• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2019

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is a postural alignment of the cervical vertebrae that leads to increased gravitational load on cervical segmental motions. The overhead arm lift test assesses the ability to actively dissociate and control low cervical flexion and move the shoulders through overhead flexion. Objects: The purpose of this study was to explore muscle activities in the upper trapezius (UT), serratus anterior (SA), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and lower trapezius (LT) alongside changes in head position during the overhead arm lift test in individuals with FHP. Methods: Fifteen subjects with forward head posture and fifteen subjects with normal subjcects were enrolled in this study. The patients performed the overhead arm lift test, and muscle activities of the UT, SCM, SA, and LT were measured using surface electromyography and by evaluating changes in head position. Independent t-tests were used to detect significant differences between the two groups and Cohen's d was calculated to measure the size of the mean difference between the groups. Results: The FHP group demonstrated significantly increased muscle activity of the UT ($32.46{\pm}7.64$), SCM ($12.79{\pm}4.01$), and LT ($45.65{\pm}10.52$) and significantly decreased activity in the SA ($26.65{\pm}6.15$) than the normal group. The change in head position was significantly higher in the FHP group ($6.66{\pm}2.08$) than the normal group. Effect sizes for all parameters assessed were large between the two groups. Conclusion: The subjects with excessive FHP displayed were unable to fix their heads in position during the overhead arm lift test. The overhead arm lift test can thus be used in clinical settings to confirm control of the neck in these subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of posture correction and real-time visual feedback using a video display on muscle activity and change of head position during overhead arm lift test in individuals with forward head posture. Methods: Fifteen subjects with forward head posture and fifteen normal subjects who volunteered were included in this study. During both groups performed the overhead arm lift test, the muscle activity of the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, sternocleidomastoid, and lower trapezius muscle were measured using electromyography, and head position change was measured using photographs. Then, forward head posture group was asked to perform overhead arm lift test again after posture correction and real-time visual feedback using a video display respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze four conditions: pre-test, posture correction, real-time visual feedback, and the control group. Results: The upper trapezius and lower trapezius muscle activity significantly decreased posture correction, real-time visual feedback, and control group than pre-test of forward head posture group (p<0.05). The sternocleidomastoid muscle significantly decreased real-time visual feedback and control group than pre-test of forward head posture group. Head position change significantly decreased three conditions than pre-test of forward head posture group and real-time visual feedback and control group significantly decreased than posture correction. Conclusion: This study recommend for maintaining cervical stability during the overhead arm lift test, postural control using real-time visual feedback is more effective in subjects with forward head posture.