• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2017

Objectives This study was designed to identify the effect of acupuncture combined with wooden neck pillow self-exercise program (WSP). Methods 25 eligible subjects with chronic neck pain were recruited from September 2015 to August 2016. Subjects were treated by acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks, also were educated WSP and exercised every day for 4 weeks. They were assessed using PI-NRS, NDI and the maximum muscle strength of deep cervical flexor muscles (DCF) before and after treatment. Also the Cobb's angle (C1-C7), Ishihara index, Park method were assessed for evaluating the radiographical changes. Variables were compared using paired t-test. And correlates analysis was used for analyzing relationship between differentials in the maximum muscle strength of DCF and differentials in cervical spine curvature measurement methods. Results Among the 25 subjects, 4 subjects were lost to follow-up or excluded in accordance with the criteria. Significant differences on NRS, NDI and the maximum muscle strength of DCF were seen after treatment (p<0.001). In radiological finding, cervical spine curvature measurement methods were significantly increased (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.05). Differentials in the maximum muscle strength of DCF significantly correlates to differentials in Ishihara index (R=0.479, p<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture combined with WSP may decrease neck pain intensity and associated disability, and also increase the muscle strength of DCF and cervical lordosis, in patients with chronic neck pain. Especially, Improving the muscle strength of DCF has a relationship with improving Ishihara index. However, due to the design of this study, this treatment can not be compared with other treatments. Future randomized project should be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.329-337
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to assess more effective exercise prescription for the people with chronic neck pain by comparing stretching exercise and isometric exercise about strength and pain. Method : The research design of the study was that 20 young adults with mild neck disability (5-14 out of 50 in Neck Disability Index) were randomized into 2 groups and underwent stretching exercise(10 peoples) and isometric exercise(10 peoples) at 3 times a week for 5weeks. Measures of pain scale (Visual Analog Scale) and Muscle strength of deep neck flexor (Pressure Biofeedback) were assessed before and after intervention. The pre and post exercise results were compared using paired t-test and the effectiveness of intervention of two groups were compared using Independent t test. Results : The results of this study were that pain reduction was seen after stretching and isometric exercise and significantly difference. There was significantly improvement of cervical flexor strength after stretching and isometric exercise. But, there was no significant difference between stretching and isometric exercise groups. Conclusion : The stretching and isometric exercise for chronic neck pain patients may use according to preference of patient because the effects of treatment was same. Further studies are needed to analyzed psycho social factors, cost effects, group approach.

