• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.203-215
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate abdominal muscles in chronic low back pain patients by meridian-electromyograph. Methods : Sample group of 11 with from low back pain during three months and control group of 10 subjects without low back pain have been recruited. Outcomes were assessed using meridian-electromyograph, visual analogue scale, and oswestry disability index. Results : Contraction power of external oblique abdominalis in control group was significantly higher than sample group, but there was no significant difference in muscle fatigue. Conclusions : According to above results, there are correlations between abdominal muscles and low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.125-140
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation(PMR) on stress and muscle relaxation in healthy people. Methods : Sample group of 14 healthy subjects had been treated by progressive muscle relaxation for 10 days. Control group of 14 healthy subjects were not treated during the same period. Outcomes were assessed by Meridian-Electromyograph(MEMG), Heart Rate Variability(HRV), Stress Reaction Inventory(SRI). Results : The contraction and fatigue of erector spinae muscle by MEMG had decreased significantly in Sample group. There was no significant difference between two groups in the HRV and SRI. Conclusions : Further studies analysing PMR effect on stress and muscle relaxation are needed.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of superficial acupuncture to deep acupuncture on normal muscle function. Methods : In Group A, 12 healthy subjects had been treated by deep acupuncture(10mm). In Group B, 12-healthful subjects had been treated by superficial acupuncture(5mm). Each session took 10 minutes. Before and after the treatment, outcomes were assessed by Algometer for muscle tenderness, dynamometer for grasping power and Meridian-Electromyograph(MEMG) for extensor muscles. Results : The Contraction power of finger extensor muscles assessed by MEMG had decreased significantly in both groups. The muscle fatigue of finger extensor muscles assessed by MEMG had increased significantly in Deep acupuncture group. Grasping power assessed by dynamometer had no significant change in both groups. Conclusions : According to above results, superficial acupuncture is more effective on reducing muscle fatigue.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain and psychological state in female office workers with neck pain. Methods : Experimental group of 31 healthy subjects complained of neck and arm discomfort related to computer use which lasted more than 3 months in the past year and was present in the past 7 days as well as on the day of test. Outcomes were assessed by meridian-electromyography(MEMG), Neck Disability Index(NDI), Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Stress Reaction Inventory(SRI), Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale(SRRS). Results : The NDI score and BDI score had a correlationship(r=0.48), and the NDI score and SRI score also had a correlationship(r=0.48), significantly. The NDI score and contraction power of upper trapezius by MEMG had a correlationship significantly, but with the other muscles the NDI score didn't have correlationships. The NDI score and the SRI score were significantly higher in depression group(BDI score ${\circ}{\surd}$14). The contraction power of trapezius by MEMG was significantly lower in depression group. Conclusions : The results suggest that mental stress can be a major risk factor of neck pain in female office workers.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.213-225
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related on pain in female office workers. Methods : Neck pain group of 31 female subjects complained of neck and arm discomfort. Normal group of 20 female subjects had no complaints or minimal discomfort. Cervical curvature and muscle tone were assessed by whole spine x-ray, meridian-electromyography(MEMG), craniovertebral angle, and Moire. Neck pain was evaluated by Neck Disability Index(NDI) and Visual Analog Scale(VAS). The emotional and other physical factors that could effect neck pain were checked by questionnaires including Beck Depression Index(BDI), Stress Reaction Index(SRI), Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale(SRRS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale(GSRS). Results : The contraction and fatigue of upper trapezius by MEMG was significantly higher in the neck pain group. And BDI, SRI, SRRS, and GSRS were significantly higher in the neck pain group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the Jackson's angle, Cobb's method, craniovertebral angle, and moire between two groups. Conclusions : The results suggest that neck pain is related to mental stress rather than physical stress and physical stress does not change cervical curvature significantly.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between neck pain and physical factors in female office workers. Methods : Neck pain group of 31 female subjects complained of neck and arm discomfort. Normal group of 20 female subjects had no complaints or minimal discomfort. Cervical curvature and muscle tone were assessed by whole spine x-ray, meridian-electromyography(MEMG), craniovertebral angle. Neck pain was evaluated by Neck Disability Index(NDI) and Visual Analog Scale(VAS). Results : The NDI score and contraction power of upper trapezius by MEMG had a relationship significantly. However, there was no relationship between NDI and cervical curvature. Conclusions : The results suggest that neck pain is related to muscle tone rather than physical stress and cervical curvature.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.37-60
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between masseter and cervical muscle activity and temporomandibular disorder in female office workers. Methods : Experimental group of 24 healthy subjects complained of temporomandibular joint related to computer use which lasted more than 3 months in the past year and was present in the past 7 days as well as on the day of test. Control group of 20 healthy subjects had no complaints of minimal discomfort on the day of test, and had no discomfort in the past 7 days. If they had reported discomfort in the past 12 months, it was of a short duration(<3 months) and resolved at least 3 months prior to participation. Outcomes were assessed by meridian-electromyography(MEMG), whole spin x-ray, mandibular function impairment questionnaire(MFIQ), neck disability index(NDI), visual analog scale(VAS), Beck depression inventory(BDI), stress reaction inventory(SRI) and Holmes & Rahe social readjustment rating scale(SRRS). Results : The contraction power of masseter muscle, upper trapezius, sternocleido-mastoid muscle and erector spinae by MEMG was significantly higher in the experimental group. The muscle fatigue of masseter muscle and sternodeido-mastoid muscle by MEMG was significantly higher in the experimental group. SRI was significantly higher in experimental group. There was no significant difference between two groups in the Jackson's angle, Cobb's method and cranio-cervical posture. Conclusions : The results suggest that temporomandibular disorder related mental stress but physical stress does not change cervical structure significantly.