Earticle

This study investigated the effectiveness of receptive music therapy to reduce postoperative pain. 11 subjects aged 9 to 18 who underwent orthopedic surgery because of short stature and dysmelia in K hospital participated in the individual receptive music therapy session after 24 hours of surgery. Pain intensity was measured with visual analogy scale. The selected music for the receptive music therapy was instrumental music and was chosen and programmed through inquiry before the session. The receptive music therapy session aimed at relaxing and distracting the perceived pain and it lasted for 30 minutes. The results of this study showed that in VAS measurement 10 of 11 subjects reported the effectiveness of the receptive music therapy to reduce pain. However, the blood pressure and pulse change of the subjects were not statistically significant.

Objective: This study aims to investigate high energy and low energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and which one is more effective for shoulder pain. Design: Single blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Fifty two subjects with upper trapezius (UT) trigger point (TrP) participated in this study. They were allocated to high energy (n=26) and low energy group (n=26). This study applies ESWT and investigates the changes of pressure pain threshold (PPT) and visual analogue scale (VAS). The high and low energy groups received focused piezo electric type ESWT 4 Hz, 1,000 pulses and 0.351 and $0.092mJ/mm^2$ respectively. Outcome measures of PPT and pain was measured by algometer and pain VAS. These measurements were performed before and after treatment. Results: The PPT value was significantly increased in both groups after treatment (p<0.05) and VAS scores were significantly decreased after treatment in both groups (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions: ESWT is an effective treatment for the application of the UT TrP. Although there were significant effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on PPT and VAS scores, there were no signficant differences between high and low energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

Objective To evaluate the clinical utility of the electrically calculated quantitative pain degree (QPD) and to correlate it with subjective assessments of pain degree including a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ).Methods We recruited 25 patients with low back pain. Of them, 21 patients suffered from low back pain for more than 3 months. The QPD was calculated using the PainVision (PV, PS-2100; Nipro Co., Osaka, Japan). We applied electrodes to the medial forearm of the subjects and the electrical stimulus was amplified sequentially. Minimum perceived current (MPC) and pain equivalent current (PEC) were defined as minimum electrical stimulation that could be sensed by the subject and electrical stimulation that could trigger actual pain itself. To eliminate individual differences, we defined QPD as the following: QPD=PEC?MPC/MPC. We scored pre-treatment QPD three times at admission and post-treatment QPD once at discharge. The VAS, MPQ, and QPD were evaluated and correlations between the scales were analyzed.Results Result showed significant test-retest reliability (ICC=0.967, p<0.001) and the correlation between QDP and MPQ was significant (at admission SRCC=0.619 and p=0.001; at discharge SRCC=0.628, p=0.001). However, the correlation between QPD and VAS was not significant (at admission SRCC=0.240, p=0.248; at discharge SRCC=0.289, p=0.161).Conclusion Numerical values measured with PV showed consistent results with repeated calculations. Electrically measured QPD showed an excellent correlation with MPQ but not with VAS. These results demonstrate that PV is a significantly reliable device for quantifying the intensity of low back pain.

Purpose: This study compared the effects of Static stretching and Mulligan's Two-leg rotation about the Hamstring flexibility, Hip range of motion, and pain. Methods: The subjects were allocated randomly into two groups: Static stretching group (n=13) and Mulligan's two leg rotation group (n=14). The study was designed with stretching protocols for four minutes and thirty seconds per day five times a week for three weeks in total. Measurements, including the Sit and reach test, Active/Passive Straight leg raise, and Visual analogue scale, were conducted before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: The flexibility of the two leg rotation group was higher than the static stretching group after the intervention. The post-sit and reach test value of the two leg rotation group was significantly higher than the pre-sit and reach test value of the static stretching group. In addition, the variance of the sit and reach test of the two leg rotation group was significantly higher than that of the static stretching group. Conclusion: These results showed that two leg rotation techniques have a positive effect on the changes in the sit and reach test and active straight leg raise test. Two leg rotation techniques can be recommended as a self-stretching and easier way to stabilize the lumbopelvic rhythm, reduce the stiffness of the muscle and relieve pain. This is effective in preventing muscle damage, enabling muscle relaxation and reducing the risk of injury to the spine during daily lives and in sports activities.

