• 정형스포츠물리치료학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of sport massage and McKenzie stretch exercise on forward head posture. To understand the effect, this study measured and analyzed body alignment of the neck. Methods: In this study, a total of 14 subjects with forward head posture were analyzed. Subjects were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=7) received a McKenzie stretch exercise and group 2 (n=7) received a McKenzie stretch exercise and a sport massage. The McKenzie stretch exercise was performed three times a week, for four weeks, while the sport massage was performed once a week. The body alignment of the neck (CVA, CRA) was measured using a goniometer. Results: The improvements in neck body alignments (CVA, CRA) after the McKenzie stretch exercise and sport massage were both significant (group 1: p<0.05; group 2: p<0.05), whereas the between-group comparison found no significant differences. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study confirmed that the McKenzie stretch exercise and sport massage had a significant positive effect on the body alignment of the neck. However, a study that included a greater number of subjects and a long-term treatment period is needed to generalize these results.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.159-166
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• 2017

Purpose: This study attempts to determine the effects of applying three kinds of breathing exercises for four weeks on the neck muscle activation of subjects with a forward head posture. Methods: A total of 30 adults aged in their twenties (15 men and 15 women) with a forward head posture who voluntarily agreed to participate after listening to the purpose and procedure of this research were chosen as the subjects of this study. The subjects were randomly divided into either the diaphragmatic breathing exercise (DBE) group, the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) group, or the abdominal expansion method (AEM) group according to the breathing intervention scheme. Each group included ten subjects. The muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, and splenius capitis was measured in all the groups prior to the intervention, two weeks after the intervention, and four weeks after the intervention. All the interventions were implemented for 30 minutes a day, three times a week, for a total of four weeks. Results: No significant between-group difference was observed in terms of the change in neck muscle activity according to the four-week intervention scheme. Further, there was no interaction between the intervention period and the intervention scheme in relation to the change in neck muscle activity. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that abdominal expansion exercise is as effective as other breathing exercise methods for subjects with a forward head posture. We therefore expect that abdominal expansion exercise can be used as a scheme for the prevention of symptoms as well as therapy for patients with a forward head posture.

• 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.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of exercise on the angle and distance between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise. Method : 30 volunteers took part in this experiment and we divided into three groups(experimental group A, experimental group B, control group C). Experimental group A performed scapular stabilization exercise and experimental group B performed McKenzie neck stretching exercise and control group didn't perform any exercise. Experimental group(A, B) received a total of 12 exercise session over a 4 week period (three times per week). Posture and craniovertebral angle changes of the neck using GPS measurements reported. Result : The CVA and distance change after exercise were significantly reduced in the experimental group A and B. Conclusion : Therefore, we have confirmed through experiments reducing a CVA and distance between scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises, whereby we would also be helpful to ensure the treatment of forward head posture.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.471-480
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the correlations between a forward head posture and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor, neck pain, and the changed position of the mandible. Methods: The subjects of this study were 50 male and female adults who work at a desk for at least four hours a day. The head-spine angle was photographed with a camera, and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor and the changed position of the mandible were measured using pressure biofeedback. The Neck Disability Index was used to measure neck pain. To examine the correlations between a forward head posture and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor as well as the changed position of the mandible, a Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted. The statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: A forward head posture and the endurance of the deep neck flexor showed a statistically significant positive correlation, and a forward head posture and neck pain showed a statistically significant negative correlation. In addition, the endurance of the deep neck flexor and neck pain showed a statistically significant negative correlation. Conclusion: The results of this study show that a forward head posture and the endurance of the deep neck flexor were correlated; in addition, a forward head posture and neck pain were correlated. Therefore, enhancing the endurance of the deep neck flexor can assist in correcting an imbalanced forward head posture, which can reduce neck pain.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2006

Work-related musculoskeletal disorder has been associated with long hours of computer work and prolonged periods of static posture. In clinical settings, postural correction is a common treatment approach for individuals with neck, shoulder, and back pain. This study was designed to identify the effect of Forward Head Posture Correctional Device during computer work. Twelve healthy adults (mean age, 27.4 yrs; mean height, 165.0cm mean weight, 65.8 kg) participated in the study. They had no medical history of neurological or surgical problems with their upper extremity. The subjects were asked to perform Head Forward Posture under the guidance of physical therapists and the measured angles were analyzed using a 3-D motion analysis system. Markers were placed on the C7 spinous process, tragus of the ear and forward head angle was between the line from the tragus to the C7 line and the Y-axis at the C7. The statistical significance of difference between, "without" and "with" correctional device was tested by paired t-test. A level of significance was set at ${\alpha}$=.05. In comparison of the computer work between "without" and "with" correctional device, Forward Head Angle was showed significant difference (p<.05). In conclusion, the range of Forward Head Angle was significantly decreased during computer work with the correctional device. Further research is needed to understand the nature of motor control problems in deep muscles in patients with neck, shoulder, and back pain.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

