• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Background: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is associated with weakness in the deep neck flexor muscles, a shortening of the neck extensors, and a reduction in endurance. In addition, muscle imbalance can lead to neck pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction. This study compared neck extensor muscle fatigue, muscle strength, and muscle endurance time between patients with CNP and healthy adults during isometric neck extension. Methods: Thirty participants (15 patients with CNP and 15 healthy adults) were recruited in this research. The outcome measures included splenius capitis (SC) muscle fatigue, isometric neck extensor strength, and muscle endurance. The independent T-test was used to compare the continuous dependent variables between the CNP group and the healthy group. Results: The independent T-test indicated that muscle fatigue in the left SC differed significantly between the CNP group and the healthy group. A significant difference was also noted in the isometric neck extensor and neck extensor strength between the groups. Conclusion: Our results provided promising clinical evidence that patients with CLP have reduced neck extensor strength and endurance and increased SC muscle fatigue, which results in neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.325-328
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the directions of neck rotation position on the muscle activity and strength of the elbow flexor and extensor muscle. Methods: Forty-one healthy adults participated in this study. The subjects were asked to their elbow 90° flexion in three different neck rotations (neutral, ipsilateral, and contralateral) in the sitting position. The muscle activities of the biceps and triceps brachii muscle were measured using surface electromyography. And the muscle strength of the elbow flexor was measured using dynamometer. One way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the muscle activity and strength of the elbow flexor and extensor depending on the different neck turning directions. Results: There were significant differences between contralateral neck rotation and ipsilateral neck rotation, contralateral neck rotation and neutral position. But, there was no significant difference in the triceps brachii muscle activity in comparison with the neck rotation. There were significant differences between contralateral neck rotation and ipsilateral neck rotation, contralateral neck rotation and neutral position. Conclusion: To summarize this study, the elbow flexor and extensor muscle activity and strength was highest in the contralateral neck rotation position. In other words, it was possible to confirm the effect of Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex in healthy adults whose primitive reflexes were inhibition, and head and neck positions should be considered during clinical evaluation and treatment.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to acknowledge the effects that have the strength exercise done only on the neck extensor, only on the thoracic extensor, and both the neck and the thoracic extensor on forward head posture(FHP) and cervical range of motion. Also is to discover which of the exercise is the most effective. Method: This experiment will be done by selecting 40 people who have 16cm or more FHP and they will be divided into four groups: three experimental groups and a control group. The first experimental group will do only the neck extensor strength exercise(NESE). The second experimental group will do only the thoracic extensorstrength exercise(TESE) and the third experimental group will do both the NESE and the TESE. The experimental groups will make a day three times each ten sets of extensor isometric strength exercise but the time will be increased from 4 to 6 and8 seconds until it will be done the ten sets. Then after four weeks, they will be compared which had the best results for the FHP and the cervical range of motion. Result: After the experiment, it was compared the experimental groups with the control group. Every experimental group had an improvement on their FHP and cervical range of motion. However, the only NESE and the only TESE did not have a significantly difference(p>.05). Only the group who did both the NESE and the TESE had a sign ificantly improvement compared to the control group. Conclusion: 1. The only NESE and the only TESE seem that had a positive effect on FHP and cervical range of motion. However, it cannot be conclude that it is effective. 2. When both the NESE and the TESE are done, it is showed statistically a significant difference(p<.05) on FHP and cervical range of motion. The refore, it would be note worthy if this exercise is used to improve the FHP and the cervical range of motion.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2024

Background: This study was to investigate effects of Correlation Analysis between Cervical-Vertebra Angle and Neck Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, Sternocleidomastoid Thickness of Patients with Forward Head Posture Design: Correlation Analysis. Methods: The subjects of this study were a total of 54 people in the forward head position and their ages were between 30 and 50 years old. The subjects cranio-vertebral angles, neck extension, neck flexion, neck rotation angles, neck flexor strength, neck extensor strength, sternocleidomastoid thickness were evaluated through measuring instruments. The thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was measured using an imaging ultrasound diagnostic device (ultra sound, Versana Premier, GE Medical systems, China). CVA was measured by measuring the side photo of the subject was taken with a camera and evaluated.. neck joint range of motion was measured through digital inclinometer for extension, flexion, and neck rotation. neck muscle strength was measured by measuring the using a digital sthenometer. Data analysis in this study was statistically processed using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM SPSS Inc., USA). Correlation analysis was used and the statistical significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results neck extension(r= 0.70^**), neck flexion(r= 0.67^**), neck rotation(r= 0.56^**), neck extensor muscle strengt(r= 0.85^**), neck flexor muscle strength(r= 0.66^**), sternocleidomastoid thicknes(r= -0.81^**) It indicates that there is a correlation. Conclusion:These results improve the Cervical-vertebra angle of patients with forward head posture should include a program to improve the thickness of the SCM. In the future, study can be used as an evidentiary material for treatment interventions to improve the Cervical-vertebra angle of patients with forward head posture.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2003

