• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2022

Objective: Flexed posture commonly increases with age in older adults and is characterized by kyphosis and forward head posture. Changes in the posture with age affect both balance and mobility. This study was conducted to examine the effects of a cervical stabilization exercise for community-dwelling older adults to improve balance. Design: Two groups pretest-posttest design. Methods: Fifty older adults were randomly assigned into the cervical stabilization exercise group (n=24) and control group (n=25). The cervical stabilization exercise group (n=24) participated in group exercise for 60 minutes twice a week over 4 weeks. Timed up and go test (TUG), four square step test (FSST), functional reach test (FRT), postural sway, cervical range of motion (CROM), proprioception, craniovertebral angle (CVA) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: TUG, FSST, FRT, CROM, Proprioception, CVA showed significantly greater improvement, compared with a control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Findings of this study demonstrate that cervical stabilization exercise can help improve not only neck functional capacities but also balance. Therefore, it may be used as an effective balance exercise program for community-dwelling older adults.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of three interventions (intervention by passive range of motion exercise plus manual cervical traction, Mulligan's joint mobilization, and strengthening exercises) after Kaltenborn's joint mobilization on the cervical spine alignment, and muscle activity in patients with a forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were 39 students from H University in Chungnam and C University in Jeonbuk. The subjects in each group attended training sessions three times a week for four weeks. We used one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's post hoc test to compare values between groups, and used paired t-test to compare the values of the dependent variables within groups. RESULTS: The results showed that the active intervention group experienced a significant increase compared to the passive intervention group in terms of the craniovertebral angle, cervical lordosis angle, and had significant decreases compared to the passive intervention group in terms of the upper trapezius muscle activity. The active intervention group also had significant increases in craniovertebral angle and decreased anterior scalene muscle activity than the active-assistive intervention group. The active-assistive intervention group had significant decreases compared to the active intervention group in terms of the serratus anterior, levator scapulae, and splenius capitis muscle activity. CONCLUSION: It appears that the subjects with a forward head posture had significant improvements in the cervical lordosis angle, cranial rotation angle, craniovertebral angle, and muscle activity after intervention by Mulligan's joint mobilization (active-assistive intervention component) and strengthening exercises (active intervention component) after applying Kaltenborn's joint mobilization.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.61-73
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effect of cranio-cervical flexion based trunk stabilization exercise on gross motor function and posture alignment change in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: Twenty-six children participated in this study. All subjects were randomly assigned to either the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Based Trunk Stabilization Exercise (CCFTS) group (n=13) or the Trunk Stabilization Exercise (TS) group (n=13). In both groups were trained general physical therapy for 10 minutes, in the CCFTS group was trained cranio-cervical flexion based trunk stabilization exercise for 20 minutes and in the TS group was trained trunk stabilization exercise for 20 minutes. The training was provided 2 times a week during 8 weeks. All subjects were measured with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA) before and after intervention. Results: The results showed that the CCFTS have increased significantly in GMFM (B, C, D and E-dimension) and CVA, and the TS group have increased significantly in GMFM (B, C D and E-dimension). In particular, the CCFTS group improved significantly than TS group in GMFM (B, C and D-dimension) and CVA. Therefore, the cranio-cervical flexion based trunk stabilization exercise improved gross motor function and posture alignment in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Conclusion: These results suggest that cranio-cervical flexion based trunk stabilization exercise is feasible and suitable for individuals with a spastic cerebral palsy and can be used in addition to conventional physical therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.378-382
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of forward head posture on the flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) and muscle activity during sustained neck flexion and to investigate the correlation between craniovertebral angle and FRR. Methods: Nineteen subjects participated in this study and were allocated to a forward head posture (FHP) group or a non-forward head posture (NFHP) group. Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and FRR were measured in all subjects, and all participants performed a standardized cervical flexion-extension movement in two phases: Phase I, sustained cervical full flexion for 5s; and Phase II, cervical extension with the return to the starting position for 5s. The value of CVA has calculated three times, and the value of FRR was measured three times in order to obtain the mean value. Results: FRR values in the FHP and NFHP group were significantly different (p<0.05). Phase I was significantly different, but the Phase II was not significantly different between the FHP and NFHP group (p>0.05). There was a significant correlation between the muscle activity of Phase I and CVA (p<0.05). However, FRR and the muscle activity of the Phase II were not a significant correlation with the CVA (p>0.05). Conclusion: FHP increases the muscle activity of the cervical erector spinae during sustained neck flexion and reduces FRR, which can cause fatigue in the cervical erector spinae. In addition, for those with a smaller CVA, muscle activity of the cervical erector spinae is increased during sustained neck flexion, which can increase neck muscle tension.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.83-90
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• 2016

