• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.115-123
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mandible position on proprioception and range of motion (ROM) during neck stabilization exercise using a sling in healthy adults. Methods: The subjects were randomly assigned to either a sling exercise and mandible open group (n=10) or a sling exercise and mandible closed group (n=12). The sling exercise-mandible open group and sling exercise-mandible closed group took part in an exercise program for 30min, three times per week for 4 weeks. After each training session, head repositioning accuracy (HRA) and the ROM of the cervical spine were measured. Wilcoxon's test was conducted to verify changes within each group, and the Mann-Whitney U test was performed to examine between-group differences. Results: The HRA of the cervical spine was significantly increased during left rotation and extension in the sling exercise-mandible open group. In addition, there were significant differences in both rotations and extension in the two groups. The ROM of the cervical spine increased significantly during both rotations in the sling exercise-mandible closed group. In addition, there was a significant difference in right rotation and extension in both groups. Conclusion: Cervical stabilization exercise using a sling, with the mandible closed increased proprioception and the ROM of the cervical spine.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2024

Background: This study examined the effects of the muscle energy technique and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy to patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Twenty-six patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (n=13) and the control group (n=13). The two groups performed the muscle energy technique and for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, in 70-minute sessions. Pain, range of motion, function, and muscle performance were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer, neck disability index (NDI), and stabilizer pressure biofeedback, before and after training. Results: After four weeks of therapy, the VAS (p<.001), NDI (p<.01), and the maximum strength of the deep neck flexion muscles significantly decreased (p<.01) and CROM significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The muscle energy technique and therapeutic modalities such as cervical traction are effective in reducing VAS and NDI and increasing CROM and muscle performance in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.125-138
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to apply suboccipital muscle inhibition combined with neck muscle stabilization exercise to 20~30s IT industry employees who suffer from chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods: This study was designed as single-blind and randomized controlled trial. The study participants were 20~30s IT industry employees with chonic non-specific neck pain (VAS 3/10) who were divided into an experimental group (n= 20) subjected to suboccipital muscle inhibition with neck muscle stabilization exercise, and control group (n= 20); suboccipital muscle inhibition only. The intervention was applied three times per week for eight weeks. The neck pain·pressure pain threshold·range of motion, and disability index were measured at the 1st, 8th, and 10th week at follow up, then analyzed with an analysis of variance(ANOVA) using the SPSS program. Results: The total number of study participants was 37 (experimental group 19, mean age 34.6±5.3, control group 18, mean age 35.7±4.9). The comparison and analysis of change in VAS, the pressure pain threshold, and the range of motion except the extension (p>.05) revealed a statistically significant decrease between groups over eight weeks and follow up measurement (p<.01). Regarding the within the group differences, the right side of the neck pressure pain threshold showed a statistically significant decrease over eight weeks in the control group (p<.01). The right and left lateral flexion, and the right and left rotation were statistically significant for the experimental group over eight weeks and follow up measurement, but only the left lateral flexion (p<.05) for the control group over eight weeks. The neck disability index showed a slight decrease but this was not satistically significant for the between-grop or the within-group differences (p>.05). Conclusion: The intervention of suboccipital muscle inhibition and a neck muscle stabilization exercise are more beneficial for neck pain and the range of motion than the application of suboccipital muscle inhibition alone.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.413-422
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate changes in the cervical and lumbar flexion-relaxation ratio, range of motion, pressure pain threshold, and perceived comfort following the wearing of a trunk brace during smartphone watching. Methods: To calculate the number of subjects for this study, an analysis with G^*Power was performed at a statistical power of 0.8, an effect size of 0.5, and a significance level of 0.05, based on the results of a preliminary experiment on five subjects. In total, 27 adult men and women were recruited who had been informed of the study's purpose and process and had agreed to participate. All subjects watched content on a smartphone for 20 minutes in the same posture and conditions while wearing and not wearing a trunk brace, and then their cervical and lumbar flexion-relaxation ratio, range of motion, pressure pain threshold, and perceived comfort were measured. Results: Compared to the non-wearing of a trunk brace, the wearing of a trunk brace resulted in a statistically significant smaller decline in cervical extension and right-side cervical rotation (p<0.05). When the subjects wore a trunk brace, their right- and left-side cervical and right-side lumbar pressure pain statistically significantly improved when compared to not wearing a trunk brace (p<0.05). They also perceived a significantly lowered level of comfort 20 minutes after wearing a trunk brace compared to immediately after wearing it (p<0.05). Conclusion: The trunk brace was effective in reducing declines in right-side cervical rotation and the occurrence of left- and right-side cervical and right-side lumbar pressure pain. The findings indicate the need to improve the perceived comfort of trunk braces.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2019

