• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of sport massage and McKenzie stretch exercise on forward head posture. To understand the effect, this study measured and analyzed body alignment of the neck. Methods: In this study, a total of 14 subjects with forward head posture were analyzed. Subjects were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=7) received a McKenzie stretch exercise and group 2 (n=7) received a McKenzie stretch exercise and a sport massage. The McKenzie stretch exercise was performed three times a week, for four weeks, while the sport massage was performed once a week. The body alignment of the neck (CVA, CRA) was measured using a goniometer. Results: The improvements in neck body alignments (CVA, CRA) after the McKenzie stretch exercise and sport massage were both significant (group 1: p<0.05; group 2: p<0.05), whereas the between-group comparison found no significant differences. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study confirmed that the McKenzie stretch exercise and sport massage had a significant positive effect on the body alignment of the neck. However, a study that included a greater number of subjects and a long-term treatment period is needed to generalize these results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of manual therapy with stabilization exercises to manual therapy alone, on neck pain and body functions in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. METHODS: Twenty patients with chronic mechanical neck pain were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. A control group(n = 10) was given the manual therapy alone and an experimental group(n = 10) was given the manual therapy with stabilization exercises. The intervention was carried out 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The cervical resting pain, the most painful motion pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, forward head posture and neck disability index were used to assess participants at baseline and after 4 weeks. RESULTS: A comparison of the parameters before and after the intervention showed that both groups experienced significant improvements in the resting pain, the most painful motion pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, and forward head posture except for the forward head posture in the control group. A comparison of the parameters between the groups did not show a significant difference. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the combined intervention of manual therapy with stabilization exercise does not seem to be more effective than manual therapy alone for improving neck pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, forward head posture, and the neck disability index in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was to identify the effect of cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback on the craniovertebral angle and foot pressure in subjects with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty healthy adults were recruited in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to the stabilization exercise with visual feedback (SE-VF) group (n=15) or stabilization exercise (SE) group (n=15). The SE-VF group performed cervical stabilization exercise while sitting on a chair without a backrest and checking their side profile in real time a monitor 3m away. The SE group performed the same cervical stabilization exercise as the SE-VF group accompanied by without visual feedback. Craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured to quantify forward head posture, and the foot pressure of the subjects were evaluated. Results: The foot pressure showed statistically significant differences pre and post in both midfoot and left metatarsal only in SE-VF group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings of this study showed that the cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback was effective for the foot pressure of subjects. In addition, based on the results of this study, it is suggested that visual feedback will be effective in cervical stabilization exercise.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.446-453
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• 2022

Objective: The popularization of smartphones can lead to abnormal cervical alignment in university students. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among smartphone screen time, cervical alignment, and muscle function in university students. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Seventy-five university students participated in the study. They completed the evaluation of cervical alignment and muscle function, such as handgrip strength, proprioception, and muscle quality (tone, stiffness, and relaxation time). All participants recorded their general characteristics and individual smartphone screen time before the evaluation. They were evaluated craniovertebral angle (CVA) using smartphone application (angle meter 360) for measuring cervical alignment. The muscle function was assessed using a digital hand-held dynamometer, dual inclinometer, and MyotonPRO device. Results: Of all participants, twenty-five university students had forward head posture (CVA<49°, 33.33%). Independent t-test revealed that there were significant differences on smartphone screen time, muscle stiffness, and muscle relaxation between the participants with and without forward head posture (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between the smartphone screen time and the CVA, muscle tone, and muscle relaxation (r=-0.493, 0.250, and -0.500, respectively). Conclusions: The results indicate that the university students with forward head posture had high smartphone screen time and muscle stiffness compared to the students without forward head posture, and smartphone screen time might be associated with cervical alignment and muscle quality.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.178-184
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• 2016

Objective: Tension-type headache is caused by hormones, foods, irritants, stress, obesity, fatigue, and neck and head trigger points-prolonged abnormal posture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of relaxation approach on head posture, static postural stability, and headache in persons with tension-type headache. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-five persons with tension-type headache participated in this study. This study was a pretest-posttest with a control group design for a duration of 4 weeks (60 min/3 times/1 wk). The participants were randomly allocated to the relaxation approach group (n=18) and the control group with conventional rehabilitation including thermotherapy and transcutaneous electrical stimulation for the same period (n=17). Outcome measures involved forward head posture (FHP), foot pressure, neck disability index (NDI), and six-item headache impact test (HIT-6). Results: Relaxation approach and control groups improved significantly in the amount of forward head posture, neck disability index, and six-item headache impact test scores after training (p<0.05). The control group was found to be significantly different in the amount of FHP, backward foot pressure, NDI, and HIT-6 after training compared to before training (p<0.05). The relaxation approach group significantly improved in forward head posture, neck disability index, and six-item headache impact test compared with control group after training (p<0.05). Neck disability index and six-item headache impact test significantly improved after training compared with before training in the control group (p<0.05). However, the foot pressure was not significantly different between relaxation approach and control groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that treatment with relaxation approach combined with self-exercise would be effective in reducing the amount of forward head posture, neck disability and headache impacts.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2019

