J Phys Ther Sci
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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of an intervention comprising proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) or neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) on chronic low back pain as assessed by the thickness of musculus transversus abdominis [Subjects] The subjects were 12 young people (five males, seven females) who had chronic low back pain on one side for more than 6 months. [Methods] Subjects were asked to lie their sides with the painful side facing up. The subjects received PNF or NJF exercise treatments. The changes in the musculus transversus abdominis thickness were measured using ultrasonography. [Result] The thickness of the musculus transversus abdominis in the NJF group increased significantly and was higher than that in the PNF group and at rest. [Conclusion] The results showed that significantly better improvement can be obtained for chronic low back pain by applying NJF patterns to the musculus transversus abdominis.
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[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the factors influencing dysmenorrhea among Korean middle school adolescents. [Subjects] The subjects included 572 female students in three different middle schools located in Seoul, South Korea. [Methods] A cross-sectional design was adopted. The measurement tools used included a demographic form and revised Menstrual distress Questionnaire (MDQ). [Results] The analyses showed that the prediction model was significant. ⋯ The factor found to have the most influence on dysmenorrhea among Korean middle school adolescents was stress, followed by health status, onset of dysmenorrhea, consecutive days of menstruation, and dietary habits. [Conclusion] Nursing intervention programs for alleviating dysmenorrhea in Korean middle school adolescents are essential in order to reduce their level of stress, improve their perceived health status, and help them to maintain regular dietary habits. Reflecting on the recent trend of female students menstruating at a younger age, public health education courses and counseling programs should offer customized methods for alleviating dysmenorrhea.