• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this work was to ascertain the effects of cervical traction on the pain, the range of motion and the quality of sleep of the older women with the tension headache. Method : 25 subjects between ages 66 and 82 who agreed on this experiment and diagnosed with tension headache participated in this study. All subjects were treated with air-pressure cervical traction while 20 minutes a day, 3 times per week, for 4 weeks. The effects of air-pressure cervical traction were evaluated by PSQI(Pittsburgh sleep quality index), a pain last a day, VAS, and four ROMs. In order to investigate the effect of age on the treatment, subjects were divided into two groups, of less and of over than age 75. The measured data were analyzed by using one-way repeated ANOVA and two-way repeated ANOVA. Result : 1) The group of less than age 75 showed the significant improvements in all measurement variables, PSQI, a pain last a day, VAS and four ROMs. 2) The group of over than age 75 showed the significant improvements in all measurement variables excluding the flexion ROM of cervical. 3) No significant differences between two groups were showed in all measurement variables, but the interaction effect between group and period was significant in only VAS. Conclusion : From the results of this study, a cervical traction intervention using an air-pressure cervical traction proved to be effective on the reduction of tension headache and the improvement of the quality of sleep.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical vertebral height and shoulder stabilization on anterior head posture in people with turtle neck. The subjects of this study consisted of normal and healthy people with 30 turtle necks. Subjects were randomly assigned to shoulder stabilization exercise and cervical vertebrae exercise (30 men, 15 men and 15 women, height: $168.67{\pm}6.51$, $22.33{\pm}8.27$, $65.03{\pm}11.98$, and $28.66{\pm}1.91$), In the experimental group, shoulder stabilization exercise and cervical spine exercise were performed for 4 weeks. Deep neck flexor, leavator scapular, upper trapezius, rhomboid, and lower trapezius showed significant differences in shoulder stabilization and cervical vertebrae before and after the experiment. As a result, the CVA value decreased significantly and the muscle activity value increased significantly when exercise and Mckenzie program were applied. These results show that exercise and Mckenzie programs have a positive effect on turtle neck improvement.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.135-144
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 2 weeks of backward walking exercise (BWE) on cervical angle and gait parameters in college students with forward head posture. Methods : Fifteen subjects participated in the experiment. All the participants had a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 55 degrees or less. The purpose of the study was explained to all the subjects prior to participation, and volunteered to take part in the study. A camera capable of taking pictures of the lateral plane was installed at a distance of 1.5 meters from each subject. Images of forward head posture were obtained before and after performing the BWE, and the CVA and craniorotational angle (CRA) were compared pre- versus post exercise. Foot pressure and gait parameters (step length of left and right, stride length, stance of left and right, swing of left and right, step time of left and right, and stride time) were measured using a rehabilitation treadmill. The subjects performed the BWE for 2 weeks. The exercise program consisted of a 5-minute warm-up exercise, 20-minute main exercise, and 5-minute cool-down exercise. In the main exercise, the treadmill speed was set to 2.4 km/h in the first week and 3.4 km/h in the second week. A paired t test was used to compare the CVA and CRA and gait parameters before and after the exercise. Results : Comparison of the CVA and CRA before and after the BWE revealed a significant difference post exercise, with a marked improvement in forward head posture after the exercise (p<.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, the BWE is considered to be an effective exercise for the forward head posture. Also, additional research is needed to shed light on the impact of the BWE on gait parameters.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of taping applied to the lower trapezius on the upper trapezius muscle tone, pain intensity, cervical rotation range of motion in chronic upper trapezius pain patients. Design: Case-control study. Methods: Twenty subjects with chronic upper trapezius pain were classified into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group applied lower trapezius facilitation taping and the control group applied sham taping. Taping Before and after the application of taping, muscle tone, pain intensity, and cervical rotation range of motion of the upper trapezius were measured. Results: In the experimental group, there were significant differences in the pressure pain threshold and muscle tone before and after taping. In the comparison between groups, there was a significant difference in muscle tone between the experimental group and the control group. Conclusion: The application of the lower trapezius facilitation taping was found to be effective in reducing the pressure threshold and muscle tone of the upper trapezius. Therefore, it is expected that more effective treatment can be provided by adding lower trapezius facilitation taping to the treatment protocol for patients with chronic shoulder pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 2021

