The present study investigated the role of spinal glutamate recycling in the development of orofacial inflammatory pain or trigeminal neuropathic pain. Experiments were carried out on male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing between 230 and 280 g. Under anesthesia, a polyethylene tube was implanted in the atlanto-occipital membrane for intracisternal administration. IL-1β-induced inflammation was employed as an orofacial acute inflammatory pain model. IL-1β (10 ng) was injected subcutaneously into one vibrissal pad. We used the trigeminal neuropathic pain animal model produced by chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve. DL-threo-β -benzyloxyaspartate (TBOA) or methionine sulfoximine (MSO) was administered intracisternally to block the spinal glutamate transporter and the glutamine synthetase activity in astroglia. Intracisternal administration of TBOA produced mechanical allodynia in naïve rats, but it significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia in rats with interleukin (IL)-1 β-induced inflammatory pain or trigeminal neuropathic pain. In contrast, intracisternal injection of MSO produced antiallodynic effects in rats treated with IL-1β or with infraorbital nerve injury. Intracisternal administration of MSO did not produce mechanical allodynia in naive rats. These results suggest that blockade of glutamate recycling induced pro-nociception in naïve rats, but it paradoxically resulted in anti-nociception in rats experiencing inflammatory or neuropathic pain. Moreover, blockade of glutamate reuptake could represent a new therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic pain conditions.

Background: Scapular posterior tilt (SPT) is important in the prevention of abnormal scapular movement and pain during elevation of the arm. However, previous studies have overlooked increased upper trapezius (UT) muscle activity interrupting the normal force couple of scapular motion and compensation of levator scapulae (LS) muscle activated simultaneously with UT during SPT exercise. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of modified SPT with depression exercise versus SPT exercise on serratus anterior (SA), lower trapezius (LT), UT, and LS muscle activities and the clavicular tilt angle, in subjects with rounded shoulder posture (RSP) and myofascial pain in the UT muscle region. Methods: Eighteen subjects with RSP were recruited and randomly allocated to 2 groups; 9 in the SPT group and 9 in the SPT with depression group. All subjects met the specific RSP criteria and had myofascial pain of UT region. Depending on the allocated group, subjects performed the assigned SPT exercise and EMG data were recorded during the each exercise. Clavicular tilt angle was defined as the angle between the line joining the medial and lateral end of the clavicle and a horizontal line. Results: The SA muscle activity was significantly greater in SPT with depression than with SPT exercise (p<.05). The UT, LS muscle activity and the clavicular tilt angle was significantly lower in SPT with depression than with SPT exercise (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings were insightful because the potential risk of pain from overactivation of the UT and LS was considered, in contrast with SPT exercise. SPT with depression exercise can be implemented as an effective method to facilitate scapular muscle activity for stability and to prevent myofascial pain in the neck and shoulder.

목적 : 본 연구는 수면의 질과 통증 정도가 뇌졸중 환자의 일상생활활동 수행능력에 미치는 영향을 알아보 고자 실시하였다 연구방법 : 2016년 1월부터 2016년 5월까지 대구에 소재한 D병원에 입원하여 작업치료를 받는 100명의 뇌졸중 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 연구 디자인은 서술적, 단면조사 연구로 하였다. 대상자들의 일상생활활 동 수행능력을 알아보기 위해 한국판 수정바델지수(Korean version of Modified Barthel Index; K-MBI)를, 수면의 질을 알아보기 위해 피츠버그 수면 질 지수(Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI), 통증 정도를 알아보기 위해 숫자 척도(Numerric Rating Scale; NRS)를 사용하였다. 데이터는 기술통계, 빈도분석, 티-검정, 일원배치분산분석, 피어슨상관분석, 다중회귀분석을 사용하여 분석하였다. 결과 : 일상생활활동 수행능력과 수면의 질, 통증 정도는 유의한 상관관계를 보였다(p<.01). 통증 정도는 일상생활활동 수행능력에 유의한 영향을 미치지 않았으나, 수면의 질은 일상생활활동 수행능력에 유의하 게 영향을 미치는 요인으로 나타났다(p<.05). 결론 : 본 연구의 결과를 통하여 수면의 질과 통증 정도는 일상생활활동 수행능력과 관련성이 있으며 수면의 질이 좋지 않으면 일상생활활동 수행능력 또한 저하되는 것으로 나타났다. 그러므로 작업치료사는 뇌졸중 환자의 일상생활활동 수행능력 향상을 위해 신체적 요소뿐만 아니라 수면의 질을 향상시키고 통증을 조절 할 수 있는 중재방법도 고려하여야 할 것이다.

