• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.93-108
• /
• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate effects of McKenzie exercise on the functional recovery and forward head posture of chronic neck pain patients. Methods : The subjects were consisted of fifteen patients who had abnormal neck posture, mild neck pain (28 males, 17 females; mean aged 21.9) from 19 to 33 years of age(mean age 21.9). All subjects were received McKenzie exercise for 35 minutes with clinical massage per day three times a week during 4 weeks period. Neck disability index was used to measure functional disability level. Visual analogue scale(VAS) was used to measure subjective pain level. craniovetebral angle(CVA), cranial rotation angle(CRA) was used to measure forward head posture with digital camera. All measurements of each patients were measured at pre-treatment and after 2 week, after 4 week, post-treatment on 2 week. Result : The VAS of McKenzie exercise was significantly reduced between pre-treatment and post-treatment (p<.05) and effects of pain reduce was continued follow 2 weeks. The Neck Disability Index of McKenzie exercise was significantly reduced between pre-treatment and post-treatment (p<.05) and effects of pain reduce was continued follow 2 weeks. The CVA of McKenzie exercise was significantly reduced between pre-treatment and post-treatment (p<.05) and effects of pain reduce was continued follow 2 weeks. The CRA of McKenzie exercise was not significantly reduced between pre-treatment and post-treatment (p<.05). Conclusion : McKenzie exercise improved pain and function of Chronic neck pain patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical basic data to reduce pain and improve function by comparing neck muscle activity and neck alignment using self-stretching and passive stretching exercises for chronic neck pain caused by forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were divided into 15 subjects assigned to perform self-stretching exercise and 15 subjects assigned to perform passive stretching exercise. The intervention was conducted for a total of 4 weeks. The muscle activity in the neck was measured by surface electromyography (EMG) before intervention, and craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles were measured by X-ray. The 4-week intervention was conducted and the above items re-measured in the same manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Muscle activity within both groups after intervention using self-stretching or passive stretching exercise was significantly different (p < .05)(p < .01). Neck alignment of both groups was significantly different (p < .001)(p < .01). Further, muscle activities of the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles showed significant differences (p<.05). Lastly, neck alignment showed statistically significant difference (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Self-stretching exercise activated motor nerves as a posture correction exercise, thereby improving inhibition of muscle activity, muscle contraction delay, and pathological conditions of the muscle. For future research, interventions of self-stretching exercise will be needed for patients with chronic back pain accompanied by forward head posture, and various clinical studies on postural improvement of forward head posture by maintaining a normal muscle tone state are needed.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.11-22
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck stabilization exercise with PNF for neck alignment, neck disability index, and sitting balance in adults with forward-head posture. Methods: Forty participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the neck stabilization exercise group (NSG, n = 20) and the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation neck pattern exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) were studied 30 minutes a day three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes were measured using cranial vertical angle (CVA), the Korean version of the neck disability index (KNDI), anterior limit of stability (ALOS), and posterior limit of stability (PLOS) before and after the intervention period. Results: There were significant effects in the CVA and the KNDI of both groups pre- and post-intervention. There were significant effects in ALOS and PLOS in the PNFG pre- and post-intervention compared with the NSG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that PNF with neck exercise could be beneficial to the static balance of adults with forward-head posture.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.7-20
• /
• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study was to improve the comfort of daily life such as reduction of headache and increase of movement of neck by using muscle relaxation approach and joint movement approach for office worker with tension type headache of foward head posture sitting over 5 hours. Methods For this, 9 male and 15 female participated in the foward head posture with tension type headache. Each group consisted of 3 male and 5 female. Groups are divided into groups, such as muscle relaxation therapy, joint movement therapy, muscle relaxation and joint movement therapy. After intervention for each group for a month, we measured neck movement and head disability index and neck disability index 2 week. SPSS 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data analysis. The one-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA), one-way ANOVA, compared t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results Three intervention groups have brought improvements in neck movement and daily life comfort. There is significant difference in the improvement of neck extension and change in neck disability index between 2 and 4 weeks in the joint movement approach compared to muscle relaxation approach, muscle relaxation and joint movement approach. Conclusions Office workers are exposed to tension type headache. However, muscle relaxation approach and joint movement approach can improve neck movement and daily life comfort.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.159-166
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study attempts to determine the effects of applying three kinds of breathing exercises for four weeks on the neck muscle activation of subjects with a forward head posture. Methods: A total of 30 adults aged in their twenties (15 men and 15 women) with a forward head posture who voluntarily agreed to participate after listening to the purpose and procedure of this research were chosen as the subjects of this study. The subjects were randomly divided into either the diaphragmatic breathing exercise (DBE) group, the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) group, or the abdominal expansion method (AEM) group according to the breathing intervention scheme. Each group included ten subjects. The muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, and splenius capitis was measured in all the groups prior to the intervention, two weeks after the intervention, and four weeks after the intervention. All the interventions were implemented for 30 minutes a day, three times a week, for a total of four weeks. Results: No significant between-group difference was observed in terms of the change in neck muscle activity according to the four-week intervention scheme. Further, there was no interaction between the intervention period and the intervention scheme in relation to the change in neck muscle activity. