• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.138-145
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• 2021

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) causes various posture imbalances associated with the head and neck. Myofascial release is an effective treatment method used for relaxing muscles and reducing muscle hyperactivity, but no studies have been conducted on suboccipital and neck muscles related to FHP. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of roller massages on the cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) range of motion (ROM) and CCF strength applied to suboccipital and neck muscles in subject with forward head posture. Methods: Twenty-four FHP subjects (male: 13, female: 11) were recruited for this study. All subjects were recruited with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 53 degrees or less and a head tilt angle (HTA) of 20.66 degrees or higher. CCF strength was measured using Pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) in the supine posture and CCF ROM was measured using smartphone-based inclinometer. Roller massage (RM) was applied to suboccipital and neck muscles for 2 minutes and CCF ROM and strength were remeasured. Results: These results of this study showed that CCF ROM was a significant difference in CCF ROM before and after RM (p < 0.05). CCF strength also showed a significant difference before and after RM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: RM method might be recommended to increase the immediate ROM and strength of CCF in subjects with forward head posture.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.196-201
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• 2017

Objective: Musculoskeletal neck pain have many symptoms which include decreased range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength, and increased pain. However, the management methods are controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three interventions on ROM, strength, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) with musculoskeletal neck pain. Design: Pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty subjects participated in this experiment. They were randomly assigned to thefollowing groups: passive stretching (PS) group (n=10), massage (MASS) group (n=10), and muscle energy technique (MET) group (n=10). The treatment were applied bilaterally on the upper trapezius. The PS was applied 3 times for 30 seconds each time. The MASS was applied using two different techniques for 2 minutes per technique. For MET, the subjects performed 2 sets of 3 repetitions of isometric resistance exercise that was maintained for 10 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest. ROM, strength, and PPT parameters were measured after intervention. Results: In the MASS group, there was a significant improvement in all outcomes except for muscle strength (p<0.05). In the MET group, ROM and strength significantly improved compared to the pre-treatment results (p<0.05). As result of measuring the amount of change in each group, there was a significant difference in ROM (flexion) in the PS group compared with the MASS and MET group, a significant difference in strength in the MET group compared with the PS and MASS groups, and a significant difference in PPT in the MASS groups compared with the PS and MET groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that PS, MASS, and MET are effective methods for improving ROM, strength, and PPT for musculoskeletal neck pain. Therefore, various therapeutic interventions for improving ROM, strength, and pain are suggested.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1-16
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• 2022

Background: This study was conducted to examine the correlation of VDT, posture and shoulder function among each group divided by according to the neck pain disorder index (NDI) scores for female patients with neck pain. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifty adult women with neck pain voluntarily participated in this study and the neck pain disorder index questionnaire, VDT syndrome assessment tool questionnaire, craniovertebral angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, round shoulder posture, pectoralis minor length, shoulder joint hypermobility, and serratus anterior strength tests were conducted respectively. Subjects were divided into two groups where 21 subjects were allocated to the mild pain group whom have rated below 14 points on the NDI scores, and 29 subjects were in the severe pain group, whom have rated above 15 on the NDI score. Results: The study found that in the mean difference between variables in each group, VDT syndrome showed a higher mean score in the severe pain group than the mild pain group (p<0.05). In the group correlation and regression analysis, the mild pain group showed a significant negative correlation between the craniovertebral angle and round shoulder posture (r=-0.467, p<0.05), and the round shoulder posture for craniovertebral angle was shown to have significant positive influence (B=10.162, p<0.05). The severe pain group showed that the NDI and the VDT syndrome had a significant amount of correlation (r=0.520, p<0.01), the VDT syndrome showed significant positive influence (B=0.330, p<0.05), and the craniovertebral angle showed significant negative influence (B=-0.809, p<0.05). It was also shown that shoulder joint hypermobility had a significant negative correlation with the serratus anterior strength (r=-0.437, p<0.01), and that serratus anterior strength had a significant negative influence on shoulder joint hypermobility (B=-4.175, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study is of clinical significance in that it presented variables that should be considered depending on the degree of neck pain in treating patients with neck pain and that it presented patients with not only posture but also the function of the shoulder joint as factors to consider.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.518-521
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• 2005

We performed the mechanical test for obtaining properties of femoral head. Tested sample was male and 35 years old. We measured bone mineral density by dual X-ray absorption method(DEXA). Results of DEXA, he has normal condition of bone density. His BMD $1.159g/cm^2$ and T-Score is 1.6. Tested femurs were harvested by surgical method from donated cadaver. We made 9 specimens in femoral head, 8 specimens in neck used by diamond core drill. Then we performed compressive test in saline solution at $38^{\circ}C$. We obtained results that elastic modulus of femoral head was 0.439GPa, neck was 0.459GPa. Compressive strength of femoral head was 7.441 MPa, neck was 7.095MPa. There was no significant difference of mechanical properties between left and right femoral head & neck. Invested local properties of femoral head have more strength superior and anterior side, femoral neck has more strength in superior and inferior side but other side except for superior has more weakness along the lateral side.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2018

