• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.242-252
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• 2023

Background: Neck pain is a common problem in the general population and second only to low back pain in musculoskeletal problems. The aim of this study is to compare three different types of exercise training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: This study was conducted on 45 patients with neck pain. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (conventional treatment), Group 2 (conventional treatment plus deep cervical flexor training), and Group 3 (conventional treatment plus stabilization of the neck and core region). The exercise programs were applied for four weeks, three days a week. The demographic data, pain intensity (verbal numeric pain scale), posture (Reedco's posture scale), cervical range of motion ([ROM] goniometer), and disability (Neck Disability Index [NDI]) were evaluated. Results: In all groups, a significant improvement was found in terms of pain, posture, ROM, and NDI values in all groups (P < 0.001). Between the groups, analyses showed that the pain and posture improved more in Group 3, while the ROM and NDI improved more in Group 2. Conclusions: In addition to conventional treatment, applying core stabilization exercises or deep cervical flexor muscle training to patients with neck pain may be more effective in reducing pain and disability and increasing ROM than conventional treatment alone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.121-132
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of type of exercise on neck disability, pain, and postural changes in subjects with forward head posture. METHODS: Two independent researchers conducted a search using KISS, RISS, DBpia (domestic), PubMed, OVID, and Science Direct (overseas) databases. We selected randomized controlled clinical trials by searching using the terms "forward head posture", "exercise therapy", and "therapeutic exercise". Studies published from 2007 to December 2017 were included. PEDro Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies, and meta-analysis was conducted using the CMA program. This review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42018068633). RESULTS: Of the total 13768 studies searched, 17 were selected. Positive effects on neck disability were achieved with the base and biomechanical elements (ES=1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] .49 to 2.75) as well as base, modulator, and biomechanical elements (ES=1.50, 95% [CI] .69 to 2.30). Neck pain improved with the base, modulator, and biomechanical elements (ES=1.96, 95% [CI] 1.08 to 2.82), while postural changes improved with biomechanical elements (ES=1.45, 95% [CI] .64 to 2.25). Additionally, type of exercise had a positive effect. CONCLUSION: The most effective exercises for neck disability are of the base and biomechanical elements, while the most effective types for neck pain are of the base, modulator, and biomechanical elements and the most effective exercise for posture is of biomechanical elements. Combined exercises targeting biomechanical elements were effective at treating disability, pain, and postural changes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical basic data to reduce pain and improve function by comparing neck muscle activity and neck alignment using self-stretching and passive stretching exercises for chronic neck pain caused by forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were divided into 15 subjects assigned to perform self-stretching exercise and 15 subjects assigned to perform passive stretching exercise. The intervention was conducted for a total of 4 weeks. The muscle activity in the neck was measured by surface electromyography (EMG) before intervention, and craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles were measured by X-ray. The 4-week intervention was conducted and the above items re-measured in the same manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Muscle activity within both groups after intervention using self-stretching or passive stretching exercise was significantly different (p < .05)(p < .01). Neck alignment of both groups was significantly different (p < .001)(p < .01). Further, muscle activities of the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles showed significant differences (p<.05). Lastly, neck alignment showed statistically significant difference (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Self-stretching exercise activated motor nerves as a posture correction exercise, thereby improving inhibition of muscle activity, muscle contraction delay, and pathological conditions of the muscle. For future research, interventions of self-stretching exercise will be needed for patients with chronic back pain accompanied by forward head posture, and various clinical studies on postural improvement of forward head posture by maintaining a normal muscle tone state are needed.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.989-993
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilizing exercise on the muscle tone, stiffness, ROM, and cervical lordosis in patient with forward head posture(FHP). This study was a case study of a single patient with forward head posture. This study used a ABA' design, A and A' were the baseline phases and B was the intervention phase. The intervention was occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilization exercise. It was administered once daily for 7 days. The therapist kept hands together, and placed the two index fingers under the subject's occipital bone. The subject performed the chin-in exercise with a maximum isometric contraction for 20 sec.The exercise was implemented by performing the movements 10 times as a set and repeating the set three times. The muscle tone was not significantly changed after intervention. However, the stiffness was decreased and lasted the effect lasted without intervention. The cervical flexion angle was increased, but the cervical extension angle was not significantly changed after the intervention. The left and right lateral flexion angles were increased and the effect lasted without any intervention. However, the left and right rotation angles were significantly changed after the intervention. Cervical lordosis increased not from $37^{\circ}$ to $41^{\circ}$ after the intervention. These results suggest that occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilizing exercise had a positive effect on cervical stiffness, flexion and lateral flexion ROM, and lordosis in a patient with forward head posture.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of exercise programs according to various music tempo on pain, posture, and function of automobile parts manufacturing workers. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: This study was an exercise program tailored to the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases were performed for a total of 4 weeks and 3 times a week for 60 minutes. The exercise program consisted of customized exercises according to the characteristics of the subject's musculoskeletal system. The subject provided music during the exercise program, and the group who applied the fast tempo music listened to the music of 120~140 bpm, and the group who applied the slow tempo music listened to the music of the low tempo of 60~80 bpm. Results: Significant differences were found in pain and physical function before and after the fast tempo music group and the slow tempo music group (p<0.01). However, there was a significant difference in posture characteristics only in the fast tempo music group (p<0.01). In terms of pain, physical function, and posture characteristics, the fast tempo music group showed significant improvement compared to the slow music tempo group (p<0.05). Conclusions: A customized exercise program using fast-tempo music and slow-tempo music to workers in the automobile parts manufacturing industry, significant differences in pain, physical function, and posture characteristics applied with fast-tempo music were found. In the future, applying an exercise program with a fast tempo is expected to help improve musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.19-26
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• 2023

