• 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.2 no.2
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• pp.219-228
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was conducted to find treatment of forward head posture and shoulder instability with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation concept. Methods : This is literature study with books, seminar note and international course. Results : Forward head posture and shoulder instability has related each other. Forward head posture will make muscle instability, weakness and stiffness on neck and shoulder girdle. It will make pain also. Important muscle are suboccipital muscle, omohyoid muscle, sternoclaidomastoid muscle, scaleni, pectoralis minor, levator scapular and digastric. Conclusion : Treatment of the forward head posture and shoulder instability is provided. It is that treatment of stiff muscle with eccentric muscle work, muscle elongation, muscle strengthening at the structure level and at the functional level for daily activities.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was conducted to find treatment of forward head posture and shoulder instability with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation concept. Methods : This is literature study with books, seminar note and international course. Results : Forward head posture and shoulder instability has related each other. Forward head posture will make muscle instability, weakness and stiffness on neck and shoulder girdle. It will make pain also. Important muscle are suboccipital muscles, omohyoid muscle, sternoclaidomastoid muscle, scaleni, pectoralis minor, levator scapular and digastric. Conclusion : Treatment of the forward head posture and shoulder instability is provided. It is that treatment of stiff muscle with eccentric muscle work, muscle elongation, muscle strengthening at the structure level and at the functional level for daily activities.

• 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 Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.311-315
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• 2013

Purpose: Forward head posture is a typical symptom in people who use computers for long periods of time. Respiration is a complex function involving co-operation of muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems. Abnormal posture can have a negative effect on respiratory function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between forward head posture and respiratory function in young adults. Methods: Forty-six healthy subjects participated in this study. Craniovertebral angle was measured for assessment of the forward head posture. The respiratory function of all subjects was evaluated by measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The baseline of forward head posture was less than 49 degrees. Results: : Significant differences for predicted FVC and FEV1 were observed between the two groups, however, no statistically significant differences in FEV1/FVC ratio and PEF were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that forward head posture has a negative effect on respiratory function in young adults.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the blood flow on carotid and vertebral artery during the forward shift on head. Methods: A 20-year female healthy subject participated in this study. This study was set up the forward shift on head at the 3cm and 6cm in a shoulder midline (acromion). Measurement method were using duplex ultrasound with colour doppler imaging for the blood flow on carotid and vertebral artery. Results: Carotid artery was increased the blood flow and vertebral artery was decreased the blood flow during forward shift on head. Conclusions: These findings suggest that carotid and vertebral artery changes to the blood flow during forward shift on head. Therefore, we should be consider that hemodynamic factor when apply to the therapeutic exercise for patients of forward head posture.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between forward head posture and pulmonary function in young women. Methods: Thirty-three young women participated in this study. The participants were grouped into non-forward head posture, mild forward head posture, and moderate-severe forward head posture groups. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) and pulmonary function were measured using ImageJ and a spirometer, respectively. Results: Statistically significant differences in the participants' forced expiratory volume for one second (FEV1) and predicted forced expiratory volume for one second (predicted FEV1) were found among the three groups. No statistically significant differences in the participants' forced vital capacity (FVC), predicted forced vital capacity (predicted FVC), FEV1/FVC, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were found among the three groups. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between CVA and FVC and among the predicted FVC, FEV1, and predicted FEV1. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that severe forward head posture has a negative effect on pulmonary function in young women.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the immediate effects of a figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention on round shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion mobility in forward head posture. Methods: Thirty patients with forward head posture were assigned randomly to the figure-8 shoulder brace group (n = 15) or the taping intervention group (n = 15). Patients were assessed for forward head posture, shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion. Results: The figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention groups showed a significant difference for forward head posture, shoulder posture, and thoracic kyphosis after the experiment (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that a figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention has a positive effect on rounded shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion in patients with forward head posture.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1046-1050
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of strengthening and stretching exercises on forward head angle and static dynamic balance ability. 21 adults with the forward head posture were participated in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to strengthening exercise group I(n=11) and stretching exercise group II (n=10) respectively. Each group were underwent six intervention over the period of 2 weeks, each session lasting 30 minutes. During a preliminary examination, forward head angle and static dynamic balance were measured, and a post examination was conducted that involved same procedure as preliminary examination. There were significant differences in forward head angle after exercise in both groups. In the strengthening group, center of gravity total sway distances was significantly changed under all conditions. In the stretching group, center of gravity total sway distances was significantly changed when subjects had their eyes open while standing on an foam surface. There were significant changes in center of gravity sway velocities in the strengthening group under all conditions, and the same was true in the stretching group only when the subjects had their eyes open while standing on an foam surface. In the comparison between groups, eyes closed while standing on a firm surface was significantly different. There was a significant difference in dynamic balance of the stretching group when the subjects tilted their bodies forward, and there was a statistically significant difference between groups under the same condition. The results of this study suggest that forward head posture can be corrected through therapeutic exercise, and muscle strengthening exercise more effective in improving static balance of forward head posture more than stretching exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of changes in the head direction (forward, upward 10° and downward 10°) on the quadriceps, center of pressure (COP), and foot pressure during squat exercises. The aim was to determine if the head direction could better activate the quadriceps muscle and provide a safer and stable squat posture during squat exercise. METHODS: Fifteen healthy college students were asked to stand on a Zebris, and three electrodes for sEMG were attached to their vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles. The participants then performed squatting exercises under three head directions (forward, upward 10°, and downward 10°). Surface electrodes were then used to record the EMG data during exercise. The Zebris FDM-SX was used to measure the foot pressure and COP of the participants. RESULTS: In squat exercise, the upward head direction group showed significantly higher VL activation than the downward head direction group (p < .05). The upward head direction group showed a significant backward change in the deviation of the COP than the downward and forward groups (p < .05). The upward head direction group showed a significant decrease in forefoot pressure than the downward and forward groups (p < .05) and an increase in the hindfoot pressure compared to the downward and forward groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The head direction upward in squat exercise has a positive effect on the quadriceps.