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

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2021.10a
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• pp.561-562
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• 2021

In this paper, the angles are measured for bending so that the chin touches the chest by bending the neck and extension, which takes a posture as if raising the neck and looking at the ceiling. The basic bending angle is 45-50°, and the maximum range of motion is 80-90°. The angle of extension is also 40°~50° as default, and the normal is limited to 70°.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1122-1127
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• 2017

The purpose of this case study was to identify the effects of posteroanterior (PA) mobilization on the cervical spine in a patient with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). The subject of this study was a 58-year-old woman who sustained a chronic WAD as a result of a motor vehicle accident two years prior. The subject has progressively worsening neck pain and stiffness. The subject was determined to have a grade IIb WAD the use of the Modified Quebec Classification. The intervention was central and unilateral PA mobilization on the spinous process of C4 and C5. The PA mobilizations were performed at the end of range to Maitland grade IV. The PA mobilization was conducted once daily for a total of eight days. Two sets of measurements were done one before and one after the intervention. Neck pain, cervical stiffness, range of motion and lordosis of the cervical spine were measured. Experimental intervention decreased the neck pain, and increased the neck stiffness and cervical ROM (range of motion) such as flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. X-ray photographs also represented that cervical curvature increased from $35^{\circ}$ to $40^{\circ}$. This study suggested that PA cervical mobilization applied to hronic WAD is effective in decreasing pain, increasing cervical ROM and cervical curvature.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

This case report describes the effectiveness of cervical corrective exercises in a patient with cervical radiculopathy (CR) who experienced radicular pain, upper limb paresis, and limited functional activity. A 39-year-old male with cervical radiculopathy performed the cervical corrective exercises for reducing pain. Pain intensity, cervical posture, and active range of motion of cervical intersegmental spine motion were measured baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks with self-reported questionnaire and radiographs. After 8 weeks of intervention, the patient demonstrated alleviated radicular symptoms, improved neck posture and active range of flexion and extension of the cervical intersegmental spine. Especially in the angle between the cervical vertebra 6 and 7, the angle was changed from $-4.69^{\circ}$ to $3.30^{\circ}$ during resting position after intervention. The present case indicates that the cervical corrective exercises might be a possible treatment to effectively reduce radicular symptoms, improve neck posture, and active cervical intersegmental motion for patient with CR.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.81-91
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of Kinesiology taping followed by pectoralis minor muscle self-stretching on the rounded shoulder posture, neck range of motion, and upper trapezius muscle tone in subjects with a rounded shoulder posture. METHODS: Thirty adults with a rounded shoulder posture were assigned randomly to one of two groups, either one that only performed pectoralis minor muscle self-stretching or a group that performed pectoralis minor muscle self-stretching after applying Kinesiology taping ; the subjects underwent four weeks of intervention. Three rounds of intervention were carried out over four weeks, and before and after the experiment, rounded shoulder posture, neck range of motion, and upper trapezius muscle tone creep were measured. RESULTS: Following the interventions, both the experimental and control groups showed significant improvement in the rounded shoulder posture, neck range of motion, upper trapezius muscle tone, stiffness, relaxation, and creep. Significant differences in the post training gains in the rounded shoulder posture and neck range of motion were observed between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: These results showed that a combination of Kinesiology taping and pectoralis minor muscle self-s tretching led to more significant improvement than that seen when only utilizing the application of pectoralis minor muscle self-stretching to change the posture of the subjects with a rounded shoulder posture.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.239-246
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• 2019

This study aims to examine the correlation between pectoralis minor, shoulder mobility, and neck range of motion on rounded shoulder posture for Life-care increase in Women university student. The 80 female adults with rounded shoulder posture were selected for this study. Measurements of shoulder height were obtained by measuring the rounded shoulder posture using a caliper. To measure the length of pectoralis minor, a tape measure was used to measure from the point where the 4th rib and sternum meets to the inferior medial side of coracoid process. Shoulder mobility was measured by holding fists in both hands, then raising one side of the elbow until the palm on that side can be placed on the back, while lowering the other side of the elbow until the back of the hand on that side can be placed on the back. Neck range of motion was used to measure the neck movement including the flexion and the extension, lateral flexion to the right or to the left, and rotation to the right or to the left. The results of this study showed that there are significant negative correlations between pectoralis minor index, shoulder mobility, and neck range of motion in rounded shoulder posture(p<0.05). From these results, in female students with rounded shoulder, the lateral flexion of the neck to the left decreased as the left shoulder mobility increased, the neck extension decreased as the right pectoralis minor shortened, and the rotation of the neck to the left decreased as the left shoulder mobility increased.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Purpose : To identify the effects of Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome. Methode : The present research investigated 60 patients with neck myofascial syndrome, dividing them into a group doing Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and a group doing Stretching, This study examined degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck myofascial pain syndrome before and after the treatment, and compared two groups to find difference in the degree of recovery from myofascial pain syndrome. Results : 1. For Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group, the pain rating score (PRS) were significantly decreased for six weeks treatment. 2. For Stretching group, the pain rating score (PRS) did not indicate significant decrease for six weeks treatment. 3. For Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group, range of motion of flexion, left rotation, right rotation indicated significant difference after pre test and after two week but no significant difference after four week. 4. For Stretching group, range of motion of flexion, left rotation, and right rotation except extension indicated significant difference after pre test and after two week but no significant difference after four week. Conclusion : The Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation is considered to be effective in increasing joint range of motion of patient and decreasing pain. Accordingly physical therapists has to learn a wide range of patterns and to develop various treatment techniques.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.65-90
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• 2003

To identify the effects of joint mobilization on the functional improvement of patients with neck pain, the present research investigated 60 neck pain patients, dividing them into a group doing joint mobilization, a group doing Mckenzie exercise and a group using modalities. This study examined patients degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck pain before and after the treatment, and compared three groups to find difference in the degree of recovery from neck pain. The results of this study are as follows : 1. For the joint mobilization group, the visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion (ROM) of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 2. For the Mckenzie exercise group, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 3. For the modality using group, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 4. In the comparison of VAS and ROM of the three groups before and after the treatment, significant differences were found among the three groups in VAS after three weeks' treatment, and in ROM before the treatment(p<.05). 5. In all the three groups, VAS decreased and the ROM of cervical vertebrae increased after the treatment, and in particular, the decrease of VAS and the increase of the ROM of cervical vertebrae were remarkable in the joint mobilization group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.133-138
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of modified motor developmental intervention on the SCM muscle thickness and the range of motion (ROM) of neck in subjects with congenital muscular torticollis. METHODS: Thirteen subjects who had congenital muscular torticollis were participated in this study and they were offered the modified motor developmental interventions for 8 weeks by pediatric physical therapist. SCM thickness of affected and non-affected side and ROM of neck rotation were collected between before and after intervention. SCM thickness was measured by using Ultrasound Unit (IU 22, Ultrasound system, Philips, Netherlands) and ROM of neck was measured by using the goniometer (Arthrodial protractor, North coast, USA). Data were represented as means ${\pm}SD$. Paired t-test was used to determine the effect of interventions on the SCM muscle thickness and neck ROM. RESULTS: SCM thickness of affected side was significantly decreased after the modified motor developmental interventions and that of non-affected side was generally increased but it was not significantly difference between pre and post interventions. ROM of neck rotation and lateral flexion was significantly increased after interventions. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the modified motor developmental interventions could improve the recovery of SCM muscle thickness and neck ROM.

• 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.