• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2013

Purpose : This research was carried out to find how neck exercise program combined with self stretching and muscle strengthening program influences on smart phone addicts with forward head posture. Methods : The subjects of this study were 20 smart phone-addicts with forward head posture and we divided them into 2 groups. The experimental group(10 people) participated in neck exercise program as a intervention for 3 months and the control group(the other 10 people) didn't participate in neck exercise program. Neck exercise program were composed of self stretching and muscle strengthening program. Then we measured cervical alignment with GPS(Global Posture System) and evaluated balance ability with Balance Master ver 7.0 systems. Results : The result were as follows. 1. After the intervention, experimental group were significantly more closed to normal cervical alignment than control group. 2. After the intervention, experimental group increased in dynamic balance ability a little more than control group. Conclusion : Neck exercise program seems to get cervical alignment better and improve balance ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2021

Background: Flat-back posture refers to a posture in which the pelvis is tilted backward, the lumbar spine is bent, the upper thoracic spine is increasingly bent, and the lower thoracic spine is straight. Given that most of the day is spent sitting, we need to develop exercise programs and devices that are suitable for people who spend less time exercising than sitting. Objects: This study investigated the effects of resistance footrest exercise on spine posture angles in visual display terminal (VDT) workers with flat back. Methods: We measured the upper lumbar angle (ULA) and lower lumbar angle (LLA) using a flexible ruler for the ULA and LLA. Then, after 1 week of resistance footrest exercise designed to strengthen the lumbar spine musculature, we measured these angles again. We measured each angle three times and then compared measurements from before and after exercise. Results: There were no significant differences in the ULA following the strengthening exercise, but significant differences were observed in LLA. Conclusion: The resistance footrest exercise strengthened the muscles affecting the pelvic and lumbar lordotic angles, and increases in the LLA were changed. This suggests that the role of the lower lumbar spine in the lumbar lordotic curve is greater than that of the upper lumbar spine. In addition, considering the contemporary tendency to lead fairly sedentary lives, these results indicate that exercising while seated can be effective.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.55-64
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to apply dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) to subjects with forward head posture (FHP) and to compare its effects on respiratory function as against the conventional neck stabilization exercise and neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercises. METHODS: The whole-body posture measurement system was used to measure the degree of FHP, and a spirometer and a respiratory gas analyzer were used to measure the respiratory function. After the intervention was completed, the changes over time were analyzed in the DNS group, the neck stabilization exercise group, and the neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercise group. The inter-group difference in the changes was also analyzed. A repeated ANOVA was performed to compare the respiratory function according to the period between the three groups, and the least significant difference (LSD) method was used for the post hoc test. RESULTS: After the 6-week exercise period, respiratory functions, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume for 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume for 1 sec/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), maximum oxygen intake (VO₂max), and the volume of expired gas (VE), significantly improved according to the period (p < .05), but no inter-group differences were found. CONCLUSION: DNS is an effective training method, and can be applied along with neck stabilization exercise and neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercises, which are widely used in clinical practice, to people with FHP who cannot directly perform neck exercises to improve their respiratory function.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a lower trapezius strengthening exercise program on an unstable support surface on pain, neck dysfunction, psychosocial factors, and postural alignment in neck pain patients with forward head posture. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 36 neck pain patients participated in this study. Screening tests were performed and assigned to experimental group (n=18) and control group (n=18) using randomization program. Both groups performed the lower trapezius strengthening exercise program. In addition, in the experimental group, an exercise program for lower trapezius muscle strengthening was performed on an unstable support surface. All interventions were performed 3 times a week, for a total of 5 weeks. quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS), neck disability index (NDI), short form (SF)-12, and postural alignment were measured before and after the intervention to compare their effectiveness. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in QVAS, NDI, SF-12, and postural alignment before and after intervention (p<0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed significant differences in NDI and postural alignment compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The lower trapezius strengthening exercise program on unstable support surfaces is an effective intervention method with clinical significance in improving neck disability and postural alignment in patients with neck pain with forward head posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.121-129
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to measure the effects of cervical stabilization exercises on neck pain, forward head posture, and the acoustic characteristics frequency and amplitude modulation of patients with chronic neck pain caused by forward head posture using pressure biofeedback. METHODS: 20 patients with chronic neck pain and voice disorders presenting at the S Exercise Center in Daegu, Korea, were included in the study. A cervical stabilization exercise program of 50 minutes per session was performed three times a week for eight weeks. Pressure biofeedback was utilized to determine the impact of the exercises on neck pain, forward head posture, and the acoustic characteristics of the patients. The measurements were taken prior to and after the intervention to determine any changes. RESULTS: A significant improvement in neck pain, craniovertebral angle and the acoustic characteristics frequency and amplitude modulation of the patients was demonstrated after the intervention (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Cervical stabilization exercises were demonstrated to have a significantly positive effect on neck pain, forward head posture, and vocalization stability in patients with chronic neck pain in the current study based on measurements taken using a pressure biofeedback system. This indicates that an improvement in forward head posture positively impacts postural stability and vocalization. Future studies investigating a greater range of interventions designed to improve neck pain and acoustical effects in patients with chronic neck pain and forward head posture patients are warranted.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1797-1802
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• 2019

