• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2017

Objective: This study tried to examine the muscle activity of the neck and trunk according to head posture changes during use of laptops. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included nineteen young men and women. All subjects maintained each posture while practice typing on laptops for ten minutes with a 5-minute break between each posture. For the neutral head posture, the subjects practiced typing while pulling their chins down towards the Adam's apple and were able to look at their knees while having their external auditory meatus, acromion, and greater trochanter vertical to the ground. For the natural head posture, they practiced typing while balancing their posture between extension and flexion of the cervical vertebrae by themselves without any guidelines. While a forward head posture was created by having their heads face the front horizontal to the rope hanging from the ceiling, they practiced typing with their external auditory meatus located in the place which was 5 cm in front of the vertical plane. The subjects used general word process but practiced typing with accuracy and high speed. Muscle activities were randomly measured using surface electromyography according to each postures. Results: The research result had found that muscle activity with the natural head posture was more significantly reduced than that of the forward head posture in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, upper trapezius, cervical vertebral spinae, and thoracic vertebrae spinae muscles (p<0.05) and that the neutral head posture was more significantly reduced than that of forward head posture in the upper trapezius, cervical vertebral spinae, and thoracic vertebrae spinae muscle activity (p<0.05) with significant increases in lumbar spinae muscle activity (p<0.05). Also, muscle activity with the neutral head posture significantly increased more in the sternocleidomastoid muscle and lumbar spinae than that of the natural posture (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our study results suggest that in order to prevent musculoskeletal pain, the neutral head posture with use of laptops is effective in reducing load to the shoulders and vitalizing the postural muscles.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.95-109
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• 1997

The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence on mandibular movements and TMJ sounds with changes of head and neck posture. For the research, twenty patients who had complained of TMJ sounds without any other symptoms of cranio-mandibular disorders, were selected as subjects for measurements of TMJ sounds, and radiographs on transcranial view of TMJ were taken on ten of the subjects. From NHP, UHP, DHP and FHP, aspects of mandibular movement and TMJ sound were investigated from each posture. Aspects of mandibular movement and TMJ sound were observed by measuring total vibration energy(Integral), peak amplitude, maximum amound of mouth opening, and TMJ sound-emitting point using Sonopak for windows (version 1.33) and Bio-EGN(Bioresearch Inc. WI. U.S.A.). Head and neck movement-measuring instrument, CROM(perfomance attainment Inc. U.S.A.) was to maintain even head posture. Degrees of inclination of UHP and DHP were determined at 30' and distance of FHP was 4cm. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Total vibration energy and peak amplitude of TMJ sounds were decreased more on UHP and on UHP and increased more on DHP and FHP than that on NHP. 2. At the maximum mouth opening, distance of TMJ sound-emitting point were decreased more on UHP and increased more on DHP and FHP than that on NHP. 3. The amounts of the maximum mouth opening were increased more on UHP and decreased more on DHP and FHP than that on NHP. 4. For the changes of the head posture with mouth opening observed in radiograph, condylar head was positioned more lower-anteriorly on UHP, and more upper-posteriorly on DHP and FHP than that on NHP. From the results obtained as above, considering positive influence of the change of head and neck posture, avoiding down-head and forward-head posture, and recommending upper- head posture can prevent the progress of temporomandibular disorder and lead to successful treatment for the patients with temporomandibular joint sounds.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.11-21
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of posture improvement exercise using virtual reality programs on the posture and balance of patients with forward head postures. METHODS: Thirty men and women in their 20 s, who had a forward head posture, were divided randomly into a group with posture correction exercise and a group with posture correction exercise combined with virtual reality programs. The posture correction exercise was composed of squats, XCO training, and chin-tuck exercise. In contrast, exercise with virtual reality games involved the Hot Squat, Climbey, and Baskhead programs while wearing a headset. Both groups performed the exercises 15 min a day, three times per week, for four weeks. The balance ability, distance between the acromion and earlobe, and neck joint range of motion were assessed before and after the exercises. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant reductions in the distance between the acromion and the earlobe, along with significant improvements in the range of joint motion. The group that performed the virtual reality exercises showed a significant increase in the limit of stability. Both groups showed a significant decrease in the sway length. In contrast, the group given the virtual reality exercises showed a significant reduction in the sway speed while standing with their eyes closed. CONCLUSION: Exercise applying virtual reality programs can be used in clinical and home programs to correct the postures of individuals with a forward head posture because they can trigger interest in inducing active participation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study is to analysis of correlation upper body according to forward head posture. Methods: The subjects of this study were 40 female university students who were equally and randomly allocated to a forward head posture group, normal group. Using general posture system, electromyograph, visual analogue scale, tape measurement, neck disability index were evaluated. Results: There was positive correlation between posture analysis and Sternocleidomastoid, neck flexion (p<.05). There was positive correlation between Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and trapezius upper, VAS (p<.05). There was negative correlation between posture analysis and CVA (p<.05). There was negative correlation between Cranial rotation angle and CVA (p<.05). Conclusion: Increased forward head posture lead to increase of pain, muscles activity, so it suggests to be necessary on the prevention of dysfunction and limited activities daily living.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1862-1867
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• 2019

