• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study was aimed to determine the effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulation on muscle activities of the scapular upward rotators and middle deltoid, active range of motion (AROM), shoulder pain, and rounded shoulder posture in young adults with rounded shoulder. Methods: The subjects were 30 young adults (14 males, 16 females) with rounded shoulder. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental (manipulation) and control (placebo) groups of fifteen subjects respectively. The manipulation group received the manipulation (high velocity, low amplitude), which was performed by a physical therapist with the subject in the supine position and with the arms crossed over the chest and hands passed over the shoulders. For the sham group, the same procedure was performed, with the exception that the high-velocity thrust was not applied. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention. Muscle activity of upper and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, middle deltoid was measured using surface electromyography. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used for shoulder pain. Goniometry was used for shoulder abduction active range of motion (AROM). Straight edge was used for supine rounded shoulder posture (RSP) distance. Results: The muscle activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius and middle deltoid muscle increased significantly after the intervention (p<.05). However, no significant difference was observed in serratus anterior muscle (p>.05). The VAS was significantly decreased and AROM significantly increased after the intervention (p<.05). The distance of RSP were not significant (p>.05). The control group showed no differences before and after the intervention (p>.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that thoracic spine thrust manipulation can be an effective component of treatment plan to improve pain and function.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.113-124
• /
• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise intervention combined with 3D visual feedback and motion observation on postural alignment and cerebral cortical activity in subjects with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : The study included 28 participants with FHP, randomly divided into a 3D visual feedback plus motion observation group (n=14) or control group (n=14). The experimental group received corrective exercise combined with 3D visual feedback and motion observation for FHP, three times a week for four weeks. We examined cervical spine radiographs in the lateral standing position with both arms crossed to measure the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and cervical lordosis (CL). Relative alpha (RA) and beta waves (RB) were measured by wireless dry EEG. Results : The CVA value was significantly different between the groups, and the CL value was significantly different only in the experimental group. RA and RB values were not significantly different before and after intervention in the control group. RB values were significantly decreased before and after intervention in the experimental group. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, we suggest that interventions combined with motion observation and 3D visual feedback may be effective as exercise methods to improve postural alignment and cerebral activity in subjects with FHP. Further research is required to generalize our results on technical supplementation complemented with 3D visual feedback devices.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of exercise on the angle and distance between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise. Method : 30 volunteers took part in this experiment and we divided into three groups(experimental group A, experimental group B, control group C). Experimental group A performed scapular stabilization exercise and experimental group B performed McKenzie neck stretching exercise and control group didn't perform any exercise. Experimental group(A, B) received a total of 12 exercise session over a 4 week period (three times per week). Posture and craniovertebral angle changes of the neck using GPS measurements reported. Result : The CVA and distance change after exercise were significantly reduced in the experimental group A and B. Conclusion : Therefore, we have confirmed through experiments reducing a CVA and distance between scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises, whereby we would also be helpful to ensure the treatment of forward head posture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.48-56
• /
• 2016

Background: Recently, there has been an emphasis on the use of interventions with biofeedback information for the maintenance or correction of posture. Objects: This study assessed the change of trunk posture and trunk muscle activation when people exhibiting postural kyphosis performed visual display terminal work with or without a contact feedback device (CFD). Methods: Eighteen right-handed individuals were recruited. Thoracic angle and right thoracic erector spinae (TES) muscle amplitude were analyzed. There were two sessions in these experiments. The control session involved 16 minutes of typing without a CFD, and the CFD session involved 16 minutes of typing with a CFD. The visual analog scale score was analyzed with a paired t-test, and the kinematic and electromyography data were analyzed through two-way repeated analysis of variance. Results: The paired t-tests revealed that subjects had significantly less pain after the CFD sessions than after the control sessions (p<.05). Significant main effects by session and by time were observed in the thoracic kyphosis angle (p<.05). There was a significant session${\times}$time interaction for TES amplitude (p<.05), along with significant main effects by session and by time (p<.05). Conclusion: The CFD caused people with postural kyphosis to straighten and to activate their TES continuously, even though they were habituated to bend their bodies forward. Therefore, the CFD was a beneficial treatment tool.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.1018-1024
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of cervical alignment, pain, and physique to apply proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) techniques in patients with forward head posture (FHP). The subjects of this study were 24 patients diagnosed with FHP. They were randomly divided into two groups: a PNF group(n=12) and a control group(n=12). The intervention was performed a total of 24 times, 30 min a day, six times a week for four weeks. Data on cervical alignment(forward head displacement, FHD), pain(visual analog scale, VAS), and physique(height, weight, and body mass index) were obtained pre- and post-intervention. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the groups and time. For FHD, the VAS, and physique(height and BMI), there was an interaction effect for the groups and time(p<.001, BMI: p<.05) and main effects for time(p<.001, BMI: p<.05). For weight, there were main effects of time(p<.01). For FHD(p<.01) and the VAS(p<.05), there were main effects for the groups. In the PNF group, there were significant improvements in FHD, VAS, and physique. In the control group, there was a significant increase in FHD. The results of this study indicated that PNF intervention using scapular and upper extremity patterns effective in FHP positively. The use of a therapeutic intervention on physique changes may also be effective in improving poor posture and help to better patients' quality of life.