The purpose of this case study was to investigate the effects of thoracic mobilization and manipulation on a patient with upper thoracic pain. The subject had been complaining of upper thoracic pain for the last 4 months. On the X-ray, T3 and T4 spinous process were located on the left side of the vertical axis. First, transverse mobilization was applied from left to right at the T3-T4 and then thoracic manipulation was performed. The intervention methods of mobilization and manipulation were based on the concept of Maitland manual therapy. The subject underwent a total of 20 sessions (five times per week for four weeks). The thoracic pain and vertebral rotation angle were measured to examine the effect of the intervention. The thoracic pain score decreased (from 4.0 to 1.5) and the angle of thoracic vertebral rotation decreased (from 7.0º to 4.0º). These results suggest that applied mobilization and manipulation in patients with a primary complaint of thoracic pain decreasing the thoracic pain and vertebral rotation angle.

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of kinesiotaping and joint mobilization on the metatarsophalangeal joint angle and pain in hallux valgus patients Twenty-one female hallux valgus patients in their 20s were divided into two groups, a Kinesiotaping group (KT, n=10) and another group with the addition of joint mobilization (KTJM, n=11). After undergoing 6 weeks of intervention, the change in the metatarsophalangeal joint and pain were measured. Metatarsophalangeal joint angle was significantly increased both the KT and the KTMJ group after intervention. In the change of pain, both the KT and KTJM groups on an individual basis also experienced a significant decrease in pain, though comparison between the two groups failed to represent a significant difference. These findings suggest that Kinesiotatping and joint mobilization increased the joint angle and reduced pain.

Background:Agricultural work is physically demanding and is associated with a high frequency of musculoskeletal disorders. It is challenging to comprehensively understand the present status of work-related diseases and injuries among farmers in underdeveloped countries.Objects:This study aimed to elucidate the current status of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in local farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia, and identify the agricultural factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (AFWMP) and healthy living and healthy behavior factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (HFWMP).Methods:The Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development at Yonsei University conducted a survey of 126 households in Tigray, Ethiopia in 2014. A total of 116 individuals (73 men, 43 women) representing each household answered the questionnaires.Results:1) Work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) most commonly occurred when performing heavy lifting and most frequently occurred in the lower back. 2) Age, self-perceived labor intensity, and months of farming work were significantly higher in the pain group than those in the non-pain group. 3) Overall work-related musculoskeletal pain intensity (WPI) showed positive and negative correlations with years of farming experience and self-perceived health status, respectively. 4) In binary logistic regression, the occurrence of WMSP showed significant associations with self-perceived labor intensity. 5) On multiple linear regression analysis, age, months of farming work, and self-perceived health status had a significant impact on overall WPI.Conclusion:The WMSP of farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia was related to the characteristics of farm working and health status. Furthermore, HFWMP and AFWMP were the chief factors affecting the occurrence of WMSP in farmers in Tigray. Therefore, both HFWMP and AFWMP should be considered for clinical health assessments of farmers with WMSP in underdeveloped African countries.

The Purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sciatic nerve mobilization on pain and lower back muscle strength in female patients in their 40s who have been diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy. Using a simple blinded method, 20 female patients with neuropathy in the nerve segments between L4-S1 were randomly divided into one group (n=10) that would undergo sciatic nerve mobilization, and another group (n=10) that would perform lower back segment stabilization exercises. The two groups attended 3 sessions per week, with each session taking 30 minutes, for a duration of 4 weeks. In the preliminary examinations, the pain index as well as the isometric muscle strength of the lower back extensor and flexor muscles were measured. After the passing of 4 weeks. The same method of measurement was used for the concluding examinations. Comparison of the pain indices in the two groups revealed that they both experienced a statistically significant decrease, and further inspection revealed that the there was a more substantial difference in the sciatic nerve mobilization group. Results of comparing changes in the Isometric Muscle Strength lower back muscle and bending muscle by group, In comparison between groups, the isometric strength of the lower back extensor showed a more significant difference in the sciatic nerve mobilization group (p <.05). Conclulsion, it can be inferred that application of sciatic nerve mobilization has a positive effect on the pain index and isometric muscle strength of the lower back in female patients with lumbar radiculopathy in their 40s.

