• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

Purpose: Among computer users, the awkward posture and workstation setups of workers contribute to work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a traditional physical therapy and ergonomic intervention by physical therapists in 4 computer users. Methods: After checking Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), four subjects who were treated by physical therapy for neck and shoulder problems related to VDT syndrome were enrolled in the study. All subjects spent at least 40 hours per week at a computer workstation. All subjects had pain and ergonomic states evaluated using methods such as VAS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Workstyle short form, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and OSHA VDT checklist (Occupational Safety and Health Administration video display terminal) before a physical therapy + ergonomic intervention. Participants were re-evaluated 1 month later. Results: Participants showed more improvement of their neck pain after being treated with a physical therapy plus ergonomic intervention than when treatment consisted only of physical therapy. Improvements in RULA, Workstyle short form, and OSHA VDT checklist also were achieved. Conclusion: This case study suggests the importance of examining the work habits and work-related postures of subjects who complain of neck and shoulder pain that is exacerbated by computer use. Personalized ergonomic interventions and physical therapy can lead to improvement of patients with VDT syndrome.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.47-54
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of upper trapezius muscle stretching in more tensed position (MTP) and less tensed position (LTP) on the change of range of motion (ROM) for neck rotation, and the ROM for conjunct neck motions at end-range of neck rotation toward the painful side in patients with unilateral neck pain. Eighteen patients with unilateral neck pain were recruited for the study's MTP group, and 18 age-, weight- and gender-matched patients with unilateral neck pain were recruited for LTP group. The ROM changes in active neck primary and conjunct motions were measured using a cervical ROM inclinometer in the sitting position. Our results showed that both upper trapezius stretching method in MTP and LTP were significantly effective in increasing the ROM of neck rotation toward painful side in patients with unilateral neck pain. However, a significantly greater increase in the ROM for neck rotation and a further decrease in conjunct neck extension during neck rotation toward the painful side were shown in MTP group, compared to LTP group. The upper trapezius stretching in MTP is useful in increasing the ROM of neck rotation and decreasing the range of conjunct neck extension during neck rotation toward the painful side in patients with unilateral neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.158-163
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among pain, range of motion of the neck, neck disability index and grip strength after thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: In this study, twelve subjects with chronic neck pain were included. All participants had thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training. Intervention was conducted three times per a week, for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of neck, neck disability index (NDI), as well as the grip strength before and after intervention were measured in all participants. Paired t-test was used to compare variables before and after intervention. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the correlations between the variables. Results: All variables after the intervention were significantly improved. There was a significant negative correlation between VAS and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.669, p<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between NDI and VAS (r=0.636, p<0.05), and a significant negative correlation between NDI and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.692, p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with reduced pain following therapeutic intervention illustrated that there would be an improvement in the flexion angle rather than the extension angle of the neck, and that those with increased flexion angle would have less restriction of activities in daily living.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.171-183
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• 1994

