• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.33-44
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• 2018

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) on hamstring flexibility in patients with neck pain. A secondary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical range of motion (CROM) and craniovertebral angle (CVA). Methods: This study was a single-blind, randomized, comparative trial. Twenty patients were allocated into either the cranio-cervical flexion exercise (CCFE) group or the CSE group. Before and after the intervention, we measured straight leg raise (SLR), popliteal angle (PA), CROM, and CVA in the sitting and standing positions. Fisher's exact test, the Mann-Whitney test, and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used to analyze our data. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the value of SLR, PA, cervical extension, cervical rotation, and CVA in the standing position (both, p<.05) after intervention. However, only the CSE group showed significant improvements in cervical right lateral flexion (z=-2.209; p<.01) and cervical left lateral flexion (z=-2.537; p<.05) after intervention. The CSF group showed more significant improvements in SLR, PA, both cervical lateral flexions, and both cervical rotations than the CCFE group. Conclusions: The results of this study will guide future research in identifying the effectiveness of CSE. In conclusion, it can be inferred that CSE has a positive effect on SLR, PA, CROM, and CVA in the standing position in patients with chronic neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.65-90
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• 2003

To identify the effects of joint mobilization on the functional improvement of patients with neck pain, the present research investigated 60 neck pain patients, dividing them into a group doing joint mobilization, a group doing Mckenzie exercise and a group using modalities. This study examined patients degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck pain before and after the treatment, and compared three groups to find difference in the degree of recovery from neck pain. The results of this study are as follows : 1. For the joint mobilization group, the visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion (ROM) of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 2. For the Mckenzie exercise group, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 3. For the modality using group, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 4. In the comparison of VAS and ROM of the three groups before and after the treatment, significant differences were found among the three groups in VAS after three weeks' treatment, and in ROM before the treatment(p<.05). 5. In all the three groups, VAS decreased and the ROM of cervical vertebrae increased after the treatment, and in particular, the decrease of VAS and the increase of the ROM of cervical vertebrae were remarkable in the joint mobilization group.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.182-188
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• 2021

We report on 4 patients suffering from acute neck pain and limited range of motion (ROM) in the cervical spine who were treated with intradermal acupuncture. The treatment effect was evaluated with numeric rating scale (NRS), ROM, and Neck Disability Index (NDI). After treatment, the NRS and NDI scores decreased and the ROM of the cervical spine increased in all patients. This report shows that intradermal acupuncture treatment can be effective for patients with acute neck pain with limited ROM. However, further controlled studies are needed to confirm the effect of intradermal acupuncture on such patients.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.49-65
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is development of posture evaluation and Range of Motion(ROM) system by using digital vision analysis method. The results of this study are as follows. First, Scoliosis evaluation through this research measurement system represent 3mm error in 7 cervical point and deepest lumbar point, 0.7mm error in other point. This mean this research measurement system have a reliability for scoliosis evaluation. Second, for spine line evaluation on high fat subject, we need reconstrection spine line after measurement for fat thickness in 7 cervical point and deepest lumbar point. Third, In pedioscope error test, it present 0.01848cm in X axis and 0.01757cm in Y axis. This results mean pedioscope have a reliability foot evaluation. Forth, Posture evaluation and Range of Motion measurement system by using digital vision analysis method can fast measure in range of motion and foot evaluation and posture. therefore we can expect this system application in young people posture clinic center and hospital and so on.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2023

