• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.178-184
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• 2016

Objective: Tension-type headache is caused by hormones, foods, irritants, stress, obesity, fatigue, and neck and head trigger points-prolonged abnormal posture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of relaxation approach on head posture, static postural stability, and headache in persons with tension-type headache. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-five persons with tension-type headache participated in this study. This study was a pretest-posttest with a control group design for a duration of 4 weeks (60 min/3 times/1 wk). The participants were randomly allocated to the relaxation approach group (n=18) and the control group with conventional rehabilitation including thermotherapy and transcutaneous electrical stimulation for the same period (n=17). Outcome measures involved forward head posture (FHP), foot pressure, neck disability index (NDI), and six-item headache impact test (HIT-6). Results: Relaxation approach and control groups improved significantly in the amount of forward head posture, neck disability index, and six-item headache impact test scores after training (p<0.05). The control group was found to be significantly different in the amount of FHP, backward foot pressure, NDI, and HIT-6 after training compared to before training (p<0.05). The relaxation approach group significantly improved in forward head posture, neck disability index, and six-item headache impact test compared with control group after training (p<0.05). Neck disability index and six-item headache impact test significantly improved after training compared with before training in the control group (p<0.05). However, the foot pressure was not significantly different between relaxation approach and control groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that treatment with relaxation approach combined with self-exercise would be effective in reducing the amount of forward head posture, neck disability and headache impacts.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2021

Purpose : It is necessary to demonstrate the effect of non-invasive and non-pharmacological interventions such as manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for the management of nonspecific neck pain. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of myofascial release therapy plus therapeutic exercise for disability owing to neck pain and quality of life in individuals with nonspecific neck pain. Methods : Eighteen participants with nonspecific neck pain were randomly allocated to intervention (n=9) and control groups (n=9). The intervention group received a myofascial release therapy for 20 min and performed neck stabilization exercises for 30 min twice a week for 4 weeks. The control group performed neck stabilization exercises for 30 min twice a week for 4 weeks at the same time points as the intervention group. Disability owing to neck pain and quality of life were quantified using the neck disability index (NDI) and the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. NDI and WHOQOL-BREF were assessed before and after intervention. Results : The disability owing to neck pain significantly changed between the groups over time (total score of NDI, p=.049). There were significant time and group interactions in pain (pain intensity of NDI, p=.035) and concentration (concentration of NDI, p=.049). Personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, work, driving, sleeping, and recreation did not show significant improvement between the groups over time. Total score, overall quality of life and general health, physical health domain, psychological domain, social relationships domain, and environmental domain quantified by WHOQOL-BREF did not show significant improvements between the groups over time. Conclusion : These results suggest the clinical use of myofascial release therapy in addition to therapeutic exercise for the management of nonspecific neck pain. Further studies are needed to generalize the findings of this study.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.53-60
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• 2010

Purpose : Neck pain is commonly experienced by both adolescents and adults. The purpose of this study was to measure neck disability index(NDI) and the cervical range of motion(CROM) following spinal manipulation and mobilization techniques. Methods : Thirty participants(manipulation=15, mobilization=15) with mild neck disability volunteered for this study. It was used to measure NDI with NDI questionnaire and six motions(neck flexion and extension, left and right lateral flexion, left and right rotation) with the CROM instrument. Independent t-test and paired t-test were used to estimate NDI and CROM, and compared left with right motions. Results : A significant decrease in NDI were found after spinal manipulation and mobilization treatment(p<.05). A trend toward increase in all cervical motions(flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion, left and right rotation), after interventions, were revealed(p<.05). The significant differences were not found on NDI and CROM between the group(p<.05). It was presented asymmetric motions in cervical lateral flexion(p<.05) before and after treatment. Conclusions : Our results suggest that manipulation and mobilization probably provide at least short-term benefits for patients with mild neck pain. It is needed to be studied the factors and preventive methods influencing the asymmetric cervical motion.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.4812-4818
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• 2010

Neck pain was commonly experienced by both adolescents and adults. The neck disability index(NDI) was the most commonly used self-report measure for evaluating status in neck pain. The objective of this study is to research the prevalence of the NDI in their 20's of college students in department of physical therapy. The data were collected from the NDI questionnaire of college students(males: 229, females: 405) for functional disability measures. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 12.0 program, which was used for descriptive statistics, independent samples test and Pearson correlation analysis. The results were : First, 'headache' item was showed 'the highest prevalence' in second choice demonstrating the neck disability and 'pain intensity' in third choice. Second, female(46.4%) was higher distribution than male(36.3%) on score, percentage and grade of NDI(p<0.05). Third, the NDI grade was investigated that it is composed of 'no disability(63.8%)', 'mild disability(35.4%)', and 'moderate disability(0.9%)' in male and 'no disability(53.6%)', 'mild disability(44.7%)', 'moderate disability(1.5%)' and 'severe disability(0.2%)' in female. Fourth, there was a statically significant relationship between NDI grade and NDI items(p<0.05). These results have specific meaning as future clinical and epidemiological studies. Also, it is needed to education and preparation on prevention and management of neck disability among college students.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction in patients with neck pain. Patients with neck pain also experience muscle weakness and limitation of activities of daily living. Craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction may increase the thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscles, thereby reducing pain and limitations on activities of daily living. METHODS: Twenty-six volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=13) and a control group (n=13). Both groups performed craniocervical flexion exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit; the experimental group performed craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included ultrasonography for measurement of muscle thickness and the Neck Disability Index for the level of pain and function. RESULTS: The rate of change in muscle thickness in both groups significantly increased (p<.05), with a significantly greater increase in the experimental group than in the control group (p<.05). The Neck Disability Index score significantly improved (p<.05) in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction can be effective in increasing muscle thickness and improving the Neck Disability Index score in patients with neck pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.43-50
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• 2020

