• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.138-145
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• 2021

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) causes various posture imbalances associated with the head and neck. Myofascial release is an effective treatment method used for relaxing muscles and reducing muscle hyperactivity, but no studies have been conducted on suboccipital and neck muscles related to FHP. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of roller massages on the cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) range of motion (ROM) and CCF strength applied to suboccipital and neck muscles in subject with forward head posture. Methods: Twenty-four FHP subjects (male: 13, female: 11) were recruited for this study. All subjects were recruited with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 53 degrees or less and a head tilt angle (HTA) of 20.66 degrees or higher. CCF strength was measured using Pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) in the supine posture and CCF ROM was measured using smartphone-based inclinometer. Roller massage (RM) was applied to suboccipital and neck muscles for 2 minutes and CCF ROM and strength were remeasured. Results: These results of this study showed that CCF ROM was a significant difference in CCF ROM before and after RM (p < 0.05). CCF strength also showed a significant difference before and after RM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: RM method might be recommended to increase the immediate ROM and strength of CCF in subjects with forward head posture.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.117-124
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• 2002

Poor posture of the neck and head long been recognized as a factor contributing to the onset and perpetuation of pain in the head and neck region. The purposes of the study were to evaluate the changes in forward head posture and pressure pain threshold in tension type headache group and control group. Forward head posture were measured to craniovertebral angle and cranial rotation angle. Craniovertebral angle was smaller in tension type headache group(p<0.05), and cranial rotation angle was larger in tension type headache group(p<0.05). Pressure pain threshold was similar between tension type headache group and control group with the exception of right suboccipitalis and left temporalis(p<0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise on the cervical lordotic angle, craniovertebral angle, and head rotation angle among adolescents in the forward head posture. Methods: The subjects include 22 adolescents that recorded a mild level or higher on the posture evaluation index by New York State. They were randomly divided to the hand exercise group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). The former group participated in the sling exercise program three times a week over four weeks in total with each session lasting 60 minutes, whereas the latter group was not included in the program. The cervical lordotic angle, craniovertebral angle, and head rotation angle were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The study compared the cervical lordotic angle between the two groups before and after sling exercise and found that the sling exercise group made an increase of $7.36^{\circ}$ from $21.91^{\circ}$ to $29.27^{\circ}$ after the intervention(p<.05). As for the comparison results of the craniovertebral angle, the sling exercise group made an increase of $5.64^{\circ}$ from $48.91^{\circ}$ to $54.55^{\circ}$ after the intervention (p<.05). As for the comparison results of the cranial-rotation angle, the sling exercise group made an decrease of $-7.73^{\circ}$ from $148.82^{\circ}$ to $141.09^{\circ}$ after the intervention (p<.05). The control group showed no differences before and after the intervention (p>.05). Conclusion: Those findings indicate that the application of sling exercise in the forward head posture can be a good program to maintain the right posture and improve or prevent an abnormal posture and raise a need for more clinical applications and ongoing researches.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.29-38
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• 2021

Purpose : Therapeutic exercise should improve the health outcomes of rehabilitation in children with neurodevelopmental disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of primitive reflex integration exercises on forward head posture, balance ability, and concentration in children with neurodevelopmental disability. Methods : This study included 10 children with neurodevelopmental disability. Primitive reflex integration exercises were performed for 40 minutes, twice a week for 8 weeks (16 sessions). The reflective markers were placed at the center of the shoulders and on the ears. A caliper was used to measure the distance between the attachments of the reflective markers to assess the forward head posture. Pediatric balance scale was used to quantify balance ability. Their abilities in terms of changeless sitting, looking at the teacher, putting children's hands on their knees, and looking at immovable and movable objects, were assessed to quantify concentration. Results : There were significant improvements in forward head posture after the intervention (p=.005). Primitive reflex integration exercises significantly improved balance ability of children with neurodevelopmental disability (p=.027). There were also significant improvements in changeless sitting (p=.005), looking at the teacher (p=.004), putting children's hands on their knees (p=.005), and looking at the immovable (p=.004) and movable (p=.004) objects. Conclusion : This study showed that primitive reflex integration exercises were a useful intervention to improve forward head posture, balance, and concentration in children with neurodevelopmental disability. Therefore, primitive reflex integration exercises may also promote and improve their general development. Further studies with appropriate sample size and control group are needed to conclude the effectiveness of primitive reflex integration exercises on improving posture, motor function, and concentration in children with neurodevelopmental disability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2021