PURPOSE: We aimed to study the effect of head-lift exercise on the neck strength and swallowing function in patients with stroke. METHODS: Our study included 20 patients with stroke hemiparesis. All patients were randomly allocated to either the head-lift exercise or the conventional swallowing therapy group, and each group included 10 patients. All patients underwent the exercise over a mean period of 30 min daily for 6 weeks. Neck strength and swallowing function were assessed prior to and 6 weeks following the training period. We used a paired t-test to compare the within-group change before and after the intervention. We used an independent t-test to compare the between-group difference. The statistical significance level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$ for all variables. RESULTS: The head-lift exercise group showed a significant within-group change in terms of the neck strength and swallowing function (p<.05). The conventional swallowing therapy group also showed a statistically significant change (p<.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between the head-lift exercise and the conventional swallowing therapy group with regard to the change in both, the neck strength and swallowing function after application of the intervention (p<.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information for future studies in this field. Further studies involving a wider range of patients and a longer experiment span are required to strengthen the results of our study.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2212-2218
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of different sitting postures on range of motion, strength and proprioceptive sense of neck. Fifteen healthy university students participated in the study. Depending on upright sitting position and slump sitting position, range of motion and joint position sense were measured by using Dualer IQ. Also, the maximum isometric strength and force sense were measured by using linear force. As a result, we found that the maximum angle of neck extension and the maximum isometric strength at flexion were significantly higher in upright posture than in slump posture. Also, the maximum angle of neck flexion and the maximum isometric strength at extension were higher in slump posture than in upright posture. According to the result, proper proprioception can have an beneficial effect on postural revision of neck and body by providing the information that cognize the position of head through and sustain upright posture.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 2021

Purpose : The time spent using smart devices is constantly increasing, particularly in recent times. Using smart devices for a long time with an incorrect posture may lead to cerebral palsy (CP), instability, and abnormal muscle tone. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationships among cervical instability, deep neck flexor (DNF) activity, range of motion (ROM), and muscle tonus. Methods : Fifty subjects with CP participated in this study, and they were physiotherapists at W Hospital in Daejeon. Those who voluntarily participated in the research were selected as candidates who fulfilled the selection criteria. According to an instability test, 25 subjects were assigned to the instability and control groups. All subjects first underwent the instability test to be allocated to the appropriate group. Those in the instability group tested positive on the instability test. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), ROM, muscle tone, and DNF activity were measured to evaluate their relationships. The DNF strength and endurance were measured using a cranio-cervical flexion test. The upper trapezius (UT), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and suboccipital (SO) muscle tones were measured using a contact soft tissue tone measuring instrument. The statistical significance level was set to .05. Results : There were significant differences in the flexion, extension, and rotation of the cervical ROM (CROM) between the two groups (p<.05). The SCM, UT, and SO muscle tones were significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). The DNF strength and endurance showed a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion : We found that there were significant increases in the CROM and muscle tone and decrease in the DNF strength and endurance in the instability group. This indicated that cervical instability is affected by the DNF strength and endurance. We may recommend DNF exercises in cases of cervical instability in clinical environments.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.458-465
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the interaction between neck and/or wrist pain and hand grip strength (HGS) and to investigate factors (age, sex, neck disorders, and carpal tunnel syndrome) influencing the HGS of industrial quality proofing workers (N = 145). Methods: Standardized questionnaires [Neck Disability Index (NDI), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire] were used to evaluate existing neck and/or wrist pain. HGS measurements were performed in different wrist positions. Results: Significant differences between participants with and without neck pain were found in different wrist positions, in neutral wrist position right [without neck pain (n = 48) 46.34 (43.39 - 49.30); with neck pain (n = 97) 38.46 (36.20 - 40.72), F_(1,144) = 16.82, p < 0.001, ŋ_p² = 0.11] and left [without neck pain 44.06 (41.19 - 46.94); with neck pain 37.36 (35.13 - 39.58), F_(1,144) = 12.70, p < 0.001, ŋ_p² = 0.08]. A significant difference between participants with and without wrist pain was found for neutral wrist position right [without wrist pain (n = 105) 42.53 (40.37 - 44.70); with wrist pain (n = 40) 37.24 (33.56 - 40.91), F_(1,144) = 6.41, p = 0.01, ŋ_p² = 0.04]. Regression analysis showed significant results especially for steps two (age and weight, NDI) and three (age and weight, NDI, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) for neutral position right (R² = 0.355, R² = 0.357, respectively). Conclusion: Neck pain has an impact on HGS but should be evaluated in consideration of age and sex.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.17-22
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the quantitative isometric muscle strength of shoulder girdle and the test reliability using by the equipment, named 'IsoTrack', selected by authors in the former studies. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects (9 men, 21 women) were recruited in two sessions, one for intratester and intertester reliability tests and the other quantitative isometric muscle strength tests. The neck flexion, extension and scapular elevation muscle strength was measured using a force measuring device as IsoTract. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients for intratester reliability of the all subjects ranging between 0.96 and 0.97. For intertester reliability, the ICC and Pearson correlation correspond to 0.84 and 0.78. We gauged muscle strength of shoulder girdle muscles based on it and indicated quantified isometric muscle strength of women and men in left and right side. Conclusion: We concluded that there were high reiliability of isometric muscle strength of neck and shoulder girdle. Also, we gauged muscle strength of shoulder girdle muscles based on it and indicated quantified isometric muscle strength in left and right side in women and men. So this findings may assist in the measure of whole body muscle strength.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.582-587
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• 2003

This paper is concerned with the mechanical property changes of the milli-size products manufactured by forward extrusion processes with square dies. Experiments are carried out with pure aluminum and pure copper billets. Extrusion ratio and knock-out pad are chosen as the important process parameters affecting the changes of mechanical properties such as shear strength and hardness. Shear strength tests with the extruded milli-size pin have shown the strong relation between victors hardness and shear strength in the neck of a stepped pin. As the extrusion ratio increases, the hardness on both the surface and the center line of a pin also increase. It is also noted that the hardness on the surface is a little higher than that on the center. The existence of knock-out pad in extrusion die causes the hardness in the neck of a extruded pin to increase. Finally, the approximated linear relations between shear strength and hardness of a pin are suggested.