• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the effects of head posture and occlusal splint on the vertical dimension in mandibular rest position and swallowing. Thirty health dental students ware selected lot this study and BioEGNⓡ(Bioresearch Inc., USA) was used for measuring interocclusal distance during rest - swallowing - rest - tapping movement. This swallowing movements were observed in both normal head posture(NHP) and forward head posture (FHP). Thickness of occlusal splint was about 2mm at posterior molar area and even tooth contact were achieved on light biting. The four mandibular positions at which interocclusal distance measured were swallowing position, after swallowing position in which interocclusal distance was maximum, rest position follows swallowing, and tapping position after rest. Changes of distance in each position were measured for three mandibular planes, that is, sagittal, frontal, and horizontal plane, respectively. The results obtained were as follows : 1. In normal head posture, the mandible was raised 1.03mm without splint, and 0.77mm with splint on swallowing, and there was no significant difference between the two. In horizontal plane, however, mandible was displaced more anteriorly in both swallowing position and tapping position with splint. 2. In forward head posture, the mandible was less raised with splint on swallowing, but features in horizontal plane were almost same as those in normal head posture. 3. In natural dentition, significant difference between NHP and FHP were observed in horizontal plane trajectory for swallowing and tapping position. But the difference for same positions were observed in frontal trajectory with splint. 4. Total amount of mandibular movement of two groups classified with sagittal interocclusal distance of swallowing position generally showed significant difference between the higher and the lower height group in head posture without splint. 5. Correlationship among total amount of mandibular movement for three mandibular planes were observed between sagittal plane and horizontal plane, and between sagittal plane and frontal plane in head posture without splint.

• 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 Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.189-206
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• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the factors affecting muscle activity and cephalometric variables according to change of head postures. For this study, 150 patients with temporomandibular disorders and 80 dental students without any signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were selected as the patients group and as the normal group, respectively. Head position to body-midline in frontal plane and upper quarter posture to body plumb line in sagittal plane were observed clinically and electromyographic(EMG) activity of anterior temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoideus, and trapezius on clenching were recorded with $BioEMG^{(R)}$ in four head postures, which were natural head posture(NHP), forward head posture(FHP), $20^{\circ}$ upward head posture(UHP), and $20^{\circ}$ downward head posture(DHP). Cephaloradiographs were also taken in the same head postures as in EMG taking, but that was taken only in NHP for the patient group. Cephalometric variables measured were SN angle, CVT angle, atlas inclination angle, occlusal plane angle, Me-C2 angle, pharyngeal width, occiput~axis distance, area of pharyngeal space, and cervical curvature. The data were analyzed by SAS statistical program. The results of this study were as follows : 1. Between the patient and the normal group, there were significant difference in distance from plumb line to acromion, eye-tragus angle, electromyographic activity of the four muscles, and cephalometric variables of linear measurement. 2. There was no consistent pattern of correlation between upper quarter posture, EMG activity and cephalometric variables in any case without relation to cervical curvature and head position in frontal plane. 3. Sternocleidomastoid muscle only showed variation of electromyographic activty with changes of head postures, but all the muscles did show correlation with head postures. 4. All the cephalometric variables measured in this study showed difference of mean value by head posture, and CVT angle, pharyngeal width, occiput-atlas distance, and area of pharyngeal space showed correlation between these variables with change from NHP to FHP, and from NHP to UHP.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.131-147
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• 1993

To evaluate the contribution of head/neck posture to signs/symptoms of craniomandibular disorder(CMD), the author clinically, cephalo-metrically, analyzed craniomandibular index (CMI), clinical dysfunction index(CDI), occlusal index(OI) and head posture, cervical spine, cervicovertebral anatomy, craniofacial variables from 30 CMD patients and control. And the author analyzed difference between patients and control, and the correlation between CMI, CDI and head posture, cervical spine, cervicovertebral anatomy, craniofacial variables in CMD patients and control. The obtained results were as follows : 1. There was very high significant correlation between CMI and CDI(r=0.8969, p<0.01). 2. There was significant difference between patients and control in head/neck posture, head/neck anatomy(p<0.05). 3. There was significant correlation between CMI, CDI and head posture, cervical spine, cervicovertebral anatomy, craniofacial variables(p<0.05). 4. There was more significant correlation between DI and head/neck posture, head/neck anatomy than between PI and head/neck posture, head/neck anatomy in CMD patients(p<0.05)