Objective: Several muscles surrounding neck are vital not only for neck motion, but for upper extremities motions as well. Neck pain would affect neck and shoulder disability. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) are increasingly used to evaluate treatment effectiveness after chronic neck pain. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation of neck pain, shoulder pain, and quality of life in patients with chronic neck pain. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-three patients with neck pain participated in this study. Participants were instructed to place a mark on each item of three clinical measures that best represented their experience of his/her neck and shoulder problem over the last week. The outcome measures of the study were NDI, SPADI, and VAS for neck and shoulder pain and disability. Results: The NDI was significantly correlated with the VAS-Neck, SPADI-Pain, SPADI-Disability, SPADI-Total, and VAS-Shoulder (p<0.05). The VAS-Neck was significantly correlated with the VAS-Neck, SPADI-Pain, SPADI-Disability, SPADI-Total, and VAS-Shoulder (p<0.05). The SPADI-Total was significantly correlated with the NDI, VAS-Neck, SPADI-Pain, SPADI-Disability, and VAS-Shoulder (p<0.05). The SPADI-Pain was significantly correlated with the NDI, VAS-Neck, SPADI-Disability, SPADI-Total, and VAS-Shoulder (p<0.05). The SPADI-Disability was significantly correlated with the NDI, VAS-Neck, SPADI-Total, SPADI-Pain, and VAS-Shoulder (p<0.05). The VAS-Shoulder was significantly correlated with the NDI, VAS-Neck, SPADI-Pain, SPADI-Disability, and SPADI-Total (p<0.05). Conclusions: Neck disability in patients with chronic neck pain should be considered with disability and pain of the shoulder.

This study investigated the correlation between the neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS), which are indicators of neck pain, shoulder joint range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in women with a slight forward head posture. This study was carried out on 42 female college students attending Uiduk University in Gyeongju, Korea. The neck pain and disability index for each subject was mea-sured using VAS and NDI, respectively. Two physiotherapists measured the shoulder joint ROM and muscle strengths of the subjects using a goniometer and a dynamometer, respectively. External rotation, internal rotation, and abduction of the shoulder joint were measured for each subject. A significant negative correlation between neck pain and shoulder joint ROM in external rotation and the muscle strength of the shoulder joint in abduction was found in the subjects. In addition, a sig-nificant positive correlation was observed between ROM in external ro-tation and muscle strength in abduction. This study showed a significant negative correlation between neck pain and ROM in external rotation as well as between neck pain and the muscle strength in abduction.

The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of aqua walking exer-cise on the joint range of motion (ROM), muscular strength, and pain in patients who have limited knee ROM from surgery or joint fixation. Ten subjects were participated in this study and divided into two groups: continuous passive motion (CPM) therapy+walking exercise on dryland (CWD) and CPM+aqua walking exercise (CAW) groups. The repeated measures analysis of variance was used to verify the difference be-tween the groups and the duration of the program. A paired t-test was used to verify the significance of the observed difference within the groups, and an independent t-test was used to verify the significance of the observed difference between different groups. In this study, ROM in the knee flexion showed interaction effect between the two groups. CAW had a significant increase of knee flexion angle compared to those in CWD. Also, strength on the knee flexors showed interaction ef-fect between the two groups. CAW had a significant increase of knee flexion angle compared to those in CWD, while strength on the knee extensors showed no significant interaction effect between groups. Vi-sual analogue scale (VAS) score showed interaction between the two groups. CAW had a significant increase of the VAS scores compared to those in CWD. Given these findings reported in present study, aqua walking exercise for patients with osteoarthritis is a very safe and ef-fective therapeutic strategies that can move the joint in the optimal ROM.

Objectives : This study was to analysis of pain using visual analogue scale questionnaire. Methods : Questionnaire were completed by 101 adult patients of department relation to simple pain in hospitals of Taegu from March 10, to April 10, 2000. The information was used to estimate multiple regression for the pain related factors association. Results : Visual analogue scale scores of mean was 4.29. work modification scores was 5.50. The scores of 1 month below was mild$(45.16\%)$, 6 months above was discomfort$(56.41\%)$. distressing$(72.73\%)$. and excruciating$(100.0\%)$ in association between present pain index and duration(p=0.002). Visual analogue scale scores was significantly associated with frequency of pain and present pain index. Conclusion : Date from this study support a statistically significant association between visual analogue scores scores and two factors found in other research to increase the relation with pain. This findings may have implications for targeting frequency of pain and present pain index.