Background: It is reported that the proprioceptive sensation of patients with neck pain is reduced, and neck sensory-motor control training using visual feedback is reported to be effective. Objects: The purpose of this study is to investigate how sensorimotor control training for the cervical spine affects pain, function, and psychosocial status in patients with chronic cervical pain. Methods: The subjects consisted of 36 adults (male: 15, female: 21) who had experienced cervical spine pain for more than 6 weeks. An exercise program composed of cervical stabilization exercise (10 minutes), electrotherapy (10 minutes), manual therapy (10 minutes), and cervical sensorimotor control training (10 minutes) was implemented for both the experimental and the control groups. The cervical range of motion (CROM) and head repositioning accuracy were assessed using a CROM device. In the experimental group, the subjects wore a laser device on the head to provide visual feedback while following pictures in front of their eyes; whereas, in the control group, the subjects had the same training of following pictures without the laser device. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in pain, dysfunction, range of motion, or psychosocial status; however, post-test results showed significant decreases after 2 weeks and 4 weeks compared to baseline (p < 0.01), and after 4 weeks compared to after 2 weeks (p < 0.01). The cervical joint position sense differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, visual feedback enhanced proprioception in the cervical spine, resulting in improved cervical joint position sense. On the other hand, there were no significant effects on pain, dysfunction, range of motion, or psychosocial status.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.451-459
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• 2022

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common musculoskeletal problem that causes pain in and disability of masticatory muscles, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ), and related structures. The purpose of this study was to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of masticatory muscles, cervical ranges of motion (ROM), and pelvic mobility during gait of subjects with or without TMD. Methods: In this study, pain thresholds and changes in the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and pelvis were measured in 25 patients with TMD and 25 healthy controls. Using a pressure algometer, the pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were measured in both groups. A gyroscope sensor with a mobile application was used to determine cervical ROM in the frontal and sagittal planes. A 3D-motion analysis system was used to evaluate pelvic mobility in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes during gait. Results: The TMD group showed significantly decreased PPTs of masseter and temporalis muscles compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Cervical ROM in flexion, extension, and lateral bending were significantly decreased in the TMD group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, antero-posterior pelvic tilt was significantly decreased in the TMD group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that there are close anatomical and functional relationships between TMD and muscle chains related to the cervical spine and pelvis. Therefore, more comprehensive body posture assessments, especially of painful areas, should be undertaken when studying TMD patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.195-204
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• 2023

Purpose : This study applied general training (control group) or cranio-cervical flexor training (experimental group) using a pressure biofeedback unit along with general training for 4 weeks to secondary school teachers with moderate to severe neck pain and forward head posture. After that, we tried to compare the effects through differences in neck pain intensity (using numberical rating scale), functional performance (using neck disability index), and cranio-vertebral angle change. Methods : All 50 subjects were randomly assigned to either the "experimental group (n= 25)" or the "control group (n= 25)", and the measurements were evaluated in the same way before the intervention (baseline) and after the intervention (4 weeks). During the intervention period, the subject visited the physiotherapy center and made a reservation three times a week at a fixed time as much as possible, and each training session was thoroughly conducted under the 1:1 guidance of the therapist in charge so that the correct movement and number of times could be performed without compensatory action. Results : As a result of the homogeneity analysis on the general characteristics of the subjects, there were no significant differences between the groups in all variables (p>.05). Compared to the "control group", the "experimental group" showed significant improvement after intervention in all measured variables of neck pain intensity, functional performance, and cranial-vertebral angle (p<.05). Conclusion : For secondary school teachers with forward head accompanied by neck pain, cranio-cervical flexor training using a compression biofeedback unit is an excellent method to show superior pain reduction and functional performance improvement compared to general training alone. In addition, it can be presented as a more effective intervention method that can promote recovery of forward head posture, which is an essential element of the solution.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2023