Background: Patients after rotator cuff (RC) surgery experienced pain, weakness and limited of motion of the shoulder. Physical therapists have used heat therapy, electrotherapy, range of motion (ROM) exercise and other methods to treat patients after RC surgery. In addition, functional taping is also used to support joint movement and to increase shoulder joint stability. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the initial effects of functional taping using non-elastic tape on pain, strength and ROM of the shoulder following RC surgery. Methods: Forty-eight patients with who underwent RC surgery volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n1=25) and a control group (CG, n2=23). First, non-allergic tape was applied to the shoulder to prevent skin irritation. The EG applied functional taping using non-elastic tape and the CG applied sham taping using elastic tape. Assessment tools included the shoulder pain and disability index for functional activity score, visual analog scale for level of pain, shoulder muscle strength, hand grip strength and ROM testing. Results: Pain score in the both group significantly decreased (p<.05), and change in pain score of in the EG increased significantly than in the CG (p<.05). Shoulder strength and ROM in the both group significantly increased (p<.05). Especially external rotation and extension of the shoulder ROM in the EG increased significantly more than in the CG (p<.05), but the rate of change in the two groups showed no significant difference. Conclusion: These results suggest that functional taping using non-elastic tape was initially effective in decreasing pain score level in patients with RC surgery.

당뇨병 환자들은 말초신경 손상의 합병증으로서 이상감각과 통증을 느낄 수 있는데 이는 날카로운 느낌, 차갑고 시린 느낌, 무딘 느낌, 살갗이 벗겨진 듯한 예민한 느낌, 화끈거리는 느낌, 따끔하고 가려운 느낌 등 다양하게 나타날 수 있다. 이를 진단하기 위해서 여러 선별검사와 전기생리학적 검사를 활용할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 신경병통증척도와 미시간 신경병증 선별도구 및 신경전도검사를 통해 이상감감/통증을 호소하는 당뇨병 환자 11명과 호소하지 않는 당뇨병 환자 10명 간에 차이점 및 특징을 분석하였고, 세부 감각양상과 신경전도검사 지표간 상관성을 분석하였다. 그 결과 이상감각/통 증을 호소하는 환자군에서 신경병통증척도와 미시간 신경병증 선별검사의 점수가 통계적으로 유의하게 높았고 신경전도검 사에서는 주로 정중신경 운동신경과 비골신경이 의미 있는 기능 변화를 보였다. 세부 감각양상에 따른 신경전도검사 지표는 주로 정중신경 운동신경, 후경골신경, 장딴지신경에서 유의한 변화를 보였다. 이러한 결과들은 감각이상과 통증이 실제 말초신경 이상과 관련이 있음을 시사한다. 향후 많은 수의 대상자를 포함한 추가적인 연구가 필요하다.

Background: Shoulder stabilization commonly involves two components: the glenohumeral stabilization exercise (GSE) and scapular stabilization exercise (SSE). Despite the fact that the shoulder stabilization has advantageous merit, to our knowledge, only a few studies have compared the superior of the GSE and the SSE. Objects: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of GSE in patients with nonspecific shoulder pain. Methods: Thirty subjects with nonspecific shoulder pain were randomly divided into an experimental group and control group, each with 15 patients. The experimental group used an GSE, whereas the control group did SSE. All subjects were measured in shoulder stability, scapular symmetric alignment, pain, muscle power, and range of motion before and after the intervention. Results: GSE resulted in significantly better shoulder stability (p=.046, from 8.67±7.54 score to 13.93±9.40) in the experimental group compared with SSE in the control group. However, no significant effects were observed for scapular symmetric alignment including the angles of inferior scapular distance (p=.829) and inferior scapular height difference (p=.735), pain (p=.113), muscle power including shoulder flexion (p=.723) and abduction (p=.897) and range of motion including shoulder flexion (p=.853) and abduction (p=.472). Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSE may be more effective in increasing the shoulder stability than the SSE in patients with nonspecific shoulder pain, probably through a centralization effect on the shoulder mechanism.