Purpose : Purpose of this study was to determine correlation between Walter Reed Visual Analogue Scale (WRVAS) and Scoliosis Research Society-22(SRS-22) questionnaire for idiopathic scoliosis. Methods : For this study, to assess reliability, 224 middle school female students were applied the WRVAS & SRS-22 questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was used to know correlationship between WRVAS and SRS-22 questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to know causation between WRVAS and SRS-22 questionnaire. Results Positive correlation(.248) was found between WRVAS score and SRS-22 score. And SRS-22 was shown positive correlation compared with WRVAS as a result slope of .078 Conclusion : The WRVAS questionnaire is reliable positive correlation with SRS-22 questionnaire. It is valid and may be useful for clinical evaluation of idiopathic scoliosis patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the muscular exercise and balance exercise on lumbar muscular strength in patients with lumbar spine surgery. Three groups were performed 60 minutes per day and three times a week during 8 weeks. At pre and post exercise, Medx lumbas extension strength test and VAS scale were conducted. The lumbar extension strength was measured at seven degrees of lumbar flexion angles, which are 0°, 12°, 24°, 36°, 48°, 60° and 72° before and after the exercise program. Visual analogue scale was measured by modified table of visual table of analogue scale. The data were analyzed utilizing two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. The results were as follows: 1. As a result of measuring lumbar muscular strength before and after carrying out the exercise program, lumbar muscular strength of the balance exercise group has increased significantly (p<.001, p<.01, p0.05) compared to the muscular exercise group. 2. As a result of measuring visual analogue scale before and after carrying out the exercise program, visual analogue scale of the balance exercise group has decreased significantly (p<.05) compared to the muscular exercise group. Especially, it was shown that balance exercise training was more effective in enhancing the variables compared to resistance exercise training, indicating that the exercise training program for improving the lumbar muscular strength and the abdominal strength for patients with lumbar spine surgery..

본 연구의 목적은 만성요통을 가진 중년여성들에게 물의 관성 부하를 이용한 운동 프로그램이 균형 능력과 시각 적 통증 척도(VAS)에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 실행하였다. 연구대상자는 최근 1년 이내 요부 수술 병력이 없는 만39세에서 만49세까지의 만성요통 환자 10명으로, 8주간 주 2회, 총 50분씩 워터백 운동을 실시하였다. 기능적 도달 검사(FRT) 거리와 FRT의 최고 도달지점의 압력중심점(COP)의 이동거리, 그리고 시각적 통증 척도(VAS)를 통해 운동 의 효과를 평가하였다. 통계처리는 SPSS 28.0을 이용하여 평균 및 표준편차를 산출하고 대응표본 t검정 분석을 실시 하였다. 검사 결과, 운동 후 FRT 거리는 유의하게 증가하였고(p<.01), FRT의 최고 도달지점에서의 COP 값은 앞뒤· 좌우 모든 방향에서 유의하게 감소하였다(p<.001). 요통에 대한 시각적 통증 척도(VAS) 결과는 운동 후 유의하게 감소 하여(P<.01), 물의 관성 부하 운동이 만성요통을 가진 중년여성들의 통증 감소와 균형 능력 향상에 효과적임을 확인하였다.

Objectives This study aims to examine the changes in balance ability and pain through water bag exercise in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain, providing foundational data and suggesting effective exercise programs. Methods Participants were middle-aged women with chronic low back pain who had no history of lumbar surgery in the past year and volunteered to participate. 10 subjects were selected. The Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the distance of center of pressure (COP) movement at the highest reach point during FRT performance were measured. Additionally, the effects of water inertial load exercise were examined through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain index test. The exercise intervention was conducted twice a week for 50 minutes over 8 weeks. This study focused on a case report without a control group, and data were processed and analyzed using a paired t-test to compare pre-post intervention dependent variables. Results The FRT test results showed an significant decrease in COP values in all directions(anterior-posterior and mediolateral) at the highest reach point(p<.001), with a significant increase in FRT distance(p<.01). There was no significant difference in COP values during FRT performance before and after exercise. The VAS results showed a significant reduction in pain perception after exercise(p<.01). Conclusions The study found that middle-aged women with chronic low back pain experienced a reduction in pain perception and improvement in balance ability after implementing an exercise program using water inertia load. The water inertia load exercise was found to be effective not only in enhancing muscle strength but also in improving reflexive balance control ability, suggesting its utility in preventing and reducing low back pain.

