• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.601-608
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of distance between trunk and desk on forward head posture and muscle activity of neck and shoulder muscles during computer work. METHODS: Twenty subjects who have healthy conditions were asked to perform computer work in two conditions (distance between trunk and desk was 0 and 15 cm). Forward head angle was analyzed with a SIMI motion analysis system. Surface electromyography recorded the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles. The significance of differences in distance between trunk and desk (0cm and 15cm) was tested by paired t-test. The alpha level was set at .05. RESULTS: The results showed that the change of forward head angle was significantly higher during the computer work when the distance between trunk and desk was 15cm than 0cm. The muscle activity of upper trapezius and splenius capitis was also significantly higher during the computer work when the distance between trunk and desk was 15cm than 0cm. CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that the distance between trunk and desk was should minimized for prevention of forward head posture during computer work.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.326-334
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• 2011

The aim of the study was to investigate the thickness of deep neck muscles during neck endurance tests using ultrasonography images to assess muscle sizes in persons with or without neck pain experience. Sixty-five university students volunteered for the study. The thicknesses of longus colli, longus capitis, semispinalis and cervical multifidus were assessed bilaterally using diagnostic ultrasound equipment during each endurance test. Participants were divided into two groups based on their Neck Pain(NP) experience; 45 subjects of those had no experience of NP (Group1) whereas 20 subjects of those reported NP experience sometime in their lives (Group2). Endurance time of both neck flexion and extension tests in Group1 showed significantly longer than Group's (p<0.01). The thicknesses of deep neck flexors and extensors were observed smallest at the terminal of endurance tests in general. Only left longus colli was found to be significantly smaller at rest in subjects of Group2 than Group 1's (P=0.02). The size difference between at contraction and the terminal of right longus capitis was observed bigger in subjects of group1 than subjects in group2. Future studies are needed to conduct with clinical subjects to assess contraction patterns of neck muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 1994

The purpose of this study were to identify the correlation of shoulder pain to Cervical Pathology and effectiveness of Cervical treatment on the neck and shoulder. Sixty patients complaining of shoulder pain only without neck pain were evaluated by physical examination. Cervical X- rays and electrodiagnostic Study. The results were as follows: 1) Forty nine Cases were abnormal in plain Cervical spine X-ray with straightening of Cervical lordotic curve in 41 cases, Cervical spondybsis 16 cases and disc space narrowing in 4 cases. 2) Cervical radiculopathies were diagnosed 52 cases which showed abnormal spontaneous activities in needle. EMG : 26 cases in paraspinal muscles and 26 cases in both paraspinal and upper extremity muscles. 3) The results of treatment were excellent in 6 cases, good in 6 cases and fair in 32 cases. 4) Treatment side were effective with shoulder and conical in 36 cases.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2003

In this study we examined connections between vertebral motion and patterns of muscle activation during voluntary head tracking movements. A Rhesus (Maraca mulatta) monkey was trained to produce sinusoidal tracking movements of the head in the sagittal plane while seated. Radio-opaque markers were placed in the cervical vertebrae, and intramuscular patch electrodes were implanted to record from eight neck muscles. Videofluoroscopic images of cervical vertebral motion, and EMG (electromyographic) responses were simultaneously re-corded. Experimental results demonstrated that head and vertebrae moved synchronously and that motion occurred primarily at skull-C$_1$, C$\_$6/-C$\_$7/ and Csub 7/-C$_1$. Our findings illustrate that although the biomechanical constraints of each species may limit the number of solutions available, it is the task requirements that appear to govern CNS (central nervous system) selection of movement behaviors.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.147-157
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• 2010

Objectives : The study is performed to investigate the influence of psychological stress on neck muscles tone and heart rate variability(HRV). Methods : This study was carried out with the data from stress response index score(SRI), surface electromyography(sEMG) and HRV. First subjects were divided into two group according to the SRI points. Subjects in group A had points of SRI in which lower than 30 points. Subjects in group B had points of SRI in which higher than 30 points. Then we investigated how to difference of the index of sEMG and HRV according to each groups. Results : In this study, the muscle contraction of both upper trapezius muscle in stress group were higher than non-stress group significantly. Complexity, root mean square of successive differences of R-R intervals(RMSSD), standard deviation difference between adjacent normal to normal intervals(SDSD), high frequency oscillation power(Ln(HF)), normalized HF(Norm HF) in stress group were lower than non-stress group significantly and normalized LF(Norm LF) was higher. Conclusions : This results show that the stress was associated with neck muscle condition and autonomic nervous system.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2024

Background: This study examined the effects of the muscle energy technique and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy to patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Twenty-six patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (n=13) and the control group (n=13). The two groups performed the muscle energy technique and for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, in 70-minute sessions. Pain, range of motion, function, and muscle performance were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer, neck disability index (NDI), and stabilizer pressure biofeedback, before and after training. Results: After four weeks of therapy, the VAS (p<.001), NDI (p<.01), and the maximum strength of the deep neck flexion muscles significantly decreased (p<.01) and CROM significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The muscle energy technique and therapeutic modalities such as cervical traction are effective in reducing VAS and NDI and increasing CROM and muscle performance in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.100-110
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• 1992

