• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of exercise on the neck muscles activities between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise in the forward head posture subjects. Method : After measuring cervical alignment using the Global Posture System, 20 volunteers with forward head posture posture were selected and divided into two groups. The experimental group A(n=15) and Experimental group B(n=15) participated in respectively and McKenzie neck stretching exercise, three times per week for 4 weeks. The scapular stabilization exercise program was comprised middle and lower trapezius strength exercises and the stretching exercise program was comprised levator scapulae and upper trapezius stretching exercise. The activities of the muscles of the posterior neck was then measured using electromyography. Result : After the intervention, there was significant difference of a electromyography activity changes between the pre-test and post-test in the experimental group. Conclusion : This study showed that both scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises are more effective for reducing neck muscles activities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.265-270
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of neck stabilization exercises with vibratory stimulation on the neck disability index and thickness of the deep neck flexor. Methods: Thirty subjects (control group=15, experimental group=15) with mild neck pain were enrolled in the study. The control group underwent craniocervical flexion exercise (control group, CG) and the experimental group was given craniocervical flexion exercise with vibratory stimulus (experimental group, EG) (3 sets, 3 times per week for 6 weeks). To examine the effects of exercise, the subjects were evaluated using the neck disability index (NDI), the thickness of the deep neck flexor muscle, and muscle strength. An independent and paired t-test were used to compare the effects of the exercise between the groups. Results: The NDI score of the two groups increased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment (p<0.001) and there was a significant difference between the EG group at 3 weeks (p<0.05) and 6 weeks (p<0.01). The thickness of the deep neck flexor in the CG group increased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment in all pressure stages (p<0.001). The EG group showed a significant increase after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment in all pressure stage (p<0.001), and 22 mmHg, a significant difference between 3 and 6 weeks (p<0.05) and among 24, 28, and 30 mmHg at 6 weeks (p<0.05). The maximum muscle strength of the deep neck flexion muscles increased significantly in the two groups after 6 weeks of treatment (p<0.001) and there was significant difference between the EG group at 6 weeks (p<0.01). Conclusion: Craniocervical flexion exercise with vibratory stimulus decreases the NDI, and increases the thickness of the deep neck flexor and maximum muscle strength of the deep neck flexion muscles in patients with mild neck pain.

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

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.18-26
• /
• 2021

Previous studies have reported that deep neck flexor (DNF) exercise can improve neck problems, including neck pain, forward head posture, and headache, by targeting the deep and superficial muscles of the neck. Despite the prevailing opinion across studies, the benefits of DNF can vary according to the type of neck problems and the outcome measures adopted, ranging from positive outcomes to non-significant benefits. A meta-analysis was conducted in this study to assess conclusive evidence of the impact of DNF exercise on individuals with neck problems. We used PUBMED, MEDLINE, NDSL, EMBASE, and Web of Science to search for primary studies and the key terms used in these searches were "forward head posture (FHP)," "biofeedback," "pressure biofeedback unit," "stabilizer," "headache," and "neck pain." Twenty-four eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis and were coded according to the type of neck problems and outcome measures described, such as pain, endurance, involvement of neck muscle, craniovertebral angle (CVA), neck disability index (NDI), cervical range of motion (CROM), radiographs of the neck, posture, strength, endurance, and headache disability index. The overall effect size of the DNF exercise was 0.489. The effect sizes of the neck problems were 0.556 (neck pain), -1.278 (FHP), 0.176 (headache), and 1.850 (mix). The effect sizes of outcome measures were 1.045 (pain), 0.966 (endurance), 0.894 (deep neck flexor), 0.608 (superficial neck flexor), 0.487 (CVA), 0.409 (NDI), and 0.252 (CROM). According to the results of this study, DNF exercise can effectively reduce neck pain. Thus, DNF exercise is highly recommend as an effective exercise method for individuals suffering from neck pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.19-29
• /
• 2015

