• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.331-340
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• 2022

Purpose: Thisstudy aimed to identify the effect of varying the expansibility of elastic tape on the onset time of muscle contraction during neck extension for forward head posture syndrome. Methods: Forty-five young adults with forward head posture syndrome volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to the expansibility of the elastic tape (25%, 50%, 75%). The onset time of muscle contraction for the neck extensor during neck extension was measured using an electromyographic system (Free EMG, BTS, Italy). Multivariate analysis of variance was employed to determine the effect of different expansibilities of elastic tape on the onset time of muscle contraction during neck extension for forward head posture syndrome. When there was a statistically significant difference by MANOVA, Scheffe was used as a post-hoc test. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. Results: In the comparison of the onset time of muscle contraction of varying elastic tape expansibilities and measurement times, there was a significant difference between the groups (Lt. UT, Lt. SCM, Rt. SCM) (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the interaction between the measurement time and the group, between the measurement time (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In the neck extension, 75% of the tape extensibility in the Lt. UT and both SCM shortened the muscle contraction onset time.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck patterns in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) for neck movement and the neck disability index (NDI) among adults with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were randomly assigned into two groups. Subjects in the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) received 20 minutes of PNF neck pattern (flexion-Rt. lateral flexion-Rt. rotation followed by extension-Lt. lateral flexion-Lt. rotation) 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured using absolute rotation angle (ARA), anterior weight bearing (AWB), range of flexion and extension motions (RFEM), and neck disability index (NDI) methods before and after the 4-week intervention period. Results: There were significant effects for the PNFG, pre- and post-intervention, in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI. There were significant differences in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI compared with CG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the PNF neck pattern could be beneficial for adults with forward head posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of manual therapy with stabilization exercises to manual therapy alone, on neck pain and body functions in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. METHODS: Twenty patients with chronic mechanical neck pain were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. A control group(n = 10) was given the manual therapy alone and an experimental group(n = 10) was given the manual therapy with stabilization exercises. The intervention was carried out 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The cervical resting pain, the most painful motion pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, forward head posture and neck disability index were used to assess participants at baseline and after 4 weeks. RESULTS: A comparison of the parameters before and after the intervention showed that both groups experienced significant improvements in the resting pain, the most painful motion pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, and forward head posture except for the forward head posture in the control group. A comparison of the parameters between the groups did not show a significant difference. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the combined intervention of manual therapy with stabilization exercise does not seem to be more effective than manual therapy alone for improving neck pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, forward head posture, and the neck disability index in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.71-81
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• 2024

Purpose : In this study, we compared the effects of ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises in individuals with a forward head posture. Outcome measures investigated included the neck disability index, craniovertebral angle (CVA), cranial rotation angle (CRA), and thickness of the longus colli muscle (LC) and carotid artery (CA) post-intervention. Methods : The study included 20 individuals with a forward head posture, who were assigned to an experimental group (EG, individuals performed ankle exercises) or control group (CG, individuals performed McKenzie and cervical stabilization exercises). The EG intervention was specifically designed to enhance proprioception in the ankle joint and strengthen the ankle muscles to improve overall stability and function. In contrast, CG interventions aimed to improve neck muscle balance and cervical spine alignment. Paired t-tests were used to analyze intragroup changes and independent t-tests to determine intergroup differences pre-and post-intervention. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at α=.05. Results : We observed significant post-intervention improvements in both groups, specifically, in the CVA, CRA, and LC and CA thickness (p<.05). These results indicate that ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises were useful for neck posture correction, improved muscle balance, and enhanced blood flow to the neck. Conclusion : This study underscores the positive effects of ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises in individuals with a forward head posture. Our study highlights the benefits of these exercises for posture correction and overall neck health and the clinical effectiveness and usefulness of ankle exercises as an important intervention to improve forward head posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2017

PURPOSE: Forward head posture and turtle neck are common musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical vertebrae. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise training and chiropractic on the grip strength and cervical muscle strength of subjects with forward head posture and turtle neck. METHODS: The subjects were divided into two groups: forward head posture (n=9) and turtle neck (n=9). Both groups performed combined exercise training and chiropractic. The subjects were instructed about the exercise training once a week. This training was performed for 30 minutes every day for 8 weeks, and the chiropractic was performed for 15 minutes once a week. The cervical muscle strength and grip strength were measured. Two-way repeated measured ANOVA was performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In changes to the left grip strength, the main effect over time was significant, but the interaction effect and the main effect in the groups were not significant. In changes to the right grip strength, no difference was found to be statistically significant. In changes to the cervical muscle strength, no difference was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The increases of grips strengths and cervical muscle strength in forward head posture group were greater than turtle neck group but there were not found to be statistically significant.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.343-353
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• 2024