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

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.193-201
• /
• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of pelvic exercise on the CVA and spinal curve in adults with forward head posture compared to the group using only neck exercise when pelvic exercise was performed in parallel with conventional neck exercise. Methods : GPS 400 and Formetric were used to identify craniovertebral angle (CVA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic torsion and were measured by an experienced research manager. Forward head posture (FHP) was selected for people whose angle between the line connecting the ear ball and the seventh cervical spine and the horizontal line is 50 degrees or less. The 30 selected students were randomly divided into 15 experimental groups and 15 control groups. Mackenzie exercise and sling exercise were performed for neck exercise in both the experimental group and the control group, and pelvic exercise using a Swiss ball was additionally performed in the experimental group. All data collected in this study were analyzed using SPSS statistics 21.0. Cervical vetebral angle (CVA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic torsion were compared at 0 weeks, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks for each measurement factor using ANOVA with repeated measures. For the statistical significance test, the significance level of α was set to .05. Results : The changes of pelvic torsion, thoracic kyphosis and CVA due to pelvic exercise using Swiss Ball and neck exercise were changed over time, but lumbar lordosis were not changed. And there were no significant differences among the groups. Conclusion : In conclusion, the pelvic correction exercise is considered to be an effective exercise for correcting the FHP and requires regular pelvic correction exercises. We expect the results to be used in clinical trials.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.23-34
• /
• 2022

Purpose : This study examined the effects of pain, neck dysfunction, psychosocial level, headache impact test (HIT), postural alignment, and trapezius muscle tone of the complex exercise program using dynamic taping in patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture. Methods : The design of this is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty-four patients with chronic neck pain were screened using a randomized assignment program and assigned to experimental group (n=17) and control group (n=17). Both groups underwent a complex exercise program. In addition, the experimental group dynamic taping was applied to the upper trapezius muscle. All interventions were applied three times per week for four weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the neck disability index (NDI), short form-12 health survey questionnaire (SF-12), Headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), Craniovertebral angle (CVA), Cranial rotation angle (CRA), upper trapezius muscle tone were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Results : Both groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention in VAS, NDI, SF-12, HIT-6, and CVA, CRA (p<.05). In addition, significant differences in NDI and upper trapezius muscle tone were observed between the experimental group and control group (p<.05). Conclusion : A complex exercise program using dynamic taping for patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture are effective method with clinical significance in improving the function and reducing upper trapezius muscle tone.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study was to the effects of the Sling Neurac stabilization exercise(SNSE) on pain, cervical lordosis angle(CLA), and cervical gravity line(CGL) in young adults with a forward head posture. The subjects of the study were selected as SNSEG(n=10) and control group(n=10), they were conducted for 70 minutes three times a week for 8 weeks. Study results showed that pain(p<.001), CGLe(p<.01) were significantly decreased and CLA(p<.001) were also significantly increased in the SNSEG. In conclusion, SNSE is effective in improving the proprioceptive sense of the LM group and activating the muscle. Co-activation with the GM group was found to be effective in improving the CLA and CGL. Therefore, reactivation of the deep neck flexors and suboccipital muscles is an important factor in pain control and postural alignment, and is suggested as an effective intervention method to improve forward head posture.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.15 no.10
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 2010

In this paper proposed the sensor fusion algorithm between a gyroscope and an accelerometer to maintain the inverted posture with two wheels which can make the robot body move to the desired destination. Mobile inverted robot fall down to the forward or reverse direction to converge to the stable point. Therefore, precise information of tilt angles and quick posture control by using the information are necessary to maintain the inverted posture, hence this paper proposed the sensor fusion algorithm between a gyroscope to obtain the angular velocity and a accelerometer to compensate for the gyroscope. Kalman Filter is normally used for the algorithm and numerous research is progressing at the moment. However, a high-performing DSP and systems are needed for the algorithm. This paper realized the robot control method which is much simpler but able to get desired performance by using the sensor fusion algorithm and PID control.