Impaired respiratory function is common in patients with stroke. The purpose of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of exercises and to assess forced vital capacity and peak cough flow after completion of neck stabilizing and respiratory reeducation exercises (combining diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing exercises). The 45 participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group 1 ($n_1=15$), experimental group 2 ($n_2=15$), and a control group ($n_3=15$). All subjects performed conservative physical therapy for 30 minutes. Experimental group 1 undertook the neck stabilizing exercise and the respiratory reeducation exercise. Experimental group 2 undertook the respiratory reeducation exercise. Additional exercise did not exceed 30 minutes, five times a week for six weeks. The subjects were assessed for deep neck flexor thickness and breathing function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and manual assisted peak cough flow) at pre-post value. The results of this study were as follows. Experimental group 1 showed a significant increase only in deep neck flexor thickness change rate (p<.05). All groups showed significant increases in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, and peak expiratory flow in pre-post measurement (p<.05). Experimental groups 1 and 2 showed an increase in manual assisted peak cough flow in pre-post measurement (p<.05). There was no significant difference between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2, but experimental group 1 improved more than experimental group 2 in respiratory function as a whole. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the neck stabilizing exercise in combination with the respiratory reeducation exercise can improve forced vital capacity and peak cough flow in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cervical extension-traction exercise on cervical alignment, pain, and neck disability in patients with mild turtle syndrome. Methods: Thirty two outpatients with mild turtle neck syndrome were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. Participants in the experimental group was applied cervical extension-traction exercise (CETE, n=16) and in the control group applied cervical stabilization exercise (CSE, n=16) for three times a week for 4 weeks. Results: Cobb angle and Jochumsen depth were CETE showed significant difference within the group post test (p<.05). And the CETE was significantly higher than the CSE. In the pressure pain threshold, both CETE and CSE showed significant differences within post test (p<.05). And the CETE was significantly higher than the CSE. Neck disability index were significant (p<.05) in the CETE post test. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Our results of this study showed that applying cervical extension-traction exercise to patients with mild turtle syndrome improved cervical alignment, pain and neck dysfunction.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.221-226
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of neck and trunk stabilization exercise on static and dynamic balance in older adults. Methods: A total of 30 older adults participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to the neck and trunk stabilization exercise group (NTSG) (n=15) or the trunk stabilization exercise group (TSG) (n=15). The NTSG performed a trunk stabilization exercise added to a neck stabilization exercise that included biofeedback. Both groups received training for 30 minutes per day three times per week for eight weeks. The anterior, posterior limit of stability and sway length was used to measure static balance ability, while the timed up and go (TUG) test was used to measure dynamic balance ability. Results: Participants showed significant differences in sway length, anterior limit of stability, posterior limit of stability, and the results of the TUG test between their pre- and post mediation evaluations (p<0.05). The NTSG showed a more significant increase than the TSG (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, both exercises effectively improved static and dynamic balance ability. However, the neck and trunk stabilization exercise is more efficient for increasing the balance ability of older adults.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.193-201
• /
• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of pelvic exercise on the CVA and spinal curve in adults with forward head posture compared to the group using only neck exercise when pelvic exercise was performed in parallel with conventional neck exercise. Methods : GPS 400 and Formetric were used to identify craniovertebral angle (CVA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic torsion and were measured by an experienced research manager. Forward head posture (FHP) was selected for people whose angle between the line connecting the ear ball and the seventh cervical spine and the horizontal line is 50 degrees or less. The 30 selected students were randomly divided into 15 experimental groups and 15 control groups. Mackenzie exercise and sling exercise were performed for neck exercise in both the experimental group and the control group, and pelvic exercise using a Swiss ball was additionally performed in the experimental group. All data collected in this study were analyzed using SPSS statistics 21.0. Cervical vetebral angle (CVA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic torsion were compared at 0 weeks, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks for each measurement factor using ANOVA with repeated measures. For the statistical significance test, the significance level of α was set to .05. Results : The changes of pelvic torsion, thoracic kyphosis and CVA due to pelvic exercise using Swiss Ball and neck exercise were changed over time, but lumbar lordosis were not changed. And there were no significant differences among the groups. Conclusion : In conclusion, the pelvic correction exercise is considered to be an effective exercise for correcting the FHP and requires regular pelvic correction exercises. We expect the results to be used in clinical trials.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2018

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion exercise and the Shaker exercises on the activity of the suprahyoid muscles in chronic stroke patients with dysphagia and to show what exercise methods are effective for swallowing rehabilitation. METHODS: This study was conducted at F hospital in Daegu from August 2014 to February 2017 with 60 participants who understood the purpose of the study and desired to participate. The 60 participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (PNF neck flexion exercise) (n=30) and a control group (Shaker exercise) (n=30). PNF neck flexion exercise was performed in the experimental group and the Shaker exercise was performed in the control group for 30 minutes, 5 times a week for 6 weeks. The activity of the suprahyoid muscles was measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: Both the experimental group and the control group showed a statistically significant change in the activity of the suprahyoid muscles before and after the treatment. The changes were also statistically significant when compared by group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, PNF neck flexion exercise should be used in addition to Shaker exercise when rehabilitating a patient with a swallowing disability.