• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.123-128
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the action observation and visual feedback on the alignment, pain and function of forward head posture(FHP) and round shoulder(RS). A total of 24 participants with FHP and RSP were randomly assigned to general exercise(GE, n=8), action observation(AO, n=8), and visual feedback(VF, n=8). All subjects were exercised three times a week for four weeks. The groups were assessed for craniovertebral angle(CVA), round shoulder posture(RSP), visual analog scale(VAS), and neck disability index(NDI) before and after exercise, There was a significant difference in CVA in the GE, AO and RSP, VAS and NDI were significantly different in all groups. AO was more effective than GE, VF for VAS. The results of this study suggest that action observation may be effective to improve the FHP and RS.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.21-28
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• 2007

Purpose: The aims of this study was to evaluate the effects of shoulder lateral rotation and trunk extension exercises on standing posture improvement exercises using turning round in the patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: For twenty-one patients with Parkinson's disease, shoulder lateral rotation and trunk extension exercises were performed for a total of three sets, ten times a set, three days a week for twelve weeks. To measure turning round, ink foot-print method was used. The number of steps and time were measured every week for before and after study (twelve weeks). Results: The results are as follows: Changes in steps and time on each week during twelve weeks showed significant differences, compared with before test(p<0.05). Conclusion: Standing posture improvement exercises can help perform turning round in the patients with Parkinson's disease.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study is for the effects of upper trapezius (UT) inhibition on round shoulder posture (RSP) index, pectoralis minor index (PMI), UT activity and neck disability index (NDI) in adults with RSP. Methods: 30 male and female participants with RSP were included in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). the EG received UT inhibition 3 days a week for 5 weeks those in the CG did not receive UT inhibition. Results: RSP index, PMI, UT activity and NDI were measured again, There was a significant difference within the EG at pre- result and post-results. Conclusion: These results suggest that UT inhibition with an RSP program was effective in decreasing the RSP index, UT activity, and NDI in adults with RSP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.11-20
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between smartphone use, body composition, posture and muscle properties of elementary school students. Methods : A total of 22 healthy elementary school students in Daejeon, South Korea, participated in this study with informed consent. Smartphone use was evaluated with Smartphone addiction self-report scale (S-scale) for youth. Body composition (BMI, percent body fat, body fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass) was measured using Inbody. To assess posture, forward head posture and round shoulder posture were measured using Dartfish motion analysis. Muscle properties (muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity) were measured on the upper trapezius, splenius capitis and sternocleidomastoid muscles using Myoton. To investigate the correlation between the main variables, Pearson correlation analysis was performed. Results : Disturbance of adaptive function, which is one of sub-component of S-scale, had a weak positive correlations with BMI (r=.538, p<.01), and body fat mass (r=.453, p<.05). However, scores of S-scale showed no correlation with posture and muscle properties. The correlation between posture and muscle properties was analyzed, and round shoulder posture revealed a weak positive correlation with respect to stiffness (r=.418, p<.05) and elasticity (r=.502, p<.05) of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Conclusion : Scores of S-scale demonstrated a weak correlation with body composition (BMI) among elementary school students, whereas S-scale scores were not correlated with the posture and muscle properties. Further research is needed to identify and focus on potential high-risk user groups of elementary students who are more dependent upon smartphones.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.254-264
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate changes in posture and muscle characteristics by applying mat pilates and kinesio taping to college students with round shoulder posture and to investigate effective interventions. Subjects were 28 men and women with a round shoulder posture, and they were randomly assigned to a mat pilates group (MPG, n=14) and a Kinesio taping group (KTG, n=14). Each group performed the intervention for 4 weeks, and the distance from the ground to the acromion(DGA) and muscle characteristics (F: Frequency; S: Stiffness; D: Decrement) were measured before and after the intervention. Independent T-test was performed for the difference in the amount of change between groups, and the paired-sample T-test was performed for the difference between pre-post values within the group. Statistical significance level was set as 𝛼=.05. As a result of measuring the change in DGA in both groups, it was significantly decreased in MPG (p<.05). As a result of measuring the change in muscle characteristics of the two groups, the change in F in TL was significantly increased in MPG (p<.05), there was no change in TG, and the amount of change in MPG was larger in the amount of change between the two groups. appeared (p<.05). The change in S was significantly increased in MPG (p<.05). Therefore, the mat pilates conducted in this study is considered to be an effective intervention for improving the round shoulder posture and changing the muscle characteristics than kinesio taping.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.217-223
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to investigate whether the two different head postures, natural and ideal head posture, affect head/shoulder posture and muscle activity. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects with the forward head and round shoulder posture were participated in this study. This study utilized a within-subjects design with subjects being positioned into two sitting positions: natural head posture (NHP) and ideal head posture (IHP). Forward head angle (FHA) and forward shoulder angle (FSA) of each subject were measured for assessing the head/shoulder posture and muscle activities of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) during the forward overhead reaching. Results: There were significant increases in both FHA and FSA after taking IHP, which showed greater angles than in taking NHP. In change of muscle activities, there were significant decreases in both LT and SA after taking IHP, which showed lower activities than in taking a NHP, whereas there was no significant change in UT. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that postural alterations associated with forward head and rounded shoulder postures could alter scapular kinetics and muscle activity during the forward overhead reaching.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.213-220
