• 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.19 no.1
• /
• pp.107-117
• /
• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the myofascial release and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy to patients chronic neck pain. METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups, namely myofascial release (7 subjects) and cervical traction (7 subjects). Each group performed their therapy 45 minutes per day, two times a week, for four weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Function was measured with the neck disability index (NDI). The cervical range of motion (CROM) was measured with a cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer. RESULTS: After four weeks of therapy, the VAS (p < .05) and NDI (p < .05) significantly decreased, and ROM significantly increased in both groups (p < .05). There were also significant differences between the two groups for these three measures, except for neck flexion and neck extension(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Myofascial release and cervical traction are more effective than cervical traction alone for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing ROM in patients with chronic neck pain.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a lower trapezius strengthening exercise program on an unstable support surface on pain, neck dysfunction, psychosocial factors, and postural alignment in neck pain patients with forward head posture. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 36 neck pain patients participated in this study. Screening tests were performed and assigned to experimental group (n=18) and control group (n=18) using randomization program. Both groups performed the lower trapezius strengthening exercise program. In addition, in the experimental group, an exercise program for lower trapezius muscle strengthening was performed on an unstable support surface. All interventions were performed 3 times a week, for a total of 5 weeks. quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS), neck disability index (NDI), short form (SF)-12, and postural alignment were measured before and after the intervention to compare their effectiveness. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in QVAS, NDI, SF-12, and postural alignment before and after intervention (p<0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed significant differences in NDI and postural alignment compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The lower trapezius strengthening exercise program on unstable support surfaces is an effective intervention method with clinical significance in improving neck disability and postural alignment in patients with neck pain with forward head posture.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.137-146
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercise on pain, cervical range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI) in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: Following baseline measurements, the subjects (n = 30) with chronic neck pain were randomized into two groups: the PNF group (n = 15) that received PNF strength training of the lower trapezius muscles or a control group (n = 15) that received gentle palpation of the skin. Each group participated in the intervention for 30 min, three times per week for six weeks. The visual analogue scale for pain, ROM, and NDI of both groups were recorded at both pre- and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes in the post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, and independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the six-week intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased pain and NDI (p < 0.05) and significantly increased cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM (p < 0.05). The PNF group that received PNF strength exercise of the lower trapezius muscles showed greater improvements in pain and NDI and cervical rotation of ROM than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the PNF lower trapezius strengthening exercise reduces neck pain and disability level and enhances cervical ROM in patients with chronic neck pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.121-132
• /
• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of type of exercise on neck disability, pain, and postural changes in subjects with forward head posture. METHODS: Two independent researchers conducted a search using KISS, RISS, DBpia (domestic), PubMed, OVID, and Science Direct (overseas) databases. We selected randomized controlled clinical trials by searching using the terms "forward head posture", "exercise therapy", and "therapeutic exercise". Studies published from 2007 to December 2017 were included. PEDro Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies, and meta-analysis was conducted using the CMA program. This review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42018068633). RESULTS: Of the total 13768 studies searched, 17 were selected. Positive effects on neck disability were achieved with the base and biomechanical elements (ES=1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] .49 to 2.75) as well as base, modulator, and biomechanical elements (ES=1.50, 95% [CI] .69 to 2.30). Neck pain improved with the base, modulator, and biomechanical elements (ES=1.96, 95% [CI] 1.08 to 2.82), while postural changes improved with biomechanical elements (ES=1.45, 95% [CI] .64 to 2.25). Additionally, type of exercise had a positive effect. CONCLUSION: The most effective exercises for neck disability are of the base and biomechanical elements, while the most effective types for neck pain are of the base, modulator, and biomechanical elements and the most effective exercise for posture is of biomechanical elements. Combined exercises targeting biomechanical elements were effective at treating disability, pain, and postural changes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of pain and function according to the high and low manual passive coping strategies after whiplash injury. METHODS: The study was tested with 30 patients with neck pain. Coping was measured at after 10 days using the Pain Management Inventory. Group was divided into high passive(experimental) and low passive(control) group. All patients were equally treated with the ordinary therapy. Patients attended physical therapy for 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Pain Disability Index (PDI), neck disability index (NDI), were recorded both before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Each coping strategy group were evaluated after 6 weeks. VAS has been significantly reduced in both groups (p <.05). PDI and NDI was significantly decreased after the experiment before. In the experimental group (p <.001), the control group showed no significant difference. In the comparison between groups VAS was significantly reduced compared with the control group (p <.05), PDI and NDI was significantly reduced compared with the control group (p <.001). CONCLUSION: Low passive coping strategy predicts neck pain and disability recovery. It may be beneficial to assess and improve coping strategy early in whiplash injury.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.51-60
• /
• 2012