Background: Numerous studies have used smartphone applications to measure the range of motion in different joints. In addition, studies measuring the active range of motion (AROM) of the craniocervical joint have revealed high reliability. However, the subjects in these studies were all healthy subjects. No study has yet been conducted to measure the inter-rater reliability for the AROM of the craniocervical joint in stroke patients. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the inter-rater reliability of the AROM of the craniocervical joint using a smartphone. Methods: The participants included 21 subjects who had strokes (17 males and 4 females). Two raters evaluated six types of craniocervical AROM, including flexion, extension, lateral flexion to the hemiplegic side, lateral flexion to the non-hemiplegic side, rotation to the hemiplegic side, and rotation to the non-hemiplegic side, using a goniometer and a smartphone to investigate inter-rater reliability. The inter-rater reliability was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: The inter-rater reliability of the smartphone was good for extension, lateral flexion to the hemiplegic side, lateral flexion to the non-hemiplegic side, and rotation to the hemiplegic side [ICC(2,k)=.86~.88] and excellent for flexion [ICC(2,k)=.95]. The inter-rater reliability for rotation to the non-hemiplegic side was moderate [ICC(2,k)=.72]. Conclusion: These results suggest that the smartphone offers high inter-rater reliability for measurements of the craniocervical AROM in patients with stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.137-146
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• 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercise on pain, cervical range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI) in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: Following baseline measurements, the subjects (n = 30) with chronic neck pain were randomized into two groups: the PNF group (n = 15) that received PNF strength training of the lower trapezius muscles or a control group (n = 15) that received gentle palpation of the skin. Each group participated in the intervention for 30 min, three times per week for six weeks. The visual analogue scale for pain, ROM, and NDI of both groups were recorded at both pre- and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes in the post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, and independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the six-week intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased pain and NDI (p < 0.05) and significantly increased cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM (p < 0.05). The PNF group that received PNF strength exercise of the lower trapezius muscles showed greater improvements in pain and NDI and cervical rotation of ROM than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the PNF lower trapezius strengthening exercise reduces neck pain and disability level and enhances cervical ROM in patients with chronic neck pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to acknowledge the effects that have the strength exercise done only on the neck extensor, only on the thoracic extensor, and both the neck and the thoracic extensor on forward head posture(FHP) and cervical range of motion. Also is to discover which of the exercise is the most effective. Method: This experiment will be done by selecting 40 people who have 16cm or more FHP and they will be divided into four groups: three experimental groups and a control group. The first experimental group will do only the neck extensor strength exercise(NESE). The second experimental group will do only the thoracic extensorstrength exercise(TESE) and the third experimental group will do both the NESE and the TESE. The experimental groups will make a day three times each ten sets of extensor isometric strength exercise but the time will be increased from 4 to 6 and8 seconds until it will be done the ten sets. Then after four weeks, they will be compared which had the best results for the FHP and the cervical range of motion. Result: After the experiment, it was compared the experimental groups with the control group. Every experimental group had an improvement on their FHP and cervical range of motion. However, the only NESE and the only TESE did not have a significantly difference(p>.05). Only the group who did both the NESE and the TESE had a sign ificantly improvement compared to the control group. Conclusion: 1. The only NESE and the only TESE seem that had a positive effect on FHP and cervical range of motion. However, it cannot be conclude that it is effective. 2. When both the NESE and the TESE are done, it is showed statistically a significant difference(p<.05) on FHP and cervical range of motion. The refore, it would be note worthy if this exercise is used to improve the FHP and the cervical range of motion.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

Background: Thoracic spine self-mobilization exercise is commonly used to manage patients with neck pain. However, no previous studies have investigated the effects of thoracic spine self-mobilization exercise alone in patients with chronic neck pain. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thoracic self-mobilization using a tool on cervical range of motion (ROM), disability level, upper body posture, pain and fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: The subjects were 49 patients (21 males, 28 females) with chronic neck pain. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 23) and control group (CG, n = 26). For the EG, thoracic self-mobilization was applied. We placed a tool (made with 2 tennis balls) under 3 different vertebral levels (T1-4, T5-8, T9-12) of the thoracic spine and the subjects performed crunches, which included thoracic flexion and extension in supine position. Five times × 3 sets for each levels, twice a week, for 4 weeks. Cervical pain, disability, upper body posture, FABQ results, and ROM were evaluated at baseline, after 4 weeks of intervention, and at 8 weeks of follow-up. Assessments included the quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS); Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire (NPQ); craniovertebral angles (CVA), forward shoulder angle (FSA) and kyphosis angle (KA) measurements for upper body posture; FABQ and cervical ROM testing. Results: The EG showed a statistically significant improvement after intervention in the QVAS (-51.16%); NPQ (-53.46%); flexion (20.95%), extension (25.32%), left rotation (14.04%), and right rotation (25.32%) in the ROM of the cervical joint; KA (-7.14%); CVA (9.82%); and FSA (-4.12%). Conclusion: These results suggest that, for patients with chronic neck pain, thoracic self-mobilization exercise using a tool (tennis balls) is effective to improve neck pain, disability level, the ROM, and upper body posture.