For an effective acupuncture treatment, the location of muscles around Sutaeumkyongkun and Suyangmyongkyongkun were researched and they were made contracted. The conclusion is as follows; 1. The contraction of muscles around Sutaeumkyongkun gives appearance of the postures ; free movement of thumb, abduction of extension of wrist, flexion and pronation of elbow, depression and abduction of girdle of superior limb, flexion, internal rotation and horizontal flexion of shoulder joint These postures all together consequently produces the action 'holding something in arms'. 2. The contraction of muscles around Suyangmyongkyongkun gives appearance of the postures; extension of metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint of index finger extension and abduction of thumb, extension of wrist, extension and supination of elbow, adduction, elevation and upward rotation of girdle of superior limb, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation, horizontal extension of shoulder joint, flexion and opposite rotation of neck. These postures all together consequently produces the action 'raising arms'.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2016

Background: The unilateral prone arm lift (UPAL) is commonly used to exercise the lower trapezius muscle. However, overactivation of the upper trapezius can induce pain during UPAL exercises in subjects with upper trapezius tenderness. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of position of ipsilateral neck rotation (INR) on the inhibition of upper trapezius muscle activity and the facilitation of the lower trapezius muscle when performing UPAL exercises. Methods: In total, 19 subjects with upper trapezius tenderness were recruited for the study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles during UPAL with and without INR position. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare EMG activity in the trapezius muscles and the muscle ratios. Results: EMG activity in the upper trapezius muscles was decreased significantly in the INR condition compared to without the position with INR during UPAL exercises (p<.05). EMG activity in the middle and lower trapezius was not significantly different between the with and without INR conditions (p>.05). However, the ratio of lower to upper trapezius activation showed a significant increase in the INR condition compared to the without INR condition (p<.05), indicating greater lower trapezius activation relative to the upper trapezius in the INR position than in the without INR position. Conclusions: The EMG results obtained in this study suggest that the position with INR reduced overactivation in the upper trapezius and improved muscle imbalance during lower trapezius exercises in individuals with upper trapezius tenderness.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.57-67
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• 2006

Musculoskeletal neck dysfunction syndromes are common in outpatient musculoskeletal pain practice. The underlying musculoskeletal and neurologic causes of pain are variable. In the management of these patients, it is important to accurately identify and treat these pain generators to optimize patient outcome. It is the purpose of this review to discuss three main categories of functional anatomy, the role of superficial/deep muscular system and the scientific evidence for optimal physical therapy intervention for cervical dysfunction. Specifically there is evidence of lowered microcirculation in the upper trapezius muscle, morphological signs of disturbed mitochondrial function which appears to be limited to type I fibers and an increased cross-sectional area of type I muscle fibers despite a lower capillary to fiber area ratio. In acute neck pain syndrome, changes in muscle activity of painful muscles may result from segmental and supraspinal inhibitory effects. Muscle activation is closely related to the control of joint movements and postures and it is difficult to separate the influence of the two components. Both the altered muscle recruitment patterns and altered kinematics appear to be a poor adaptation for pain of the head - neck region, as they are likely to result in increased compressive loading in the cervical spine, affecting muscles, articular structures such as zygapophyseal joints, connective tissues and neural tissues which are all peripheral generators of referred pain. The rectus capitus posterior minor muscle shows that it is one of the most important muscles of the suboccipital region. In this article, i reviewed the anatomy, neurophysiology, function and dysfunction as well as the treatment of cervical dysfunction.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2017

Objective: This study tried to examine the muscle activity of the neck and trunk according to head posture changes during use of laptops. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included nineteen young men and women. All subjects maintained each posture while practice typing on laptops for ten minutes with a 5-minute break between each posture. For the neutral head posture, the subjects practiced typing while pulling their chins down towards the Adam's apple and were able to look at their knees while having their external auditory meatus, acromion, and greater trochanter vertical to the ground. For the natural head posture, they practiced typing while balancing their posture between extension and flexion of the cervical vertebrae by themselves without any guidelines. While a forward head posture was created by having their heads face the front horizontal to the rope hanging from the ceiling, they practiced typing with their external auditory meatus located in the place which was 5 cm in front of the vertical plane. The subjects used general word process but practiced typing with accuracy and high speed. Muscle activities were randomly measured using surface electromyography according to each postures. Results: The research result had found that muscle activity with the natural head posture was more significantly reduced than that of the forward head posture in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, upper trapezius, cervical vertebral spinae, and thoracic vertebrae spinae muscles (p<0.05) and that the neutral head posture was more significantly reduced than that of forward head posture in the upper trapezius, cervical vertebral spinae, and thoracic vertebrae spinae muscle activity (p<0.05) with significant increases in lumbar spinae muscle activity (p<0.05). Also, muscle activity with the neutral head posture significantly increased more in the sternocleidomastoid muscle and lumbar spinae than that of the natural posture (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our study results suggest that in order to prevent musculoskeletal pain, the neutral head posture with use of laptops is effective in reducing load to the shoulders and vitalizing the postural muscles.