• 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.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.361-376
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the head and neck postre and the cervical curvature, especially in forward head postrue(FHP). Sixty patients with craniomandibular disorders and thirty dental students without any signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disordres participated in this study as patient groups and sa control group, respectively. The author evaluated the head and neck posture of all subjects by plumb line and CROM( Cervical Ragne of Motion), and had taken cephaograph in natural head position. On the cephalograph the angle of cervical inclination formed by true horizntal plane and 4th cervical vertebra(C4) and the radius of cervical curvature from C1 to C5 were measured. A specially designed ruler was used for measuring cervical curvature. Occlusal contac number and force with T-scan system, electromygraphic activity of cervical muscles with Bio-EMG, and distance of freeway space with Bio-ECN were recorded, respectively. The collected data were processed by SAS/STAT progrm. The obtained results were as follows : 1. In subjects with longer radius which was less cervical curvature, head positioned more anteriorly than subjects with smaller radius, and they showed slightly straight cervical vertebra. 2. Between the patients and the control group, there were no differences in cervical curvature, in forward head position by plumb line and in CROM. But the patient group had a greater cervical inclination than the control group had. 3. There were positive correlation between cervical curvature and forward head position by plumbline,between forward head position y plumb line and that by CROM in patient group. The cervical inclination, however, had negative correlation with cervical curvature, and with forward head postion by plumb line, respectively. 4. In case of showing more cervical curvature and more forward head position by plumb line the head position was defined as forward head posture. In patient group, subjects without forward head posture showed greater posterior teeth contact force than subjects with forward head posture, but in control group, there were no difference between the two subjects. 5. There were higher electromyographic activity in almost all muscles and smaller freeway space in induced forward head posture than those in natural head position in subjects without forward head posture. In conclusion, head position of patients with craniomandibular disorders were not more anterior than that of normal control person, but they had tendency to head extension. From the result of this study, forward head posture could be defined as posterior rotation of upper cervical segment with a straight lower cercial segment due to loss of normal lordosis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.195-204
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of head posture change on initial occlusal contacts through measuring the distances between initial occlusal contacts and maximum intercuspal position at different head posture. Two special devices were designed and constructed. Mandibular movement replicator was used to assess reliability of the K6 diagnostic system(MKG; Myo-tronic Inc, Seatle, USA) and head posture calibrator was used to maintain the constant head posture during experiment. We measured difference of distance between initial occlusal contact and maximum intercuspal position with MKG in upright, supine, 45 degrees extension, 30 degrees flexion, 30 degrees right and left bending postion of the head. The Frankfurt horizontal plane was used as a reference plane. 21 adults aged from 23 to 25 were selected, who have normal or class I molar relationship, and have no symptoms on TMJ and masticatory muscles, and have restorations less than 3 surfaces on each tooth, and have no other prosthetic restoration. The obtained results were as follows : The mean absolute distances between initial occlusal contact and maximum intercuspal postion were 0.39(0.18mm in the upright position, 0.65(0.37mm in the supine position, 0.59(0.33mm in the 45 degree extension, 0.70(0.53mm in the 30 degrees flexion, 1.12(1.10mm in the 30 degrees right bending and 1.94(0.67mm in the 30 degrees left bending of the head. The positions of the initial occlusal contacts have a tendency to locate anterior, left and inferior to maximal intercuspal position in upright position, posterior and inferior in supine position and 45 degrees extension, anterior and inferior in 30 degrees flexion, right and inferior in 30 degrees right bending, and left and inferior in 30 degrees left bending of the head. There were significant differences among the initial occlusal contacts in each head postures(P<0.0001). Therefore, we need to check initial occlusal contacts in the altered head posture during occlusal analysis and adjustment of occlusal appliance and dental occlusion for diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorder.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 2000

