• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.121-130
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• 2014

To devise a plan to efficiently control and cope with musculoskeletal disorders, this study conducted a self-administered survey among dental hygienists working at dental clinics in Daegu. The data were collected from December 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014, and drew the following conclusions. For body posture for medical procedures, at lower levels in their careers, the hygienists' head and back were more bent; at higher levels in their careers, the their shoulders, body and hips were more bent; and at higher levels in their careers, their assistance posture in general was more bent. Hygienists with longer years of experience had more pain in the neck and the arms/elbows. Respondents engaged in medical treatment services were more likely to have pain in their arms/elbows, and those engaged in assisting in medical treatment and consulting and insurance services were more likely to have pain in their necks. It is necessary to recognize the seriousness of musculoskeletal disorders, provide specific education through supplementary training and relevant seminars, and avoid repetitive use of the same muscle or joint through environmental improvement of dental clinics, and personal efforts should be made to maintain good posture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2020

Background: Neck pain can be caused by any structure in the neck, such as intervertebral discs, ligaments, muscles, facet joints, dura mater, and nerve roots. The hyoid bone is a structure that is also related to head and neck posture, neck movement and pain, but there are no studies on hyoid deviation, neck pain, and range of motion (ROM). Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fascia relaxation and mobilization of the hyoid bone on the ROM, pain, and lateral deviation of the hyoid bone. Methods: Twenty-five patients with neck pain identified by the lateral motion test (10 males [35.13 ± 7.67 years, 172.69 ± 3.90 cm, 78.77 ± 6.96 kg] and 15 females [35.13 ± 10.05 years, 161.11 ± 4.09 cm, 52.59 ± 2.98 kg]) was chosen randomly. Baseline values for pain, neck ROM, and lateral deviation in the hyoid bone were recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS), goniometer, and tape measure. Then, each patient was treated with hyoid fascia relaxation and mobilization, and all results were recorded after intervention. Comparison of the results before and after intervention was analyzed using paird t-test (p < 0.05). Results: Right rotation, extension, VAS, and rotational asymmetry statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Right rotation and extension increased ROM, rotational asymmetry ratio and VAS decreased. However, there was no significant difference in flexion, left rotation, center point (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Fascia relaxation and hyoid mobilization could improve the ROM of cervical extension, asymmetry of the cervical rotation and neck pain.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

The aims of this study were to compare and analyze two types of deep cervical flexion exercises, craniocervical flexion and cervical flexion, and to ascertain their relative effects on neck and shoulder pain and functional improvement. The participants of the study were individuals who work in sedentary jobs in an office environment. 54 appropriate subjects were chosen and randomly divided into two groups: one group underwent a craniocervical flexion exercise program and the other a cervical flexion exercise program. The six week exercise program consisted of home exercises performed by each subject five times a week and education once a week. Neck-shoulder pain, muscle strengthening, cervical alignment were measured prior to commencement of the exercise programs and again after six weeks. At completion of the six week, both exercise programs decreased neck pain (p<.05). Forward head postures were reduced, and the craniocervical flexion exercise program was more effective in reducing forward head posture (p<.05). The maximum muscle strength and 50% of maximum muscle strength maintaining time of the deep cervical flexor muscles were significantly increased. There were no significant changes of the cervical lordotic curve. The results of this study showed deep cervical flexion exercise was effective in the treatment of neck and shoulder pain, however craniocervical flexion exercise was more effective than cervical flexion exercise.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chin tuck exercise (CTE) on the craniovertebral angle (CVA), strength and endurance of deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles in subjects with forward head posture(FHP). This study was performed on 30 subjects with FHP. Method : Thirty subjects were divided into two groups; modified CTE (n=15), conventional CTE (n=15). Both of the group performed the exercise 4 times a week for 6 weeks. The subjects performed CTE in two different methods; modified CTE, with device designed that help keep cervical lordois curve, and coventional CTE, without using device. The CVA was measured using Image software version. A pressure biofeedback unit was used to measure the strength and endurance of the DCF muscles. The data was analyzed by the paired t-test for comparing before and after changes of variables in each group and the independent t-test for comparing the between groups. Result : There was statistically significant difference of before and after strength and endurance of DCF muscles in modified CTE (p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference of before and after only endurance of DCF muscles in conventional CTE (p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference of between the two group in strength of DCF muscles (p<0.05). Conclusion : Muscle strength to stabilize the spine plays an important role in maintaining a good posture. Therefore, we suggest that the application of CTE with a device designed to maintain the lordotic curvature in the neck is likely to yield better outcomes in FHP subjects in future studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between the cervical lordosis angle (CLA) and the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and between CVA and a cross-sectional area (CSA) of the cervical muscles. METHODS: In 17 healthy college students, the CLA was measured using a posterior tangent technique. The CVA was analyzed using photographic images, and the CSA of the cervical muscles, including longus colli, longus capitis, and sternocleidomastoid, was evaluated using computerized tomography. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between these variables and a neck disability index. RESULTS: The CVA correlated with the CLA and with a CSA of longus colli (r = .487, p = .047 and r = .592, p = .012, respectively). The CLA correlated with a CSA of longus colli (r = .578, p = .015). CONCLUSION: This study clarified the relationship between the postural, structural, and muscular changes in the cervical regions. A significant correlation was observed between the CVA and a CSA of the longus colli with the CLA and between the CVA and the CSA of the longus colli. Prescription strengthening exercises for the deep neck flexors for individuals with a forward head posture and reduced cervical lordosis are useful.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2020