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between sleep quality, neck and shoulder pain, neck and shoulder disability, headache, and smartphone addiction in adults, as well as factors affecting sleep disorders in adults. METHODS: A total of 112 adults in their 20s were recruited for participation in this study. This study measured Pearson's correlation of sleep quality, neck and shoulder pain, neck and shoulder disability, headache and smartphone addiction. Logistic regression analysis (sleep disorder, without sleep disorder adults), was performed to analyze factors affecting sleep disorders. RESULTS: Sleep quality index was positively correlated with shoulder pain and disability index(SPADI)-pain score, SPADI-global score and smartphone addiction score. There was a significant difference in SPADI-pain score between the group with sleep disorders and the group without sleep disorders. Shoulder pain and disability were identified as factors affecting sleep disorders. The group with sleep disorders showed 1.088 times more shoulder pain than the group without sleep disorders, and the group with sleep disorders showed 1.006 times higher frequency of shoulder disorders than the group without sleep disorders. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that as sleep quality worsens, shoulder pain, disability, and smartphone addiction get worse. The group with sleep disorders had significantly increased shoulder pain compared to the group without sleep disorders. We also found that shoulder pain and disability were factors affecting sleep quality. Comparison between intervention method is warranted to better understand adults with sleep disorders.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.226-230
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• 2016

Objectives : The objective of this study is to report a effectiveness of korean medical treatment based on Meridian Tendino-musculature Acupuncture to patient with cervical dystonia. Methods : In this study, we conducted treatment based on Meridian Tendino-musculature Acupuncture to patients. And we also carried out treatments like herb medicine and cupping therapy etc. Tsui's score, Neck Disability Index(NDI), Visual analogue scale(VAS) and angle of C-spine were measured once a month to evaluate the severeness of symptom. Results : After 24 sessions of treatment, there were improvements on Tsui's score, Neck Disability Index(NDI), Visual analogue scale(VAS) and angle of C-spine. Conclusions : Korean medical treatment based on Meridian Tendino-musculature Acupuncture may be effective for relieving symptoms of cervical dystonia.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck patterns in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) for neck movement and the neck disability index (NDI) among adults with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were randomly assigned into two groups. Subjects in the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) received 20 minutes of PNF neck pattern (flexion-Rt. lateral flexion-Rt. rotation followed by extension-Lt. lateral flexion-Lt. rotation) 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured using absolute rotation angle (ARA), anterior weight bearing (AWB), range of flexion and extension motions (RFEM), and neck disability index (NDI) methods before and after the 4-week intervention period. Results: There were significant effects for the PNFG, pre- and post-intervention, in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI. There were significant differences in ARA, AWB, RFEM, and NDI compared with CG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the PNF neck pattern could be beneficial for adults with forward head posture.Purpose: This study investigates how abdominal muscular exercise based on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) can affect chronic low back pain patients in terms of their pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability indexes. Methods: Fourteen target subjects with chronic low back were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 7) that performed abdominal muscle exercises and the experimental group (n = 7) that performed PNF abdominal muscular exercises. The exercises were performed five times a week for six weeks. To check the change in pulmonary function, the forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and visible analogue scale (VAS) were measured to check the pain level. The disability level caused by back pain was measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). A paired t-test was applied to compare the differences between the groups before and after the intervention, and an independent t-test was used to compare the differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set as ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Before and after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant change in FEV1 (p < 0.01), and both the experimental and the control groups showed significant changes in VAS and ODI (p < 0.01). A comparison of the differences between the groups indicated that the experimental group showed more significant changes in FEV1 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the study results, PNF abdominal muscular exercise effectively improved pulmonary function, pain, and functional disability indexes in subjects with chronic back pain. The proposed program can be applied to chronic back pain patients as a useful therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study is for the effects of upper trapezius (UT) inhibition on round shoulder posture (RSP) index, pectoralis minor index (PMI), UT activity and neck disability index (NDI) in adults with RSP. Methods: 30 male and female participants with RSP were included in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). the EG received UT inhibition 3 days a week for 5 weeks those in the CG did not receive UT inhibition. Results: RSP index, PMI, UT activity and NDI were measured again, There was a significant difference within the EG at pre- result and post-results. Conclusion: These results suggest that UT inhibition with an RSP program was effective in decreasing the RSP index, UT activity, and NDI in adults with RSP.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.4331-4337
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• 2010

This study was to investigate the effectiveness of deep neck flexor exercise with using modalities in pain reduction and functional improvement to those who have chronic neck pain. The subjects were instructed the patients with chronic neck pain (37 people). Randomized study design of two groups was used: Only using modalities group and deep neck flexor exercise group with using modalities, and each group was taken by three times per week for 12 weeks. To evaluate the effects of therapies was to research the questionnaire about VAS(visual analog scale), NDI(neck disability index), and endurance of deep neck flexor before experiment, after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks. In visual analog scale(VAS) and neck disability index(NDI), there were significant decreased in using modalities group and deep neck flexor exercise group after 6 weeks more than before experiments but were only significant decrease in deep neck flexor exercise group after 12 weeks. The endurance of deep neck flexor was significantly increased in deep neck flexor exercise group after 6 weeks and 12 weeks more than before experiments. Thorough these results deep neck flexor exercise has the effectiveness to the therapies of chronic neck pain. Using the deep neck flexor exercise would be high effects on pain reduction and functional improvement and also considered in improving the living qualities of those who have chronic neck pain.