Purphose. This present study examines the effect of brief, intense transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(BTENS) on sensory nerve conduction, electrical pain threshold, and two-point discrimination measured at the superficial radial nevre distribution in 20 healthy subjects. Subjects. Twenty volunteercs, (10 females and 10 males(age range : 20-38 years : $mean{\pm}SD\;:\;27.00{\pm}5.12$), only subjects without prior traumatological and pathological were eligible to participated in this study. Methods. Nerve conduction were determined for the right superficial radial nerve. Electrical pain threshold were determined for the right wrist ipsilateral to the site of BTENS. Small disc electrodes were attached to the surface of the skin stradding the end of the radius. Square wave electrical pulses were delivered from an isolated stimulator through a constant current device at a frequency of 2 Hz(5 ms pulse width). Two-point discrimination, measured on the sensory distribution of superficial radial nerve. BTENS was delivered using a Max-SD( Medical design co.) portable battery powered stimulator. A cicular Ag/AgCl electrode in contact with hypertonic saline gel was attached to the lateral(radial side) surface of the forearm. Results. No significant effects were observed between stimulation methods in the prestimulation cycle(multi-way ANOVA repeated measures : distal latency ; F1.14=0.332. amplitude ; F 0.80=0.445, pain threshold ; F0.06=0.940.2 point discrimination ; F1.50=0.236). Highly significant effects were observed time with the pretreatment and 6 posttreatment cycles(p<0.01). Mighty significants differences in nerve conduction and pain threshold were found using un multi-way ANOVA repeated measures among stimulation methods for each cycles(p<0.01). Conclusion and Discussion The authors concludes that both nerve conduction and pain threshold changes are associated with therapy (stimulation) level of BTENS.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.331-343
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of short-wave therapy (SWT) for treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) as compared to placebo and control, and to assess the question of whether the effects are related to the mode, dosage, and application method. Methods: We searched randomized, placebo-controlled trials using electronic databases. We also manually reviewed sources in order to identify additional relevant studies. Results: Eight studies (597 participants) with OA were included in the meta-analysis. Pulse SWT had a significant effect on pain relief compared with control treatment, while did not favour compared with the placebo group. Pulse SWT had a significant effect on functional improvement compared with control and placebo treatment. Continuous SWT had no effect on pain relief and functional improvement. Capacitive SWT a significant effect on pain relief, functional improvement, and muscle strength. Continuous and capacitive SWT had increased muscle strength significantly. We found no clinical significance of all outcomes except pain and functional improvement in pulsed SWT with low dose. There was no difference in adverse events. None of the participants experienced any serious adverse events. Conclusion: Low dose pulsed SWT provided a short-term clinical benefit for pain relief and functional improvement. Pulsed SWD with low and high dose had effects on pain and function. There seems to be a placebo effect. We found significant effects on pain and function in capacitive SWT. Despite some positive findings, this analysis lacked data on how effectiveness is affected by mode, dosage, and application method of SWT. Further well-designed clinical studies are required in order to confirm the effectiveness of SWT.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.103-112
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• 2008

Purpose : The Purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of taping and AMCT(activator methods chiropractic technique) on the pain and grip strength in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Methods : To study divided of three groups. Taping groups were apply to taping was attached from wrist joint to elbow joint lateral epicondly after maximun flexion. AMCT application was contact the posterior aspect of the proximal head of the radius. The line of drive is anterior and inferior. Next, contact the anterior aspect of the lunate by positioning the instrument on the volar aspect of the wrist. The line of drive is straight posterior. combination groups was treated using the taping and AMCT application. Result : 1. The pain was decreased on taping groups, AMCT groups and combination groups of all(p<.05). 2. Power grip was enhanced in taping groups, AMCT and combination groups(p<.05). but taping, AMCT, combination groups was no difference compared with after 1 week therapy(p>.05). 3. Compared with AMCT and taping therapy about pain decreased was AMCT groups better than taping groups(p<.05). 4. Compared with AMCT and taping therapy about power grip was AMCT groups better than taping groups(p<.05). 5. AMCT and combination groups was no difference compared with pain release and power grip after therapy(p>.05). Conclusion : AMCT groups therapy are more effect able than taping therapy for grip strength and pain reduction. Hence, AMCT groups therapy is most effect able for pain reduction with lateral epicondylitis patients.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.9-18
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• 2015

