• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.9-19
• /
• 2019

Background: This study was planned to assess and compare the effectiveness of cervical region stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise on pain and range of motion in patient with chronic neck pain. Methods: Fifty-one patient with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated into strengthening and stabilization exercise (SSE) group (n=27) and Strengthening exercise (SE) group (n=24). The program was carried for 12 sessions, 3 days/week in 4weeks. Pain intensity with visual analog scale (VAS), cervical range of motion, deep cervical flexor strengthening were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: After the program, pain intensity decreased in group SE and SSE were found (p<.05). Range of motion and deep cervical muscle strength increased in group SE and SSE were found(p<.05). The intergroup comparison showed that significant difference in range of motion and deep cervical muscle strength (p<.05). Conclusions: The study suggest that both SSE program and SE program might be a useful treatment for patients with chronic neck pain. However SSE program might be superior in improving cervical range of motion and deep cervical flexor strength compare to SE program.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.321-328
• /
• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neck stabilization exercise combined with vibroacoustic sound on patients with chronic neck pain and tension-type headache. Design: Two group pre test - post test design. Methods: 36 patients participated. Headache impact test-6(HIT-6), numerical rating scale(NRS) and muscle characteristics were measured at pre-post test. Participants divided into vibroacoustic sound group(VSG, n=18), control group(CG, n=18). VSG performed neck stabilization exercise and vibroacoustic sound stimulation. CG performed neck stabilization exercise. Both groups participated 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks. Results: NRS showed a significant difference before and after intervention in both groups (p<0.05). HIT-6 showed a significant difference before and after intervention in the VSG group (p<0.05). Muscle tone showed a significant difference before and after intervention in the experimental group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in muscle stiffness and muscle elasticity before and after the intervention in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of the study, it is thought that sonic vibroacoustic sound can be established as an effective treatment tool through a study applied to various diseases and symptoms.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.11-22
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck stabilization exercise with PNF for neck alignment, neck disability index, and sitting balance in adults with forward-head posture. Methods: Forty participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the neck stabilization exercise group (NSG, n = 20) and the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation neck pattern exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) were studied 30 minutes a day three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes were measured using cranial vertical angle (CVA), the Korean version of the neck disability index (KNDI), anterior limit of stability (ALOS), and posterior limit of stability (PLOS) before and after the intervention period. Results: There were significant effects in the CVA and the KNDI of both groups pre- and post-intervention. There were significant effects in ALOS and PLOS in the PNFG pre- and post-intervention compared with the NSG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that PNF with neck exercise could be beneficial to the static balance of adults with forward-head posture.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.125-138
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to apply suboccipital muscle inhibition combined with neck muscle stabilization exercise to 20~30s IT industry employees who suffer from chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods: This study was designed as single-blind and randomized controlled trial. The study participants were 20~30s IT industry employees with chonic non-specific neck pain (VAS 3/10) who were divided into an experimental group (n= 20) subjected to suboccipital muscle inhibition with neck muscle stabilization exercise, and control group (n= 20); suboccipital muscle inhibition only. The intervention was applied three times per week for eight weeks. The neck pain·pressure pain threshold·range of motion, and disability index were measured at the 1st, 8th, and 10th week at follow up, then analyzed with an analysis of variance(ANOVA) using the SPSS program. Results: The total number of study participants was 37 (experimental group 19, mean age 34.6±5.3, control group 18, mean age 35.7±4.9). The comparison and analysis of change in VAS, the pressure pain threshold, and the range of motion except the extension (p>.05) revealed a statistically significant decrease between groups over eight weeks and follow up measurement (p<.01). Regarding the within the group differences, the right side of the neck pressure pain threshold showed a statistically significant decrease over eight weeks in the control group (p<.01). The right and left lateral flexion, and the right and left rotation were statistically significant for the experimental group over eight weeks and follow up measurement, but only the left lateral flexion (p<.05) for the control group over eight weeks. The neck disability index showed a slight decrease but this was not satistically significant for the between-grop or the within-group differences (p>.05). Conclusion: The intervention of suboccipital muscle inhibition and a neck muscle stabilization exercise are more beneficial for neck pain and the range of motion than the application of suboccipital muscle inhibition alone.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.43-53
• /
• 2023