Purpose: This study attempted to investigate the effect of functional rehabilitation exercise for posture correction on physical strength factors and physical balance. Research design, data, and methodology: It consisted of 40 experimental groups that applied functional rehabilitation exercises to 80 people with posture imbalance and 40 comparative groups that performed general exercises, and was conducted four times a week, once for 40 minutes, and for 12 weeks. Results: D.S. (p<.o1) among F.M.S., a moving assessment. It increased significantly from the dictionary, and H.S. (p<.o5). I.L(p<.o5). S.M(p<.o5). A.S.L.R(p<.o5). T.S.P(p<.o01). It was confirmed that R.S. (p<.o5) decreased more after than before. In other words, Functional rehabilitation exercise was effective in improving physical balance. PAPS flexibility (bending forward) (p<.o1). Muscle strength (grip strength test) (p<.o1). Quickness (long jump) (p<.o1). Functional rehabilitation exercise was found to be effective in muscle strength, agility, and flexibility, but not in cardiopulmonary endurance. Pain: Based on the NRS scale (1-10 points). The experimental that there was a significant interaction between the groups.(F=38.583, P=.000). In the comparative group, there was no significant difference in the pre-post, and it was found that the pain level in the experimental group decreased after the pre-post (p<.001). Conclusion: As a result of the above study, it was confirmed that functional rehabilitation exercise improves physical strength factors and physical balance ability, and also affects physical pain reduction due to physical imbalance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activity of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and gluteus medius muscles according to the medial/lateral bias of the knee during lunge exercise. Design: Crossed-control group study Methods: This study recruited 20 healthy men and women in their 20s who were capable of lunge exercise and had no musculoskeletal or neurological abnormalities. All three postures were performed three times each during lunge exercise. In each posture, surface electromyography (EMG) equipment was used to measure muscle activity of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and gluteus medius during lunge exercise. Results: As a result of comparing lower extremity muscle activity in normal, medial and lateral knee-deviation postures according to lunge exercise, the muscle activity of the vastus medialis was 107.09±13.90% in the normal posture, 79.24±5.26% in the medial- deviation posture and 125.73±14.30% in the lateral- deviation posture, which was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). However, In the case of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris and gluteus medius there was no statistically significant difference in muscle activity in the medial and lateral deviation positions(p>0.05). Conclusions: As a result, it was found that the muscle activity of the vastus medialis during lunge exercise significantly increased in the lateral deviation posture compared to the normal and medial deviation postures. In the case of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris and gluteus medius there was no significant difference in muscle activity for medial and lateral knee deviation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.71-81
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• 2024

Purpose : In this study, we compared the effects of ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises in individuals with a forward head posture. Outcome measures investigated included the neck disability index, craniovertebral angle (CVA), cranial rotation angle (CRA), and thickness of the longus colli muscle (LC) and carotid artery (CA) post-intervention. Methods : The study included 20 individuals with a forward head posture, who were assigned to an experimental group (EG, individuals performed ankle exercises) or control group (CG, individuals performed McKenzie and cervical stabilization exercises). The EG intervention was specifically designed to enhance proprioception in the ankle joint and strengthen the ankle muscles to improve overall stability and function. In contrast, CG interventions aimed to improve neck muscle balance and cervical spine alignment. Paired t-tests were used to analyze intragroup changes and independent t-tests to determine intergroup differences pre-and post-intervention. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at α=.05. Results : We observed significant post-intervention improvements in both groups, specifically, in the CVA, CRA, and LC and CA thickness (p<.05). These results indicate that ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises were useful for neck posture correction, improved muscle balance, and enhanced blood flow to the neck. Conclusion : This study underscores the positive effects of ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises in individuals with a forward head posture. Our study highlights the benefits of these exercises for posture correction and overall neck health and the clinical effectiveness and usefulness of ankle exercises as an important intervention to improve forward head posture.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2016

Background: To determine the correlation Between forward head posture and plantar pressor in a McKenzie Exercise. Methods: This study had a cross-sectional design. There are included 20 participants with forward head posture. We measured the craniovertebral angle (CVA), cranial rotation angle (CRA) by image obtained digital camera and the plantar pressure, static balance using Gait Analyzer each before and after McKenzie Exercise. Results: There was negative correlation between CVA and CRA (p<.05). There was negative correlation between CVA and fore foot(p<.05). There was positive correlation between CRA and both fore foot (p<.05). There was negative correlation between CVA and static balance(p<.05). There was positive correlation between CRA and static balance (p<.05). Conclusions: There is a correlation between the change a mount of forward head position and plantar pressure in the McKenzie Exercise.