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of each lower trapezius muscle exercise performed according to the abduction position (Y type - shoulder joint abduction 145 °, T type - shoulder joint abduction 90 °, and MPC type - shoulder joint 45 ° abduction) of the shoulder joint on the muscle activity of the round shoulder and lower trapezius muscle. Methods : This study was conducted on 31 adult men and women. Through random assignment, they were assigned to the Y group, T group, and MPC group. A 4-week intervention was performed for each group of 31 subjects who participated in the experiment, and shoulder height and lower trapezius muscle activity were measured before and after the intervention. Shoulder height measurement is a test to measure rounded shoulder posture. When the value is low, it means that rounded shoulder posture is improved. The muscle activity of the lower trapezius muscle was measured using the %MVIC method, and when the value is high, it means that the lower trapezius muscle is active. All measured data were verified using dependent t-tests for before and after comparisons and one-way analysis of variance for comparisons between groups. Results : The results of this study showed a significant decrease after intervention only in shoulder height. Muscle activity of the lower trapezius muscle decreased after intervention, but did not show a significant difference. Both variables showed no significant differences between groups. Conclusion : The results of this study show that three lower trapezius muscle exercises were performed on subjects in rounded shoulder posture. All three groups showed a significant decrease in the shoulder height value, a method of measuring rounded shoulder posture, and no significant differences between groups could be confirmed. Therefore, all three exercises can be considered effective in reducing shoulder posture.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.71-89
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to design posture braces for rounded shoulders by examining characteristics of incorrect postures of rounded shoulders. The review of information in literature on rounded shoulder postures, correction exercise methods, and posture correction devices, has prompted this study to determine the design and material of a proper posture brace for rounded shoulders. In order to develop the pattern of a posture brace for rounded shoulders for women, the study carried out a comfort evaluation of the braces based on the 2D patterns through drafting method by utilizing the body measurements and relational formulae associated with the major body measurement such as bust circumference and on the 3D patterns of the brace which were obtained from 3D human model of women in their early 20s in Korea. Differences in angles were noted when 2D and 3D patterns of shoulder posture braces were compared. The side neck point was relocated farther outside in the 3D pattern to allow additional flexibility in the back-neck area, and the shoulder band was lowered by 14.8°, increasing armhole area comfort. The upper hemline of the front panel was found to rotate upward at an angle of 22.0° as the underarm point of the 3D pattern moved upwards than the underarm point of the 2D pattern, which enhanced comfort in the abdomen area. The 3D designs of shoulder posture brace was preferred in this study, as they significantly improved comfort while conducting fit evaluation compared to the 2D patterns of shoulder posture brace.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.17-26
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of visual electromyography (EMG) biofeedback on the EMG activity of the lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and upper trapezius (UT) muscles, the LT/UT and SA/UT EMG activity ratios, and the scapular upward rotation angle during scapular posterior tilting exercise (SPTE). Twenty-four subjects with round-shoulder posture participated in this study. The EMG activities of the LT, SA, and UT were collected during SPTE both without and with visual EMG biofeedback. The scapular upward rotation angle was measured at the baseline, after SPTE without visual EMG biofeedback, and after SPTE with visual EMG biofeedback. The LT, SA, and UT EMG activities, and the LT/UT and SA/UT EMG activity ratios were analyzed by paired t-test. The scapular upward rotation angle was statistically analyzed using one-way repeated analysis of variance. If a significant difference was found, a Bonferroni correction was performed (p=.05/3=.017). The EMG activities of LT and SA significantly increased, and the EMG activity of UT significantly decreased during SPTE with visual EMG biofeedback compared to SPTE without visual EMG biofeedback (p<.05). In addition, the LT/UT and SA/UT EMG activity ratios significantly increased during SPTE with visual EMG biofeedback compared to SPTE without visual EMG biofeedback (p<.05). Significant increases were found in the scapular upward rotation angle after SPTE without and with visual EMG biofeedback compared to baseline (p<.017), and no significant differences were observed in the scapular upward rotation angle between SPTE without and with visual EMG biofeedback. In conclusion, SPTE using visual EMG biofeedback may be an effective method for increasing LT and SA activities while reducing UT activity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2024

Purpose: The prolonged use of digital devices has led to the widespread adoption of poor postures, particularly rounded shoulder posture (RSP), associated with shoulder impingement and pain. This study investigates the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on RSP in healthy adults. Methods: Thirty adults with RSP were randomly assigned to NMES only, exercise only, or NMES with exercise groups. NMES was applied to the lower trapezius, which was the target muscle in this study, for a total of 2 weeks, 5 times per week, 20 minutes per session. The exercise program included pectoralis minor stretching, wall-slide exercise, dynamic hug exercise with band, and Brugger stretching for upper body with band, which were performed for a total of 2 weeks, 5 times per week, 20 minutes per session. Outcome measures, including the Supine Method (SM) for posture and surface electromyography (EMG) of the lower trapezius for muscle activity, were assessed before the intervention, after 5 sessions, and after 10 sessions. Results: All the groups showed significant changes in the SM and % maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) over time (p<0.05). The NMES group had significantly reduced SM at 1 week, while the exercise and combined groups had reduced SM at 2 weeks (p<0.017). All the groups had increased %MVIC at 2 weeks (p<0.017), with no significant differences observed between groups. Conclusion: NMES alone can be as effective as exercise in improving RSP. NMES combined with exercise also showed positive outcomes, thus offering diverse treatment options for this condition.