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that abdominal expansion exercise is as effective as other breathing exercise methods for subjects with a forward head posture. We therefore expect that abdominal expansion exercise can be used as a scheme for the prevention of symptoms as well as therapy for patients with a forward head posture.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the effects of neck and trunk combined exercise program and single exercise on neck angle and neck and shoulder muscle activity. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: In the single exercise group, the basic stretching, head bending and neck bending exercises were performed. The neck and trunk combined exercise group performed torso strength and trunk stability exercises to stabilize the trunk, and then performed the same neck exercise as the single exercise group. The exercise program was conducted 5 days per week for 2 weeks. One-way repeated ANOVA was used to investigate the statistical analysis of neck angle, neck and upper and middle trapezius muscle activity. Results: 1) There was no significant difference in neck angle degree after exercise in neck single exercise group. 2) In the neck and trunk combined exercise, the neck angle degree decreased continuously with the increase of the experimental period and showed a significant difference. 3) In the single exercise group, the muscles which showed significant difference compared to the post-exercise were the right upper, left and right middle trapezius. 4) In the neck and trunk combined exercise group, the right neck muscles showed significant difference after the exercise before the experiment. Conclusion: It was found that the neck and trunk combined exercise was more effective in reducing neck angle and the muscle activity of the subjects with forward head posture was decreased and increased. However, both exercises showed positive effects.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.91-97
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of sport massage and McKenzie stretch exercise on forward head posture. To understand the effect, this study measured and analyzed body alignment of the neck. Methods: In this study, a total of 14 subjects with forward head posture were analyzed. Subjects were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=7) received a McKenzie stretch exercise and group 2 (n=7) received a McKenzie stretch exercise and a sport massage. The McKenzie stretch exercise was performed three times a week, for four weeks, while the sport massage was performed once a week. The body alignment of the neck (CVA, CRA) was measured using a goniometer. Results: The improvements in neck body alignments (CVA, CRA) after the McKenzie stretch exercise and sport massage were both significant (group 1: p<0.05; group 2: p<0.05), whereas the between-group comparison found no significant differences. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study confirmed that the McKenzie stretch exercise and sport massage had a significant positive effect on the body alignment of the neck. However, a study that included a greater number of subjects and a long-term treatment period is needed to generalize these results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.145-154
• /
• 2023

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis on the craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headaches in adults with a forward head posture and tension headache. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, a total of 22 adults with forward head postures and tension headaches were randomly assigned to the experimental group (sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis, n = 11) or the control group (sling exercise without a neck orthosis, n = 11). All participants undertook the sling exercise program (3×/week for 4 weeks). The craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headache were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headache in the experimental group (p < .05). This group also showed a larger decrease in the muscle tension and headache (upper trapezius, -4.97 Hz vs -1.70 Hz, p < .05; splenius capitis, -5.44 Hz vs -2.54 Hz, p < .05; headache, -19.73 score vs -14.64 score, p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis could be an effective way to relieve the symptoms caused by a forward head posture. It could also be a more effective way of decreasing muscle tension and headaches than the sling exercise without wearing a neck orthosis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.218-223
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of active vibration exercise on the neck pain, disability index, and muscle activity of patients with forward head posture. Methods: A total of 24 patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group (n=12 each). The experimental group performed active vibration exercise using a flexi-bar for 20 minutes a day, five times a week for four weeks. The study measured patient neck pain using a visual analog scale, neck pain related disability using the neck disability index, and muscle activity using electromyography. Results: The intragroup comparison showed significant differences in the visual analog scale score, neck disability index score and upper trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscle activity values among patients in the experimental group. The intergroup comparison showed that differences in the visual analog scale score, neck disability index score and upper trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscle activity values in the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that active vibration exercise was effective in improving the neck pain, disability index, and muscle activity of patients with forward head posture.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.211-217
• /
• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week professional body massage program (PMP) on forward head posture, neck pain, and plantar foot pressure balance in men in their 20s. Method: A total of 20 men with musculoskeletal diseases were recruited for this study. The participants were asked to take part in a PMP twice a week for 12 weeks. The cranial vertical angle (CVA) for forward head posture and visual analogue scale (VSC) for neck pain and right/left foot plantar pressure balances were extracted to compare between pre- and post-program differences. Results: CVAs before ($56.86{\pm}4.55^{\circ}$) and after ($62.72{\pm}4.57^{\circ}$) and VSCs before ($6.95{\pm}1.70$) and after ($1.70{\pm}1.56$) PMP revealed statistically significant differences. The right foot, after PMP, showed a significant increase in the plantar pressure balance from $46.17{\pm}2.95$ to $49.44{\pm}1.29%$, while the left foot decreased significantly from $53.83{\pm}2.95%$ to $50.56{\pm}1.29%$. Therefore, based on these results, it may be said that the foot pressure balance abilities were improved after PMP because the ideal foot pressure ratio is 50%. Conclusion: Consequently, it was suggested that a 12-week PMP could be utilized for improvement of forward head posture, neck pain, and foot plantar pressure balance in men in the 20s with musculoskeletal diseases.