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

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.361-374
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the effects of neural mobilization with joint mobilization on dysfunction, pain, and range of motion in cervical radiculopathy patients. Methods: Forty-seven cervical radiculopathy patients were recruited for the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to three groups. Group A (n=16) received a neural mobilization with joint mobilization, Group B (n=15) received a neural mobilization (NM), Group C (n=16) received a joint mobilization (JM). All groups had five sets for a day, three days a week, for four weeks. All subjects were evaluated before and after intervention by their neck disability index (NDI), numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), and range of motion (ROM). Results: The results were as follows: First, the NDI was significantly decreased in all groups (p<0.05). Group A had more significantly decreased NDI than Group B and C (p<0.05). Secondly, the NPRS was significantly decreased in all groups (p<0.05). Group A had more significantly decreased cervical NPRS than Group B (p<0.05). Groups A and B were more effective at decreasing upper extremity NPRS than Group C (p<0.05). Thirdly, the ROM was significantly increased in all the groups (p<0.05). Group A had more significantly improved cervical rotation ROM than Group B (p<0.05). Significant short-term effects of the NM with JM on dysfunction, pain, and range of motion in cervical radiculopathy patients were recorded in this study. Conclusion: These findings gave some indications that it may be feasible to include NM with JM in interventions with cervical radiculopathy patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 2013

Objectives : To assess the test-retest reliability and the intratest repeatability in measuring the cervical range of motion of healthy subjects with wireless microelectromechanical system inertial measurement unit(MEMS-IMU) system and to discuss the feasibility of this system in the clinical setting to evaluate the cervical spine musculoskeletal. Methods : 12 healthy people who were evaluated as no- or mild-disability with neck disability index were participated. Their cervical motion were measured with IMU twice in consecutive two days for the test-retest reliability study. Intratest repeatability was calculated in the two tests separately. The calculated intraclass correlation coefficients(ICC) were discussed and compared with the those of the previous studies. Results : Cervical range of motion data were acquired and statistically processed: left rotation($61.64^{\circ}$), right rotation($65.12^{\circ}$), extension($61.98^{\circ}$), flexion($52.81^{\circ}$), left bending($39.31^{\circ}$), right bending($41.08^{\circ}$). ICCs were 0.77~0.98(intratest repeatability) and 0.74~0.93 (test-retest reliability) in the primary motion. In the coupling motion, intratest repeatability ICCs were 0.93~ 0.99(transverse primary plane), 0.88~0.97(saggital primay plane), and 0.77~0.93(coronal primary plane). Test-retest reliability of coupling motion were 0.90~0.97(transverse primary plane), 0.00~0.72(saggital primary plane), and 0.04~0.76(coronal primary plane). Conclusions : Several types of range-of-motion devices are now on use in many fields including medicine, but the practicality of the devices in clinical use is questionable for the convenient and economical aspects. In this study, we presented the reliability of cervical range of motion test with the developed wireless MEMS-IMU system and discussed its potential utility in clinical use.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.107-117
• /
• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the myofascial release and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy to patients chronic neck pain. METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups, namely myofascial release (7 subjects) and cervical traction (7 subjects). Each group performed their therapy 45 minutes per day, two times a week, for four weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Function was measured with the neck disability index (NDI). The cervical range of motion (CROM) was measured with a cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer. RESULTS: After four weeks of therapy, the VAS (p < .05) and NDI (p < .05) significantly decreased, and ROM significantly increased in both groups (p < .05). There were also significant differences between the two groups for these three measures, except for neck flexion and neck extension(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Myofascial release and cervical traction are more effective than cervical traction alone for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing ROM in patients with chronic neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.88-93
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the inter-rater reliability of cervical proprioception, dynamic balance ability, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion using STARmat^®, which is a practical clinical tool that can provide practitioners and patients with quantitative and qualitative results. Methods: Thirty healthy young subjects were enrolled in this study, and two well-trained physical therapists participated as a tester. Two testers measured the cervical joint position error at the starting position after neck flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation; three dynamic balance tests, including anterior excursion, anterior reaching with single leg balance, and posterior diagonal excursion; and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion using STARmat^®. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine the inter-rater reliability of the tests. Results: The inter-rater reliability for the cervical proprioception ranged from moderate to good (0.66 to 0.83), particularly for flexion (0.82), extension (0.70), right side bending (0.73), left side bending (0.71), right rotation (0.83), and left rotation (0.66). For the dynamic balance, the inter-rater reliability ranged from good to excellent (0.87 to 0.91), particularly for anterior excursion (0.86), posterior diagonal excursion (0.87 to 0.89), and anterior reaching with a single leg balance (0.90 to 0.91). In addition, for the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, the ICC for the inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.95 to 0.96. Conclusion: STARmat^® is a reliable tool for measuring cervical proprioception, dynamic balance tests, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in healthy young adults.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.107-116
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of these clinical cases is to evaluate the effectiveness of Korean medical therapy on neck pain with cervical syringomyelia Methods : These are case reports on 2 patients admitted to Daejeon jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine with neck pain and diagnosis of cervical syringomyelia by Cervical spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging, were observed during hospitalization. They were analyzed according to pain and Cervical spine Range of Motion. All patients received a combination of treatments including Acupunture, Chuna, Pharmacopunture, Herbal medication. Pain scales(Number Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index) and Cervical spine Range of Motion were used during hospitalization. Results : After 3 weeks for these patients, Cervical spine Number Rating Scales decreased from 7 to 3 and from 9 to 4 respectively. And Trapezius muscle Number Rating Scales decreased from 7 to 3 and from 2 to 1 respectively. Also Cervical spine Range of Motion improved to the normal. Conclusions : Korean medical therapy might be effective in reducing pain and improving range of motion for patients with neck pain. And we hope this study further confirmed the effectiveness of Korean medical therapy on neck pain with cervical syringomyelia.

