• 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 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.217-223
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to investigate whether the two different head postures, natural and ideal head posture, affect head/shoulder posture and muscle activity. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects with the forward head and round shoulder posture were participated in this study. This study utilized a within-subjects design with subjects being positioned into two sitting positions: natural head posture (NHP) and ideal head posture (IHP). Forward head angle (FHA) and forward shoulder angle (FSA) of each subject were measured for assessing the head/shoulder posture and muscle activities of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) during the forward overhead reaching. Results: There were significant increases in both FHA and FSA after taking IHP, which showed greater angles than in taking NHP. In change of muscle activities, there were significant decreases in both LT and SA after taking IHP, which showed lower activities than in taking a NHP, whereas there was no significant change in UT. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that postural alterations associated with forward head and rounded shoulder postures could alter scapular kinetics and muscle activity during the forward overhead reaching.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2021

Objective: The forward head posture (FHP) is strongly related to the rounded shoulder posture (RSP), which is associated with shoulder pain. Design: Observational cross sectional study design Methods: A total of 37 were enrolled in the study, 22 individuals with FHP(experimental group) and 15 healthy adults(control group). Correlation with differences between groups was analysed through craniovertebral angle (CVA) representing FHP for both groups, neck disability index (NDI) indicating neck pain, disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) indicating shoulder pain. Results: There was a significant difference in the results of CVA, NDI, and DASH in FHP and healthy adults (p<0.05). Significant correlations were found between DASH and CVA in FHP participants (r = -0.656, p = 0.001). Also, in the regression analysis results of DASH and CVA, the regression model was found to be suitable and the variation in DASH could be explained by 43% (F = 15.118, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Shoulder pain and neck discomfort are potentially related, and an increase in shoulder pain can increase FHP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.83-88
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effect of forward head posture (FHP) and round shoulder posture (RSP) on changes in muscle activities according to shoulder flexion and abduction tasks. Methods: Twenty-two male subjects with no history of neurological, musculoskeletal surgery or injuries, or pain in the spine region within the previous 3-month periods were recruited for this study. Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and Scapula Index were measured before performing 90° abduction and flexion tasks holding a 3kg dumbbell. Muscle activities were measured during the tasks. All measurements except height of the acromion were carried out in a sitting position at the height of the subject's knee angle of 90 degrees, and two tasks were randomly performed with the arm that the subject mainly use to throw the ball. The abduction and flexion angles were checked by the examiner using a goniometer beside the subject. Results: Correlation coefficient analysis between Scapular Index and upper trapezius muscle activity during shoulder abduction task showed significant positive correlation. No significant correlation was observed between CVA, Scapular Index, and other muscle activities. Conclusion: FHP showed increased muscle activation, making it difficult to change muscle activity under lower loads, and RSP was correlated with UT activation in shoulder abduction. Therefore, in the RSP, the loaded shoulder abduction is considered a potential risk factor for increasing shoulder muscle tension. This paper proposes an approach to treating RSP before FHP.

• 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 Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate basic data about the effects of muscle energy technique on the shoulder complex range of motion and posture alignment in the round shoulder posture. Methods: The subjects included 15 women that gave consent to participate in the study voluntarily. They performed the muscle energy technique for 30 minutes twice. The round shoulder posture was measured with a straight edge ruler. The shoulder complex range of motion was measured with the apley scratch test. The forward head posture was measured with ImageJ. The pectoralis minor muscle length was measured with a tape measure. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the round shoulder posture both right and left (p<.05). The experiment group showed statistically significant differences in the pectoralis minor muscle length (p<.05). There were significant differences in the shoulder complex range of motion including flexion, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, left side bending, and right side bending (p<.05), but no significant differences were found in extension (p>.05). The forward head posture showed significant differences in CVA changes (p<.05) and no significant differences in CRA changes (p>.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the muscle energy technique relaxed muscles around the shoulders and increased the shoulder complex range of motion. The technique is also expected to prevent pain in the neck and shoulders and lower injury risk. In conclusion, the muscle energy technique can be applied as an effective intervention for round shoulder posture.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of shoulder and neck stabilization exercise using a gym ball for healthy women in their 20s with round shoulder and forward head posture, it is intended to try and find improvement for posture. Methods: The subjects of the study were 25 women who understood the purpose of the research and voluntarily agreed to participate in the experiment. They carried out the shoulder and neck stabilization exercise program using a gym ball, which was conducted for 35 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The position of the round shoulder and shoulder bones was measured using an tape measurement and were recorded in both at pre, 2 weeks, and post intervention. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) and craniorotational angle (CRA) was measured using an image J. Results: The round shoulder posture left was statistically significantly different within group (p<.05); however, the round shoulder posture right wasn't statistically significantly different (p>.05). As a result of this contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post. The scapular position on the left and right were statistically significantly different within the group (p<.05). As a result of the contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post (p<.05). The CVA and CRA on the left and right were statistically significantly different within the group (p<.05). As a result of the contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post (p<.05). Conclusion: The gym ball exercises improved the posture of women in their 20s. Therefore, gym ball exercises can help improve the quality of life of those with shoulder and neck pain.

• 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.