Objective: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a disease with abnormal head and neck posture in infants. It affects the child's movement and development and can lead to complications. Therefore, this study aims to find out what factors influence the rehabilitation treatment duration of infants with CMT. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The subjects were 63 infants under 90 days of age who were diagnosed with CMT. Age, thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) on the affected and non-affected side, head tilt angle, and head rotation angle of the affected head in infants were collected. The ratio of muscle thickness was calculated from the thickness of the affected SCM and the thickness of the non-affected SCM (A/N ratio). All subjects underwent conservative physical therapy twice a week for 30 minutes, and the end of the treatment was when the angle of head tilt was normal or less than 5 degrees, and the treatment duration was calculated. Results: Age, thickness of affected SCM, and head tilt were significantly correlated with treatment duration (p<0.05). The thickness of the non-affected SCM, A/N ratio, and head rotation angle did not show any correlation with treatment duration. The factors affecting the treatment duration were head tilt and age, showing 21% explanatory power of adjusted R². Conclusions: The main factors affecting the treatment duration of infants with CMT are head tilt and age. Therefore, more attention should be directed to the infant's head tilt and age for effective physical therapy of infants with CMT.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.59-77
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• 1990

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data for the effective health management of the industrial workers, by classifying factors influencing their perceived symptoms to examine their health status and identifying the inter' relationship of their perceived symptom with their working department. the environment of working area and their general characteristics. The study was undertaken from October 1 to November 30. 1989. The subjects were 999 workers who had worked in Industrial Corps located in Chungbuk Province. The results of this study were as follows: I . Worker's perceived symptoms were classified according to the following eight factors; 1) musculo - skeletal symptoms of shoulder, neck, back and arm 2) optical symptoms 3) symptoms in head(such as headache and dull) 4) musculo - skeletal symptoms of leg and lower back 5) gastro - intestinal symptoms 6) mental symptoms. 7) neural symptoms 8) lung and heart symptoms II . The degrees of workers' perception of perceived symptoms; Mean score of perceived symptoms:7.0 The rank of degrees of perceived symptoms: The highest:musculo - skeletal symptoms of shoulder, neck, back, and arm The second:optical symptoms The third:musculo - skeletal symptoms of leg and lower back The fourth:mental symptoms the fifth:gastro-intestinal symptoms m . Analysis of the inter-relationship of perceived symptoms with working department, environment of working area and general characteristics; 1) sexuality The difference of degrees of perceived symptoms was significant;femanle was higher than male(P<0.000). 2) level of education The difference of degrees of perceived symptoms according to the level of education was significant; The higher the level of education, the higher the degree. 3) working department The working department played a significant part in the degrees of perceived symptoms of workers; Workers of assembling department:musculo-skeletal symptoms both of shoulder. neck, back and arm and of leg and lower back(P<0.000). Workers of inspection department:optical symptoms(P<0.05). Office workers:mental symptoms(P<0.05). 4) kinds of job The difference of the degrees of perceived symptoms according to kinds of job was significant; Workers dealing with chemical materials and workers dealing with job with high tension:gastro-intestinal symptoms and symptoms in head. Workers dealing with weighty things or working a long time with the same posture:musculo-skeletal symptoms both of shoulder, neck, back and arm and of lower back(P<0.000). 5) working posture The difference of the degrees of perceived symptoms related with working posture was significant; Sitting:optical symptoms(P<0.0000) and symptoms in head(P<0.005) Standing:musculo-skeletal symptoms of leg and lower back(P<0.0000). 6) satisfaction with their own duty The more dissatisfien they were. the higher became the degrees of their perceived symptoms(P<0.0001). 7) satisfaction with their working condition The more dissatisfied with their working condition they were, the higher became the degrees of their perceived symptoms(P<0.001). 8) environment of working area The environment of working area played a significant part in the degrees of perceived symptoms of workers; Workers exposed to most of the factors of the environment of working area were higher than those not exposed in the degrees of musculoskeletal symptoms. Workers in the noisy environment:optican symptoms(P<0.000), symptoms in head(P<0.005). Workers in the damp environment:optical symptoms(P<0.005) and lung and heart symptoms(P <0.01). Workers with illumination problem:optical symptoms(P<0.000), mental symptoms(P<0.005) and neural symptoms(P<0.01). Workers with ventilation problem:optical symptoms and lung and heart symptoms(P<0.001)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1-13
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the craniovertebral angle, proprioception (joint error test), and the upper trapezius on the muscle tone when comparing cervical stabilization and scapula stabilization exercises and when two exercises were performed together. METHODS: The participants in this study agreed in advance, and this study was carried out by recruiting 27 university students in their twenties with mild frontal posture. The subjects were assigned randomly to three groups that performed cervical stabilization exercises, scapular stabilization exercises, and both cervical and scapular stabilization exercises. One-way repeated ANOVA was used to analyze the evaluation values of the 1^st, 3^rd, and 6^th weeks of exercise intervention within the group, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare the difference in the effects of exercise intervention among the three groups. RESULTS: Proprioception was significantly different in the cervical stabilization exercises (CSE) group and the cervical stabilization exercises + Scapular stabilization exercises (CSE+SSE) groups at three weeks, and there was a significant difference between the scapular stabilization exercises (SSE) group and the CSE+SSE group (p < .05). At six weeks, there was a significant difference between the CSE group and the CSE+SSE group, and there was a significant difference between the SSE group and the CSE+SSE group (p < .05). There was a significant difference between three and six weeks in the CSE group (p < .05). In the SSE group, there was a significant difference between pre and six weeks, and between three and six weeks (p < .05). In the CSE+SSE group, there was a significant difference between pre and three weeks, and between pre and six weeks (p < .05). On the other hand, there were no significant differences between CVA and muscular tone in all three groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: In all groups, the proprioception (joint error test) showed significant improvement, and the CSE+SSE group showed greater improvement than the other groups. As a result, the appropriate combination of neck stabilization exercise and scapular stabilization exercise effectively improved proprioception in the presence of forward head posture (FHP).