Objective: Long-term imbalances in the muscles around the neck could the functional resting length of the muscles, resulting in a chronic forward head posture. This study aimed to assess the effects of combining posture correction exercises with extracorporeal shockwave therapy on muscle activity, neck function and pain in adults with forward head posture. Design: Pretest-posttest two groups design. Methods: A total of 22 adults, diagnosed with forward head posture, participated in the study. Random assignment allocated 11 participants to the posture correction exercise (PCE) group, while the other 11 were assigned to the posture correction exercise group combined with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). In the combined group, ESWT was administered twice a week for four weeks, delivering 1,000 impulses in a radial pattern to the levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles. The PCE group performed a exercise program for approximately 30 minutes, three times a week, over the same four-week period. The PCE focused on strengthening weakened muscles and stretching of shortened muscles. Results: Both the PCE group and the combined group with ESWT exhibited a significant increase in lower trapezius muscle activity within groups (p<0.05). Moreover, the craniovertebral angle and neck disability index showed significant improvements in both groups (p<0.05). While the pressure pain thresholds tended to increase only in the combined group, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: This suggests that both the PCE program and the combination with ESWT can be effective in enhancing posture and reducing pain in individuals with forward head posture.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of exercise on the neck muscles activities between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise in the forward head posture subjects. Method : After measuring cervical alignment using the Global Posture System, 20 volunteers with forward head posture posture were selected and divided into two groups. The experimental group A(n=15) and Experimental group B(n=15) participated in respectively and McKenzie neck stretching exercise, three times per week for 4 weeks. The scapular stabilization exercise program was comprised middle and lower trapezius strength exercises and the stretching exercise program was comprised levator scapulae and upper trapezius stretching exercise. The activities of the muscles of the posterior neck was then measured using electromyography. Result : After the intervention, there was significant difference of a electromyography activity changes between the pre-test and post-test in the experimental group. Conclusion : This study showed that both scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises are more effective for reducing neck muscles activities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2013

Purpose : This research was carried out to find how neck exercise program combined with self stretching and muscle strengthening program influences on smart phone addicts with forward head posture. Methods : The subjects of this study were 20 smart phone-addicts with forward head posture and we divided them into 2 groups. The experimental group(10 people) participated in neck exercise program as a intervention for 3 months and the control group(the other 10 people) didn't participate in neck exercise program. Neck exercise program were composed of self stretching and muscle strengthening program. Then we measured cervical alignment with GPS(Global Posture System) and evaluated balance ability with Balance Master ver 7.0 systems. Results : The result were as follows. 1. After the intervention, experimental group were significantly more closed to normal cervical alignment than control group. 2. After the intervention, experimental group increased in dynamic balance ability a little more than control group. Conclusion : Neck exercise program seems to get cervical alignment better and improve balance ability.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2018

This study was designed to provide basic data for developing exercise program that helps correcting posture by knowing the effect of strengthening and elongation exercises of upper extremity muscle to forward head posture correction. In this study determined subjects whether they had forward head posture or not. On the basis of the New York state posture rating, if a subject's posture is match up with the normal standard posture, gives 5 points and if the posture is slightly get out of the normal standard posture, gives 3 points and if the posture is apparently get out of the standard, gives 1 points. When determining the forward head posture, if talus, humerus and outer ear center are on the same line, it is determined as normal and if outer ear center is off the line less than 1.0cm, it is a slight deformation and if outer ear center is off the line more than 1.0cm, it is a high deformation. In the study selected people who have more than 1 cm gap between two vertical lines start from outer ear center and acromion separately as subjects. Length between the ideal alignment line measured by using goniometer and temporal region showed statistically significant decrease as $2.36{\pm}1.07cm$ before the intervention and $1.06{\pm}0.88cm$ after the intervention. After 4 weeks of neck and chest extensor muscle exercise, the group who exercised both showed increase in range of neck joint motion and neck flexion of the forward head posture. Meanwhile the group who only exercised neck extensor muscle only and the group who only exercised chest extensor muscle didn't showed statistically significant result. That only the group who exercised both muscles showed significant result is the different with studies before. Because this study didn't target patient who had a lesion, couldn't compare effect of the conservative manner and exercise. However, this study provides the fact that the group who exercised both neck and chest muscle had more effect than the control group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.145-154
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis on the craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headaches in adults with a forward head posture and tension headache. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, a total of 22 adults with forward head postures and tension headaches were randomly assigned to the experimental group (sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis, n = 11) or the control group (sling exercise without a neck orthosis, n = 11). All participants undertook the sling exercise program (3×/week for 4 weeks). The craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headache were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headache in the experimental group (p < .05). This group also showed a larger decrease in the muscle tension and headache (upper trapezius, -4.97 Hz vs -1.70 Hz, p < .05; splenius capitis, -5.44 Hz vs -2.54 Hz, p < .05; headache, -19.73 score vs -14.64 score, p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis could be an effective way to relieve the symptoms caused by a forward head posture. It could also be a more effective way of decreasing muscle tension and headaches than the sling exercise without wearing a neck orthosis.