• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2019

PURPOSE: Forward head posture (FHP) is a head-on-trunk malalignment that results in musculoskeletal dysfunction and neck pain. To improve forward head posture, both the craniocervical flexion exercise (CCFE) and the visual guide (VG) technique have been used. This study compared the immediate effects of CCFE and VG combined with CCFE on craniovertebral angle (CVA), as well as on the activity of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and anterior scalene (AS) muscles during CCFE in subjects with FHP. METHODS: In total, 16 subjects (nine males, seven females) with FHP were recruited using the G-power software. Each subject conducted CCFE and CCFE combined with VG in random order. The CVA was recorded using a digital camera and the ImageJ image analysis software. The EMG data of SCM and AS were measured by surface electromyography. A paired T-test was used to assess differences between the effects of the CCFE and VG combined with CCFE interventions in the same group. RESULTS: The CVA was significantly greater for CCFE combined with the VG than for CCFE alone (p<.05). The activity of the SCM and AS muscles was also significantly greater when the VG was combined with CCFE than during CCFE alone across all craniocervical flexion exercise phases (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Use of the VG technique combined with CCFE improved FHP in subjects with FHP compared to CCFE alone.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.326-334
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• 2011

The aim of the study was to investigate the thickness of deep neck muscles during neck endurance tests using ultrasonography images to assess muscle sizes in persons with or without neck pain experience. Sixty-five university students volunteered for the study. The thicknesses of longus colli, longus capitis, semispinalis and cervical multifidus were assessed bilaterally using diagnostic ultrasound equipment during each endurance test. Participants were divided into two groups based on their Neck Pain(NP) experience; 45 subjects of those had no experience of NP (Group1) whereas 20 subjects of those reported NP experience sometime in their lives (Group2). Endurance time of both neck flexion and extension tests in Group1 showed significantly longer than Group's (p<0.01). The thicknesses of deep neck flexors and extensors were observed smallest at the terminal of endurance tests in general. Only left longus colli was found to be significantly smaller at rest in subjects of Group2 than Group 1's (P=0.02). The size difference between at contraction and the terminal of right longus capitis was observed bigger in subjects of group1 than subjects in group2. Future studies are needed to conduct with clinical subjects to assess contraction patterns of neck muscles.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.284-290
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• 2020

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of SNAGs (sustained natural apophyseal glides) and visual convergence biofeedback on the proprioception and neck disability of patients with chronic neck dysfunction. A total of 31 patients with neck dysfunction were assigned to either SNAGs (n = 16) or biofeedback (n = 15). The groups were assessed for proprioception and neck disability, before and after the intervention. The SNAGs were performed using belt with flexion, extension and right-left rotation, whereas biofeedback training included visual feedback training with deep neck flexor. Intervention was implemented for 20 minutes, twice a week for 4 weeks. Biofeedback training a showed significant effect on the joint position sense (left and right rotation) as compared to the SNAGs group (p< 0.05), whereas neck disability index was significantly effective for SNAGs (p< 0.05). Ed. Notes: The previous statement lacked clarity. I have suggested the edit as per my understanding. Please review and revise appropriately, if required. Therefore, the SNAGs technique is effective for neck function, and biofeedback training is a positive intervention method for enhancing the proprioceptive sensation. In future studies on patients with neck pain, it may be possible to select an intervention method based on the characteristics of the disease.