• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1897-1902
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• 2019

Background: Tension-type headaches, which make up the highest proportion of headaches, are prone to develop into chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH). The characteristic of CTTH in patients is that the active myofascial trigger point (ATrP) which causes pain in the muscles of the back of the head is increased, compared to the normal headache and moves the head position forward. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial release (MFR) and posture correction in effectively improving neck function and sleep quality in the symptoms of CTTH patients. Design: Observer-blind study Methods: To reduce ATrP, MFR was applied and exercise was also applied to correct posture. The subjects of this study were 48 individuals randomly divided into three groups; The MFR group using the MFR technique; The MFR with exercise group subject to both the MFR technique and forward head position correction exercises (MFREx), and the control group. MFR and MFREx groups were given the relevant interventions twice a week for four consecutive weeks, and went through the number ATrPs, range of motion (ROM) of neck, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the intervention. A physical therapist, who was fully familiar with the measuring methods of the equipment, was the measurer and not aware of the target's condition was blinded to take measurements only before and after intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in the ATrP, Neck ROM, NDI and PSQI in the group of patients to whom the MFR technique and MFREx were applied. MFREx was more effective in increasing neck mobility. Conclusions: According to this study, the application of MFR is effective in improving neck movement and sleep quality in chronic tension headache patients.

• Journal of Clinical Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 2018

Background and Objectives : There were few literatures about the relationship between upper airway disorders and cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, although an association between impaired lower respiratory function and cardiovascular alterations was often reported. Our purpose was to assess the relationships between chronic sinusitis and hypertension. Materials and Methods : Three hundred subjects with bilateral chronic sinusitis who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery between 2015and 2017 were evaluated. Six hundred forty subjects without any nasal diseases were enrolled as a control group. Blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were measured using a standardized method, and subjects were asked about current use of any antihypertensive medication, history of diabetes, smoking and alcohol drinking habits.Sinusitis group was assessed by nasal endoscopic examination, paranasal sinus CT scan and allergy test. Results : Average systolic and diastolic blood pressures were statistically significantly higher in subjects with sinusitis than control group. Chronic rhinosinusitis was associated with a 1.415-fold (95% confidence interval 1.053-1.930) increased hazard of hypertension after multivariate adjustment. Conclusions : These results suggest that sinusitis is associated with high blood pressure. Therefore patients with sinusitis may need special attention for blood pressure control. Further studies need to be performed to elucidate the pathogenesis behind such associations.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.23-34
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• 2022

Purpose : This study examined the effects of pain, neck dysfunction, psychosocial level, headache impact test (HIT), postural alignment, and trapezius muscle tone of the complex exercise program using dynamic taping in patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture. Methods : The design of this is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty-four patients with chronic neck pain were screened using a randomized assignment program and assigned to experimental group (n=17) and control group (n=17). Both groups underwent a complex exercise program. In addition, the experimental group dynamic taping was applied to the upper trapezius muscle. All interventions were applied three times per week for four weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the neck disability index (NDI), short form-12 health survey questionnaire (SF-12), Headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), Craniovertebral angle (CVA), Cranial rotation angle (CRA), upper trapezius muscle tone were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Results : Both groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention in VAS, NDI, SF-12, HIT-6, and CVA, CRA (p<.05). In addition, significant differences in NDI and upper trapezius muscle tone were observed between the experimental group and control group (p<.05). Conclusion : A complex exercise program using dynamic taping for patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture are effective method with clinical significance in improving the function and reducing upper trapezius muscle tone.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.71-81
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• 2024

