• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

This study compared the effect of therapeutic exercise with conservative treatment in women with chronic neck pain. Subjects were allocated to control, neck isometric exercise, and cervical stabilization exercise groups consisting of 29, 32, and 31 patients, respectively. The conservative treatment for the control group consisted of hot packs, ultrasound, interferential current therapy, and intermittent cervical traction. The neck isometric exercise group performed a neck isometric exercise and the cervical stabilization exercise group performed a cervical stabilization exercise. To compare the three groups, the levels of perceived pain, neck disability, and psychological depression were assessed on admission, at discharge, and one month after discharge. On admission and at discharge, the pain and neck disability scores did not differ significantly among the groups. However, one month after discharge, both the neck isometric and cervical stabilization exercise groups had significantly improved perceived pain levels as compared to control (p<.05). The improvement in the degree of neck disability was most significant in the cervical stabilization exercise group (p<.05). On comparing the changes in the variables at the three assessments for each group, there was a significant difference between the control and cervical stabilization exercise groups (p<.05). The findings indicate that therapeutic exercises, especially cervical stabilization exercises, are more effective for improving pain and neck disability than conservative treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.221-226
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of neck and trunk stabilization exercise on static and dynamic balance in older adults. Methods: A total of 30 older adults participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to the neck and trunk stabilization exercise group (NTSG) (n=15) or the trunk stabilization exercise group (TSG) (n=15). The NTSG performed a trunk stabilization exercise added to a neck stabilization exercise that included biofeedback. Both groups received training for 30 minutes per day three times per week for eight weeks. The anterior, posterior limit of stability and sway length was used to measure static balance ability, while the timed up and go (TUG) test was used to measure dynamic balance ability. Results: Participants showed significant differences in sway length, anterior limit of stability, posterior limit of stability, and the results of the TUG test between their pre- and post mediation evaluations (p<0.05). The NTSG showed a more significant increase than the TSG (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, both exercises effectively improved static and dynamic balance ability. However, the neck and trunk stabilization exercise is more efficient for increasing the balance ability of older adults.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1498-1507
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effect of neck stabilization exercise and Swiss ball exercise on the recovery from the fatigue of neck muscles induced. The turtleneck posture was set artificially by using Smartphone with healthy adults. Repetitively measured ANOVA was executed to examine the changes in the muscle fatigue of sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, and splenius capitis among three-time intervals (at the time of general resting, work and after intervention) in the three intervention groups (neck stabilization exercise group, Swiss ball exercise group, and ordinary rest group). There were no significant differences in the changes of fatigue of sternocleidomastoid muscle among all three intervention groups at the time of general resting, work and after intervention (p>.05). Although there was no significant difference in the changes in the fatigue of upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles between the intervention groups at the time of general resting and work (p>.05), there was the significant difference between the three intervention groups at the time of work and after intervention (p>.05). This study suggest that Swiss ball exercise is more effective in reducing the muscular fatigue of the neck and shoulder at a turtleneck posture than neck stabilization exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.291-302
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of neck and trunk stabilization exercise on the onset time of trunk muscle contraction in the elderly. Methods: Elderly subjects were divided into 2 groups: a neck and trunk stabilization exercise group (NTSG) and a control group (CG). The NTSG performed both neck and trunk stabilization exercises and the CG performed gait training on a treadmill, at 30 min per session, 3 times per week, over 8 weeks. Surface electromyography was employed to measure the onset times of trunk muscle contractions in the right anterior deltoid, rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and erector spinae muscles. Results: The NTSG subjects showed earlier and statistically significant onset of contraction in trunk muscles as compared to the CG. Conclusion: The combination of neck and trunk stabilization exercises may more effectively improve the onset of muscle contractions in the elderly than other types of exercise. The present study's findings may be used as basic data for the development of exercise programs suitable to the elderly, specifically for the design of home exercise programs.

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

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

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.37-45
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of neck stabilization exercise combined with trunk stabilization exercise on balance and gait function in patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-two chronic stroke patients were included in this study. The experimental group subjects (n = 11) performed neck stabilization (15 min) and trunk stabilization (15 min) exercises, while the control group subjects (n = 11) performed trunk stabilization exercise only for 30 min. Before and after the intervention, the subjects underwent static balance and gait testing. RESULTS: The 95% confidence ellipse area, center of pressure (COP) path length, and COP average velocity were significantly lower in both groups after the intervention compared to before intervention (p < .05). The average stance force on the affected side increased significantly in both groups after the intervention (p < .05). The changes in the static balance variables were larger in the experimental group than in the control group. The cadence, gait velocity, and single leg support increased significantly in both groups after intervention (p < .05). The changes in the gait variables were larger in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Trunk stabilization is a beneficial intervention, but the combination of neck stabilization with trunk stabilization is a more effective method to increase the gait and static balance in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of exercise on the neck muscles activities between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise in the forward head posture subjects. Method : After measuring cervical alignment using the Global Posture System, 20 volunteers with forward head posture posture were selected and divided into two groups. The experimental group A(n=15) and Experimental group B(n=15) participated in respectively and McKenzie neck stretching exercise, three times per week for 4 weeks. The scapular stabilization exercise program was comprised middle and lower trapezius strength exercises and the stretching exercise program was comprised levator scapulae and upper trapezius stretching exercise. The activities of the muscles of the posterior neck was then measured using electromyography. Result : After the intervention, there was significant difference of a electromyography activity changes between the pre-test and post-test in the experimental group. Conclusion : This study showed that both scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises are more effective for reducing neck muscles activities.

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