• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The Purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the thickness of Sternocleidomastoid muscle(SCM) and deep cervical flexor muscle(DCF) through CranioCervical Flexion Exercise(CCFEx) Using Sling. METHODS: Subjects were randomly allocated two group: control group (n=21) without neck pain, experimental group (n=17) with pain. Muscle thickness was measured using CranioCervical Flexion Test(CCFT) and ultrasonography before or after intervention. RESULTS: In experimental group, compared with muscle thickness of exercise before, SCM thickness rate of change was slightly decreased according to pressure increased after exercise(p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that CCFEx using sling is effective for SCM and DCF of choric neck pain patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.44-52
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• 2018

Background: The deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles have a crucial role in the management of neck pain. For preventing neck pain by activation of the DCF, craniocervical flexion (CCF) is an effective exercise. However, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is considered to affect negatively the activation of the DCF. SCM muscle which is an accessory muscle for respiration is activated differently depending on types of breathing patterns. It's not certain that breathing patterns affect the SCM and DCF muscles thickness during CCF exercise. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of breathing patterns on the SCM and DCF muscles thickness during CCF exercise. Methods: Forty-five subjects participated in this study, and they were classified according to their breathing pattern, as follows: costodiaphragmatic breathing (CDB) and upper costal breathing (UCB) groups. Ultrasonographic imaging of the SCM and DCF muscles was performed during five incremental levels of CCF during tidal breathing and expiration. Results: There was a significant interaction between the breathing pattern and the phase of CCF for percentage of SCM muscle thickness changes (p<.05). In phase 1 CCF, a percentage of SCM muscle thickness changes was increased in the UCB group than in the CDB group (p<.05). There was an increase in DCF muscles thickness with each additional CCF phase (p<.05). Conclusion: Recruitment of SCM muscle was increased in the UCB group while performing CCF with a low intensity. There were no significant differences on DCF recruitment between the breathing pattern groups. Higher CCF exercise intensities elicited a higher DCF recruitment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2014

We researched two patients with ear fullness after traffic accident. We diagnosed the patients' symptom as referred pain caused by clavicle branch of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. So, acupunture therapy and SCENAR therapy were used to treat the patients. We measured their discomfort by visual anlog scale (VAS) before and after treatment. As a result, the patients improved remarkably and VAS score was declined sharply when we applied acupuncture therapy and SCENAR therapy on clavicle branch of SCM. Therefore, we are certain that ear fullness can be caused by clavicle branch of SCM after traffic accident. It shows dramatical and satisfactory progress by acupuncture therapy and SCENAR therapy to relax shortening of clavicle branch of SCM.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.302-307
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to determine the changes in pain and breathing function when kinesio taping is applied to patients with myofacial trigger points on sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. Methods: The subjects were 25 males and females aged 20 to 30 years (male 10, female 15). They were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group to be applied with kinesio taping. Kinesio taping was applied to SCM muscle three times per week for two weeks. Pain triggered when the taut band or nodule was palpated was measured. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). The breathing function was measured using forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratio. In all subjects, VAS, breathing function was measured before and after intervention. Results: In the experimental group, pain in the SCM was relieved as VAS showed a significant decrease and FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio showed a significant increase. Comparison between the groups, showed significant differences in VAS and the FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio. Conclusion: These results suggest that myofascial pain on SCM muscle is thought a factor that affects the breathing function.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of head posture and respiratory pattern on muscle activities of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and scalene during maximal respiration. The seventeen subjects with upper-costal breathing pattern were participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to measure the muscles activities of SCM and scalene. The volume and velocity of inspiration were monitored by using the spirometer in each subject. Each subject was performed the 3-cycle of respiration in each condition. The mean values of three peak muscle activity in each muscle were used in the data analysis. A2 (head posture: forward head posture: FHP vs. neutral posture) X 2 (breathing pattern: costal vs. diaphragmatic) repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the normalized muscle activities of the SCM and scalene. The results showed that the muscle activities of SCM and scalene in diaphragmatic breathing were significantly lower than those in costal breathing for each head posture (p<.0125). The muscle activities of SCM in neutral position were lower than those in forward head position during costal breathing (p<.0125). The diaphragmatic breathing in neutral position of head is recommended to decrease the tension of the accessory inspiratory muscles during respiration in neck-pain patients with FHP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.93-101
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• 2020