Background: Breathing is the essential step of Pilates exercise and can be used to activate core muscles. Although the effects of breathing exercise on pain, breathing muscles, and cervical posture have been extensively studied, little is known about the impact of Pilates breathing on spinal posture and alignment. Purpose: To determine the effect of 3D-Pilates breathing exercise on spinal curvature and alignment of healthy adults during corrected to normal alignment. Design: One group pre-post test design Methods: Eighteen participants were given a 3D-pilates breathing exercise twice a week (20 minutes per session) for three weeks and warmed up for 10 minutes before each exercise session. To examine spinal curvature and alignment of each subject, this study used radiation free rasterstereography (Formetric III, Germany). Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were performed to determine the difference between pre and post exercise. Results: There were statistically significant differences in height (p<.001), kyphosis angle (p<.05), trunk imbalance (p<.05), kyphotic apex (p<.01), cervical fleche (p<.05), pelvic tilt (p<.01), and lateral deviation (p<.05) between before and after 3D Pilates breathing exercise. However, there was no significant difference in lordosis angle. Conclusions: The study results indicated that three week 3D-pilates breathing exercise program could be presented as an effective rehabilitation method for improving spinal curvature and alignment.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2011

Background: The purpose of this study was to assessment of posture sway on static standing in the elderly. Methods: The participants aged 60 to 90 years, were divided into age such 60s, 70s and 80s and with a history of exercise, arthritis and hang on one's stick. Posture sway were analyzed using the computerized BPM system. Each test was repeated three times. All the data were expressed means and standard deviation by using SPSS 12.0 program. Results: The posture sway test according to sex showed that mean balance, sway number and frequency performance were significantly stable in men than in women. All direction frequency, sway area, sway path and max velocity were significantly unstable in 80s than 70s and 60s. The results of the posture sway test according to exercise group, arthritis and hang on one's stick group were showed that mean balance function was significantly stable in exercise group than arthritis and stick groups. The weight was showed significant correlation by mean balance, sway no, frequency, sway area, sway path and max velocity. Sway area and max velocity were not significant correlation by frequency of lateral and left, right anterior and posterior direction. Conclusion: In this study was showed that posture sway was effected from health condition of elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report was to determine the effect of therapeutic exercise on posture, pain, and muscle activity in two patients with forward head posture (FHP). METHODS: A-31-year-old male (patient A) and a 19-year-old women (patient B) presented with FHP, neck pain, and headache. The therapeutic exercise program consisted of cervical mobilization, deep cervical flexors strengthening, and cervical extensors stretching, for 40 min/d, 2 d/week, for 8 weeks. Neck pain (VAS), neck disability (NDI), cervical range of motion (CROM), lateral view of cervical spine X-ray (indicating the FHP), and asymmetrical neck and shoulder muscular activity ratio were measured before, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of corrective exercise. RESULTS: VAS and NDI decreased in patients A and B after exercise compared to before the program. CROM increased in patients A and B at flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation after exercise compared to before the program. FHP decreased in patients A and B at distance after exercise compared to before the program. In addition, asymmetrical neck and shoulder muscles activity ratio improved in patients A and B after exercise compared to before the program. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated in a case report that therapeutic exercise increases ROM, decreases pain and disability of neck, FHP, and asymmetry muscle activity ratio in patients with FHP. These finding have clinical implications for therapeutic exercise in patients with FHP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.4
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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.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.21-28
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three exercise programs on forward head posture. Methods: Ninety-five individuals were recruited to assess the of the pectoralis minor muscle. Of these, 36 individuals with pectoralis minor muscles were selected and randomly divided into three groups: a functional massage group, a stretching group, and a stretching and muscle strengthening group. The exercise program consisted of sessions four times per week for two weeks. The length of pectoralis minor and the activity of the trapezius muscles were measured using electromyography. Forward head posture was assessed using the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and the cranial rotation angle (CRA) pre-, during and post-treatment. Result: Significant improvements were observed in pectoralis minor length, CRA, and CVA post-treatment in all groups (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). However, only the activity of the lower trapezius demonstrated a statistically significant difference post-treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that all three exercise programs were effective in improving forward head posture and the length of pectoralis minor post-treatment.