The purpose of this article was to investigate the effects of Maitland’s transverse movement on change of pain, trunk flexion movement and Cobb’s angle in patient with upper thoracic scoliosis. The subject are 37 years old with chronic low back pain participated in this study and has no experience surgery within the last six months due to back pain. 10 set was applied 10 times on the T3-T5 applied the transverse movement with grade Ⅳ to each segment by skilled physical therapist. Transverse movement was applied convex toward the concave side. Pressure pain threshold was reduced from 4/10 to 2/10. Trunk flexion range that is the distance between the middle finger and floor was increase from 7.3cm to 2cm. Cobb’s angle was decreased from degree 18 to 16. This result demonstrated that the Maitland’s transverse movement was benefit to reduce the pain and Cobb’s angle, and to increase the trunk flexion movement.

Background: In the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, the goals of traditional physical therapy are not only to reduce the inflammatory process leading to pain, but also to decrease joint overload and muscle hyperactivity. To achieve those goals, physical therapists generally use a photo-therapy, joint mobilization, and massage. Objects: To examine the impact of an unloading technique using non-elastic taping on the pain, opening mouth, functional level, and quality of life in patients with TMJ disorder. Method: Twenty patients with TMJ disorder were included in this study and randomly divided into the experimental (n1=10), and control (n2=10) groups. Traditional physical therapy including massage and stretching for 30 min was performed in both groups. Non-elastic taping was performed in the experimental group after traditional physical therapy, and they were recommended to keep the tape attached for 12 hours. Outcomes for pain, functional level, and quality of life were measured using a survey. The opening mouth was measured using a general ruler. Result: Significant differences were observed in the pain level, opening mouth, functional level, and quality of life after the intervention and on follow-up in both groups. However, we found that while the levels of all parameters were maintained throughout the follow-up period in the experimental group, the functional status level was not maintained throughout the follow-up period in the control group. Conclusion: Our unloading technique using non-elastic tape results comparable to those achieved by traditional physical therapy in the treatment of TMJ. However, the unloading taping method using non-elastic tape is more effective than traditional physical therapy in maintaining the impact of intervention

For decades, researchers and practitioners have focused on ethical and environmental consumerism that is regarded as a mainstream phenomenon in contemporary consumer culture (e.g., Doane, 2001; Low & Davenport, 2007). In this context, the ethical consumer is supposed to be concerned about a broad spectrum of issues ranging from the environment and animal welfare to societal concerns, including human rights. By “shopping for a better world” (Low & Davenport, 2007, p. 336), the ethical buyer demands products that meet his/her moral principles and boycotts companies involved in unethical practices (e.g., Muncy & Vitell, 1992; Barnett et al., 2005). Nevertheless, a critical perspective on the economic reality has led to the discussion if the ethical consumer is nothing more than a myth (e.g., Carrigan & Attalla, 2001; Devinney et al., 2010). A particular industry context where cruel production processes are widely discussed is the cosmetics industry. Therefore, from the multitude of ethical dilemmas related to consumption behavior and cruel business activities, the underlying study focuses on animal testing for cosmetic purposes. The main research focus of this study is built on the idea that anthropomorphic communication about cruel tactics in production processes has significant impacts on consumers’ perception and behavior. Besides the form of communication, the perception of anthropomorphic communication is largely determined by personal and individual characteristics of the recipient. In addition to the ability to emphasize – generally known as to encourage the perception of harmful conditions and foster the ability to experience and share another´s condition or state of mind and emotional context (Johnson, Cheeks & Smither, 1983; Cohen & Strayer, 1996) - there exists a “dark side” of consumer personality as well. The Dark Triad which is composed of Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy. Hence, the study additionally examines the impact of bright and dark personality traits on the perception of anthropomorphized communication and highlights the importance for the identification of diverse consumer segments.