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2008

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a disease-specific exercise (DSE) on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and neck mobility in TMJ dysfunction associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Ten AS patients (seven males and three females) with TMJ dysfunction were recruited for this study. The DSE included exercises to correct head and neck posture and to improve the flexibility of the neck and TMJs. The patients attended treatment three times a week for 4 weeks, averaging 1 hour each session. Assessments were performed pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6 weeks after the completion of treatment. General physical status was assessed by four clinical measures (tragus-to-wall distance, modified Schober test, lumbar side flexion, and intermalleolar distance), the Bath ankylosing spondylitis function index (BASFI), and the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index. The main outcome measures included TMJ function (craniomandibular index (CMI)), and neck mobility (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral rotation). None of the measures of general physical status, with the exception of BASFI, were significant1y different between the pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-week follow-up (p>.05). However, CMI and all neck movements, except for extension, significant1y improved after the treatment (p<.05). These improvements were maintained during the follow-up period. The DSE used in the present study seems to be a clinical1y useful method for managing patients with symptoms from the stomatognathic system in AS. Further studies with more subjects and longer treatment times, including the follow-up period, will be conducted to validate these findings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study aimed to provide basic clinical data by analyzing the impact of motion observation training and stretching exercises for improving postures on the neck alignment and balance of stroke patients to enable them to accurately recognize the correct exercise method. METHODS: After sampling 20 stroke patients who met the selection criteria, this study randomly assigned 10 people who were administered the stretching exercise with observation training to the experimental group and 10 who received only the stretching exercise intervention to the control group by drawing lots. Next, neck alignment and balance were pre-tested. All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks, and when all the interventions were completed after 4 weeks, neck alignment and balance were re-measured in the same way as the pre-test. RESULTS: The comparison of changes in neck alignment and balance within the experimental and control groups showed statistically significant differences in the craniovertebral angle, cranial rotation angle, and balance (p < .05) (p < .01). Between the groups, statistically significant differences were found in the craniovertebral angle, cranial rotation angle, and balance (p < .05) (p < .01). CONCLUSION: A statistically significant difference in neck alignment and balance was observed in the group that underwent stretching exercises combined with observational training and a statistically significant difference was found between the groups. Therefore, it is believed that observation training should be used in clinical practice to improve forward head posture and restore balance in stroke patients.