Purpose : Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is often accompanied by pain and limited range of motion of the jaw joint, which affect patients' quality of life and result in hypertrophy or hyperactivity of the muscles around the jaw joint. In this study, we compared the muscle thickness and tone of the masseter and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles and the jaw range of motion in individuals with and without TMJD. Correlation comparison was performed on the results of the TMJD group. Methods : This study included 40 patients; 20 patients were assigned to an experimental group (TMJD group) and 20 to a control group (non-TMJD group). Ultrasonography, myotonometry, and measurements performed with digital Vernier calipers were used to determine the changes in muscle thickness, muscle tone, and maximum jaw opening, respectively. The independent t-test was used for intergroup comparison of data, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to compare correlations in the TMJD group results. Results : We observed a significant intergroup difference in the masseter and SCM thickness during the relaxed and clenched phases (p<.05). A significant intergroup difference was also observed in maximum jaw opening (p<.05). With regard to muscle tone, we observed a significant intergroup difference in frequency (p=.011) and stiffness (p=.011) of the masseter, as well as in the frequency (p=.009) and stiffness (p=.026) of the SCM. We observed a moderate negative correlation (r=-.524) between maximum jaw opening and the frequency of the masseter. Additionally, we observed a moderately negative correlation between jaw opening and muscle stiffness (r=-.321). Conclusion : Planning exercise programs to treat patients with TMJD who present with pain should focus on efforts to reduce muscle thickness and achieve muscle relaxation (to reduce muscle tension) for improved jaw range of motion.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.349-354
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the thickness of deep neck flexors (DNF) and sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) bilaterally during deep neck flexor endurance test using ultrasonography images. Methods: Healthy volunteers (n=22), 20-25 (mean 22.2) years old, were recruited for the study. Participants were asked to perform the craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) in a seated position to measure deep neck flexor endurance. The thickness of DNF and SCM was assessed bilaterally and was measured using ultrasonography images at resting, contracted, pre-terminal and terminal phases of the neck muscle endurance test. Muscle contraction pattern was also observed along with the changes in muscle thickness from the resting phase to the terminal phase. Repeated-measure ANOVA was employed to compare muscle thickness bilaterally at each phase. Results: The thickness of right and left muscles was found to be significantly different in DNF both at resting and contracted phases (p=0.02, p<0.01, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed in SCM at resting or contracted phases (p=0.59, p=0.18, respectively). Thickness changes from resting to contracted phase were not significantly different both in DNF and SCM (p=0.18, p=0.22, respectively). Muscle contraction patterns in right and left muscles were shown to be similar. Conclusion: The current study, performed on (with) healthy subjects, significantly detected different right and left muscle thickness in DNF, but the muscle contraction patterns were similar in DNF and SCM bilaterally. Further study is required to investigate DNF and SCM muscle size and function in people with neck pain.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.991-997
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• 2017

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to muscle properties analysis of SCM(sternocleidomastoid) Muscle according to posture type when using smartphone. Methods. This study was conducted on 73 college students who are using smartphone. Subjects were analyzed myotonPRO to confirm, prone posture group, stand posture group, drop head above $45^{\circ}$in sit posture on a chair group and drop head below $45^{\circ}$in sit posture on a chair group were measured SCM muscle. The myotonPRO were measured one measurer, total 3 times. Comparative analysis of the each groups were investigated of SCM muscle properties. Results. We found that Frequency, Stiffness, Creep and Relaxation were appeared difference in each posture. F index was increased at drop head below $45^{\circ}$group than stand posture group. S index was increased at drop head above $45^{\circ}$group than prone posture group. C index was decreased at drop head below $45^{\circ}$group and drop head above $45^{\circ}$group than prone posture group. R index was decreased at drop head above $45^{\circ}$group than prone posture group. Conclusions. The muscle properties were appeared difference in each posture of SCM muscle using smartphone.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.43-49
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to the effects of temporomandibular joint movement restriction on treatment of SCM muscle pain. Methods: The Subjects(n=20) were males(n=7) and females(n=13) that had SCM muscle pain and movement restriction at one side oftemporomandibular joint. The massage and Taping performed on the SCM muscle during 4 weeks. The measured items of SCM pain were pressure-pain scale, DITI. The measured items of temporomandibular joint movement restriction were VAS, ROM, deviation. Results: SCM muscle of pressure-pain scale is lower in ipsilateral than counterlateral, But temperature is higher in ipsilateral than counterlateral. Pressure-pain scale was statistical significance (p<0.05). After studying, the pain and temperature of SCM muscle was decreased and statistical significance(p<0.05). After studying, VAS of Temporomandibular joint was decreased, ROM was increased, deviation was decreased. All of measured items of Before and after studying found a statistical significance(p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that SCM muscle pain related TM joint pain and movement restriction. The patient with TM joint movement restriction that may take effect on reducing SCM muscle pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2024

Background: This study was to investigate effects of Correlation Analysis between Cervical-Vertebra Angle and Neck Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, Sternocleidomastoid Thickness of Patients with Forward Head Posture Design: Correlation Analysis. Methods: The subjects of this study were a total of 54 people in the forward head position and their ages were between 30 and 50 years old. The subjects cranio-vertebral angles, neck extension, neck flexion, neck rotation angles, neck flexor strength, neck extensor strength, sternocleidomastoid thickness were evaluated through measuring instruments. The thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was measured using an imaging ultrasound diagnostic device (ultra sound, Versana Premier, GE Medical systems, China). CVA was measured by measuring the side photo of the subject was taken with a camera and evaluated.. neck joint range of motion was measured through digital inclinometer for extension, flexion, and neck rotation. neck muscle strength was measured by measuring the using a digital sthenometer. Data analysis in this study was statistically processed using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM SPSS Inc., USA). Correlation analysis was used and the statistical significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results neck extension(r= 0.70^**), neck flexion(r= 0.67^**), neck rotation(r= 0.56^**), neck extensor muscle strengt(r= 0.85^**), neck flexor muscle strength(r= 0.66^**), sternocleidomastoid thicknes(r= -0.81^**) It indicates that there is a correlation. Conclusion:These results improve the Cervical-vertebra angle of patients with forward head posture should include a program to improve the thickness of the SCM. In the future, study can be used as an evidentiary material for treatment interventions to improve the Cervical-vertebra angle of patients with forward head posture.