Purpose: The strength of hand grip, low back muscles and knee joint muscles were measured and then compared to the bone mineral density (BMD) of each forearm bones (including ulna and radius), lumbar spine, and femur in young women in order to identify the relationship between muscle strength and bone mineral density. Method: The BMD was measured with a Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and muscle strength was measured with a handgrip dynamometer and a Cybex Norm. Data were analyzed with frequencies, percentages, means, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Result: 1) Higher grip strength correlated positively with higher BMD in the forearm (r=.246, p=.007), higher low back extensor strength with higher BMD in the femur (neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle)($r=.323{\sim}.226$, $p=.003{\sim}.043$) and higher strength in the knee joint extensor with higher BMD in the lumbar spine (r=.227, p=.041), femur neck, and femur trochanter significantly ($r=.295{\sim}.226$, $p=.007{\sim}.043$). There was no significant correlation between the strength of low back extensors and BMD in the lumbar spine, now with strength of knee joint flexor and the BMD in the femur. 2) The muscle strength of each part of the body had significant positive correlations to each other part ($r=.255{\sim}.728$ $p=.021{\sim}.000$) Conclusion: The results of this study showed that with the development of a muscle there was an increased BMD of the corresponding part, and the BMD of each part was influenced by adjacent muscles. To promote the health of bones, it is important to strengthen the muscles of related bones, based on balanced development of all muscles.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.164-177
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• 2024

Background: Neck and jaw pain is common and is associated with jaw functional limitations, postural stability, muscular endurance, and proprioception. This study aimed to investigate the effect of jaw and neck pain on cranio-cervico-mandibular functions and postural stability in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs). Methods: Fifty-two patients with TMJDs were included and assessed using Fonseca's Questionnaire and the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index. An isometric strength test was performed for the TMJ depressor and cervical muscles. The TMJ position sense (TMJPS) test and cervical joint position error test (CJPET) were employed for proprioception. Total sway degree was obtained for the assessment of postural stability. Deep neck flexor endurance (DNFE) was assessed using the craniocervical flexion test. The mandibular function impairment questionnaire (MFIQ) was employed to assess mandibular function, and the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured for forward head posture. Results: Jaw and neck pain negatively affected CVA (R² = 0.130), TMJPS (R² = 0.286), DNFE (R² = 0.355), TMJ depressor (R² = 0.145), cervical flexor (R² = 0.144), and extensor (R² = 0.148) muscle strength. Jaw and neck pain also positively affected CJPET for flexion (R² = 0.116) and extension (R² = 0.146), as well as total sway degree (R² = 0.128) and MFIQ (R² = 0.230). Conclusions: Patients with painful TMJDs, could have impaired muscle strength and proprioception of the TMJ and cervical region. The jaw and neck pain could also affect postural stability, and the endurance of deep neck flexors as well as mandibular functions in TMJDs.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Background: This study examined the effects of cervical traction group and cervical traction & nerve mobilization exercise group after applying conservative physical therapy to Computer Workers with Cervical Radiculopathy. Methods: They were randomly divided into two groups: 18 subjects were cervical traction group, 22 subjects were cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group. Each group performed its own exercise 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 4 weeks. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Cervical extensor muscles strength (CEMS) was measured by the Pressure biofeedback unit. Grasping power (GP) was measured by the Grip Track Commander. Results: After 4 weeks therapy, VAS and NDI were significantly reduced in both groups (p<.05) and CEMS and GP were significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Significant differences were also evident between the two groups for these three measurements (p<.05). Conclusions: cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group is more effective than cervical traction group for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing GP in computer workers with cervical radiculopathy.