This study is a cross-sectional study for conscripts with chronic low back pain, where it is designed to investigate general characteristics that conscripts with chronic low back pain carry, and it is also aimed to analyze the correlation as well as discrepancy within pain, depression and body mass index depending on their ranks. In this study, 90 Korean conscripts with chronic low back pain participated. And in order to analyze general characteristics as well as pain, depression and body mass index of the subjects, this study adopted a survey questionnaire upon general characteristics, and it also employed Visual Analogue Scacle(VAS) and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression(CES-D) Scale which have proven their credibility, where BMI values for the subjects were calculated based on 'Asian Pacific standard' Body Mass Index(BMI). From the general characteristics exhibited by the subjects through this study, average age and average height of the subjects were 20.78±1.41 and 175.97±5.34 respectively; and corporals displayed the highest ratio of 42% with the chronic low back pain while 40% of the total subjects experienced the duration of the illness less than 6 to 9 months. Moreover, 57.8% of all subjects were reportedly suffering moderate pain, and 48% exhibited depression while 49% carried BMI value between 18.5 and 22.9kg/m2(normal range). Based on the analysis of correlation among pain, depression, discrepancy of BMI depending on the ranks and each independent variable, it appears that there is no significant difference amongst the ranks, and there is no correlation between independent variables; however, it was obvious that all groups divided by the ranks had a moderate pain(45-74mm), depression(≥16) and BMI value in normal range(18.5-22.9).

The objective of this research was to examine the effects of lumber stabilization exercise and a general physiotherapy program for caregivers with chronic low back pain. Sixteen people participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two groups for either lumbar stabilization exercise or for general physiotherapy, respectively. The experiment was performed for eight weeks. To examine the general as well as the medical characteristics of the participants, the following measurements were used: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); Back Performance Scale (BPS); Roland - Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); and Beck Depression Index (BDI). To compare the general and medical characteristics of the participants in the two groups, an independent t test were used. During the experiment, a paired t test was conducted to determine whether there was a significant difference in the values of VAS, ODI, BPS, RMDQ, and BDI before and after the experiment. To examine the difference in the VAS, ODI, BPS, RMDQ, and BDI values in the two groups, ANCOVA was used with pre test values as a covariate. According to the test results, in the lumbar stabilization exercise group, the VAS, ODI, BPS, RMDQ, and BDI values showed a statistically significant difference before and after the test (p<.05). In comparison, in the general physiotherapy program group, only the ODI and BPS values showed a statistically significant level of improvement. Regarding the degree of improvement, participants in the lumbar stabilization exercise group showed statistically significant progress compared to those in the general physiotherapy group. In summary, lumbar stabilization exercise is regarded as more effective than general physiotherapy for treating caregivers with chronic low back pain. In future studies, it will be useful to expand the research and to examine the long term effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on workers.