Background: Patients with neck pain develop instability due to muscle imbalance, decreased proprioception, and balance disorders. Studies have examined various exercise methods as treatment methods, but few studies have compared the effects of cervical stabilization exercise and dynamic balance exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dynamic balance exercise on pain, functional level, and psychosocial level in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods: Thirty-four non-specific chronic neck pain patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG, n=17) and control group (CG, n=17); the cervical stabilization exercise and dynamic balance exercise program were applied to the EG; and only the cervical stabilization exercise program was applied to the CG. The intervention was conducted twice a week, for six weeks. Assessment items evaluated pain, dysfunction (Korean version neck disability index), range of motion, craniocervical flexion test, cervical deep flexor endurance test, and psychosocial level. Data analysis was performed using intention-to-treat analysis as assigned. To analyze differences in the items assessed in the two groups, we used a repeated measures analysis of variance with an interaction between group (EG, CG) and time point (baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks). Results: The endurance of the cervical flexor muscles between the group and the measurement point after intervention (p<.05). Both groups showed significantly improved endurance between time points after the intervention (p<.05), with the EG showing a greater change than the CG. None of the other measurement items differed in the pattern of change between measurement points. Conclusion: In conclusion, the EG applying a cervical stabilization exercise and a dynamic balance exercise experienced a significant difference in muscle endurance improvement compared to the CG. We propose an exercise intervention program that includes stabilization exercises and dynamic balance exercises for patients with chronic cervical pain who lack muscle endurance.

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

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.310-319
• /
• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combination of progressive scapular stabilization exercises, neck and thoracic spine mobilization, and thermoelectric physical therapy on pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and function in patients with acute whiplash injury. Design: A randomized controlled trial design. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=12) that performed scapular stabilization exercises, neck and thoracic spine mobilization, and physiotherapy, and a control group (n=12) that only performed neck and thoracic spine mobilization and physiotherapy. The pre-test was conducted before the intervention and consisted of a total of 12 treatment sessions of 60 minutes each, three times a week. A posttest was conducted 4 weeks later. Pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and function were assessed before and after intervention. Results: The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in pain reduction and range of motion and muscle strength improvement in the experimental group, and a significant difference was also found between the experimental group and the control group in terms of functional evaluation. Conclusions: The combination of exercise therapy and joint mobilization technique and physical therapy resulted in greater improvements in pain, range of motion, strength, and function assessment, contributing to improved overall function.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study was to the effects of a cervical stabilization exercise using pressure biofeedback intervention on suboccipital muscle tone, deep neck flexor muscle endurance, and craniovertebral angle in college students with forward head posture. The subjects of the study were selected as BCSEG(n=12) and CG(n=12), and the intervention was performed for 50 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The results of the study showed that after biofeedback neck stabilization exercises, the suboccipital muscle significantly decreased in stiffness and muscle tone in the BCSEG(p<.01), and the deep neck flexors significantly increased in muscle endurance(p<.01) and craniovertebral angle(p<.01). The results of the cervical stabilization exercises with biofeedback are thought to improve cranio- vertebral angle by improving muscle function of the suboccipital muscles and deep neck flexors, which cervical stabilization exercises with biofeedback may be suggested as an intervention to improve FHP.

• Korean Security Journal
• /
• no.25
• /
• pp.89-107
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using cervical spinal stabilization exercise for the improvement of pain intensity, cervical range of motion, neck disability index, reposition sense, muscle tenderness with chronic neck pain in private security. For 21 patients diagnosed with chronic cervical pain and divided into cervical spinal stabilization exercise group and postural correction exercise group. Each exercise was conducted for 8 weeks. Pain and neck disability index were measured before and after exercise using the visual analogue scale(VAS) and the neck disability index(NDI). Range of motion were measured electronic goniometer, muscle tenderness of upper trapezius ad sternocleidomatoid were measured algometer, reposition sense were measured reposition panel before and after exercise. After 8 weeks of exercise, the cervical stabilization exercise group pain and neck disability were significantly decreased(p<0.05). Also there was significant difference in both group(p<0.05). In addition, range of motion, muscle tenderness reduce rate, reposition sense were significantly increase as compared to the pre-post exercise in cervical stabilization exercise group(p<0.05). But there was no significantly difference in postural correction group before and after exercise(p>0.05). And there was significantly increase more cervical stabilization exercise group than postural correction exercise group in range of motion, muscle tenderness reduce, reposition sense. In summary, cervical spinal stabilization exercise is more effective in improving cervical range of motion, muscle pain, reposition sense in private security on chronic cervical pain patients, in reducing patients' pain and disability. It is an effective treatment to aid rehabilitation in these cases.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.158-163
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among pain, range of motion of the neck, neck disability index and grip strength after thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: In this study, twelve subjects with chronic neck pain were included. All participants had thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training. Intervention was conducted three times per a week, for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of neck, neck disability index (NDI), as well as the grip strength before and after intervention were measured in all participants. Paired t-test was used to compare variables before and after intervention. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the correlations between the variables. Results: All variables after the intervention were significantly improved. There was a significant negative correlation between VAS and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.669, p<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between NDI and VAS (r=0.636, p<0.05), and a significant negative correlation between NDI and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.692, p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with reduced pain following therapeutic intervention illustrated that there would be an improvement in the flexion angle rather than the extension angle of the neck, and that those with increased flexion angle would have less restriction of activities in daily living.