• PNF and Movement
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.391-397
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• 2022

Purpose: Recently, as a result of the use of smart devices, the incidence of musculoskeletal diseases in areas such as the neck and shoulders has increased. A common effect is rounded shoulder posture, which badly affects the movement and posture of the scapula, causing musculoskeletal disease. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of three shoulder brace products on rounded shoulder posture. Methods: A total of 12 subjects comprising men and women in their 20s with round shoulder posture participated in this study. Three shoulder brace designs were selected, and the height change of the shoulder acromion in the lying state before and after wearing the braces was measured. Effectiveness verification was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The results confirmed that the different shoulder brace designs had different effects on round shoulder posture. Conclusion: Currently, numerous designs of shoulder braces are being sold, but their effects have not been verified. In the future, more diverse designs of shoulder braces should be studied, and effective shoulder brace designs should be developed and used.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.213-220
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of each lower trapezius muscle exercise performed according to the abduction position (Y type - shoulder joint abduction 145 °, T type - shoulder joint abduction 90 °, and MPC type - shoulder joint 45 ° abduction) of the shoulder joint on the muscle activity of the round shoulder and lower trapezius muscle. Methods : This study was conducted on 31 adult men and women. Through random assignment, they were assigned to the Y group, T group, and MPC group. A 4-week intervention was performed for each group of 31 subjects who participated in the experiment, and shoulder height and lower trapezius muscle activity were measured before and after the intervention. Shoulder height measurement is a test to measure rounded shoulder posture. When the value is low, it means that rounded shoulder posture is improved. The muscle activity of the lower trapezius muscle was measured using the %MVIC method, and when the value is high, it means that the lower trapezius muscle is active. All measured data were verified using dependent t-tests for before and after comparisons and one-way analysis of variance for comparisons between groups. Results : The results of this study showed a significant decrease after intervention only in shoulder height. Muscle activity of the lower trapezius muscle decreased after intervention, but did not show a significant difference. Both variables showed no significant differences between groups. Conclusion : The results of this study show that three lower trapezius muscle exercises were performed on subjects in rounded shoulder posture. All three groups showed a significant decrease in the shoulder height value, a method of measuring rounded shoulder posture, and no significant differences between groups could be confirmed. Therefore, all three exercises can be considered effective in reducing shoulder posture.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.75-86
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pectoralis minor stretching and lower trapezius strengthening exercise on posture change, shoulder range of motion (ROM), and pain in rotator cuff repair patients with a rounded shoulder posture (RSP). Methods: Following baseline measurements, the subjects (n = 25) with rotator cuff repair were randomized into two groups: the PNF group (n = 13), which engaged in PNF pectoralis minor stretching and lower trapezius strengthening exercise, and the control group (n = 12), which received traditional physical therapy. Each group participated in the intervention five times per week for two weeks. The RSP values for the postural changes, flexion and abduction ROM, and visual analogue scales (VASs) of both groups were recorded at both pre- and post-intervention. In addition, before and after the intervention, a paired t-test was conducted to compare the within-group changes and an independent t-test to compare the between-group differences. Results: After the two-week intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased RSP and VAS values (p < 0.05) and a significantly increased ROM (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the PNF group showed greater improvements in RSP, ROM, and VAS than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that PNF pectoralis minor stretching and lower trapezius strengthening exercise reduce posture and shoulder pain and enhance ROM in rotator cuff repair patients with RSP.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.205-213
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the immediate effects of a figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention on round shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion mobility in forward head posture. Methods: Thirty patients with forward head posture were assigned randomly to the figure-8 shoulder brace group (n = 15) or the taping intervention group (n = 15). Patients were assessed for forward head posture, shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion. Results: The figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention groups showed a significant difference for forward head posture, shoulder posture, and thoracic kyphosis after the experiment (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that a figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention has a positive effect on rounded shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion in patients with forward head posture.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.433-438
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to compare a 975-nm, 500-mW GaAlAs low-level laser therapy versus placebo low-level laser therapy with regard to the immediate changes on the myofascial trigger point of the dominant upper trapezius muscle in subjects with rounded shoulder posture. METHODS: Thirty-two male college students with rounded shoulder posture and shoulder pain consented to participate in the experiment. The subjects were randomly assigned to a 2-minute procedure with either an active GaAlAs low-level laser or a placebo GaAlAs low-level laser. The pressure-pain threshold and visual analog scale on tenderness at 3 kg were measured with an algometer before and after the laser treatments. RESULTS: The active GaAlAs low-level laser group showed significant changes in pressure-pain threshold and visual analog scale on tenderness at 3 kg (p<0.05). The placebo GaAlAs low-level laser group showed no significant changes in either pressure-pain threshold or visual analog scale on tenderness at 3 kg (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: An immediate effect was observed in pressure-pain threshold and visual analog scale on tenderness at 3 kg following a 2-minute application ($857.14J/cm^2$) of a 975-nm, 500-mW GaAlAs low-level laser to the myofascial trigger point of the dominant upper trapezius muscle in patients with rounded shoulder posture.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.29-41