Objective: This study is to investigate the effect of real-time feedback from the therapist on posture, muscle strength, pain of subjects with forward head posture based on a non-face-to-face complex exercise program. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty healthy men and women in their twenties with forward head posture with a Craniovertebral angle of 52° or less were targeted, the final selection was made as 15 experimental groups who performed the non-face-to-face intervention program while receiving real-time feedback and 15 control subjects who performed the non-face-to-face intervention program without providing feedback. Six of them were eliminated, and a total of 24 were conducted as subjects. All exercise groups performed an exercise program three times a week, 30 minutes each, for a total of two weeks. Before and after exercise, Craniovertebral angle (CVA), CranioRotation angle (CRA), muscle strength, and tenderness threshold were evaluated. Results: Significant differences were shown in both groups in CVA, and tenderness threshold before and after exercise (p<0.05), and CRA, the left middle trapezius muscle strength, only in the experimental group (p<0.05). In the comparison of theamount of change between exercise groups, the group that received feedback on CVA, CRA and tenderness threshold showed a significant change than the group without feedback (p<0.05). Conclusions: As a result of this study, it can be seen that the therapist's real-time feedback is more effective in improving the forward head posture. This requires feedback from the therapist on posture correction during non-face-to-face exercise intervention.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.21-28
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three exercise programs on forward head posture. Methods: Ninety-five individuals were recruited to assess the of the pectoralis minor muscle. Of these, 36 individuals with pectoralis minor muscles were selected and randomly divided into three groups: a functional massage group, a stretching group, and a stretching and muscle strengthening group. The exercise program consisted of sessions four times per week for two weeks. The length of pectoralis minor and the activity of the trapezius muscles were measured using electromyography. Forward head posture was assessed using the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and the cranial rotation angle (CRA) pre-, during and post-treatment. Result: Significant improvements were observed in pectoralis minor length, CRA, and CVA post-treatment in all groups (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). However, only the activity of the lower trapezius demonstrated a statistically significant difference post-treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that all three exercise programs were effective in improving forward head posture and the length of pectoralis minor post-treatment.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.331-340
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• 2022

Purpose: Thisstudy aimed to identify the effect of varying the expansibility of elastic tape on the onset time of muscle contraction during neck extension for forward head posture syndrome. Methods: Forty-five young adults with forward head posture syndrome volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to the expansibility of the elastic tape (25%, 50%, 75%). The onset time of muscle contraction for the neck extensor during neck extension was measured using an electromyographic system (Free EMG, BTS, Italy). Multivariate analysis of variance was employed to determine the effect of different expansibilities of elastic tape on the onset time of muscle contraction during neck extension for forward head posture syndrome. When there was a statistically significant difference by MANOVA, Scheffe was used as a post-hoc test. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. Results: In the comparison of the onset time of muscle contraction of varying elastic tape expansibilities and measurement times, there was a significant difference between the groups (Lt. UT, Lt. SCM, Rt. SCM) (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the interaction between the measurement time and the group, between the measurement time (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In the neck extension, 75% of the tape extensibility in the Lt. UT and both SCM shortened the muscle contraction onset time.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of exercise on the neck muscles activities between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise in the forward head posture subjects. Method : After measuring cervical alignment using the Global Posture System, 20 volunteers with forward head posture posture were selected and divided into two groups. The experimental group A(n=15) and Experimental group B(n=15) participated in respectively and McKenzie neck stretching exercise, three times per week for 4 weeks. The scapular stabilization exercise program was comprised middle and lower trapezius strength exercises and the stretching exercise program was comprised levator scapulae and upper trapezius stretching exercise. The activities of the muscles of the posterior neck was then measured using electromyography. Result : After the intervention, there was significant difference of a electromyography activity changes between the pre-test and post-test in the experimental group. Conclusion : This study showed that both scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises are more effective for reducing neck muscles activities.

• 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.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.137-149
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• 1994

This study was performed to investigate the relationship between Forward Head Posture(FHP) and Craniomandlbular Disorders(CMDs). Many studies reported that there was some relationship between them, however, there is still controversy. So It Is necessary to observe and compare many more patients with CMDs wirh normal controls. For the study 85 patients with CMDs and 37 dental students were selected as experimentals and controls, respectively. And the experimentals were classified Into two groups, that is, TMJ internal derangement group and muscle disorders group according to clinical diagnosis. For measuring the FHP, CROM(Cervical-Range-of-Notion)was used. This goniometer is composed of three part. First, gravity goniometer for flexion and extension. Second, magnetic compass and yoke for rotational movement. And last, forward head arm and vertebra locator for forward head posture. Next T-Scan, electronic occlusal analyzer, was used for recording of occlusal contact state. Other items such as maximum opening, lateral excursion, Helkimo's anamnestic index, and muscle palpation point from Friction's craniomandibular index were checked clinically by one examiner. The result of this study were as follows : 1. In male, control group showed much more measurement in resting forward head posture than did experimental group. But there were not significant differences between groups in female subject. From this results, the author contended that CROM is new measuring system and differ from other goniometers in some aspect, so that results should be re-evaluated 2. Mean value of maximum mouth opening in nearly all groups were greater than 40mm. and mouth opening had a significant correlation with occlusal force and with anamnestic index both sex. 3. Mean value of palpation point had not any correlationship with forward head posture in both sex, but there was significant difference between upper and lower group by rounded shouldes. 4. In summary, there was no significant relationship between forward head posture and sign and symptom of Craniomandibular Disorders.