Background: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of mulligan taping group and repeated measurement group on muscle activity and grip strength of adult with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty adults with forward head posture were randomly assigned to each of 15 mulligan taping and repeat measurement groups. The mulligan taping group measured the pre-test and post-test muscle activity and the grip strength three times and compared the mean values. The repeat group was repeatedly measured and measured before and after the experiment, The collected data were analyzed using SPSS statistical program. Results: There was no significant difference between mulligan taping group and repeated measurement group in changes of muscle activity. There was a significant difference between mulligan taping group and repeated measurement group in changes of grip strength. Conclusions: Mulligan taping was applied to an adult with forward head posture, there was no significant change in muscle activity of flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus, but it seems to improve hand function by re-aligned of nearby muscles by maintaining scapular stability.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.171-180
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in motor cortical excitability during mental practice and action observation in subjects with forward head posture. Methods : This study was performed in two groups, a forward head posture group (n=17) and a normal posture group (n=17). Electroencephalography (EEG) was conducted to investigate cerebral cortex activity, and six electrodes were attached to Fp1, Fp2, C1, C2, C3, and C4 to measure the relative alpha power, relative beta power, relative gamma power, and mu rhythms. The subjects were requested to perform the four different conditions, which were eye opening, eye closing, mental practice, and action observation for 300 seconds. Results : The results showed that the relative alpha waves showed a significant difference between the normal and forward head posture groups in the C1, C2, C3, and C4 regions with the eyes open (p<.05). The relative beta waves also showed a significant difference between the two groups in the Fp1 and Fp2 regions during action observation (p<.05). The relative gamma waves were significantly different between the normal and forward head posture groups in the Fp1 and Fp2 regions during action observation (p<.05) in C1, C2, and C3 with eyes closed (p<.05) and in C1, C2, C3, and C4 with eyes open (p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that EEG change in the forward head posture group was different from that in the normal control group in action observation rather than in mental practice. Therefore, we are expected to provide a neurophysiological basis for applying action observation to motor skill learning during exercise for correcting forward head posture.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.173-181
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare muscle activity after applying two muscle energy techniques (MET) to subjects with forward head posture to see if the post isometric relaxation (PIR) technique is more effective than the reciprocal inhibition (RI) technique. Methods : The muscle activity was measured using EMG after applying the PIR and RI techniques to 30 adults at K College. Subjects were selected for forward head posture whose ear center was 2.5 ㎝ front of the center of the shoulder. EMG equipment was used to measure muscle activity, and the measurement sites were measured in cervical flexor and extensor muscles. The experiment period was performed once a week for a total of two weeks, and after the pre-measurement was performed for 5 minutes PIR and RI exercise. In the PIR technique, the head is tilted back in a sitting position, and the experimenter applies resistance with the same force for 7~10 seconds and repeats 3-5 times after rest. In the RI technique, in a sitting position, the subject gives the force to bend the head forward, and the experimenter applies resistance with the same force for 7 to 10 seconds, and repeats 3 to 5 times after rest. Results : The result is same as the following. In the comparison of muscle activity, there was a significant decrease in both PIR and RI at 1 and 2 weeks. And there was a greater decrease in muscle activity in PIR. There was no difference in the comparison of decrease in muscle activity at 1 week and 2 week. Conclusion : Both PRI and RI can be said to be effective in improving the function of the forward head posture in the neck muscles. Therefore, the selection of the two techniques in clinical practice should be appropriately performed under the judgment of experts according to the patient's situation.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.193-201
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of pelvic exercise on the CVA and spinal curve in adults with forward head posture compared to the group using only neck exercise when pelvic exercise was performed in parallel with conventional neck exercise. Methods : GPS 400 and Formetric were used to identify craniovertebral angle (CVA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic torsion and were measured by an experienced research manager. Forward head posture (FHP) was selected for people whose angle between the line connecting the ear ball and the seventh cervical spine and the horizontal line is 50 degrees or less. The 30 selected students were randomly divided into 15 experimental groups and 15 control groups. Mackenzie exercise and sling exercise were performed for neck exercise in both the experimental group and the control group, and pelvic exercise using a Swiss ball was additionally performed in the experimental group. All data collected in this study were analyzed using SPSS statistics 21.0. Cervical vetebral angle (CVA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic torsion were compared at 0 weeks, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks for each measurement factor using ANOVA with repeated measures. For the statistical significance test, the significance level of α was set to .05. Results : The changes of pelvic torsion, thoracic kyphosis and CVA due to pelvic exercise using Swiss Ball and neck exercise were changed over time, but lumbar lordosis were not changed. And there were no significant differences among the groups. Conclusion : In conclusion, the pelvic correction exercise is considered to be an effective exercise for correcting the FHP and requires regular pelvic correction exercises. We expect the results to be used in clinical trials.