이 연구는 재활개념의 발레프로그램을 통하여 중년여성의 건강증진행동과 생활통 증정도에 대한 효과를 검증하고자 하였다. 연구대상은 총 30명으로 실험집단 15명, 통제집단 15명으로 구분하였고, 재활개념의 발레프로그램은 움직임 기본원리(basic principles)를 토대로 설계하여 8주간 총 16회를 실시한 결과 다음과 같은 결론이 도 출되었다. 첫째, 재활개념의 발레프로그램을 통해 중년여성의 건강증진행동 전체와 하위요인 건강 책임, 영적 성장에서 향상을 보여 통계적으로 유의한 결과를 나타냈다. 둘째, 재활개념의 발레프로그램을 통해 중년여성이 일상생활에서 느끼는 생활통증 정도가 감소하여 통계적으로 유의한 결과를 나타냈다. 이는 중년여성이 자신의 신체에 대하여 인지하고 관리할 수 있는 의지를 나타낸 것으로, 섬세한 근육 강화와 유연성 향상을 위하여 개인의 신체적 특성에 따라 특화된 방법으로 훈련하는 것을 고려한다면 즐겁게 관리 하는 운동방법으로의 발레의 대중화를 기대할 수 있을 것이다.

This study is to verify effects about health promotion lifestyle aligned with related behavior and life visual analogue scales of middle aged women via a rehabilitation-concepted ballet program. A total of 30 individuals have been divided into an experimental group and a control group with 15 individuals in each and the gradual ballet program, structured based on basic principles, has extracted below conclusions by running 16 sessions over 8 weeks. Firstly, the study brought a meaningful result statistically by representing an improvement over overall Health Promotion Lifestyle, sub-factored health responsibilities and spiritual development via a rehabilitation-concepted ballet program execution. Secondly, by executing the rehabilitation-concepted ballet program, the study reached to a statistically meaningful result of lowered physical pains indicated with the life Visual Analogue Scale from the middle aged women. This interprets that middle aged women are capable of managing their body conditions leading to its volition to maintain. A popularization is highly expected as a newly-paradigmed physical exercise if specialized and customized exercises through ballet individually aiming for exquisite muscular strengthening and physical flexibility improvement.

본 연구는 중량부하 운동시 세트간 휴식 중 산소 추가섭취가 운동자각도 및 시각적 통증정도에 미치는 영향을 확인하고자 하는 것이다. 이를 위하여 20대 남자 대학생 7명을 중량부하 운동 10종목 실시에 따른 세트 간 휴식 중 산소 추가섭취군과 비섭취군으로 나누어 반복 측정하였으며, 측정항목으로는 운동자각도 및 시각적 통증정도로 하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 운동자각도의 변화에서는 Bench press, Dead lift, Lat pull down, Shoulder press, Chest press 의 종료 후 세트 간 휴식에서 산소 추가섭취군이 비섭취군에 비해 유의하게 낮게 나타났으며(p<.05), 시각적 통증정도 의 변화에서는 Leg extension, Dead lift, Lat pull down, Shoulder press의 종료 후 세트 간 휴식에서 산소추가섭취 군이 비섭취군에 비해 유의하게 낮게 나타났다(p<.05). 본 연구를 통해 중량부하 운동시 세트간 휴식 중 산소 추가섭취 가 운동자각도 및 시각적 통증정도를 낮추는데 도움이 되는 것을 확인하였다.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of supplemental oxygen intake of rest between sets during resistance exercise on Ratings of Perceived Exertion(RPE) and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). The subjects for the study were 7 male university student, and the experiments were repeated in the supplemental oxygen intake group and non intake group. The ratings of perceived exertion and visual analogue scale measured in all the subjects after rest between sets during resistance exercise. The findings of this study were as follows; The supplemental oxygen intake group was significantly lower ratings of perceived exertion after sets of bench press, dead lift, lat pull down, shoulder press, chest press and the supplemental oxygen intake group was significantly lower visual analogue scale of leg extension, dead lift, lat pull down, shoulder press. Consequently, the supplemental oxygen intake of rest between sets during resistance exercise will be effectively appeared to decreasing ratings of perceived exertion and visual analogue scale.