Background: This study was designed to identify the effect of the taping on the forward head posture during computer work. Methods: Twenty healthy adults were statistically assigned into 2 groups, the taping group (n=10) and the control group (n=10). In order to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), twenty subjects performed isometric exercise of the neck on Bobath table for 20 minutes. During the experiment, subjects in taping group were attached Kinesio-tape on their upper trapezius. By using 2-D motion analysis, measurements were taken before taping, at 24 hour, 48 hour, and 72 hour after inducing DOMS. The effects of taping were evaluated by the angle of the head. Results: The results of this study were as follows; 1) There was no significant difference between the taping group and the control group (p>.05). 2) The control group had no significance, but the taping group shown a significance on the angle of head during computer work (p<.01). The interaction of group x period also shown a significance (p<.01). Conclusion: From these result, it was revealed that the taping therapy on upper trapezius could improve the angle of head during computer work.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 2019

Purpose : Excessive computer use frequently results in musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder such as forward head posture (FHP). The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of neck and shoulder exercise program on spino-pelvic alignment and the correlation between change in head and neck posture and spino-pelvic alignment in FHP. Methods : The study included 44 participants with FHP. The participants performed the exercise for correction of FHP 2-3 times a week for 4 weeks. We examined whole spine X-ray images in the lateral standing position with both arms crossed. We measured anterior head translation distance (AHT), craniovertebral angle (CVA), cervical lordosis (CL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbosacral lordosis (LSL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI) of the subjects. The association between change in AHT and each spino-pelvic parameter was also subjected to Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Results : There were statistically significant differences before and after exercise in the parameters of AHT, CVA, and SS (p<.05). Significant negative correlation was observed between the change in AHT and CVA (r=-.768, p<.001), and CL (r=-.388, p<.05). There was significant positive correlation between the change in AHT and SS (r=.328, p<.05), and PI (r=.333, p<.05). However, no significant correlation was observed in change in AHT with that of TK, LSL, and PT. Conclusion : Based on the above results, we conclude that there is a relationship between change in AHT, which is a parameter associated with forward displacement of the head, and that of CVA, CL, SS, and PI after exercise in cases of FHP.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.145-150
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• 2020

Forward head posture is one of the most recognized types of poor head and neck alignment. Poor head and neck alignment posture is a major contributor to compromised balance and neck pain, due to abnormal joint position sense and proprioception. Kinesio taping is an intervention method used clinically for the management of pain. Kinesio taping may produce its effects through pain reduction, stimulation of blood circulation, induction of muscle relaxation which provides correction of joint position, and providing stability to the muscles and joints without limiting the range of motion. Many studies have proved that kinesio taping has positive effects on the reduction of pain and improves alignment, on the other hand, some studies have not found. Kinesio taping may provide immediate pain relief and improved alignment following the application, but there is insufficient evidence to support sustained relief beyond that time and they recommended future studies to examine the benefits of kinesio taping as this would have a greater value in clinical practice. Therefore, this study is to investigate the effects of kinesio taping on the alignment of head posture and dynamic balance ability in people with forward head posture.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week professional body massage program (PMP) on forward head posture, neck pain, and plantar foot pressure balance in men in their 20s. Method: A total of 20 men with musculoskeletal diseases were recruited for this study. The participants were asked to take part in a PMP twice a week for 12 weeks. The cranial vertical angle (CVA) for forward head posture and visual analogue scale (VSC) for neck pain and right/left foot plantar pressure balances were extracted to compare between pre- and post-program differences. Results: CVAs before ($56.86{\pm}4.55^{\circ}$) and after ($62.72{\pm}4.57^{\circ}$) and VSCs before ($6.95{\pm}1.70$) and after ($1.70{\pm}1.56$) PMP revealed statistically significant differences. The right foot, after PMP, showed a significant increase in the plantar pressure balance from $46.17{\pm}2.95$ to $49.44{\pm}1.29%$, while the left foot decreased significantly from $53.83{\pm}2.95%$ to $50.56{\pm}1.29%$. Therefore, based on these results, it may be said that the foot pressure balance abilities were improved after PMP because the ideal foot pressure ratio is 50%. Conclusion: Consequently, it was suggested that a 12-week PMP could be utilized for improvement of forward head posture, neck pain, and foot plantar pressure balance in men in the 20s with musculoskeletal diseases.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.293-300
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• 2011

This study was to find out the effect of cervical and thoracic stretching and strengthening exercise program on forward head posture. 32 adults had forward head posture were selected as the subjects for the study. The training program of the exercise group(n=16) consist of postural education with exercise program, subjects in the control group(n=16) participated in a postural education only. Postural measurements of Craniovertebral Angle(CVA) and Cranial Rotation Angle(CRA) were obtained from the using x-ray and PACS(Picture Archiving and Communications System) ${\pi}view^{TM}$. The results were compared with change of CVA and CRA exercise group were significant(p<.05) compared to the control group. However CRA of contol group was significant(P<.05). Also, there were no significant difference(p>.05) between groups on any pre-test measure. however there were significant difference(p<.05) between groups on CVA and CRA post-test measure. This study showed that cervical and thoracic stretching and strengthening exercise program can improve spinal posture alignment for decreasing forward head posture in subjects. These results can be fundamental data for further development of exercise program in interventions of postural improvement.