This study aimed to compare the characteristics of breast cancer surgery and shoulder surgery patients on the shoulder range of motion (ROM), degree of pain and dysfunction, and scapular position. This study was carried out with a total of 90 women: a breast cancer surgery group (BS, $n_1=30$), a shoulder surgery group (SS, $n_2=30$) and a control group ($n_3=30$). Shoulder ROM, the Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the Scapular Index (SI) were used to assess shoulder function. Statistical analyses were performed using a one-way analysis of variance, crosstab test, and independent sample t-test. Post-hoc testing was carried out with Bonferroni test. There were significant differences in shoulder ROM when the BS and the SS were compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference in ROM between the BS and SS. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in shoulder pain between both surgery groups, and there was greater shoulder dysfunction in the SS than in the BS. There was also a significant difference in upper extremity posture when the BS and the SS were compared to the control group. Finally, there was no significant difference in upper extremity posture between the BS and the SS. This study compared shoulder ROM, pain, dysfunction, and upper extremity postures between the BS and SS. While there were no significant differences in shoulder ROM, pain, and upper extremity posture between both surgery groups, the level of dysfunction was found to be significantly different. Therefore, health professionals managing for breast cancer surgery or shoulder surgery patients should consider these outcomes.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.37-50
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare visual analogue scale (VAS), pain threshold (PT), $%RMS_{RVC}$, and EMG gaps before and after applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the upper trapezius muscle at the patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The subjects were 4 men and 10 women composed of both the inpatients and outpatients who were diagnosed as MPS at Wonju Medical Center. VAS and PT measurements were performed to assess the subjective pain level. The reference voluntary contraction (RVC) test was performed for 15 seconds for normalization on the bilateral trapezius muscle using surface electromyography (sEMG). After 3-minute resting time, the EMG signal was recorded while performing a typing activity for 2 minutes and then TENS was applicated with a comfortable intensity for 10 minutes. The EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle was recorded during typing for 2 minutes. The results of study were as follows: 1) VAS score was significantly decreased on the more painful side after treatment, however, it was not significantly different on the less painful side. 2) PT was increased after treatment on both sides, however, it was not significantly different between before and after the TENS application. 3) The EMG activity during typing was significantly decreased after treatment, and 4) The EMG gaps were significantly increased after TENS treatment compared to before it. Consequently, the study showed that TENS was effective in decreasing VAS, $%RMS_{RVC}$, and in increasing EMG gaps. The EMG gap analysis could be a useful method to measure pain in patients with MPS in the upper trapezius.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.264-271
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• 2020

Background: Because a forward-leaning posture can cause increased back muscle activity and pain. Therefore, an innovative method to reduce back muscle activity and pain is required. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a head support on muscle activity and pain in a forward-leaning posture. Methods: A total of 14 male and 16 female students (average age, 21.65 ± 2.37 years; height, 166.15 ± 7.90 cm; and weight, 60.65 ± 9.00 kg) were recruited for the experiment. Two of them were excluded due to musculoskeletal disorders. The muscle activity and pain in the forward-leaning posture were assessed while participants washed dishes for 7 minutes with and without a head support. The condition of using a head support was randomly performed with a 5-minutes break. To confirm a lumbar flexion angle of 30° during the experiment, myoVIDEO was used, and surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity. Pain was assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the data, with p < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar erector spinae muscle activities significantly decreased with the use of the head support, but there was no significant change in the gluteus maximus. There was a significant decrease in the VAS score for the lumbar erector spinae (p < 0.05), but there was no significant change in the VAS score for the cervical region. Conclusion: The use of a head support in a forward-leaning posture reduced cervical, thoracic, and lumbar erector muscle activity and pain. Therefore, it could be recommended during working in a forward-leaning posture, such as during dishwashing, cooking, and working as a factory employee.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the functional category, the item structure and the model-data fit of the neck disability index (NDI) of neck pain subjects by performing a Rasch rating scale analysis. Methods: The data was obtained from the assessments of 71 college students (males: 27, females: 44) with neck pain. The data of the NDI was applied to the Rasch's rating scale model to estimate the difficulty of items, the goodness-of-fit of each item, the separation reliability and index, and the rating scale. Results: The 'sleep' item showed misfit and nine items were founds to be fits for self-reporting of disability due to neck pain. The most difficult item of the remaining 9 items was 'work' and the easiest item was 'headache'. The transformation formula score=(logit score+7.10)/(7.10+0.11)$\times$100. The 6 response levels of the NDI were validated according to the structure of the rating scale. The item and subject reliability of the separation reliability was 0.97 and 0.85, respectively. Conclusion: We proved that the NDI for self-reporting of disability of daily activities due to mild neck pain was valid and reliable. This study suggests that individuals with mild neck pain may be assessed by using the modified NDI that does not include the 'sleep' item in the 10 items of NDI.