• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.29-40
• /
• 2019

PURPOSE: Despite the widespread occurrence in the general population, few studies have directly evaluated the effects of shingles on non-specific neck pain (NSNP). This study investigated whether sensory training or therapeutic stretching exercises are more effective in increasing neck mobility and reducing neck pain in chronic NSNP patients. METHODS: Eighty-one subjects aged between 20 and 32 years with chronic neck pain (> six months), were allocated randomly to three groups: sensorimotor training group (STG), therapeutic stretching group (TSG), and home exercise group (HEG). All participants received a half-hour training session, three times weekly for six weeks. The outcomes were evaluated using the neck disability index for measuring neck pain, and a universal goniometer to measure the cervical passive range of motion before and after the six-week intervention. RESULTS: The post-test neck disability index scores in the STG (t = 4.86) and TSG (t = 3.24) were decreased significantly (p < .05). The passive range of motion changes in all cervical movements in the STG was increased significantly (p < .05) after intervention compared to those in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Sensorimotor training using chin tuck exercises may improve neck pain and mobility in subjects with chronic NSNP.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.1803-1809
• /
• 2019

Background: Cervical mobilization has been applied mainly for the improvement of arm and neck movements and pain reduction, and little research has been done to improve the executive function. Since this kind of so-called mechanical neck pain is one of most common symptoms, there are controversial issues about this with spine alignment. Posteroanterior (PA) mobilization from the Maitland concept is a process of examination, assessment, and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorder by manipulative physical therapy. Objective: To examine the short-term benefits of mobilization for patients with non-specific neck pain. Design: Dual-group Pretest-Posttest Design from the Quasi-Experimental research Methods: Fourteen participants (male 8, female 6; 20's of their age) with non-specific neck pains which are distributed all the unilateral or bilateral body side were recruited. Participants were categorized to Neck Pain with Movement Coordination Impairments (NPMCI) and Neck Pain with Mobility Deficits (NPMD) groups according to the results of physical examination. Professional physical therapist who has over 15-years-of clinical experience applicated manipulative therapy for the neck pain, an occupational therapist only conducted evaluations; K-NDI (Korean version of the Neck Disability Index), VAS (Visual Analog Scale), BDS-K (Korean version of Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale) for decreasing possible adverse effects; there were no person who reported other symptoms followed 4 weeks from the trial. Results: In the NPMCI group, data analysis indicated statistical differences between the PA mobilization interventions in NDI and BDS-K; even though, pain was reduced in VAS, this is not a significantly differ. In the NPMD group, data analysis represented statistical differences between the PA mobilization interventions in NDI, VAS and BDS-K; the scores were represented to be increased or the pain got relief. Conclusions: PA mobilization techniques according to Maitland concept have beneficial effects in patients with neck pain and other clinical positive effects which included neck disability, pain itself and motor function of upper extremity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.125-138
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to apply suboccipital muscle inhibition combined with neck muscle stabilization exercise to 20~30s IT industry employees who suffer from chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods: This study was designed as single-blind and randomized controlled trial. The study participants were 20~30s IT industry employees with chonic non-specific neck pain (VAS 3/10) who were divided into an experimental group (n= 20) subjected to suboccipital muscle inhibition with neck muscle stabilization exercise, and control group (n= 20); suboccipital muscle inhibition only. The intervention was applied three times per week for eight weeks. The neck pain·pressure pain threshold·range of motion, and disability index were measured at the 1st, 8th, and 10th week at follow up, then analyzed with an analysis of variance(ANOVA) using the SPSS program. Results: The total number of study participants was 37 (experimental group 19, mean age 34.6±5.3, control group 18, mean age 35.7±4.9). The comparison and analysis of change in VAS, the pressure pain threshold, and the range of motion except the extension (p>.05) revealed a statistically significant decrease between groups over eight weeks and follow up measurement (p<.01). Regarding the within the group differences, the right side of the neck pressure pain threshold showed a statistically significant decrease over eight weeks in the control group (p<.01). The right and left lateral flexion, and the right and left rotation were statistically significant for the experimental group over eight weeks and follow up measurement, but only the left lateral flexion (p<.05) for the control group over eight weeks. The neck disability index showed a slight decrease but this was not satistically significant for the between-grop or the within-group differences (p>.05). Conclusion: The intervention of suboccipital muscle inhibition and a neck muscle stabilization exercise are more beneficial for neck pain and the range of motion than the application of suboccipital muscle inhibition alone.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.121-130
• /
• 2024

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the effect of neck stabilization exercises using a stick on the pain, headache, and quality of life of adult patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods : The participants of this study were 28 adult patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. The subjects were assigned to the experimental group (n=15, neck stabilization exercises using a stick after conservative physical therapy) and the control group (n=13, conservative physical therapy) according to the order of participation in the study and the intervention methods. The intervention was conducted three times a week for four weeks. The neck stabilization exercises using a stick consisted of isometric exercises of the muscles around the neck and strengthening exercises of the muscles around the scapula. The visual analog scale (VAS) and headache impact test (HIT-6) were used to measure the pain and headache, and the SF 36 health questionnaire (SF-36) was used to measure the quality of life. Results : In the comparison of VAS, HIT-6, and SF-36, there were significant differences between before and after the intervention in both the experimental and control groups (p<.05). The pre-post comparisons between the two groups according to the experiment showed significant differences between the experimental group and the control group (p=.001). However, the experimental group showed greater changes than the control group. Conclusion : Through this study, it was confirmed that neck stabilization exercises using a stick have positive effects on reducing the neck pain and headaches and improving the quality of life of adult patients with chronic neck pain. Therefore, it is considered that neck stabilization exercises using a stick can be used as an effective exercise method for the treatment and prevention of patients with chronic neck pain in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.43-53
• /
• 2023

