• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.108-111
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the forward head posture and tension type headache on neck movement among office workers. Methods: The subjects were 6 male and 21 female patients composed of a forward head posture group, forward head posture group with a tension type headache and a normal group. Each group consisted of 2 males and 7 females. The cranio-vertebral angle of the head and the angle of motion of the neck were measured. SPSS 23.0 was used for data analysis and one-way ANOVA was performed for the mean comparison of the neck movements in the three groups. Results: The participants had a limitation in the movement of all necks between the forward head posture group and forward head posture with tension type headache group compared to the normal subjects. The forward head posture with tension headache group had limited neck extension and lateral bending compared to the forward head posture group. Conclusion: Office workers have limitations in the movement of the neck when they are accompanied by forward head posture and tension headache. In particular, when accompanied with a tension headache, there is a restriction on the neck extension and side bending. This study is expected to provide basic data for the relief of tension headache and the treatment of forward head posture in office workers.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.471-480
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the correlations between a forward head posture and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor, neck pain, and the changed position of the mandible. Methods: The subjects of this study were 50 male and female adults who work at a desk for at least four hours a day. The head-spine angle was photographed with a camera, and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor and the changed position of the mandible were measured using pressure biofeedback. The Neck Disability Index was used to measure neck pain. To examine the correlations between a forward head posture and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor as well as the changed position of the mandible, a Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted. The statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: A forward head posture and the endurance of the deep neck flexor showed a statistically significant positive correlation, and a forward head posture and neck pain showed a statistically significant negative correlation. In addition, the endurance of the deep neck flexor and neck pain showed a statistically significant negative correlation. Conclusion: The results of this study show that a forward head posture and the endurance of the deep neck flexor were correlated; in addition, a forward head posture and neck pain were correlated. Therefore, enhancing the endurance of the deep neck flexor can assist in correcting an imbalanced forward head posture, which can reduce neck pain.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.33-37
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study on the effects of deep cervical flexors strengthening exercise to forward head posture and pain of neck in patients with chronic neck pain. Method: We selected 30 subjects among neck pain patients and carried out measurements. The subjects' forward head posture was measured including head tilt angle (HTA), neck flexion angle (NFA) and forward shoulder angle (FSA), neck disability index (NDI), numeric rating scale (NRS). The subjects underwent deep cervical flexors muscle strengthening with pressure bio-feedback device for 4 weeks. Then, after intervention, the subjects' forward head posture was measured again. It was performed Wilcoxon signed-ranks test for confirming the effect of deep cervical flexor muscles strengthening exercise. Results: As a result of comparison of measurements before and after intervention, we found that there were statistically significant improvement in the subjects' NDI, NRS and forward head posture including head tilt angle, neck flexion angle and forward shoulder angle. Conclusion: We concluded that deep cervical flexors strengthening exercise has the effect of alleviation of neck pain patients and is effective for forward head posture.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

Purpose: This paper proposes proper and effective neck exercises by comparing the deep and superficial cervical flexor muscle activities and thickness according to the pressure level during cranio-cervical flexion exercises between a normal posture group and forward head posture group. Methods: A total of 20 subjects (8 males and 12 females) without neck pain and disabilities were selected. The subjects' craniovertebral angles were measured; they were divided into a normal posture and a forward head posture group. During cranio-cervical flexion exercises, the thickness of the deep cervical flexor neck muscle and the activity of the surface neck muscles were measured using ultrasound and EMG. Results: The results showed that the thickening of the deep cervical flexor was increased significantly to 28 and 30 mmHg in the forward head posture group. The sternocleidomastoid muscle activity increased significantly to 24, 26, 28, and 30 mmHg in the forward head posture group. The anterior scalene muscle activity increased significantly to 26, 28, and 30mmHg in the forward head posture group. A significant difference of 26, 28, and 30 mmHg in the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscles was observed between two groups. Conclusion: To prevent a forward head posture and maintain proper cervical curve alignment, the use of the superficial cervical flexor muscles must be minimized. In addition, to perform a cranio-cervical flexion exercises to effectively activate the deep cervical flexor muscles, 28 and 30 mmHg for normal posture adults and 28 mmHg for adults with forward head postures are recommended.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1619-1625
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• 2018

