• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.117-124
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• 2009

Purpose：The purpose of this study was to investigate of the change of the forward head posture(FHP) according to computer using time. Methods：Subjects were 30 male and 30 female. The factors of FHP were measured cranial vertical angle, cranial rotation angle, and head, upper back, neck flexion/extension angle according to computer using time. Change of FHP used to Digital Inclinometry(JTech, Dualer IQTM Dual Inclinometer). The data were collected by data logger(Logger Teknologi HB, Akarp, Sweden). Results：Cranial vertical angle, cranial rotation angle, and head, upper back, neck flexion/extension were increased according to computer using time(p<.05). But cranial vertical angle and cranial rotation angle, and head, upper back, neck flexion/extension were not significant differences between male and female group(p>.05). Conclusion：The effects of cranial vertical angle, cranial rotation angl and head, neck and upper back angle depend on the computer task time. Increased of FHP may result increased tension in posture muscles of cervical spine, resulting in a risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.19-26
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of correction on posture parameters between a horse riding simulator exercise and a conventional exercise occurring in an open linear chain linking the head to the pelvis in the sagittal plane of young adults with a forward head posture. METHODS: In this study, 30 subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 15 subjects each, were assigned to the horse riding simulator exercise or the neck exercise group and they performed exercise 30 minutes per each round two times a week for six weeks. To determine the subjects' forward head posture, the three angles and three distances were measured. RESULTS: The forward head angle and head distance results showed a significant change between pre and post intervention in both group. The horizontal distance between acromion and tragus results showed a significant change between pre and post intervention in neck exercise group (CG), but no significant change in horse riding simulator exercise group (EG). The averages of each measured values of EG and CG before and after were compared, but there are no significant different between groups. CONCLUSION: Although the effects of the horse riding exercise were lower than those elicited by the neck exercise, the results demonstrated that the horse riding simulator exercise improved posture alignment for subjects with forward head posture. Therefore, the horse riding simulator exercise can constitute an appropriate alternative exercise for subjects with forward head posture.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.278-283
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• 2018

Nowdays, many people suffer from the neck pain due to forward head posture(FHP) and text neck(TN). To assess the severity of the FHP and TN the craniovertebral angle(CVA) is used in clinincs. However, it is difficult to monitor the neck posture using the CVA in daily life. We propose a new method using the cervical flexion angle(CFA) obtained from a wearable sensor to monitor neck posture in daily life. 15 participants were requested to pose FHP and TN. The CFA from the wearable sensor was compared with the CVA observed from a 3D motion camera system to analyze their correlation. The determination coefficients between CFA and CVA were 0.80 in TN and 0.57 in FHP, and 0.69 in TN and FHP. From the monitoring the neck posture while using laptop computer for 20 minutes, this wearable sensor can estimate the CVA with the mean squared error of 2.1 degree.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제1권2호
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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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.183-188
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate neck posture, range of motion, muscle endurance and self-report of pain and disability in smartphone users. Methods: Seventy-eight university student volunteers, aged between 18 and 30 years (mean age 23.2), were assessed for: a head-neck posture by measuring cranial vertical angle, neck range of motions using cervical range of motion device, and a deep neck flexor endurance using a stabilizer. Finally, subjects were asked about their neck pain and completed disability questionnaires, ie, Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Neck Disability Index, and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Results: Thirty-eight subjects experienced recurrent neck pain with/without upper limb pain (neck pain group) and 40 reported no current neck pain with/without upper limb pain (no neck pain group). Differences were found between groups on pain and disability questionnaires. Subjects with neck pain had significantly higher disability scores than those of no neck pain group. However, there were no differences observed between groups in a head-neck posture, neck range of motions, and deep neck muscle endurance time. The smartphone usage time was negatively correlated with neck pain intensity and disability score whereas it had positive relationship with flexibility and posture. Conclusion: Group differences were observed as lower capacity not only for neck specific daily activities but for general functioning in daily routine when the neck pain and no neck pain groups were compared. Therefore, functioning in daily activities should be investigated as prevention for further developing neck pain in smartphone users.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.189-197
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a lower trapezius strengthening exercise program on an unstable support surface on pain, neck dysfunction, psychosocial factors, and postural alignment in neck pain patients with forward head posture. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 36 neck pain patients participated in this study. Screening tests were performed and assigned to experimental group (n=18) and control group (n=18) using randomization program. Both groups performed the lower trapezius strengthening exercise program. In addition, in the experimental group, an exercise program for lower trapezius muscle strengthening was performed on an unstable support surface. All interventions were performed 3 times a week, for a total of 5 weeks. quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS), neck disability index (NDI), short form (SF)-12, and postural alignment were measured before and after the intervention to compare their effectiveness. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in QVAS, NDI, SF-12, and postural alignment before and after intervention (p<0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed significant differences in NDI and postural alignment compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The lower trapezius strengthening exercise program on unstable support surfaces is an effective intervention method with clinical significance in improving neck disability and postural alignment in patients with neck pain with forward head posture.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.55-64
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to apply dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) to subjects with forward head posture (FHP) and to compare its effects on respiratory function as against the conventional neck stabilization exercise and neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercises. METHODS: The whole-body posture measurement system was used to measure the degree of FHP, and a spirometer and a respiratory gas analyzer were used to measure the respiratory function. After the intervention was completed, the changes over time were analyzed in the DNS group, the neck stabilization exercise group, and the neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercise group. The inter-group difference in the changes was also analyzed. A repeated ANOVA was performed to compare the respiratory function according to the period between the three groups, and the least significant difference (LSD) method was used for the post hoc test. RESULTS: After the 6-week exercise period, respiratory functions, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume for 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume for 1 sec/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), maximum oxygen intake (VO₂max), and the volume of expired gas (VE), significantly improved according to the period (p < .05), but no inter-group differences were found. CONCLUSION: DNS is an effective training method, and can be applied along with neck stabilization exercise and neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercises, which are widely used in clinical practice, to people with FHP who cannot directly perform neck exercises to improve their respiratory function.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.265-272
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• 2019