Background: Patients with neck pain develop instability due to muscle imbalance, decreased proprioception, and balance disorders. Studies have examined various exercise methods as treatment methods, but few studies have compared the effects of cervical stabilization exercise and dynamic balance exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dynamic balance exercise on pain, functional level, and psychosocial level in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods: Thirty-four non-specific chronic neck pain patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG, n=17) and control group (CG, n=17); the cervical stabilization exercise and dynamic balance exercise program were applied to the EG; and only the cervical stabilization exercise program was applied to the CG. The intervention was conducted twice a week, for six weeks. Assessment items evaluated pain, dysfunction (Korean version neck disability index), range of motion, craniocervical flexion test, cervical deep flexor endurance test, and psychosocial level. Data analysis was performed using intention-to-treat analysis as assigned. To analyze differences in the items assessed in the two groups, we used a repeated measures analysis of variance with an interaction between group (EG, CG) and time point (baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks). Results: The endurance of the cervical flexor muscles between the group and the measurement point after intervention (p<.05). Both groups showed significantly improved endurance between time points after the intervention (p<.05), with the EG showing a greater change than the CG. None of the other measurement items differed in the pattern of change between measurement points. Conclusion: In conclusion, the EG applying a cervical stabilization exercise and a dynamic balance exercise experienced a significant difference in muscle endurance improvement compared to the CG. We propose an exercise intervention program that includes stabilization exercises and dynamic balance exercises for patients with chronic cervical pain who lack muscle endurance.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.57-60
• /
• 2011

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of nervous tissue has been proposed as a less neurodestructive technique alternative to continuous RF heat lesioning. Recently, clinical reports using PRF have shown favorable effects in the treatment of a variety of focal pain areas, even in non-nervous tissues; however, the mechanism of effect underlying this treatment to non-nervous tissue remains unclear. We report the case of a 67-year-old male who presented with pain reliving point in the posterior neck. The patient had pain in the posterior neck for 3 years. The pain subsided with pressure applied to a point in the posterior neck. There were no specific abnormal findings on laboratory testing and radiologic examinations. After PRF treatment to the pain-relieving point, he had pain relief which lasted more than 5 months.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.242-247
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study examine the functioning level and quality of life (QoL) of people with non-specific neck pain and neck pain with radiculopathy using the neck disability index (NDI), functional rating index (FRI), and short form of health survey 36 (SF-36) and each of linked lCF code lists of those scales. Methods: Each item of the NDI, FRI, and SF-36 were linked conceptually to the ICF code, and the lCF code lists of those scales were produced as iNDI, iFRI, and iSF-36, respectively. Seventy-nine patients with neck pain filled the instruments and its linked ICF code lists. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the diagnosis, non-specific neck pain (Group1), and neck pain with radiculopathy (Group2). A group comparison was performed using an independent t-test. The Pearson correlation coefficient was also used to analyze the relationships between each scale and the linked ICF code list. Results: The participants in Group 2 experienced more difficulties in their daily activities than those in Group 2 when examined in NDI and FRI (p<0.05). This result was also found consistently in the ICF code lists, iNDI and iFRI (p=0.05). On the other hand, the QoL did not show a difference between groups (p=0.06). A strong correlation was observed between the instruments and linked ICF code lists: NDI and iNDI (r=0.90), FRI and iFRI (r=0.91), and SF-36 and iSF-36 (r=-0.61). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the concept of each item in NDI and FRI could be linked to the ICF codes when examining patients with neck pain, but the items of SF-36 were found to be linked and expressed in ICF.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.254-259
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the interactions between the job strain and social support in the workplace on the development of workrelated neck pain in office workers. Methods: The participants included 62 office workers without neck pain over the last twelve months. A battery of measures evaluating the potential workplace risk factors in office settings were conducted at the baseline, and at the 12 month incidence of work-related neck pain was reported via monthly questionnaires. Survival analysis evaluated the interaction effect between job strain and social support on the development of work-related neck pain. Results: The incidence of work-related neck pain was 1.91 (95% CI: 1.06 - 3.45) per 100 person months. The interaction effect between job strain and social support found that job strain may increase the risk of developing new work-related neck pain when lower social support existed in the workplace. On the other hand, the adverse effects of job strain on the development of neck pain were not significant when workers had higher social support from their colleagues and supervisors. Conclusion: An investigation of the moderating effects of risk factors on neck pain might reveal the unexplained relationship between the risk factors for the development of neck pain in office workers. Therefore, the interest in prevention plans and treatments should involve a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors at workplace.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.565-570
• /
• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between activity of daily living and social psychology and work mind of office workers with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP). Design: Crossed-sectional study Methods: 86 patients with NSCNP were recruited for this study. Neck disability index (NDI) and Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) were used to check the pain intensity and disability of patients with neck pain. To find out the occupational factors of the subjects, the Korean version of Latack Coping Scale was used. And,To find out the socio-psychological factors of the subjects, the Korean version of depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) was used. We performed correlation for each variable. Results: The correlation between NPRS and NDI and DASS-21 Scale were clear positive correlation (p<0.05). There was no statistical significance between the LATACK control group and the pain and disability index (p>0.05). A clear positive correlation was established between the avoidance group of LATACK and pain (p<0.01). Conclusions: Through this study, it is necessary to have time to manage depression, anxiety, and stress in the treatment of neck pain in office workers who spend a lot of time sitting. In addition, it is thought that there should be the ability to control oneself about one's duties in the workplace.

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