Purpose : In this study, we compared the effects of ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises in individuals with a forward head posture. Outcome measures investigated included the neck disability index, craniovertebral angle (CVA), cranial rotation angle (CRA), and thickness of the longus colli muscle (LC) and carotid artery (CA) post-intervention. Methods : The study included 20 individuals with a forward head posture, who were assigned to an experimental group (EG, individuals performed ankle exercises) or control group (CG, individuals performed McKenzie and cervical stabilization exercises). The EG intervention was specifically designed to enhance proprioception in the ankle joint and strengthen the ankle muscles to improve overall stability and function. In contrast, CG interventions aimed to improve neck muscle balance and cervical spine alignment. Paired t-tests were used to analyze intragroup changes and independent t-tests to determine intergroup differences pre-and post-intervention. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at α=.05. Results : We observed significant post-intervention improvements in both groups, specifically, in the CVA, CRA, and LC and CA thickness (p<.05). These results indicate that ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises were useful for neck posture correction, improved muscle balance, and enhanced blood flow to the neck. Conclusion : This study underscores the positive effects of ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises in individuals with a forward head posture. Our study highlights the benefits of these exercises for posture correction and overall neck health and the clinical effectiveness and usefulness of ankle exercises as an important intervention to improve forward head posture.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Temporal bone fracture (TBF) is a common occurrence in cases of head trauma. Although the incidence of temporal bone concussion (TBC) has increased in cases of head trauma, it has not been extensively studied. We assessed the characteristics of TBF and TBC in patients with head trauma. Subjects and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 432 patients with head injury who visited our hospital between January 2011 and April 2016. Of these patients, 211 who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Their clinical characteristics, causes of injury, and hearing function were analyzed. Results: Among the 211 patients, 157 had TBFs and 54 had TBCs. Ear symptoms were more common among patients with TBF than among those with TBC. Car accidents were the most common cause of both TBF and TBC, but assault and sports injuries were more common among patients with TBC than among those with TBF. The occurrence of facial palsy in both cases of TBF and TBC. Hearing loss was observed among 35 patients with TBF and 11 patients with TBC. However, patients with TBF showed conductive hearing loss with an air-bone gap. Hearing function of these patients with TBF recovered with a reduced air-bone gap, but the patients with TBC showed little recovery. Conclusions: Emergency physicians should focus more on temporal bone injury in patients with head trauma. Therefore, an early complete diagnostic battery, which includes high-resolution computed tomography, audiometric tests, neurologic examination, and vestibular tests, be performed in patients with head trauma.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Temporal bone fracture (TBF) is a common occurrence in cases of head trauma. Although the incidence of temporal bone concussion (TBC) has increased in cases of head trauma, it has not been extensively studied. We assessed the characteristics of TBF and TBC in patients with head trauma. Subjects and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 432 patients with head injury who visited our hospital between January 2011 and April 2016. Of these patients, 211 who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Their clinical characteristics, causes of injury, and hearing function were analyzed. Results: Among the 211 patients, 157 had TBFs and 54 had TBCs. Ear symptoms were more common among patients with TBF than among those with TBC. Car accidents were the most common cause of both TBF and TBC, but assault and sports injuries were more common among patients with TBC than among those with TBF. The occurrence of facial palsy in both cases of TBF and TBC. Hearing loss was observed among 35 patients with TBF and 11 patients with TBC. However, patients with TBF showed conductive hearing loss with an air-bone gap. Hearing function of these patients with TBF recovered with a reduced air-bone gap, but the patients with TBC showed little recovery. Conclusions: Emergency physicians should focus more on temporal bone injury in patients with head trauma. Therefore, an early complete diagnostic battery, which includes high-resolution computed tomography, audiometric tests, neurologic examination, and vestibular tests, be performed in patients with head trauma.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.102-104
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• 1996

Disorders related to the cervical spine can present a variety of signs and symptoms because of the many tissues and systems associated with this region. Therefore the challenge for the clinician is to organize the information from examination into a treatment plan that addresses the potential influences of the problem. the examination process should gather pertinent information from the patients, relating the pain pattern resulting loss of function. Our patients' X-rays showed absence of any abnormalities except loss of curvature. We therefore concluded that the main cause of posterior neck and shoulder pain was caused by muscle spasm, not cervical disc herniation not degenerative change.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 1999

The authors recently experienced a case of ectopic thyroid. A 15-year-old female patient visited to ENT department with the complaint of the submental neck mass. On physical examination, the mass was relatively firm, non tender and 3$\times$2cm in size. Oral cavity examination revealed 0.5$\times$0.5cm sized pink colored mass near the foramen cecum area. Suspecting ectopic thyroid, thyroid function test, thyroid scan, neck computed tomogram scan were performed. Thyroid scan revealed a functioning thyroid on the lingual and submental area without normal uptake in the anterior neck area. Thyroid (unction test was normal. Pre-contrast computed tomogram scan revealed an ectopic thyroid in the lingual and submental area. A review of literature concerning ectopic thyroid was discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2013

Laser laryngeal microsurgery is currently the primary method of treatment of various laryngeal diseases. The development of laryngeal microsurgery came from the introduction of a small spot $CO_2$ laser micromanipulator and more precise microlaryngeal instruments. $CO_2$ laser laryngeal microsurgery has enabled very precise surgery because it has small focus size and hemostatic effect. There are some limitations to the use of the $CO_2$ Laser such as adjacent tissue damage and vocal fold scarring. These problems can be minimized through understanding the mechanisms by which lasers function and correctly manipulating the parameters under a surgeon's control. We should also recognize the safety of $CO_2$ laser for the surgeon to precisely perform the procedure.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.2862-2868
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between neck pain and upper limb disability in patients with non-specific neck pain (n=132) recruited from physiotherapy departments in the Korea. Baseline neck pain/disability was measured using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and upper limb disability was measured using the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, Hand questionnaire (DASH). A range of baseline psychosocial variables were measured as potential confounding variables. Pairwise analysis revealed a positive correlation between NPQ score and DASH score (Pearsons' r=0.628, p<0.05). This study provides preliminary evidence that patients with severe neck pain/disability also report severe upper limb disability. The presence of severe neck pain or low pain self efficacy and high fear-avoidence beliefs questionnaire should clinicians towards a careful examination of upper limb function in patients presenting with neck pain. Our data suggest the upper limb disability may need to be addressed as part of the neck management process.