Background: Team-based learning (TBL) strategy have been applied in various nursing education as focusing on what students doing in-class and how learning from their experience. The purpose of this study was to develop and apply the TBL approach to teach pain assessment and management for undergraduate nursing students. Methods: Pain management education using TBL was applied in fundamentals of nursing course and consisted of three sessions for 2nd year nursing students. For developing the TBL, instructors redesigned the course before starting the semester and collected the cases reports from clinical environment. TBL on pain management was then applied into fundamentals of nursing course for 3 weeks. After completion the TBL course, satisfaction and self-confidence were collected. Result: We designed activities in four different points of TBL course such as a) before class begins, b) preparation, c) readiness assurance, and d) application. In before class, students can be identified instructional goal of TBL and activities of each point of course with their team member. The scores of students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in learning were high. Most students were positively described their experience of TBL course on pain management. Conclusion: Based on this development process and application, TBL approach will be applicable in various nursing education for enhancing the knowledge and making a clinical decision of nursing students.

Background: Lumbar stabilization (LS) improve the thickness of the quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle and muscle activity of the gluteus medius (GM) muscle during hip abduction in a side-lying position in patients with low back pain (LBP). Objects: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of LS on muscle thickness of QL and muscle activity of GM during hip abduction in side-lying in patients with LBP. Methods: The study included 32 patients with LBP, who were randomly divided into the control group and experimental group, each with 16 patients. All subjects performed 35° preferred hip abduction (control group) and 35° hip abduction with LS (experimental group) during side-lying. An ultrasonography and a surface electromyography were used to measure the thickness of the QL muscle, and the muscle activities of the GM muscle respectively. Independent t-test was used to compare the muscle thickness of the QL and the muscle activity of the GM muscle, respectively. Results: Anterio-posterior diameter in the muscle thickness of QL muscle was decreased significantly in hip abduction with LS more than in preferred hip abduction (p<.001), but medio-lateral diameter in the muscle thickness of QL muscle was not significantly different between in preferred hip abduction and in hip abduction with LS (p=.06). The muscle activity of GM was increased significantly in hip abduction with LS more than in preferred hip abduction (p<.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that hip abduction with LS could be recommended as a hip abduction for LS and a prevention unwanted compensatory pelvic lateral tilting movement.

Background: For the treatment of forward head posture (FHP) and forward shoulder posture, methods for strengthening scapular retractors and deep cervical flexors and stretching pectoralis and upper cervical extensors are generally used. No study has yet assessed whether suboccipital release (SR) followed by cranio-cervical flexion exercise (CCFE) (SR-CCFE) will result in a positive change in the shoulders and neck, showing a “downstream” effect. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of SR-CCFE on craniovertebral angle (CVA), shoulder abduction range of motion (ROM), shoulder pain, and muscle activities of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) and LT/UT and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during maximal shoulder abduction in subjects with FHP. Methods: In total, 19 subjects (7 males, 12 females) with FHP were recruited. The subject performed the fifth phase of CCFE immediately after receiving SR. CVA, shoulder abduction ROM, shoulder pain, muscle activities of UT, LT, and SA, and LT/UT and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during maximal shoulder abduction were measured immediately after SR-CCFE. A paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine the significance of differences in scores between pre- and post-intervention in the same group. Results: The CVA (p<.001) and shoulder abduction ROM (p<.001) were increased significantly postversus pre-intervention. Shoulder pain was decreased significantly (p<.001), and LT (p<.05) and SA (p<.05) muscle activities were increased significantly post- versus pre-intervention. The LT/UT muscle activity ratio was increased significantly post- versus pre-intervention (p<.05). However, there was no significant change in UT muscle activity and SA/UT muscle activity ratio between pre- and post-intervention (p˃.05). Conclusion: SR-CCFE was an effective intervention to improve FHP and induce downstream effect from the neck to the trunk and shoulders in subjects with FHP.