To examine the changes in pain, the severity of the neck disorder, craniovertebral angle, and muscle activity in young adults with forward head posture. 37 "N" University students in their 20s with forward head posture, including both male and female participants. Measurement of pain, NDI (neck disorder index) craniovertebral angle, and muscle activity were taken before and after the 6 week intervention period. The pain was measured using the visual analog scale. The severity of the neck disorder was measured using the NDI The craniovertebral angle was measured by taking a photo. The muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Neck posture correction exercises paired with proprioceptive training is the most effective intervention for reducing pain. Both neck posture correction exercises paired with Kinesio taping or proprioceptive training are effective interventions for addressing neck disability, craniocervical angle, and muscle activity. Neck posture correction exercises paired with Kinesio taping or proprioceptive training are more effective at addressing pain, neck disorder, craniocervical angle, and muscle activity than performing the neck posture correction exercises alone.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.337-342
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• 2021

Objective: Forward head posture can caused by deformation of structures and soft tissues around the neck, which has an uncomfortable effect on daily life as well as functional disorders of the neck. However, studies related to direct forward head posture, neck function, and quality of life have not yet been conducted. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of improving the forward head posture on the function of the neck and to examine the change in the quality of life. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: The participants were 41 adults (22.17±2.67 years) recruited and redivided randomly into two group (Biofeedback, BFG vs. Control). The Biofeedback group was proceeded according to the over load principle through 4 steps. (n=21). The control (n=20) was not applied after TENS padding was applied and 20 minute. This study was conducted three times a week for a total of four weeks. Results: Forward head posture for showed significant improvement in the results in the craneocervical angle (p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.130, 2.858). In neck disability index more significant improvement in BFG than group (p<0.05, 95% CI: 14.346, 17.825), and BFG showed significant increased in the results in the Quality of life (p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.392, 9.549) Conclusions: This study suggected that forward head posture treatment and effective for neck function and quality of life

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of neck exercises on neck-shoulder posture and pain of high school students with neck disorders. Methods: Twenty seven subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups a craniocervical flexion training group (CCFT), a neck strengthening exercise group (ST), and a basic stretching exercise group (CG). CCFT and ST exercised five times a week for eight weeks under the researcher's guidance. The control group performed basic stretching exercises. Diagnostic radiologic equipment was used for the measurement of neck-shoulder posture. Neck disability index, and numeric rating scales were used. Results: The CCFT showed a significant pre-post treatment difference on measures of neck flexion angle and forward shoulder angle changes compared to the ST and CG groups (p<0.05). The CCFT group also showed a significantly greater improvement on the neck disability index and numeric rating scales changes than the ST and CG groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: Because CCFT decreases neck flexion angle, forward shoulder angle, neck disability index, and pain in the forward head posture, it is useful for treating patients with neck disorders.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.291-294
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• 2017

It is known that laptop computer stand is helpful to maintain the good posture while using laptop computer on the desk. But the quantitative validation of its effect has not been reported. Using the wearable neck posture tracker, the forward flexion angle of the neck can be measured in daily life. In this study, the forward flexion angles of the neck while using the laptop computer with and without laptop computer stand were compared. From the posture data of 10 subjects for 6 hours, the average of the forward flexion angle was 0.9 degree with laptop computer stand and 16.3 degree without laptop computer stand. As the conclusion, laptop computer stand can decrease the forward flexion angle which is known as forward head posture while using the laptop computer on the desk.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2018

This study was designed to provide basic data for developing exercise program that helps correcting posture by knowing the effect of strengthening and elongation exercises of upper extremity muscle to forward head posture correction. In this study determined subjects whether they had forward head posture or not. On the basis of the New York state posture rating, if a subject's posture is match up with the normal standard posture, gives 5 points and if the posture is slightly get out of the normal standard posture, gives 3 points and if the posture is apparently get out of the standard, gives 1 points. When determining the forward head posture, if talus, humerus and outer ear center are on the same line, it is determined as normal and if outer ear center is off the line less than 1.0cm, it is a slight deformation and if outer ear center is off the line more than 1.0cm, it is a high deformation. In the study selected people who have more than 1 cm gap between two vertical lines start from outer ear center and acromion separately as subjects. Length between the ideal alignment line measured by using goniometer and temporal region showed statistically significant decrease as $2.36{\pm}1.07cm$ before the intervention and $1.06{\pm}0.88cm$ after the intervention. After 4 weeks of neck and chest extensor muscle exercise, the group who exercised both showed increase in range of neck joint motion and neck flexion of the forward head posture. Meanwhile the group who only exercised neck extensor muscle only and the group who only exercised chest extensor muscle didn't showed statistically significant result. That only the group who exercised both muscles showed significant result is the different with studies before. Because this study didn't target patient who had a lesion, couldn't compare effect of the conservative manner and exercise. However, this study provides the fact that the group who exercised both neck and chest muscle had more effect than the control group.