Purpose : Excessive computer use frequently results in musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder such as forward head posture (FHP). The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of neck and shoulder exercise program on spino-pelvic alignment and the correlation between change in head and neck posture and spino-pelvic alignment in FHP. Methods : The study included 44 participants with FHP. The participants performed the exercise for correction of FHP 2-3 times a week for 4 weeks. We examined whole spine X-ray images in the lateral standing position with both arms crossed. We measured anterior head translation distance (AHT), craniovertebral angle (CVA), cervical lordosis (CL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbosacral lordosis (LSL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI) of the subjects. The association between change in AHT and each spino-pelvic parameter was also subjected to Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Results : There were statistically significant differences before and after exercise in the parameters of AHT, CVA, and SS (p<.05). Significant negative correlation was observed between the change in AHT and CVA (r=-.768, p<.001), and CL (r=-.388, p<.05). There was significant positive correlation between the change in AHT and SS (r=.328, p<.05), and PI (r=.333, p<.05). However, no significant correlation was observed in change in AHT with that of TK, LSL, and PT. Conclusion : Based on the above results, we conclude that there is a relationship between change in AHT, which is a parameter associated with forward displacement of the head, and that of CVA, CL, SS, and PI after exercise in cases of FHP.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.51-59
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical basic data to reduce pain and improve function by comparing neck muscle activity and neck alignment using self-stretching and passive stretching exercises for chronic neck pain caused by forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were divided into 15 subjects assigned to perform self-stretching exercise and 15 subjects assigned to perform passive stretching exercise. The intervention was conducted for a total of 4 weeks. The muscle activity in the neck was measured by surface electromyography (EMG) before intervention, and craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles were measured by X-ray. The 4-week intervention was conducted and the above items re-measured in the same manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Muscle activity within both groups after intervention using self-stretching or passive stretching exercise was significantly different (p < .05)(p < .01). Neck alignment of both groups was significantly different (p < .001)(p < .01). Further, muscle activities of the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles showed significant differences (p<.05). Lastly, neck alignment showed statistically significant difference (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Self-stretching exercise activated motor nerves as a posture correction exercise, thereby improving inhibition of muscle activity, muscle contraction delay, and pathological conditions of the muscle. For future research, interventions of self-stretching exercise will be needed for patients with chronic back pain accompanied by forward head posture, and various clinical studies on postural improvement of forward head posture by maintaining a normal muscle tone state are needed.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.93-108
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate effects of McKenzie exercise on the functional recovery and forward head posture of chronic neck pain patients. Methods : The subjects were consisted of fifteen patients who had abnormal neck posture, mild neck pain (28 males, 17 females; mean aged 21.9) from 19 to 33 years of age(mean age 21.9). All subjects were received McKenzie exercise for 35 minutes with clinical massage per day three times a week during 4 weeks period. Neck disability index was used to measure functional disability level. Visual analogue scale(VAS) was used to measure subjective pain level. craniovetebral angle(CVA), cranial rotation angle(CRA) was used to measure forward head posture with digital camera. All measurements of each patients were measured at pre-treatment and after 2 week, after 4 week, post-treatment on 2 week. Result : The VAS of McKenzie exercise was significantly reduced between pre-treatment and post-treatment (p<.05) and effects of pain reduce was continued follow 2 weeks. The Neck Disability Index of McKenzie exercise was significantly reduced between pre-treatment and post-treatment (p<.05) and effects of pain reduce was continued follow 2 weeks. The CVA of McKenzie exercise was significantly reduced between pre-treatment and post-treatment (p<.05) and effects of pain reduce was continued follow 2 weeks. The CRA of McKenzie exercise was not significantly reduced between pre-treatment and post-treatment (p<.05). Conclusion : McKenzie exercise improved pain and function of Chronic neck pain patients.