Background: It is necessary to find and develop the effective way of intervention for patients with neck pain, since the neck pain is becoming increasingly common throughout the world. To identify the altered motor control in patient with neck pain would be informative to find and develop the effective way of intervention. Objects: The aim of this study was to review literature regarding the altered motor control in patients with neck pain, measured by using surface electromyography (sEMG), ultrasonography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and to suggest prospective research work on neck pain. Methods: Case-control (neck pain/healthy) studies published between 2004 and 2015 that investigated neck muscle activation, thickness, cross-sectional area, and fat infiltrate were searched in Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Twenty-eight articles were included in this study. Results: sEMG, ultrasonography, and fMRI were used complementarily to investigate the altered superficial and deep neck muscle activation, thickness, cross-sectional area, and fat infiltrate in patients with neck pain. They showed the following altered motor control when compared retrospectively with healthy subjects or during specific functional tasks: (1) increased superficial muscle activation, (2) lesser deep muscle thickness, (3) smaller cross-sectional area of the deep muscle, and (4) greater fat infiltrate in deep muscles. In particular, among the women, the office workers showed higher muscle activation of superficial neck muscles during functional tasks, although they did not have neck pain, than those who were not office workers. Conclusion: Studies revealed that patients with neck pain showed an altered motor control when compared with healthy subjects by using various assessment modalities. Understanding this phenomenon would help researchers design an effective intervention for alleviating neck pain or to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. In addition, we recommend that female office workers take measures to care for their necks before developing neck pain.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of continuous muscle strengthening applied to the antagonist of the sternocleidomatoid, upper trapezius, and pectoralis major, which are the shortened muscles of forward head posture(FHP) subjects, and Evjenth-Hamberg stretching(EHS) applied to the shortened muscles on changes in pressure pain threshold(PPT). Twenty subjects were divided into the continuous antagonist strengthening( CAS) group(n=10) and the EHS group(n=10), and each group performed its respective exercise three times a week for a six week period. The results were as follows: The comparison of changes in PPT within each group before and after the treatment showed a statistically significant difference( p<.05) according to the treatment period and a statistically significant difference according to the treatment period and method(p<.05). While the comparison of the tests of between subjects effects between the groups did not show a statistically significant difference, the CAS group exhibited better effects. The above results suggest that the combined application of CAS and EHS generates better effects on changes in PPT than the single application of EHS. Given that stretching and muscle strengthening exercises even for the short research period of six weeks could change the PPT, continuous exercises and a correct postural habit for a longer period of time are likely to help prevent chronic pain and correct FHP

In the present study, the general characteristics, job stress, working conditions, and aspects of pain of some industrial workers working in Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, were surveyed. In analyzing the relationship between job stress and the existence of pain, the variables “working speed” and“ opportunities to develop abilities” were shown to have statistically significant relationships with the existence of pain (p≤.05). Regarding the relationship between working conditions and the existence of pain, the variables“ amount of work per hour,“” amount of work per day,“” number of parts handled during work,“” work production per person,” and“ inconvenient postures or motions during work” were shown to have statistically significant relationships with the existence of pain(P≤.05). Regarding aspects of pain“, within 1~3 years” was the most common answer to time of occurrence of symptoms, with a percentage of 27.6%“; appear almost always” was the most common answer to frequency of symptoms, with a percentage of 37.1%;“ slight pain” was the most common answer to degree of pain, with a percentage of 50.5%; and“ moderate” was the most common answer to encumbrance caused by pain to living and work, with a percentage of 41.2%. The aim of the present study was to determine the factors that affect pain due to musculoskeletal diseases in industrial workers and to define the aspects of pain in order to provide basic data for the preparation of measures to prevent musculoskeletal diseases. To control pain due to musculoskeletal diseases, factors that affect pain, as well as the aspects of pain, should be recognized early, and efforts should be made to supplement and improve systems for preventing recurrence.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Pilates and Tai Chi as physical therapy interventions for pain and dysfunction in chronic lumbago patients. A total of 31 females who were at least 20 years old and diagnosed with chronic lumbago were divided into a Pilates group(PG) (n=10), Tai Chi group(TCG)(n=11), and conservative group(CG)(n=10), to measure their pain and dysfunction before and after a six week intervention. With regard to the changes in the lumbago consciousness scale before and after the six-week intervention, all three groups showed statistical significance(p<.05). The intergroup differences were significant between the PG and CG and between the TCG and CG. All three groups also showed statistical significance(p<.05) in the Oswestry Disability Index before and after the six-week intervention. Again, the intergroup differences were significant between the PG and CG and between the TCG and CG. Based on these results, the application of Pilates and Tai Chi with conservative treatment may be effective in reducing pain and improving dysfunction in chronic lumbago patients.