• PNF and Movement
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2006

Purpose : To identify the effects of Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome. Methods : The present research investigated 30 patients with neck myofascial syndrome, dividing them into a group doing Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. This study examined degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck myofascial pain syndrome before and after the treatment, and compared to find difference in the degree of recovery from myofascial pain syndrome. Results : The results are as follows. For the Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF), the visual analogue scale(VAS) decreased significantly for six weeks treatment, and the range of motion(ROM) of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). Conlusion : This study suggest that Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation have an effect on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.151-159
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• 2019

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sitting questionmark exercise (SQE) and brugger's relief exercise (BRE) on pain, ROM, proprioception, NDI in 60 Patients with Chronic Cervical Pain (CCP). Methods : In this study the VAS and NDI were used to investigate changes in pain and disability with SQE and BRE. The pre and post intervention intra group differences were analysed with a paired t-test for mean values, and the inter group differences were analyzed with an independent t-test for mean values. Results : The pain of both of groups was lowered with statistical significance. Pain of SQE group is lower than that of BRE group with statistical significance. ROM in both groups was improved, but there is no significant difference between two groups. NDI in both of groups were significantly decreased after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between groups. there was NDI ratio (%) significant difference between each groups. Conclusion : SQE intervention may be considered a more effective clinical approach for reducing pain and restoring proprioception in patients with CCP.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.11-17
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• 2015

Background : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of taping on the neck rotation angle in the elderly. Methods : The twenty-eight elderly aged over 60 and twenty-seven college students participated in the study. In both groups, neck rotation angles were measured through CROM before and after taping. SPSS 18.0 was used for data analysis. Results : The results indicated that both groups showed significant increases in the neck rotation angles of the affected side after taping. However, there was no significant difference in the rotation angle of both neck regions after taping. The variation of the student group was higher than that of the elderly group after taping. Conclusion : We think that taping can be effective in balancing the neck muscles of both sides and in increasing the rotation angle of the neck.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report was to determine the effect of therapeutic exercise on posture, pain, and muscle activity in two patients with forward head posture (FHP). METHODS: A-31-year-old male (patient A) and a 19-year-old women (patient B) presented with FHP, neck pain, and headache. The therapeutic exercise program consisted of cervical mobilization, deep cervical flexors strengthening, and cervical extensors stretching, for 40 min/d, 2 d/week, for 8 weeks. Neck pain (VAS), neck disability (NDI), cervical range of motion (CROM), lateral view of cervical spine X-ray (indicating the FHP), and asymmetrical neck and shoulder muscular activity ratio were measured before, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of corrective exercise. RESULTS: VAS and NDI decreased in patients A and B after exercise compared to before the program. CROM increased in patients A and B at flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation after exercise compared to before the program. FHP decreased in patients A and B at distance after exercise compared to before the program. In addition, asymmetrical neck and shoulder muscles activity ratio improved in patients A and B after exercise compared to before the program. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated in a case report that therapeutic exercise increases ROM, decreases pain and disability of neck, FHP, and asymmetry muscle activity ratio in patients with FHP. These finding have clinical implications for therapeutic exercise in patients with FHP.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.146-157
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was performed to assess the effectiveness of Korean medicinal treatments including Antaeeum-gamibang on posterior neck pain and lower back pain caused by traffic accidents during pregnancy. Methods: Patients were treated by Antaeeum-gamibang, acupuncture and Chuna manual therapy. To measure treatment outcomes, Numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Neck disability index (NDI), European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5d), and range of motion (ROM) were used. Results: After treatment, the average NRS of posterior neck pain significantly decreased from $4.20{\pm}1.30$ to $1.80{\pm}0.45$ and the average NRS of lower back pain significantly decreased from $6.40{\pm}1.14$ to $2.20{\pm}0.84$. ODI significantly decreased from $41.42{\pm}17.79$ to $28.29{\pm}14.69$, NDI significantly decreased from $34.93{\pm}9.85$ to $20.27{\pm}8.96$. EQ-5d and ROM improved at all cases. Conclusions: Korean Medicinal treatments including Antaeeum-gamibang may be effective in the treatment of posterior neck pain and lower back pain caused by traffic accidents during pregnancy. However, more case reports and studies are required to identify exactly what treatment is more efficient.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.452-458
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• 2012