This study was performed to investigate the effects of repetitive mandibular opening movement and change of head posture on the vibration of temporomandibular(TM) joint. For this study, 23 patients with internal derangement of TM joint were selected. All they had clinically noticeable TM joint sound. Observation of the joint vibration were performed in four head postures, namely, natural head posture (NHP), forward head posture(FHP), upward head posture(UHP), and downward head posture(DHP). For recording of joint sound vibration, Sonopak of Biopak system(Bioresearch Inc., Milwaukee, USA) was used, The author could take results related to integral higher than 300Hz, integral lower than 300Hz, ratio of integral higher than 300Hz to integral lower than 300Hz, total integral which was sum of higher and lower integral, peak amplitude, and peak frequency in each opening movement, which was carried out three times in each head posture. Integral means amount of vibration. The data obtained were analysed by SPSS windows program and the results of this study were as follows : 1. In NHP, total integral in right TM joint was 5O.3Hz in the first opening, 67.9Hz in the second opening, and 74.0Hz in the third opening movement, bur there was no significant increase of total integral with repetitive opening movement. This finding was similar in left TM joint. Integral lower than 300Hz were higher than integral higher than 300Hz in almost every opening movement. 2. There was no significant difference of total integral between right and left side of TM joint, but there was a tendency of higher total integral in right TM joint than that in left TM joint except for results in DHP. 3. Peak amplitude in NHP ranged from 2.0 to 4.7, and peak frequency in NHP were 101.4-170.0Hz. And there was no consistent findings related to increase or decrease of these value according to repetitive opening in each head posture. 4. Change of head posture did not result any difference in integral, peak amplitude, and peak frequency. In conclusion, change of head posture and repetitive mandibular opening movement did not make any significant effect on the vibration of temporo-mandibular joint, especially, on total integral, peak amplitude, and peak frequency.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.393-405
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the effects of changes of head posture and cervical spine shape on the mandibular resting or clenching electromyographic(EMG) activity in anterior temporalis(TA), masseter(MM), sternocleidomastoid muscle(SCM) and trapezius insertion(TI). 30 patients with Temporomandibular Disorders(TMDs) participated in this study. EMG activity($\mu$V) at rest and clenching was observed in four head postures, namely natural head posture(NHP), forward head posture(FHP), upward head posture(UHP), and downward head posture(DHP). 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, and BioEMG$^\textregistered$ (Bioelectromyograph, Bioresearch Inc., USA) was used to record EMG activity in the above four muscles at eight locations on both sides. The recorded EMG activity($\mu\textrm{V}$) were compared and analyzed by cervical spine shape such as the head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination. Head position from plum line was measured in vertical plate calibrated with cm scale, comical curvature by radius was measured with adjustable curved ruler, and cervical inclination by cervical vertebrae tangent(CVT)was measured in lateral cephalograph. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Mean value of head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination were 4.8cm, 26.7cm, and 86.6$^{\circ}$, respectively, And There were no correlationship among these items. 2. For resting EMG activity by head posture, the value in anterior temporalis was higher at FHP than at DHP, the value in masseter was higher at FHP than at NHP, and DHP, the value in sternocleidomastoid muscle was higher at UHP than at NHP, and the value in trapezius insertion was higher at FHP and DHP than, NHP and UHP. The clenching EMG activity, however, did not show any difference by head posture. 3. Comparison of resting and clenching EMG activity between higher and lower groups by head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination did not show any significant difference. From this result, the author concluded that the cervical spine shape had not significantly affected to EMG activity in usual patients with TMDs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2013

Purpose : This research was carried out to find how neck exercise program combined with self stretching and muscle strengthening program influences on smart phone addicts with forward head posture. Methods : The subjects of this study were 20 smart phone-addicts with forward head posture and we divided them into 2 groups. The experimental group(10 people) participated in neck exercise program as a intervention for 3 months and the control group(the other 10 people) didn't participate in neck exercise program. Neck exercise program were composed of self stretching and muscle strengthening program. Then we measured cervical alignment with GPS(Global Posture System) and evaluated balance ability with Balance Master ver 7.0 systems. Results : The result were as follows. 1. After the intervention, experimental group were significantly more closed to normal cervical alignment than control group. 2. After the intervention, experimental group increased in dynamic balance ability a little more than control group. Conclusion : Neck exercise program seems to get cervical alignment better and improve balance ability.