Background: The importance of postural stabilization and cervical mobilization in subjects with pain from the anterior head posture is drawing more attention. However, studies on head and neck stabilizing intervention after mobilization are lacking. Objective: To examine the effects of Kinesiotaping and posture setting exercise on forward head posture (FHP). Design: Crossover Study Design Methods: The subjects were 17 male and female college students in their 20s with FHP. They were randomized into the Kinesiology taping group (KTG) with 9 subjects and posture stabilizing exercise group (PSEG) with 8 subjects. The intervention was conducted for 4 weeks, and changes in pain, craniovertebral angle (CVA), and proprioception were observed before and after intervention. Results: Pain was significantly reduced in the KTG and PSEG both before and after intervention. CVA and proprioception were significantly increased only in the PSEG. The differences in CVA and proprioception between the two groups were significant. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the application of posture setting exercise could decrease pain, proprioceptive error and increase CVA on FHP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2020

Purpose : The aim of this study was to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability and validity of measurements of head, neck, and pelvis posture using a mobile application in subjects with forward head posture. Methods : Forty-eight volunteers (22 men, 26 women) participated in this study. Two raters independently examined whole body picture images in a lateral standing posture with arms crossed using a CA-Smart Posture Reminder (CA-SPR), and a rater took and calculated posture images twice to assess reliability. We measured five parameters: craniovertebral angle 1 (CVA1), anterior shoulder translation (AST), pelvic tilt (PT), knee angle (KA), and ankle angle (AA) in the subject's sagittal plane using CA-SPR. We examined whole spine X-ray images in the same position to assess validity. We measured four variables in the subjects: CVA2, translation distance (AHT), anterior pelvic plane (APP), and sacral slope (SS). The intra- and inter-rater reliability were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Convergent validity was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results : The intra-rater reliability (ICC=.889 -.989) and inter-rater reliability (ICC=.800 -.980) were excellent for all variables measured using CA-SPR. The variables measured using CA-SPR and X-ray were significantly positively correlated (r=.623, p<.01). However, the correlation of the variables in the pelvis was not statistically significant. Conclusion : This study shows that a mobile application (CA-SPR) is a useful tool for measuring head and neck posture in subjects with forward head posture. However, further study is needed to measure pelvic variables when using a mobile application.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the correlation between physical function and forward head posture in spastic diplegia. Methods: The subjects of this study were 10 spastic diplegia patients. We took pictures of the subjects' craniovertebral angle with a digital camera to determine the degree of forward head posture and then analyzed them using the NIH image J program. The physical function test used the TCMS, the BBT, and a spirometer. The data in this study were measured using SPSS version 23.0, and the statistical significance level α was 0.05. A Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to identify the correlation between the degree of the subject's head forward position and physical function. Results: When we performed the BBT and spirometer tests, the subjects' forward head postures were not correlated (p < 0.05). However, with the TCMS, there was a strong correlation between the forward position of the head and balance, with balance decreasing as the head position increased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Spastic diplegia patients with severe forward head posture showed problems with static balance, dynamic balance, and equilibrium reaction when sitting. Intervention on the right posture and preventive activities will be needed to improve the health of spastic diplegia patients and prevent future problems with physical function.

• 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 Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.991-997
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• 2017

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to muscle properties analysis of SCM(sternocleidomastoid) Muscle according to posture type when using smartphone. Methods. This study was conducted on 73 college students who are using smartphone. Subjects were analyzed myotonPRO to confirm, prone posture group, stand posture group, drop head above $45^{\circ}$in sit posture on a chair group and drop head below $45^{\circ}$in sit posture on a chair group were measured SCM muscle. The myotonPRO were measured one measurer, total 3 times. Comparative analysis of the each groups were investigated of SCM muscle properties. Results. We found that Frequency, Stiffness, Creep and Relaxation were appeared difference in each posture. F index was increased at drop head below $45^{\circ}$group than stand posture group. S index was increased at drop head above $45^{\circ}$group than prone posture group. C index was decreased at drop head below $45^{\circ}$group and drop head above $45^{\circ}$group than prone posture group. R index was decreased at drop head above $45^{\circ}$group than prone posture group. Conclusions. The muscle properties were appeared difference in each posture of SCM muscle using smartphone.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.8 no.11
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• pp.457-464
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• 2019

The weight of pig is one of the main factors in determining the health and growth state of pigs, their shipment, the breeding environment, and the ration of feed, and thus measuring the pig's weight is an important issue in productivity perspective. In order to estimate the pig's weight by using the number of pig's pixels from images, acquired from a Top-view camera, the posture determining and the head removal from images are necessary to measure the accurate number of pixels. In this research, we propose the fast and accurate method to determine the pig's posture by using a fast image processing technique, find the head location by using a fast deep learning technique, and remove pig's head by using light weighted image processing technique. First, we determine the pig's posture by comparing the length from the center of the pig's body to the outline of the pig in the binary image. Then, we train the location of pig's head, body, and hip in images using YOLO(one of the fast deep learning based object detector), and then we obtain the location of pig's head and remove an outside area of head by using head location. Finally, we find the boundary of head and body by using Convex-hull, and we remove pig's head. In the Experiment result, we confirmed that the pig's posture was determined with an accuracy of 0.98 and a processing speed of 250.00fps, and the pig's head was removed with an accuracy of 0.96 and a processing speed of 48.97fps.