Background: This study comparatively evaluated the effects of equipment-based pilates exercises (EPE) and lumbar stability exercises (LSE) in patients with chronic low back pain in terms of their Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), and abdominal muscle thickness. Methods: A total of 30 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the EPE or the LSE. The VAS, ODI, and abdominal muscle thicknesses of the participants were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The EPE were more effective in terms of the duration of a sustained reduction in VAS scores. post hoc test revealed that EPE were more efficacious in terms of a sustained improvement in ODI scores. With respect to changes in abdominal muscle thickness, there was a significant difference in the thickness of internal oblique muscles(IO) and the external oblique muscles(EO) between the two groups. Conclusion: In this study, both types of exercise interventions resulted in improvements in the VAS, ODI scores, and abdominal muscle thickness in patients with chronic low back pain. However, EPE were found to be more effective than LPE in terms of longer sustained improvements in VAS and ODI scores. Also, with respect to abdominal muscle thickness, the thickness of EO and IO improved only in the EPE group.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of three rehabilitative exercises on body composition, visual analogue scale, and low muscular function of elderly women with osteoarthritis. [METHODS] 29 elderly women with osteoarthritis participated in this study. They performed three different exercises utilizing isokinetic, isotonic, and aquatic exercise for 16 weeks. Body composition, visual analogue scale, and low muscular function were measured before and after the program. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated ANOVA in SPSS(ver 18.0). [RESULTS] Results of this study showsthat there was no significant difference in body composition among the groups. However, low muscular functions were significantly different in 60s right/left flexion and left extension, and 240s right/left flexion. Also visual analogue scale showed significantly differences among the time, group,and time×group. Especially, isokinetic exercise seems to be more effective compared to other types of exercises. [CONCLUSIONS] Three rehabilitative exercises were effective interventions for improving muscle function and relieving painin elderly women with osteoarthritis. Therefore, combination of isokinetic, isotonic, and aquatic exercises can be a very effective exercise program for elderly women with osteoarthritis.

본 연구는 요통체조와 저항성 운동이 만성 요통환자의 유연성, 근지구력, 요부근력과 주관적 통증지수에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지를 알아보기 위하여 40세 이상의 중년여성 20명(체조 12명, 병행운동 8명)을 대상으로 요통체조, 병행운동을 1회 60분씩, 주당 5회, 8주간 실시한 후 유연성, 근지구력, 요부근력, 주관적 통증지수 등을 분석하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 유연성은 집단간 유의한 차이가 발견되지 않았으나 요통체조집단과 병행운동집단의 경우, 처치시기별로 사전과 중간, 사후에서 각각 유의하게 증가하였다. 근지구력은 집단간 유의한 차이가 발견되지 않았으나 요통체조집단과 병행운동집단의 경우 처치시기별로 사전과 중간, 사후, 그리고 중간과 사후에서 각각 유의하게 증가하였다. 요부근력은 집단별로 유의한 차이가 발견되지 않았으나 요통체조집단과 병행운동집단의 경우, 70°와 80°에서 사전과 중간, 사후 그리고 중간과 사후에서 유의하게 증가하였다. 또한 90°에서는 사전과 중간, 사후에서 각각 유의하게 증가하였다. 마지막으로 주관적 통증지수는 집단간 유의한 차이가 발견되지 않았으나 요통체조집단과 병행운동집단의 경우 사전과 중간, 사후에서 각각 유의하게 감소하였다. 결론적으로 요통체조와 병행운동 모두가 각각 중년 여성의 만성요통을 개선시키는데 도움을 준 것으로 나타났으며, 두 운동 프로그램간의 뚜렷한 차이는 본 연구에서 확인할 수 없었다.

The purpose of this study was to investigate low back exercise and resistance training on the flexibility, muscle endurance, lumbar muscle strength, and VAS of the chronic lower back pain patients during 8 weeks. The subjects were composed of low back exercises group(n=12) and mixed exercise group(n=8). The results were as follows. 1. There were no significant differences between groups in the flexibility. But both groups did significantly increased respectively in the flexibility of middle test, post test than that of pre test. 2. There were no significant differences between groups in the muscle endurance. But both groups did significantly increased respectively in muscle endurance of middle test, post test than that of pre test. 3. There were no significant differences between groups in the lumbar strength on 70°, 80°, 90°. But lumbar strength in 70°, 80° of the both groups did significantly increased respectively in middle test, post test than in pre test. Also lumbar strength in the 90° of both groups did significantly increased respectively in middle test, post test than in pre test. 4. There were no significant differences between groups in the VAS. But both groups did significantly decreased respectively in VAS of middle test, post test than that of pre test.

Background: The categorical scales and visual analogue scales (VAS) are methods used for evaluating variations of postoperative pain intensity. Several studies have introduced the idea that there is a clear correlation between visual scales and categorical scales. However, when VAS is the only pain measure in the study, we do not know what point on the VAS represents a category on the categorical scale and their degree of correlation with satisfaction for postoperative pain. Methods: 252 patients who had undergone elective surgery were studied. A 5-point categorical scale (none, mild, moderate, severe, worst possible pain), a 0-100 mm VAS (no pain to worst possible pain) and patient satisfaction score were checked 24 hours after surgery using a pain questionnaire and VAS tool. Results: The mean VAS score of the 14 patients reporting 'no-pain' was $1.9{\pm}0.9$, $23.9{\pm}1.0$ for the 132 patients reporting 'mild-pain', $47.2{\pm}1.1$ for the 82 patients reporting 'moderate-pain' and $67.5{\pm}2.8$ for the 24 patients reporting 'severe-pain'. Of the patients reporting moderate pain, 85% scored over 45.6 mm on the corresponding VAS, with a mean score 47.2 mm. The mean satisfaction scores were $90.6{\pm}2.7$ for the 'no pain', patients, $75.1{\pm}1.3$ for ‘mild pain', $58.3{\pm}1.5$ for 'moderate pain', and $55.1{\pm}4.0$ for 'severe pain' patients. The categorical scale was significantly correlated with VAS (P < 0.01). The satisfaction score was significantly inversely correlated with VAS (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our results indicate that if a patient records a VAS score in excess of 45.6 mm they would probably have recorded at least moderate pain on a 5-point categorical scale. The categorical scale can be used properly for postoperative pain measurement with VAS. More research is required for the development of suitable pain descriptor for a categorical scale and pain questionnaire in Korean.

Background: Pain is often measured using psychophysical scaling techniques. However, all of these methods found their limits, since they were based on the subjective sensations reported by the subjects. It is, therefore, desirable to validate psychophysical pain measures by simultaneously measuring some physiological correlate of nociception. We studied an objective method for measuring pain in human volunteer using R(III) nociceptive flexion reflex. Methods: Four different intensity of electrical stimuli between perception and 1.4 times the R(III) nociceptive flexion threshold were delivered to the sole of the feet in 8 normal volunteers. We measured the flexion reflex activity in the skin over the ipsilateral tibialis anterior muscle and subjects rated each stimulus on a visual analog scale (VAS) Results: Both R(III) nociceptive flexion reflex activity and VAS ratings showed a linear relationship with stimulus intensity and with each other in all volunteers. Conclusions: R(III) nociceptive flexion reflex elicited through electrical stimulation may used as an objective pain measurement, previsionary based on our study paradigm.

Stomach cancer shows the highest incidence among cancer patients in Korea and it deteriorates the patients' health-related quality of life considerably. This study measured utility weights of severe stomach cancer symptoms using VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), TTO (Time-trade Off) and EQ-5D (EuroQol-5 Dimension) methods. A survey questionnaire was developed to describe the symptoms of severe stomach cancer comprehensively and concisely using VAS, TTO and EQ-5D. A face-to-face interview was conducted for 21 cancer inpatients in a hospital and 25 non-patients. The mean utility weight is 0.498 for VAS, 0.375 for EQ-5D and 0.300 for TTO. Using VAS or TTO methods, there were no statistically significant differences between patients and non-patients while there was significant difference in EQ-5D. The utility weight with VAS and EQ-5D has shown similar trend - higher score in patient group, male and aged while it has opposite trend with TTO.