Objective : In the present study, we evaluated the effect, safety and radiological outcomes of cervical hybrid surgery (cervical disc prosthesis replacement at one level, and interbody fusion at the other level) on the multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD). Methods : Fifty-one patients (mean age 46.7 years) with symptomatic multilevel cervical spondylosis were treated using hybrid surgery (HS). Clinical [neck disability index (NDI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score] and radiologic outcomes [range of motion (ROM) for cervical spine, adjacent segment and arthroplasty level] were evaluated at routine postoperative intervals of 1, 6, 12, 24 months. Review of other similar studies that examined the HS in multilevel cervical DDD was performed. Results : Out of 51 patients, 41 patients received 2 level hybrid surgery and 10 patients received 3 level hybrid surgery. The NDI and VAS score were significantly decreased during the follow up periods (p<0.05). The cervical ROM was recovered at 6 and 12 month postoperatively and the mean ROM of inferior adjacent segment was significantly larger than that of superior adjacent segments after surgery. The ROM of the arthoplasty level was preserved well during the follow up periods. No surgical and device related complications were observed. Conclusion : Hybrid surgery is a safe and effective alternative to fusion for the management of multilevel cervical spondylosis.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Kaltenborn-Evjenth concept of nerve mobilization combined with intermittent cervical segment traction (ICST) on pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores, range of motion (ROM) and endurance in persons with cervical radiculopathy (CR). Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty subjects participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two groups. The ICST group (n=15) was performed simultaneously with nerve mobilization and cervical traction for the segment with cervical pain at the same time. The intermittent cervical total traction (ICTT) group (n=15) performed nerve mobilization and cervical traction for the whole cervical area at the same time. In this study, outcome measures such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), NDI, ROM, endurance (cranio-cervical flexion test), and passive intervertebral motion performed before and 4 weeks after the experiment were compared to investigate the effects of each intervention. Results: In both groups, there were significant differences in the VAS, NDI scores, and endurance, and there were significant differences between the two groups except for endurance (p<0.05). In the ICST group, significant differences were found in all ROM, and in the ICTT group, significant differences were found in only extension, and there were significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The ICST group showed more improvement than the ICTT group in pain, NDI scores and ROM. Moreover, our findings show that the ICST could be used as a new strategy for manual therapy in persons with CR.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.13-25
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) and stretching exercise (SE) on office workers with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : A total of 32 office workers with forward head posture were randomly assigned to experimental (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. The experimental group underwent combined CSE and SE, and the control group underwent cervical self-myofascial release and SE. Both groups performed exercises for 40 min per day, thrice per week for a total of 6 weeks. Craniovertebral angle (CVA), respiration, disability, and joint range of motion (ROM) before and 6 weeks after intervention were measured and compared. Results : There was no significant between-group difference in the general characteristics (p>.05). The intra-group comparison showed significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) of both groups post-intervention (p<.05). CVA and forced expiratory volume in 1 seconds (FEV₁) were significantly improved post-intervention in the experimental group only (p<.05). In the experimental group, all ROM variables were significantly improved post-intervention. In contrast, in the control group, all ROM variables improved significantly post-intervention, except for extension (p<.05). The inter-group comparison showed significant differences in NDI, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, and left rotation between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion : The combination of CSE and SE, which stabilizes the cervical spine, had positive effects on cranial rotation angle, respiration, disability, and joint ROM in office workers with forward head posture. Therefore, the combination of the two exercises may be an effective option to reduce symptoms and prevent postural problems in office workers with FHP.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2023

Objective: The study examined the validity and reliability of tele-assessment of cervical range of motion (ROM) through video conferencing. Design: A cross-sectional study Methods: The study included 22 healthy adults as subjects and 10 physical therapists as evaluators. The subjects underwent both face-to-face and tele-assessment of cervical ROM. The CROM (Cervical Range of Motion) device was used for reference measurements in the face-to-face assessment. The evaluators assessed the subjects' ROM through visual inspection (VI) and using a Universal Goniometer (UG) in the tele-assessment. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between the face-to-face and tele-assessment measurements for all ROM contents. The correlation coefficients ranged from r=0.54 to 0.71 (p<0.05), indicating concurrent validity. In terms of inter-rater reliability, the ICC values for both VI and UG assessments in the tele-assessment were high, with ICCs of 0.93 and 0.92, respectively. Additionally, the study investigated the usability of the tele-assessment method and environment. The satisfaction of the participants and evaluators was assessed using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), which evaluates perceptions, usability, and satisfaction with telehealth services. Conclusions: In conclusion, tele-assessment of cervical range of motion using video conferencing was valid and reliable. Also, investigated participant and evaluator satisfaction and opinions, providing insights into the clinical value of tele-assessment. It is important to note that the study was conducted only healthy adults, and further research may be needed to validate the tele-assessment method in populations with cervical dysfunction or neck pain. These findings support the potential effectiveness of telerehabilitation services in assessing and managing musculoskeletal disorders.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the effect of spinal decompression with Korean medicine treatment on the herniation of an intervertebral disc (HIVD) in a patient after fusion surgery of a cervical segment. Methods : A single patient was treated with spinal decompression, acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture, and herbal medication. We measured the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), European Quality of Life-5 Dimension (EQ-5D), Cervical Range of Motion (cervical ROM) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score to evaluate the treatment effects. Results : The patient's post neck pain & pain in both arms improved significantly as suggested by the scores on the NRS, NDI, EQ5D, cervical ROM and BDI. Conclusions : Thus, spinal decompression, including Korean medicine treatment, could be taken into consideration for HIVD patients after fusion surgery.