Background: Flexion of cervical and lumbar joints is required when viewing a smartphone screen. Thus, these joints are overused, together with the surrounding joints and muscles. Long-term use of smartphones will cause changes in cervical and lumbar posture. The effect on forward head posture will vary, depending on the angle of cervical flexion start position in relation to the smartphone. This study investigated how forward head posture changes over time when using a smartphone at 20° and 40° cervical flexion start positions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-five subjects with a forward head posture angle of 35° or less participated in the study. A Forward Head Posture app on the participants' smartphones measured forward head posture 5 and 10 minutes after watching videos on their smartphones. Cervical range of motion was used to set a smartphone watching start posture of 20° and 40° of cervical flexion. Results: There was no significant difference in forward head posture, irrespective of cervical flexion start position, but the angle of forward head posture increased more at cervical flexion of 40° than at cervical flexion of 20°. There was no significant difference in what according to smartphone video viewing times, but the angle of forward head posture increased over time. Conclusion: An increase in forward head posture over time with smartphone usage poses a potential risk of neck and shoulder pain. Therefore, smartphone users should avoid prolonged screen time.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.468-474
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a horseback riding simulator, Slings and Kendall Exercise on a cranio-vertebral angle and the neck pain of the Forward Head Posture. This study included 30 young people with forward head posture. They were randomly divided into three groups. Each group performed the exercises for six weeks three times a week from September 2018 to November 2018. The variations of cranio-vertebral angle and neck pain were analyzed using paired t-tests and a one-way ANOVA test. The results of the study are as follows. Three groups showed significant variations of cranio-vertebral angle and neck pain (p < 0.05). But comparison of cranio-vertebral angle and neck pain between the groups showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). This study found that each exercise group for forward head posture was effective for inducing normal cervical alignment and neck pain relief. Therefore, various exercises can improve the forward head posture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2020

Background: There is an opinion that improper postures of the head and cervical spine are associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMDs). Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the proportions among the cervical kyphotic angle, physical symptoms including the pain intensity level of the TMJ, and severity of TMD disability in patients diagnosed with TMD. Methods: Sixty-two subjects participated in the study. The evaluation tools included measurements of the cervical kyphotic angle based on the Ishihara index, pressure pain threshold (PPT) on the TMJ, maximal mouth opening (MMO) without pain, current pain intensity level of the TMJ measured using the Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS), Korean TMD (KTMD) disability index, KTMD Symptom Frequency/Intensity Scales (SFS/SIS), and Korean Headache Impact Test-6. Correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the correlations between the cervical kyphotic angle and parameters related to TMJ symptoms. Results: Variables that were significantly correlated with the cervical kyphotic angle were the PPT around the TMJ (r = 0.259, p < 0.05), current pain intensity level of the TMJ based on the QVAS (r = -0.601, p< 0.01), and usual pain intensity level based on the SIS (r = -0.379, p < 0.01). The level of TMD functional disability was significantly correlated with the degree of headache (r = 0.551, p < 0.01), level of PPT of the TMJ (r = -0.383, p < 0.01), pain-free MMO (r = -0.515, p < 0.01), pain intensity level of the TMJ based on the QVAS (r = 0.393, p < 0.01), TMD symptom frequency (r = 0.739, p < 0.01), usual pain intensity of the TMJ (r = 0.624, p < 0.01), and most severe pain intensity of the TMJ (r = 0.757, p < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between the cervical kyphotic angle and PPT and a negative correlation between the current and usual pain intensity levels of the TMJ. The cervical kyphotic angle was a predictor of the pain level, tenderness threshold, and intensity of pain in the TMJ.