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

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2019

Background: This study was planned to assess and compare the effectiveness of cervical region stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise on pain and range of motion in patient with chronic neck pain. Methods: Fifty-one patient with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated into strengthening and stabilization exercise (SSE) group (n=27) and Strengthening exercise (SE) group (n=24). The program was carried for 12 sessions, 3 days/week in 4weeks. Pain intensity with visual analog scale (VAS), cervical range of motion, deep cervical flexor strengthening were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: After the program, pain intensity decreased in group SE and SSE were found (p<.05). Range of motion and deep cervical muscle strength increased in group SE and SSE were found(p<.05). The intergroup comparison showed that significant difference in range of motion and deep cervical muscle strength (p<.05). Conclusions: The study suggest that both SSE program and SE program might be a useful treatment for patients with chronic neck pain. However SSE program might be superior in improving cervical range of motion and deep cervical flexor strength compare to SE program.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.310-319
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combination of progressive scapular stabilization exercises, neck and thoracic spine mobilization, and thermoelectric physical therapy on pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and function in patients with acute whiplash injury. Design: A randomized controlled trial design. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=12) that performed scapular stabilization exercises, neck and thoracic spine mobilization, and physiotherapy, and a control group (n=12) that only performed neck and thoracic spine mobilization and physiotherapy. The pre-test was conducted before the intervention and consisted of a total of 12 treatment sessions of 60 minutes each, three times a week. A posttest was conducted 4 weeks later. Pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and function were assessed before and after intervention. Results: The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in pain reduction and range of motion and muscle strength improvement in the experimental group, and a significant difference was also found between the experimental group and the control group in terms of functional evaluation. Conclusions: The combination of exercise therapy and joint mobilization technique and physical therapy resulted in greater improvements in pain, range of motion, strength, and function assessment, contributing to improved overall function.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.158-163
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among pain, range of motion of the neck, neck disability index and grip strength after thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: In this study, twelve subjects with chronic neck pain were included. All participants had thoracic manipulation and cervical stabilization training. Intervention was conducted three times per a week, for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of neck, neck disability index (NDI), as well as the grip strength before and after intervention were measured in all participants. Paired t-test was used to compare variables before and after intervention. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the correlations between the variables. Results: All variables after the intervention were significantly improved. There was a significant negative correlation between VAS and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.669, p<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between NDI and VAS (r=0.636, p<0.05), and a significant negative correlation between NDI and flexion angle of the neck (r=-0.692, p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with reduced pain following therapeutic intervention illustrated that there would be an improvement in the flexion angle rather than the extension angle of the neck, and that those with increased flexion angle would have less restriction of activities in daily living.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to measure and determine the relationship of femoral neck and lumbar bone mineral density with their and related factors. It were measured and determined the relationships among bone mineral density, bone mineral content in the lumbar and femoral neck, muscle strength (arm, back, leg), muscle endurance, instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), quality of life, cognitive perceptual variables(self efficacy, perceived health status), age, age at menopausal period. The twenty five subjects participating in this study consisted of twelve males and thirteen females at a C-institution in Chung Buk province. The mean age of subjects was 73.64 years. The data was collected from August, 1993 to September, 1993. The data was analyzed with $x^2-test$, t-test, Correlation, multiple regression using a SPSS pc+ program. 1. The mean femoral neck bone mineral density was $0.636g/cm^2$, 66.7% of young bone mineral density, the mean lumbar($L_2-L_4$) bone mineral density was $0.807g/cm^2$, 79.86% of young bone mineral density. The mean fermoral neck bone mineral content was 2.906g and the mean lumbar bone mineral content was 36.898g. 2. The mean muscle strength was 17.14kg(grip strength), 32.05kg(back lift strength), 17.14kg (leg lift strength) and the mean muscle endurance was 9.92times. 3. Men showed a significantly higher score (p<0.01) in muscle strength and muscle endurance than women, as well as a significantly higher score on self efficacy and perceived health status(p<0.05). 4. The femur neck bone mineral density had a significant correlation(p<0.0l) with leg lift strength, back lift strength, and their was a significant correlations (p<0.05) with arm strength and muscle endurance. Lumbar ($L_2-L_2$) bone mineral density had a significant correlation(p<0.05) with muscle endurance, grip strength and IADL. 5. With the multiple regression analysis the most significant predictor for lumbar bone mineral density were IADL, the most significant predictor for femoral neck bone mineral density was leg strength. This study concluded: As the mean bone mineral density and bone mineral content were low, the aged showed osteopenia. Bone mineral density, muscle strength and IADL were correlated. The aged could pro mote muscle strength, bone mineral density and IADL through Leg Press exercise which was safe and efficient for the aged. This Leg Press exercise contributed to prevention of osteoporosis and promoted the health of the aged.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.113-125
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• 2012

This study, as one on the neck design of seamless knitwears, set out to make experimental clothes applying various knitting methods to the hem of round neck, seek the knitting methods of finishing touches on the ending part of round neck to enhance function and aesthetic appreciation through measuring tensile strength and assessing wearing sensation, and provide basic data that would be of practical help to developing the design of seamless knitwears and mass production in the national knit industry. The ending part of neck of the seamless knitwear is not only the last stage in making knitwear but also affects the function and appearance of the clothes. The investigator, thus made six different pieces of experimental clothes according to the finishing methods of knitting on the neck, then measured tensile strength and put them to the test by a group of experts for the assessment of wearing sensation. The results were analyzed based on variance analysis(ANOVA), and the items with similar results were put to the Duncan test for intergroup comparison. According to the analysis results of measuring tensile strength, Experimental Clothes B received the highest evaluation, Experimental Clothes E the lowest. Also Experimental Clothes B was ranked the highest in almost every evaluation criteria, whereas Experimental Clothes E was ranked the lowest in the assessment of wearing sensation.

• 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.27 no.3
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• pp.69-78
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• 2021

Background: Approximately 30% of people suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain. Chronic neck and shoulder pain arise due to the exposure to continuous low loading and monotonous work. This is a common musculoskeletal disorder in a society. As physical therapists, we should give appropriate treatment to these people. Methods: A total of 26 patients with chronic neck and shoulder myalgia were randomly allocated into two experimental groups. First, 13 patients received shoulder strength training, while the other 13 patients received cervical mobilization. Outcome measures included bilateral pressure pain threshold by using an algometer at upper trapezius, visual analogue scale (VAS) to express their pain scale, and muscle tension by using myoton pro device pre-intervention and after the final treatment. Results: The VAS and muscle tension in upper trapezius significantly decreased (p<.05) in both groups; however, no differences between two groups were observed (p>.05). The pressure pain threshold in upper trapezius significantly increased (p<.05) in both groups; yet, again, the differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance (p>.05). Conclusion: As methods of treatment, shoulder-specific strength training and cervical mobilization can be appropriate approaches to the treatment of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorder.