• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

Background: Studies investigating the immediate effects of a single intervention to correct forward head posture are rare. Objects: This study aimed to compare the changes in treatment effects in patients with forward head posture and neck pain after manual and self-exercise therapy over a 1-hour period. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomly divided into manual and self-exercise therapy groups. Following the initial evaluation, manual or self-exercise therapy was applied to each group for 30 minutes each in the prone, supine, and sitting positions. The variables measured were the craniovertebral angle (CVA), stress level, pain level, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) stiffness. After the intervention, re-evaluation was conducted immediately, 30 minutes later, and 1 hour later. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the maintenance of treatment effects between the two groups. Results: Based on the two-way mixed ANOVA variance, there was no interaction between the groups and time for all variables, and no main effects were found between the groups. However, a significant effect of time was observed (p < 0.05). Post hoc tests using Bonferroni's correction revealed that in both groups, the CVA, pain, and stress showed significant improvements immediately after the intervention compared with before the intervention, and these treatment effects were maintained for up to 1 hour after the treatment (p < 0.0083) in the manual therapy group. However, the stress level was maintained until 30 minutes later (p < 0.0083) in the self-exercise group. There was no significant decrease in right SCM stiffness before and after the intervention; however, left SCM stiffness significantly decreased after the self-exercise intervention (p < 0.0083). Conclusion: Both manual and self-exercise therapy for 30 minutes were effective in reducing forward head posture related to the CVA, pain, and stress levels. These effects persisted for at least 30 minutes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.44-50
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• 2015

This study compared the effects of the initial head position (i.e., a HHP versus a relaxed head position) of subjects with and without a FHP on the thickness of the deep and superficial neck flexor muscles during CCF. The study recruited 6 subjects with a FHP and 10 subjects without a FHP. The subjects performed CCF in two different head positions: a HHP, with the head aligned so that the forehead and chin formed a horizontal line, and a relaxed head position (RHP), with the head aligned in a self-selected comfortable position. During the CCF exercise, the thickness of the longus colli (LCo) and the thickness of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) were recorded using ultrasonography. The thickness of each muscle was measured by Image J software. The statistical analysis was performed with a two-way mixed-model analysis of variance. The thickness of the SCM differed significantly (p<.05) between the subjects with and without FHP. According to a post $h^{\circ}C$ independent t-test, the change in thickness of the SCM increased significantly during CCF in the subjects with FHP while adopting a HHP compared to that in the subjects without FHP. The change in thickness of the SCM was not significantly different between the two positions in subjects without FHP, and there was no significant change in thickness of the LCo muscle during the CCF exercise according to the initial position in both subjects with and without FHP. The results suggest that CCF should be performed in RHP to minimize contraction of the SCM in subjects with a FHP.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.573-587
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was conducted in order to analyze the effects of the manual intervention and self-corrective exercise models of general coordinative manipulation(GCM) on the balance restoration of spine & extremities joints with distortions and mal-alignment areas. The subjects were the members who visited GCM Musculoskeletal Prevent Exercise Center from March 1 2012 to December 31 2013 because of spine & extremities joints distortion and mal-alignments, poor posture, and body type correction. All subjects were diagnosed with the four types of the GBT diagnosis. And according to the standards of the mobility vs stability types of the upper & lower body, they were classified into Group 1(40 persons) and Group 2(24 persons). For every other day for three times a week, GCM intervention models were applied to all subjects for four weeks, adding up to 12 times in total. Then the balance restoration effects were re-evaluated with the same methods. The results are as follows. 1) Balance restoration effects of VASdp(Visual analysis scale pain & discomfort) and ER(Equilibrium reaction: ER) came out higher in GCM body type(GBT) II III IV of Group 1. 2) In case of balance restoration effects in Moire and postural evaluation areas, Group 1 was higher and cervical and scapular girdle were higher in Group 2. The balance restoration of the four GBT types was significant in all regions(p<.05), and the scapular girdle came out as high in the order of GBTII IV I. 3) In case of thoracic-lumbar scoliosis and head rotation facial asymmetric cervical scoliosis ribcage forward, the balance restoration effects of the upper body postural evaluation areas came out the highest in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. The balance restoration effects of the four GBT types were significant in all regions(p<.05), and came out the highest in lumbar scoliosis GBTIII I, ribcage forward and thoracic scoliosis GBTII IV. 4) The balance restoration effects of the lower body postural evaluation areas came out higher in Group 1 and Group 2 for pelvis girdle deviation patella high umbilicus tilt and hallux valgus foot longitudinal arch: FLA patella direction, respectively. The balance restoration effects of the four GBT types were significant in all regions(p<.05), and came out the highest in pelvis girdle deviation GBTIII I and patella high-direction GBTIV II I. 5) The balance restoration effects between the same GBT came out significant (p<.05) in all evaluation areas and items. The conclusions of this study was the manual intervention and self-corrective exercise models of the GCM about the mal-alignment of the spine & extremities joints across the whole body indicated high balance restoration effects(p<.05) in spine & extremities joints in all evaluation areas.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2017

Background: This study was carried out to compare the effects of shoulder stabilization exercise and thoracic extension exercise including deep neck flexor exercise on posture and pain targeting physical therapists and occupational therapists with forward head posture. Methods: A total of 30 physical therapists and occupational therapists (15 males, 15 females), who are working in the nursing hospital at Daejeon, were randomly divided into a shoulder stabilization group (n=10), a thoracic extension exercise (n=10), and a control group (n=10), and 3 times were carried out for 8 weeks. Results: In the results of all measurements, 2 groups except for the control group showed a significant change in the recovery of forward head posture, and the should stabilization exercise group showed a relatively superior effect compared to the thoracic extension exercise group. Conclusions: These results of a study will be a basic data for the development of the forward head posture exercise therapy program.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of improvement of scoliosis, muscle function and VAS between the exercise group and the control group after conducting correct posture exercise program with 20 female students diagnosed with scoliosis through PAPS in M middle school for 12 weeks. The conclusion was as follows. Cobb's angle in exercise group was changed from $11.6^{\circ}{\ae}2.5^{\circ}\acute{y} $ to $7.3^{\circ}{\ae}2.0^{\circ}\acute{y} $ which was statistically significant difference (p<.001). However, the change in Cobb's angle was not significant in control group, hence there was no statistically significant difference. The limber back strength was changed from $45.9^{\circ}{\ae}8.7$ kg to $51.6^{\circ}{\ae}14.9$ kg and sit-up was changed from $13.7^{\circ}{\ae}5.1$ times to $12.9^{\circ}{\ae}5.3$ times in exercise group, but they were not statistically significant. Control group also showed no statistically significant change in back strength and sit-up. The degree of VAS was changed from $7.3^{\circ}{\ae}1.6$ to $3.3^{\circ}{\ae}2.4$ which was a statistically significant difference (p<.01) in exercise group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in control group. Consequently, correct posture exercise program was considered to be effective for the reduction of Cobb's angle and degree of VAS for middle school female students with scoliosis. Therefore the correct posture exercise program can be recommended for youth scoliosis to improve and prevent the body imbalance and ultimately for the health of the youths.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.679-690
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between neck posture and range of motion and neck disability index(NDI) in young adults with reduced cervical lordosis. This study selected 34 young adults with cervical lordosis reduced (Cobb's angle less than 35 degrees). The assessor measured neck flexion, extension, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, left rotation, right rotation and forward displacements of all subjects using cervical of range motion instrument, Then, the NDI was evaluated. After all assessments, degree for cervical lordosis was divided into two groups: bottom group(severe cervical lordosis) and top group(mild cervical lordosis). The bottom group was significantly higher in Cobb's angle, extension, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, left rotation, right rotation and forward displacement compared to the top group (p<.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in flexion, NDI(p >.05). In comparison of subscale of NDI, top group was significantly higher in pain, lifting, and headache than bottom group (p <.05). In correlation analysis, Cobb's angle showed significant positive correlation with flexion, extension, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, left rotation and right rotation(p<.05), and showed significant negative correlation with forward displacement, NDI(p<.05). Cobb's angle showed a significant negative correlation with pain, lifting, and headache of subscale of NDI(p<.05). The findings of this study potentially suggest that neck posture may affect the cervical range of motion and pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2013

