• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.89-101
• /
• 1996

This study was performed to investigate influence of the changes of head posture on resting electromyographic (EMG) activity in anterior temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid muscle and trapezius, and on status of occlusal contacts. For this study twenty-nine patients with temporomandibular disorders(TMD) and thirty dental students without any masticatory symptoms were selected as patients group and control group, respectively. EMG activity($\mu$V) at rest was observed in four kind of head postures such as natural or normal head posture(NHP), forward head posture(FHP), upward head posture(UHP), downward head posture(DHP), and in NHP and FHP, EMG activity with flat occlusal splint was also checked. BioEMG$^\textregistered$(Bioelectromyograph, Bioresearch Inc., USA) was used to record EMG activity in the above four muscles with eight locations on both sides. The author used T-Scan$^\textregistered$(Tekscan Co., USA) system to investigate the changes of oclusal contats on clenching in the four head postures about number, force, time(duration) and total left-right statistis(TLR, occlusal stability crossing left-right dental arch on clenching). For taking in upward or downward head posture, head was inclined $10^{\circ}$ upward or downward and CROM$^\textregistered$ (cervical-range-of motion, Performance attainment Inc., USA) was used to maintain same posture during the procedure. The results obtained were as follows : 1. For resting EMG activity, anterior temporalis did not show any difference by change of head posture, but masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscle showed higher value of EMG activity in FHP and UHP, and trapezius showed higher value of EMG activity in FHP and DHP. 2. EMG activity of trapezius was higher than that of any other muscles in NHP, FHP, and DHP, but in UHP, the activity was the lowest reversely. 3. Patients group showed higher EMG activity than control group did in all the muscles in NHP. And significant difference between the two groups were also observed in anterior temporalis in FHP, in sternocleidomastoid muscle in UHP, and in sterno-cleidomastoid muscle and trapezius in DHP with higher activity in patients group. 4. There was no change of EMG activity in NHp with splint, but EMG activity in anterior temporalis and masseter was decreased in FHP with splint. 5. In general, status of occlusal contacts was not changed with head posture in all subjects, and difference between patients group and control group was only noted for number and force of tooth contact in UHP and DHP with more value in control group. 6. Correlationship between EMG activity and number ad force of tooth contacts was shown negatively with regard to masseter in NHP, and trapezius in UHP and DHP.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.319-329
• /
• 1994

This study was carried out to research the adaptation patterns of head posture after activator therapy in functional class III malocclusion patients. For this purpose, 29 functional class III malocclusion patients, from the ages of 8 to 13 years old, were used. 1, Increse in capacity of oral cavity capacity were found in all the samples, but craniocervical angulation were varied into incresed group and decreased group after activator therapy. 2. Head posture exhibited the compensatory adaptation in the relative growth increments of the vertical dimension, ALFH and PLFH. 1) A group with more PLFH and less sagittal angle showed relatively small growth increment in PLFH during the treatment period, thus craniocervical angulation was increased. 2) A group with less PLFH and more sagittal angle showed relatively great growth incrmenet in PLFH during the treatment period, thus craniocervical angulation was decreased.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.1508-1512
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to examine the effect of joint mobilization on forward head posture and to propose an effective method to improve correct body posture and balance. A total of eight patients from a Maitland-applied group (n=8) received mobilization therapy to increase the mobility of the cervical joint, with Maitland's movement grade III intensity for 30 seconds of treatment and 30 seconds of rest, for ten intervals, three times a week for four weeks. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) changes before and after the intervention with the Maitland technique were measured as $56.85{\pm}2.31^{\circ}$ before, $63.23{\pm}2.23^{\circ}$ two weeks after, and $64.98{\pm}1.27^{\circ}$ four weeks after joint intervention. There were significant CVA changes before and after the Maitland technique (P <.05). The results of this study suggest that the Maitland technique is useful for improving the head vertebral angle in patients with forward head posture.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.1763-1767
• /
• 2019

Background: Although previous researches have developed interventions for neck problems, headache, and temporomandibular disorder in patients with forward head posture (FHP), changes in masticatory muscle tone or stiffness as FHP worsening have not been investigated. Objective: To examine changes in masticatory muscle tone and stiffness through craniovertebral angle (CVA). Design: Cross sectional study Methods: The subjects were 21 healthy males with normal head posture. Three CVA were established for posture measurement in which the bilateral anterior temporal and masseter muscles were measured during the subjects maintained a series of postures. Results: The Right masseter muscle significantly increased in stiffness with advancing FHP (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the muscle tone or stiffness of any other masticatory muscles, and no significant differences were found in bilateral masticatory muscle tone or stiffness in each measurement posture. Conclusions: This study suggests that the increased stiffness of the right masseter muscle as the FHP worsened requires consideration in physical therapy assessment and intervention.