Purpose : Recommended posture according to the location of operating teeth have been standardized in dental clinic to prevent musculoskeletal disorder. However, clinicians do not comply with this rule in many cases. This study investigated the effects of operating posture on cranio-cervical range of motion (CROM) and muscles activity of neck and upper extremity. Methods : Sixteen healthy dental hygiene students were participated. During operating posture (3 recommended and 3 experimental postures which were set front, side, back, respectively), CROM in the fronal and sagittal plane were measured by Cervical Range of Motion Instrument and muscle activities of Sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, middle deltoid, extensor carpi radialis, brachioradialis, and abductor pollicis brevis were measured by Pocket EMG system. Result : CROM were significantly decreased in recommended posture in comparison with experimental posture (p<.05). In addition, muscle activity of middle deltoid was significantly decreased in recommended front posture. Moreover, brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis showed the same result in recommended back posture (p<.05). Conclusion : Recommended posture is close to neutral posture and to reduce muscle fatigue and overuse, which may considered as a preventing musculoskeletal disorder and partially explain its efficacy in dental clinic.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the differences between the muscle activity of cranio-cervical flexion and extension muscles according to the types of tools used through a short-term intervention of cranio-cervical static stabilization exercises using small tools. METHODS: A total of fifteen male and female adults in their 20s who showed forward head posture in the overall body posture measurement system participated in this study. Each subject performed cranio-cervical static stabilization exercises about flexion and extension while using a sling, a foam roller, a TOGU ball, and without tools separately, and the muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, scalenus anterior and splenius capitis was measured. Each value was measured for 10 seconds a total of three times. The maximum voluntary isometric contraction value was computed using the average during the middle four seconds. RESULTS: Cranio-cervical flexion exercises using various tool types, the average activity of the sternocleidomastoid and scalenus anterior muscles was significantly higher when applying the TOGU ball (p<.05). According to the results of implementing cranio-cervical flexion exercise using various tools, the maximum muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly higher for the TOGU ball (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, the provision of an unstable surface using small tools rather than a stable surface is recommended as an exercise scheme for proprioceptive stimulation in a forward head posture. Particularly, we recommend using the TOGU ball for the provision of an unstable surface to increase the muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.129-135
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of the head posture with the tone and stiffness of the cervical extensor muscles. Eighty adults in their twenties were chosen as subjects, and the tone and stiffness of the cervical extensor muscles were measured, with their usual head posture in the sagittal plane. For the measured head posture, the craniovertebral angle (CVA), craniorotation angle (CRA), and forward shoulder angle (FSA) were analyzed using Image J. It was observed that the tone and stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle increased significantly with a decrease in the CVA as well as with an increase in the CRA (p < 0.05). As a result of further classification into the normal and forward head postures based on the CVA of the subjects, the forward head posture was characterized by a significant increase in the tone and stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle (p<.05). The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for the evaluation of the forward head posture and posture education in clinical practice.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.633-639
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• 2013

This study aims to reveal the impact of continuous antagonist strengthening(CAS) and Evjenth-Hamberg stretching(EHS) on the cervical mobility in the university students with abnormal transformation of forward head posture(FHP). Our experiment was conducted 3 times a week for 6 weeks in a total of 20 individuals : continuous antagonist strengthening(CAS) group(n=10) & Evjenth-Hamberg stretching(EHS) group(n=10). In a pre and post comparison, both CAS group and EHS group appeared significantly in mSBI and SBA(p<.05) and the two-group comparison showed a significant difference(p<.05) : CAS group showed better effects. Thus, it is considered that the combined use with continuous antagonist strengthening(CAS) had better effects for cervical mobility than Evjenth-Hamberg stretching(EHS) alone.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.9-17
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of air-pressure cervical traction on the tension headache in the adults. Method : All subjects were treated with air-pressure cervical traction while 15 minutes a day, 3 times per week, for 4 weeks. The effects of air-pressure cervical traction were evaluated by HIT-6(headache impact test), VAS, and flexion, extension, left right flexion, left right rotation of cervical ROM. The measured data were analyzed by using repeated ANOVA. Especially in order to investigate the effect of air-pressure cervical traction. The comparison with among three measurement time. Results : The results of this study were as follows; 1) Prior and two weeks measurement did not show significant differences. The head forward posture than before the experiment, each experimental group was significantly increased(p<.05). 2) Prior and two weeks measurement did not show significant differences. The experimental group than ever cervical ROM of the movable range increased significantly(p<.05). 3) The experimental group was significantly lower than before the VAS(p<.05). 4) HIT score of the experimental group was significantly lower than before(p<.05). Conclusion : These findings suggest that air-pressure cervical traction had effect on the tension headache in the adults.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.1063-1073
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• 1999

Objective: Poor head and neck support during sleep can exacerbate the neck pain. Based on the ideal sleep posture and pillow suggested by Cyriax, we designed a new cervical pillow and compared the degree of pain reduction, quality of sleep and pillow satisfaction with a low hospital pillow and a high pillow. Method: The newly designed pillow has a built-in pressure-adjustable air bag in the cervical area and provides normal cervical lordotic curve in supine position and maintains cervical and thoracic vertebrae to form a horizontal line in side-lying position. Thiry-four patients with cervical pain used low hospital pillows for the first week of 3-week randomized crossover design study. They were subsequently randomly assigned to use each of the other two pillows for 1-week period. Outcomes were measured using Visual analog scale, Sleep questionaire, a pillow satisfaction scale. Result: Compared with other 2 types of pillow, Subjects using the newly desinged pillow showed much reduced pain intensity, increased duration of sleep and better satisfaction. Conclustion: We desinged a cervical pillow with built-in pressure adjustable air bag and it can significantly reduce pain intensity and improve quality of sleep in patients with cervical pain.