Background: People who have painful neck have reduced proprioception in the neck. Reduced proprioception in the neck is related to the muscle spindle activity in the deep neck flexors. The aim of this study was to know that proprioception in the neck was increased by strengthening exercise of the deep neck flexors. Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Deep neck flexor muscle exercise with stabilizer were conducted for the study group three times a week for six weeks. Relocation errors in 30 degree rotation to the left were measured three times before and after intervention each. Results: Neck disability index were decreased in the experimental group (p<.05) but not in the control group (p>.05). Relocation errors were decreased in the experimental group after intervention (p<.05), but not in the control group (p>.05). Conclusions: Proprioception in the neck can be increased by the strengthening exercise of deep neck flexors in the subject with chronic neck pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2016

Objectives The objective of this study is to interpretate Yangsaeng-Doinbub presented in [Jebyungwonhuron Huhrobyungjehu] in a modern kinesiologic approach. Methods Based on the interpretation of [Jebyungwonhuron Huhrobyungjehu] and implementation of its kinesiology, this study presents similar kinesiologies and their purposed, with the reference to various documents on modern kinesiology. Results 1) Exercises in Yangsaeng-Doinbub presented in [Jebyungwonhuron Huhrobyungjehu], which are similar to resistance exercise, can be used for isometric exercise of knee joint extensor and cervical extensor. 2) Exercises in Yangsaeng-Doinbub presented in [Jebyungwonhuron Huhrobyungjehu], which are similar to stretching exercise, has its purpose to stretch semitendinosus m., semimembranous m., gastrocnemius m., quadriceps femoris m., upper trapezius m., levator scapulae m., serratus m., and splenius capitis m. 3) Exercises in Yangsaeng-Doinbub presented in [Jebyungwonhuron Huhrobyungjehu], which are similar to active exercise, can be used for strengthen quadriceps femoris m.. 4) Yangsaeng-Doinibub also describes breathing methods, which help normalization of breathing exercised and increase the efficiency of spine and joint exercises. Conclusions The modern interpretation on kinesiology of Yangsaeng-Doinbub presented in [Jebyungwonhuron Huhrobyungjehu] leads to a conclusion that Yangsaeng-Doinbub consists of various exercises for knee joint, neck and upper extremity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to show the application to add the Dong-Qi therapy of the Dong-Si acupuncture to exercise therapy of the movement system impairment syndrome(MSIS) and to determine the best acupuncture point for the Dong-Qi therapy. Methods : We reviewed Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndrome and Movement System Impairment Syndromes Of The Extremities, Cervical and Thoracic Spines written by Sahrmann SA. to show the exercise therapy of the sort of MSIS. We reviewed complete works of Yang Wei Jie to show the acupuncture points of the Dong-Si acupuncture and the Dong-Qi therapy. Results : We showed the acupuncture point of the Dong-Si acupuncture by each type of MSIS based on the reference book of MSIS, the Dong-Si acupuncture. Also, we selected and tabulated the best possible acupuncture point of the Dong-Si acupuncture which could minimize a side effect of acupuncture during the therapeutic exercise by each type of MSIS. Conclusion : A specific acupuncture point of the Dong-Si acupuncture could be chosen for a specific MSIS therapeutic exercise. The best possible acupuncture point could be chosen when selecting an acupuncture point of the Dong-Si acupuncture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.104-113
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• 2024

Forward Head Posture (FHP) involves the anterior positioning of the head relative to the shoulders, often associated with muscular imbalances. It is known that individuals with FHP experience shortening of craniocervical extensors and cervical flexors. However, contrary to the understanding of flexion in the craniocervical extension subaxial region, a study has reported flexion in the craniovertebral spinal vertebrae among individuals with FHP. The aim of this study was to examine the consistency of biomechanical study results conducted for FHP. The relevant studies were investigated in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using the keywords "forward head posture OR cervical sagittal alignment OR cervical spine AND biomechanics OR kinetic analysis OR kinematic analysis." During the research selection process, only nine studies relevant to the purpose of our study were identified. Out of these nine studies, four conducted kinematic analysis related to FHP formation, while six conducted kinetic analysis. During the comparison of these studies, five inconsistencies were identified. Biomechanical studies on FHP reveal conflicting findings, suggesting potential variability in the biomechanics of FHP formation across individuals. However, drawing definitive conclusions requires further exploration through additional biomechanical investigations on FHP in the future.