The purpose of this study was to compare the anaerobic threshold (AT) between subjects with and without non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). The patient group included 15 women with NCLBP. The normal group included 15 women without NCLBP who were age-, height-, weight-, and activity level-matched. The subjects performed a Balke treadmill protocol which was symptom-limited progressive loading test. Their heart rate (HR), ventilatory gas and metabolic equivalents (METs) were measured using the automatic breath gas analyzing system. After the test, each subjects' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated. The visual analog scale (VAS) was assessed pre- and post-test. The independent t-test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used for analysis of the data. Time, HR, the volume of oxygen consumption (), relative , and METs at the AT level of the patient group were significantly lower than those of the healthy group (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences in RPE, VAS, and breathing frequency at the AT level (p>.05). The findings of this study indicate that patients with NCLBP had a lower aerobic fitness than healthy subjects. Thus, implementation of rehabilitation program to increase aerobic fitness may be considered in patietns with NCLBP, and further studies are required to determine the etiological factors of decreased aerobic fitness.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 Nintendo Wii Sports 프로그램을 이용한 가상현실공간 훈련이 만성 요통 클라이언트의 균형 능력에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 추후 연구를 위한 예비 연구로서 개별실험 연구 AB디자인을 사용하였으며, 연구대상자는 2명이었다. 검사자는 연 구대상자의 균형 능력을 기초선 기간 1주 동안 3회, 치료선 4주 동안 1주 3회씩 균형 능력을 측정하였다. 연구대상자가 수행 한 Nintendo Wii Sports의 가상현실공간 훈련은 세 개의 활동으로 구성되었으며 1회기 총 운동 시간은 45분이었다. 결과 : 연구에 참여한 만성 요통 클라이언트의 균형 능력은 치료선에서 기초선과 동일하거나 향상되었다. 결론 : 본 연구를 토대로 지속적인 연구가 이루어진다면 Nintendo Wii Sports가 만성 요통 클라이언트의 균형 능력을 향상시키기 위한 새로운 치료 방법으로 사용될 수 있을 것이다.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sciatic nerve mobilization technique on perceived pain, straight leg raise test (SLR), and strength of knee extensor, location of symptoms (LOS) in patients with chronic low back pain. 22 patients with chronic low back pain were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG), with 11 patients in each group. All patients received a routine physical therapy (hot pack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). The mobilization technique of the sciatic nerve was performed for 10 min in the case of the EG subjects. Outcome measurements included the level of the perceived pain, SLR, and strength of the knee extensor, LOS. The measurements were recorded 3 times: before the intervention, after the intervention, and at 1 hour of follow up. The two groups did not significantly differ with regard to the level of perceived pain, SLR, and strength of the knee extensor, LOS before the test (p>.05). In the case of the EG subjects, all the variables measured after the intervention significantly differed from those measured before the intervention (p<.05). However, in the case of the CG subjects, a significant difference was noted only with regard to the level of perceived pain (p<.05). The findings indicate that sciatic nerve mobilization technique exerts a positive effect on the control of subjective symptoms and knee strength in patients with chronic low back pain. Further studies are required to generalize the result of this study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on peak exploratory flow (PEF), forced exploratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and low back pain during forced expiration. Twenty-two subjects (14 subjects in experimental group, 8 subjects in control group) participated in this study. The stabilizer was used for ADIM training for five consecutive days. Vitalograph PEF/FEV1 DIARY and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to determine forced expiratory pulmonary function and low back pain, respectively. Independent t-test and analysis of covariance were used for statistical analysis with a significance level of .05. The findings of this study were as follows: 1) There were no significant differences of ADIM effect on PEF and FEV1 between experimental group and control group. 2) There was a significant pain reduction in experimental group with ADIM. 3) PEF and FEV1 increased significantly in the fifth day compared with the first day pre-exercise baseline. Therefore, it is concluded that ADIM was effective in improving PEF and FEV1, and reducing VAS during forced expiration in patients with chronic low back pain.

The purpose of this study was to compare the onset times of muscle activities and the order of muscle firing in erector spinae, multifidus, rectus abdominis and biceps brachii during perturbation between subjects with and without work-related chronic low back pain (LBP). Twenty-nine subjects, 14 with and 15 without LBP, participated in this study. The muscle responses were measured by surface EMG (electromyography) during perturbation in eye opened and eye closed conditions. The EMG onset times of the erector spinae, multifidus, rectus abdominis and biceps brachii were similar between groups in eye closed condition. But the onset times of the erector spinae, multifidus, rectus abdominis were significantly delayed in subjects with LBP in eye opened condition. The results provide an evidence for impaired feed-forward control of the trunk muscles in subjects with LBP. Further studies are needed to identify whether the impaired feed-forward control of the trunk muscles is the contributing factor to LBP.

The objectives of this study were to examine the relative efficacy of three active exercise programs for work-related, chronic low back pain, and to observe to what extent the programs affected the mechanical stability of the lumbar region. The subjects were 64 employees who were randomly divided into three groups to match the three active exercise programs which were performed 3 times a week for 6 months. All subjects were assessed with the same measurements at a pre-study examination, and then were reassessed at 2 weeks, 3months and 6 months after the study. The pain intensity didn't show any significant difference among the three groups. However, the Oswestry Disability Index showed significant differences among the three groups at 6 months and the lumbar and thoracic exercise groups showed significant decreases compared to the general physiotherapy group (p<.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed a significant difference among the three groups at 3 months and 6 months, and the thoracic exercise group at 6 months showed a significant increase in overhead stretching compared to the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). The group that performed maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed the most significant among the 3 months and 6 months. At 6 months, the thoracic exercise group showed a significant increase in overhead stretching compared to the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant differences among the three groups at 2 weeks 3 months, and 6 months, with the thoracic exercise group being decreased more significantly at 6 months than the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). Exercise aimed at increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. Furthermore, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy and deep muscle strengthening lumbar exercise.