Background: Flexion of cervical and lumbar joints is required when viewing a smartphone screen. Thus, these joints are overused, together with the surrounding joints and muscles. Long-term use of smartphones will cause changes in cervical and lumbar posture. The effect on forward head posture will vary, depending on the angle of cervical flexion start position in relation to the smartphone. This study investigated how forward head posture changes over time when using a smartphone at 20° and 40° cervical flexion start positions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-five subjects with a forward head posture angle of 35° or less participated in the study. A Forward Head Posture app on the participants' smartphones measured forward head posture 5 and 10 minutes after watching videos on their smartphones. Cervical range of motion was used to set a smartphone watching start posture of 20° and 40° of cervical flexion. Results: There was no significant difference in forward head posture, irrespective of cervical flexion start position, but the angle of forward head posture increased more at cervical flexion of 40° than at cervical flexion of 20°. There was no significant difference in what according to smartphone video viewing times, but the angle of forward head posture increased over time. Conclusion: An increase in forward head posture over time with smartphone usage poses a potential risk of neck and shoulder pain. Therefore, smartphone users should avoid prolonged screen time.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.158-163
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among pain, range of motion of the neck, neck disability index and grip strength after thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: In this study, twelve subjects with chronic neck pain were included. All participants had thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training. Intervention was conducted three times per a week, for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of neck, neck disability index (NDI), as well as the grip strength before and after intervention were measured in all participants. Paired t-test was used to compare variables before and after intervention. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the correlations between the variables. Results: All variables after the intervention were significantly improved. There was a significant negative correlation between VAS and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.669, p<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between NDI and VAS (r=0.636, p<0.05), and a significant negative correlation between NDI and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.692, p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with reduced pain following therapeutic intervention illustrated that there would be an improvement in the flexion angle rather than the extension angle of the neck, and that those with increased flexion angle would have less restriction of activities in daily living.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.925-932
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of Maitland orthopedic manipulative physiotherapy and stretching on pain, cervical range of motion, and muscle tone of adults with forward neck posture. A total 40 subjects were divided into a Maitland OMPT group(n=20) and a stretching group(n=20), performing joint mobilization exercise and stretching three times per week for six weeks. As for changes in pain, statistically significant decrease were found before and after the exercise within group comparison(p<.01), while no statistically significant difference was observed between-group comparison. In changes in cervical range of motion before and after the exercise, the Maitland OMPT group showed statistically significant increase(p<.01) in flexion, (left lateral flexion(p<.05), extension, left rotation, right rotation, and right lateral flexion, while the stretching group showed statistically significant increase(p<.05) in extension(p<.01), left rotation, left lateral flexion, right rotation, and right lateral flexion. However, no significant differences in between group comparison in flexion, extension, right rotation, left rotation, right lateral flexion and left lateral flexion. The results of measuring muscle tone changes showed that the Maitland OMPT group and the stretching group did not show significance in within and between group comparison(p<.05). In conclusion, the Maitland OMPT and stretching were effective on improving pain and range of motion.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this work was to ascertain the effects of cervical traction on the pain, the range of motion and the quality of sleep of the older women with the tension headache. Method : 25 subjects between ages 66 and 82 who agreed on this experiment and diagnosed with tension headache participated in this study. All subjects were treated with air-pressure cervical traction while 20 minutes a day, 3 times per week, for 4 weeks. The effects of air-pressure cervical traction were evaluated by PSQI(Pittsburgh sleep quality index), a pain last a day, VAS, and four ROMs. In order to investigate the effect of age on the treatment, subjects were divided into two groups, of less and of over than age 75. The measured data were analyzed by using one-way repeated ANOVA and two-way repeated ANOVA. Result : 1) The group of less than age 75 showed the significant improvements in all measurement variables, PSQI, a pain last a day, VAS and four ROMs. 2) The group of over than age 75 showed the significant improvements in all measurement variables excluding the flexion ROM of cervical. 3) No significant differences between two groups were showed in all measurement variables, but the interaction effect between group and period was significant in only VAS. Conclusion : From the results of this study, a cervical traction intervention using an air-pressure cervical traction proved to be effective on the reduction of tension headache and the improvement of the quality of sleep.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.33-39
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• 2011

Background : The purpose of this study was to apply cervical orthosis for temporal parameters of gait was to evaluate the effect. Methods : Seven normal adults participated in this study. Before and after applying a cervical orthosis compared to gait. Outcome measure were: general characteristics, temporal parameters of gait. General chacteristics included age, gender, height, weight. Temporal parameters included the Velocity cycle, Stride length, Step length, Cadence cycle, Initial double support time. Temporal parameters of gait, using the motion analysis system for cervical orthosis were evaluated before and after applying. The data was analyzed using SPSS 12.0 software and the Wilcoxon's signed-ranks test. Results : Velocity cycle and Step length were no significant differences(p>0.05). But Stride length, Cadence cycle, Initial double support time were significant(p<0.05). After apply Cervical orthosis in gait, Stride length and Initial double support time was decreased and Cadence cycle was increased. Conclusion : Changes in temporal of temporal parameters of gait was apply a cervical orthosis with the limitations of vision due to take effect. Therefore, Cervical orthosis does not interfere with the normal gait pattern by limiting the Range of Motion so that we consider to apply.