trainer application in patients with ankle sprain and instability. Methods: Twenty patients in K hospital in Incheon were enrolled. Balance trainer was applied to 10 subjects in the experimental group and 10 subjects in the Balance cushion under the same conditions as the experimental group to compare the pain and balance ability. Results: In the experimental group, there was a significant difference in the change of the pain variation. In the postural balance ability comparison, there was a significant difference in total and post - posterior comparison compared to the control, but there was no significant difference in the postural balance ability comparison. Conclusion: Pain and postural balance ability of patients with instability due to ankle sprain improved the pain and balance ability of the Balance trainer group compared to the Balance cushion training group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine how a manual therapy (joint mobilization and flexion-distraction technique) would affect pain and function with the chronic low back pain. Methods: Thirty patients were assigned to either the experimental group (n=15) or the control group (n=15). Patients in the experimental group performed joint mobilization and flexion-distraction technique. Patients in the control group performed spinal decompression therapy. Both exercises were performed for three days per week, for a period of six weeks. Pain was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional disability was measured using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). A paired t-test was used for identify differences before and after treatment, and an independent t-test was used to identify differences between treatment groups. Results: In the within group comparison, the experimental group and control group differed significantly for all variables (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in any variables between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The above results confirmed that it is necessary to confirm the various benefits of therapy with the joint mobilization and the flexion-distraction technique. The findings of the concerned study will be useful to doctors applying therapy to treat patients with the chronic low back pain.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cold applied the night before or in the morning on pain and symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Design: Experimental study. Methods: Thirty subjects with plantar fasciitis were recruited for this study. Subjects with plantar fasciitis either had no intervention, cold applied (20 minutes) at night before bed, or 20 minutes in the morning upon wakening. Plantar fascia tenderness and pain were evaluated. There were ten subjects in each group. Measures included visual analog scale, plantar facial thickness via high resolution ultrasound, algometer measure, and range of motion of the ankle and foot. There were 3 groups of 10 subjects, control (no intervention), cold the night before bed, and cold in the morning before rising. Results: The greatest relief of symptoms was cold used at bedtime the night before the measurements. Cold used in the morning was not as effective as cold used in the evening before bed. Cold use reduced the thickness of the plantar fascia and irritation. There was a 13% reduction in plantar fascia thickness with cold the night before (p<0.05), a 44% reduction in pain and an 86 % increase in the force that could be applied to the bottom of the foot without pain (p<0.05). Conclusions: Cold applied for 20 minutes prior bedtime is effective for reduced symptomology caused by plantar fascia inflammation.