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

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.292-296
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of modified cervical exercise on respiratory functions in smartphone users with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty-three smartphone users with forward head posture participated in this study. Subjects were divided into three groups that performed modified cervical exercise one time a day (A group), two times a day (B group), and three times a day (C group). All subjects performed the exercise for four weeks, during which time respiratory functions were measured. Results: There were significant differences in respiratory functions such as forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, and maximal voluntary ventilation in the C group after four weeks (p<0.05). Moreover, the forced vital capacity differed among groups, and the post hoc test revealed a significant difference between A group and C group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that modified cervical exercise improved respiratory functions in smartphone users with forward head posture. These findings indicate that smartphone users with forward head posture should perform modified cervical exercise to build correct posture and respiratory functions.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.18 no.1 s.25
• /
• pp.253-265
• /
• 1988

This study was designed to compare the normal head posture group with the extended head posture group in order to investigate the relatinship between head posture and craniofacial morphology. The subjects were devided into two groups; one included 80 children with normal head posture and occlusion, and the other 60 malocclusion patients with extended head posture. Their lateral cephalograms were traced and analysed based on 38 selected items. The following conclusion were reached. 1. The craniocervical angulations in normal group; OPT to SN, CVT to SN, OPT to FH and CVT to FH angles were $101.7^{\circ},\;104.8^{\circ},\;91.7^{\circ}\;and\;100.7^{\circ}$, respectively. 2. Compared with normal group, experimental group showed increase in mandibular plane angle, decrease in facial plane angle, airway space and posterior facial height but, there were insignificant differences in anterior facial height and tongue level between two groups. 3. Of the craniocervical angulations, OPT to FH angle was most highly correlated to the variables of the craniofacial morphology. 4. The effect of craniocervical angulation on craniofacial morphology in experimental group was different from that in comparison of normal group and experimental group.

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

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the myofascial meridians release technique on pain and postural control of college students with forward head posture and to compare the intervention effects of the Grastone massage and the Rollfing massage. METHODS: Thirty subjects with forward head posture were randomly and equally allocated to experimental group I (myofascial meridians release technique using Grastone massage, n=15) or experimental group II (myofascial meridians release using Rollfing massage, n=15). All subjects underwent 30 minutes of different myofascial meridians release techniques in addition to general physical therapy (hot pack: 15 min, interferential current therapy: 15 min, ultra sound: 5 min) three times a week for a total of 6 weeks. Outcome was measured before and after 4 weeks of intervention. RESULTS: In both groups, the numerical rating scale of pain was significantly decreased after intervention, with experimental group I showing a greater decrease than experimental group II. The neck disability index decreased significantly after intervention in both groups, with experimental group I showing a significantly greater decrease than the controls. The distance of the head forward displacement did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the Grastone method combined with the myofascial meridians release technique is a more effective intervention for improvement of pain and postural control in adults with moderate forward head posture.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.2345-2353
• /
• 2021

Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness of upper thoracic manipulation (UTM) and proprioceptive training versus proprioceptive training alone on forward head posture (FHP) and cervicocephalic joint position sense (CJPS) in asymptomatic university students during a short interval of time. Objectives: To evaluate whether the suggested combination would provide greater benefit, and be superior to proprioceptive training alone in improving proprioceptive acuity and head posture. Design: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-three university student volunteers with asymptomatic FHP were recruited. Subjects were randomly assigned to a manipulation group (n=16) receiving UTM combined with proprioceptive training or a proprioception group (n=17) receiving proprioceptive training only. The intervention period lasted 5 weeks in total, and consisted of one 15 to 20-minute session per week. FHP and CJPS were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: A significant pre- to post-intervention decrease in FHP and joint position error was identified in both groups (P<.05). Subjects in the manipulation group demonstrated greater improvements in CJPS and head posture compared to the proprioception group (P<.05). Conclusion: These findings support employing either intervention for treating asymptomatic students with FHP. However, the addition of UTM to proprioceptive training was more effective than proprioceptive training alone in reducing joint position errors and improving head posture.