• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1663-1668
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• 2018

This study was conducted to examine the effects of Evjenth-Hamberg stretching of the sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, and pectoralis major on the lung function of adults with forward neck posture. The subjects were 20 adult students in P university located in Pohang, Korea, whose degree of head forward displacement measured according to NEW YORK state posture test was mild. The subjects were randomly and equally assigned to the Evjenth-Hamberg Stretching group (EHSG, n=10) and the control group (CG, n=10). Their forced vital capacity (FVC), slow vital capacity (SVC), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were measured before and after the experiment. In within-group comparison, only the EHSG experienced statistically significant improvement in FVC, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEE) after the experiment, compared to before the experiment (.05

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.101-105
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Kinesio Taping on the forward head posture before application and immediately after application. We measured 18 students college students in Kangwon province by using Exbody's equipment before applying kinesio taping and immediately after application, we measured plumb line, CVA and PCMT. The results of this study were statistically significant (p <.05) as compared to before Kinesio Taping application for both Plumb Line, CVA, and PCMT immediately after application of Kinesio Taping. Therefore, it was confirmed that the effect of improving the head posture from the moment of Kinesio taping application.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 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
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of manual therapy with stabilization exercises to manual therapy alone, on neck pain and body functions in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. METHODS: Twenty patients with chronic mechanical neck pain were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. A control group(n = 10) was given the manual therapy alone and an experimental group(n = 10) was given the manual therapy with stabilization exercises. The intervention was carried out 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The cervical resting pain, the most painful motion pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, forward head posture and neck disability index were used to assess participants at baseline and after 4 weeks. RESULTS: A comparison of the parameters before and after the intervention showed that both groups experienced significant improvements in the resting pain, the most painful motion pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, and forward head posture except for the forward head posture in the control group. A comparison of the parameters between the groups did not show a significant difference. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the combined intervention of manual therapy with stabilization exercise does not seem to be more effective than manual therapy alone for improving neck pain, craniocervical flexor endurance, forward head posture, and the neck disability index in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was to identify the effect of cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback on the craniovertebral angle and foot pressure in subjects with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty healthy adults were recruited in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to the stabilization exercise with visual feedback (SE-VF) group (n=15) or stabilization exercise (SE) group (n=15). The SE-VF group performed cervical stabilization exercise while sitting on a chair without a backrest and checking their side profile in real time a monitor 3m away. The SE group performed the same cervical stabilization exercise as the SE-VF group accompanied by without visual feedback. Craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured to quantify forward head posture, and the foot pressure of the subjects were evaluated. Results: The foot pressure showed statistically significant differences pre and post in both midfoot and left metatarsal only in SE-VF group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings of this study showed that the cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback was effective for the foot pressure of subjects. In addition, based on the results of this study, it is suggested that visual feedback will be effective in cervical stabilization exercise.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.446-453
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• 2022

Objective: The popularization of smartphones can lead to abnormal cervical alignment in university students. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among smartphone screen time, cervical alignment, and muscle function in university students. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Seventy-five university students participated in the study. They completed the evaluation of cervical alignment and muscle function, such as handgrip strength, proprioception, and muscle quality (tone, stiffness, and relaxation time). All participants recorded their general characteristics and individual smartphone screen time before the evaluation. They were evaluated craniovertebral angle (CVA) using smartphone application (angle meter 360) for measuring cervical alignment. The muscle function was assessed using a digital hand-held dynamometer, dual inclinometer, and MyotonPRO device. Results: Of all participants, twenty-five university students had forward head posture (CVA<49°, 33.33%). Independent t-test revealed that there were significant differences on smartphone screen time, muscle stiffness, and muscle relaxation between the participants with and without forward head posture (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between the smartphone screen time and the CVA, muscle tone, and muscle relaxation (r=-0.493, 0.250, and -0.500, respectively). Conclusions: The results indicate that the university students with forward head posture had high smartphone screen time and muscle stiffness compared to the students without forward head posture, and smartphone screen time might be associated with cervical alignment and muscle quality.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2024

Background: For instance, forward head posture (FHP), characterized by the forward movement of the head relative to the spine, places significant stress on the neck and upper back muscles, disrupting the biomechanical balance of the body. Objects: The objective of this study was to probe the biomechanical effects of FHP on musculoskeletal health through a relative analysis of 26 adults diagnosed with FHP and 26 healthy controls. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the biomechanical impacts of FHP. Participants adjusted their head positions and underwent muscle strength tests, including electromyography assessments and the Biering-Sørensen test for trunk muscle endurance. Data analysis was conducted using Kinovea (Kinovea) and IBM SPSS software ver. 26.0 (IBM Co.) to compare muscle activities between groups with normal and FHPs. Results: The study shows that individuals with FHP have significantly lower muscle activity, endurance, and spinal extension in the erector spinae compared to those without, highlighting the detrimental effects of FHP on these muscles. Conclusion: This study underscores the impact of FHP on erector spinae function and emphasizes the need for posture correction to enhance musculoskeletal health and guide future research on intervention strategies.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2017

Background: This study was carried out to compare the effects of shoulder stabilization exercise and thoracic extension exercise including deep neck flexor exercise on posture and pain targeting physical therapists and occupational therapists with forward head posture. Methods: A total of 30 physical therapists and occupational therapists (15 males, 15 females), who are working in the nursing hospital at Daejeon, were randomly divided into a shoulder stabilization group (n=10), a thoracic extension exercise (n=10), and a control group (n=10), and 3 times were carried out for 8 weeks. Results: In the results of all measurements, 2 groups except for the control group showed a significant change in the recovery of forward head posture, and the should stabilization exercise group showed a relatively superior effect compared to the thoracic extension exercise group. Conclusions: These results of a study will be a basic data for the development of the forward head posture exercise therapy program.

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

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2020

Background: Backward walking exercise may offer some unique and potentially beneficial differences compared with forward walking exercise. There is still a lack of research on backward walking exercises and forward head posture. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of backward walking exercise on college students forward head posture in their 20s. Methods: Twenty-one subjects participated in the experiment. The subjects were those with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 55 degrees or less who understood the purpose and method of this study and voluntarily agreed. A camera capable of taking pictures of the lateral plane was installed at a distance of 1.5 meters before exercising. Pictures were taken before walking backward, and after walking for 15 minutes on the treadmill, the images were taken in the same way. The composition of the backward walking exercise was walking at a rate of 1.0 for 5 minutes, and the remaining 10 minutes were walking at a rate of 1.5. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare CVA and craniorotational angle (CRA) before and after exercise. Results: As a result of this study, there was a significant difference in CVA before and after exercise (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in CRA before and after exercise (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The backward walking exercise and verbal command seems to have positively influenced the changes in CVA and CRA among college students in their 20s. It seems that studies to confirm balance or muscle activity as well as changes in forward head posture through the long-term intervention of the backward walking exercise should be conducted.