This study aimed to determine the usefulness of classifying patients with neck pain on the basis of the results of passive scapular elevation test. We classified 21 patients with neck pain into positive (n=12) and negative (n=9) groups on the basis of passive scapular elevation test; the 2 groups then equally performed scapular stabilization exercise program for 30 min, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), and range of motion (ROM) were recorded both before and after the intervention for both groups. Paired t-test was used to determine that there were significant changes between before and after the intervention, and independent t-test was used for analyzing changes between two groups of dependent variables. After 4 weeks of training, we observed significant decrease in pain and disability (p<.05) and a significant increase in rotation, flexion, extension, and side-bending ROM (p<.05) in both groups. Further, between pre- and post-intervention evaluations, we observed a significant decrease in pain and disability and a significant increase in rotation and flexion ROM in the positive group than in the negative group (p<.05). These results indicate that passive scapular elevation test may be used to identify mechanical disorders of the cervicoscapular muscle in patients with neck pain. Therefore, we recommend the use of passive scapular elevation test to determine appropriate treatment intervention when treating patients with neck pain.

• Korean Security Journal
• /
• no.25
• /
• pp.89-107
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using cervical spinal stabilization exercise for the improvement of pain intensity, cervical range of motion, neck disability index, reposition sense, muscle tenderness with chronic neck pain in private security. For 21 patients diagnosed with chronic cervical pain and divided into cervical spinal stabilization exercise group and postural correction exercise group. Each exercise was conducted for 8 weeks. Pain and neck disability index were measured before and after exercise using the visual analogue scale(VAS) and the neck disability index(NDI). Range of motion were measured electronic goniometer, muscle tenderness of upper trapezius ad sternocleidomatoid were measured algometer, reposition sense were measured reposition panel before and after exercise. After 8 weeks of exercise, the cervical stabilization exercise group pain and neck disability were significantly decreased(p<0.05). Also there was significant difference in both group(p<0.05). In addition, range of motion, muscle tenderness reduce rate, reposition sense were significantly increase as compared to the pre-post exercise in cervical stabilization exercise group(p<0.05). But there was no significantly difference in postural correction group before and after exercise(p>0.05). And there was significantly increase more cervical stabilization exercise group than postural correction exercise group in range of motion, muscle tenderness reduce, reposition sense. In summary, cervical spinal stabilization exercise is more effective in improving cervical range of motion, muscle pain, reposition sense in private security on chronic cervical pain patients, in reducing patients' pain and disability. It is an effective treatment to aid rehabilitation in these cases.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.77-97
• /
• 2007

Objectives : The aim of this study is to introduce pain measurement tools that are considered suitable for clinical practice and research for Korean Medicine Doctors. Methods : We analysed some widely used and also useful pain measurement tools in terms of their methods and dimensions. Results : Diagrams, scales and questions are usually used to measure pain intensity, temporal pattern, treatment including exacerbating and/or relieving factors, pain location, pain interference, pain quality, pain affect, pain duration, pain beliefs and pain history. Specific pain measurements are also available for specific conditions such as Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Oswestry Disability Index and Neck Disability Index. Conclusions : Faces Pain Rating Scale, numeric rating scale, visual analogue scale, McGill Pain Questionnaire and Brief Pain Inventory and commonly used pain measurements. Specific measurements should be considered depending on research topics.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.217-227
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises on the neck disability index and deep neck flexor endurance of acute whiplash injury patients and to provide basic data for PNF exercises for musculoskeletal system disorder patients. Methods: Twenty acute whiplash injury patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=10) and were treated with PNF exercises whereas a control group (n=10) underwent general exercises. Each session lasted 15 minutes and was performed five times a week for two weeks. The degree of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the degree of neck disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI). Craniocervical flexor endurance (CCFE) tests were conducted to measure deep neck flexor endurance. Results: In terms of the intragroup changes in VAS, NDI, and CCFE, there were significant decreases in both the experimental and the control groups. After intervention, there were significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in terms of intergroup changes in VAS, NDI and CCFE. Conclusion: Although the exercises that are generally applied to acute whiplash injury patients are effective on the whole, PNF exercises are considered to be beneficial, given the improvements in the neck disability index and deep neck flexor endurance.