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

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.90-102
• /
• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to search effect that GCM joint treatment gets to range of motion of cervical, lumbar, trunk and anke. And cervical gets in ankle joint. Methods: Estimated body deformity using GCM body type assesment chart then measured range of motion of each region. After control group did as act freely after do experiment pre measurement control group did post measurement. After control group did as act freely after do experiment premeasurement, control group did postmeasurement. Each region was measured by measurer who each subject person differs. Experimental group did GCM joint treatment and all measurements each region by measurer who each subject person differs three times measure postmeasurement after premeasurement. When measure with each measurement, measured after leave and walk time interval for 10 minutes. Result: For the analysis of the result of experiment, the results is change amount comparison increased to keep in mind except cervical flexion and both ankle joint's dorsiflexion after experiment of experimental group. In experimental group, cervical, lumber and ankle joint of range of motion was significantly increased(p<.05).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between shoulder gradient, range of motion of the neck, and subjective pain level of the potential risk group of smart-phone addiction. Methods : The subjects of this study were 90 women's who had potential risk of smart-phone addiction. VAS was used to measure subjectively pain intensity. Global Postural System was used to measure forward head posture. CROM was used to measure flexion, extension, lateral flexion of cervical range of motion. Results : The results of this study showed that was significant positive correlation between the both shoulder gradient, and cervical range of motion(p<.05). Statistically significant negative correlation between the VAS and left lateral flexion(p<.05). Conclusions : The difference between the gradient of both shoulders increased with the use of smart-phone addiction, and the cervical left lateral flexion decreased as the pain increased. This suggests that recognition on decrease of using smart phone and postural correction is necessary.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.1122-1127
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this case study was to identify the effects of posteroanterior (PA) mobilization on the cervical spine in a patient with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). The subject of this study was a 58-year-old woman who sustained a chronic WAD as a result of a motor vehicle accident two years prior. The subject has progressively worsening neck pain and stiffness. The subject was determined to have a grade IIb WAD the use of the Modified Quebec Classification. The intervention was central and unilateral PA mobilization on the spinous process of C4 and C5. The PA mobilizations were performed at the end of range to Maitland grade IV. The PA mobilization was conducted once daily for a total of eight days. Two sets of measurements were done one before and one after the intervention. Neck pain, cervical stiffness, range of motion and lordosis of the cervical spine were measured. Experimental intervention decreased the neck pain, and increased the neck stiffness and cervical ROM (range of motion) such as flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. X-ray photographs also represented that cervical curvature increased from $35^{\circ}$ to $40^{\circ}$. This study suggested that PA cervical mobilization applied to hronic WAD is effective in decreasing pain, increasing cervical ROM and cervical curvature.