This study was designed 10 investigate the effects of therapeutic gymnastic ball exercise on pain, flexibility, lumbar disability level and daily activity levels in male patients of the armed forces medical hospital who complain of chronic low back pain. Twenty-three males were placed in the experimental group and twenty-nine males were placed in the control group. All of the subjects were chosen on the basis of availability among in-patients who were diagnosed with low back pain. The control patients were matched to the experimental group and they were selected considering gender, pain duration and age. Gymnastic ball exercise therapy was developed by the author with the assistance of a rehabilitation specialist. Gymnastic ball exercise therapy includes muscle relaxation, flexibility, muscle strength and posture development exercises. The gymnastic ball exercise therapy was carried out by the experimental group three times a week for eight weeks. Before and after the experiments, the intensity of pain, the lumbar joint mobility (flexibility), the lumbar disability levels, and the daily activity levels of the subjects were measured, respectively. The intensity of pain and the lumbar disability levels were measured by the Visual Analogue Scale, the level of flexibility by a measurement ruler, and the level of disability by the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Scale. Data were analysed using a t-test, a paired t-test and an unpaired t-test. The results were as follows: 1. The intensity of pain in the lumbar spine in the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group during the 4th week and 8th week. 2. The flexibility of the lumbar spine in the experimental group was significantly increased compared with that of the control group during the 4th week and 8 week. 3. The level of pain caused by anterior, posterior, left lateral and right lateral bending and by rotation in experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. 4. The Oswestry Disability score of the experimental group was significantly increased compared with that of control group. These findings indicate that gymnastic ball exercise therapy could be effective in decreasing pain and lumbar disability, and increasing the daily activity levels and lumbar flexibility in patients with chronic low back pain. The study also suggests that gymnastic ball exercise therapy could be an essential factor for effective nursing intervention for patients suffering from chronic low back pain.

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.

이 연구의 목적은 만성요통 여성 환자들에서 나타나는 자세 이상을 평가하고 방사선적 변수들과 임상적인 변수들과의 상관성을 알아보는 것이다. 이 연구의 대상자는 만성요통 여성 환자 38명과 대조군 32명이었다. 변수의 측정은 모든 대상자들이 이완된 자세로 기립한 상태에서 방사선 검사를 실시한 후 경추전만각, 흉추후만각, 요추전만각, 그리고 요추경사각을 측정하였다. 대상자들의 연령과 통증기간은 의무기록지를 참고하였다. 자료분석은 요통군과 대조군의 방사선적 변

The purpose of this study was to assess the fatigue in lumbar and abdominal muscles in patients with chronic low back pain compared with normal subjects using spectral analysis with mean power frequency and median power frequency. The experimental group consisted of twenty subjects who had experienced chronic low back pain for over one year after the onset day. A control group consisted of twenty normal subjects with no history of low back pain. All subjects stood in an apparatus to perform sustained contraction in the lumbar and abdominal muscles for 30 seconds with 60% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The resulting electromyographic (EMG) recorded time serial data were transformed into frequency serial data by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). The results were as follows: 1) lumbar muscles measured, the frequency change ratio of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly greater for experimental group compared with control group group (p<0.05). In measured two abdominal muscles (inferior rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis) except superior rectus abdominis, the frequency change ratio of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly greater for experimental group compared with control group (p<0.05). 2) In all three (longissimus thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, multifidus) lumbar muscles measured, the initial frequency value of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly lower for the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). In the two (inferior rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis) abdominal muscles measured (superior rectus abdominis not included), the initial frequency value of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly lower for the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). These results suggest that in patients with chronic low back pain there is a trend for more fatigue to occur in both lumbar and abdominal muscles than in the normal control group. This would seem to suggest that in treatment programs for patients with chronic low back pain, improvement of endurance in all trunk muscles should be considered.