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the treatment of Forward Head and Rounded Shoulder Posture (FHRSP) using posture correction exercises by comparing muscle activity and onset time around the neck and shoulder area during an arm elevation task. METHODS: The subjects were divided into FHRSP (21 persons) and non-FHRSP (19 persons) groups to measure muscle activity and onset time of muscle contraction. Wireless surface electromyography was used to assess the muscle activity and onset time of the right and left sternocleidomastoid (SCM), splenius capitis, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, serratus anterior, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, and infraspinatus during an arm elevation task. After the pre-measurement, the participants performed the postural correction exercises, and then the post-measurement was conducted. RESULTS: After the posture correction exercises, there were significant differences in the muscle activity and onset time of all muscles in the FHRSP group. The results of the comparison of the muscle onset time during an arm elevation task demonstrated that after the postural correction exercises, the muscle onset time was significantly reduced in the right and left SCM and left splenius capitis, but there were no significant changes in the onset time of other muscles. CONCLUSION: The results of this study help us understand the change in muscle activities and muscle contraction onset time in a person with FHRSP when lifting the arm and suggest the relevant basis to apply the posture correction exercise in clinical settings.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.140-146
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• 2014

Purpose: Differences in scapular kinematics and muscle activity appear in the forward head and rounded shoulder posture (FHRSP). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the following effects according to different postures on scapular kinematics and muscle activity around scapular region in individuals with and without FHRSP during overhead reaching task. Methods: Thirty pain-free subjects with/without FHRSP participated in this study. All subjects were positioned into three positions: habitual head posture (HHP), self-perceived ideal head posture (SIHP) and therapist-perceived neutral head posture (TNHP). Muscle activities of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) were measured during overhead reaching task. Results: Muscle activity of trapezius muscle (UT and LT) during HHP was significantly higher than SIHP and TNHP in FHRSP group (p<0.05), but there was no difference between SIHP and TNHP. SA also significantly increased muscle activity in HHP more than SIHP and TNHP in FHRSP group (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between SIHP and TNHP. In Non-FHRSP group, although there was a tendency of different muscle activities among three postures, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This result demonstrates that muscle activity associated with overhead reaching task is increased in HHP which affects the scapular kinematics and SIHP contributes changed scapular kinematics and proper recruitment of muscle activity in FHRSP similarly to TNHP.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.131-140
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out which shoulder abduction angle among the three representative angles of lower trapezius strengthening exercises most effectively improves rounded shoulder posture. Methods : Thirty-one people with rounded shoulders, the subjects of this study, were selected. With the use of a random number table, group A was randomly assigned to a Y-type exercise, group B to a T-type exercise, and group C to an MPC exercise. In the prone position, both arms are abducted at the angles suggested for each group (145 °, 90 °, and 45 °, respectively), and the hands are holding dumbbells to assume a functional posture. With the start signal, the thumb raised the arm to the sky and the arm is raised to the level of the ear for 10 seconds and then returned to the original position. Each week, the strength required was increased by changing the resistance weight, number of times, and set, and the exercise was performed three times a week for a total of four weeks. Results : There was a significant difference in the change in shoulder height of each group after four weeks of exercise in comparison to the amount of change in height before and after exercise in all groups (p<.05). However, no significant difference was observed between all groups in the change in muscle activity of the lower trapezius muscle in each group following four weeks of exercise (p>.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that the three lower trapezius strengthening exercises have a positive effect on the improvement of rounded shoulders. In consideration of these results, it is therefore proposed that the various lower trapezius strengthening exercises be applied in parallel during physical therapy for patients with rounded shoulders in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.217-223
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to investigate whether the two different head postures, natural and ideal head posture, affect head/shoulder posture and muscle activity. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects with the forward head and round shoulder posture were participated in this study. This study utilized a within-subjects design with subjects being positioned into two sitting positions: natural head posture (NHP) and ideal head posture (IHP). Forward head angle (FHA) and forward shoulder angle (FSA) of each subject were measured for assessing the head/shoulder posture and muscle activities of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) during the forward overhead reaching. Results: There were significant increases in both FHA and FSA after taking IHP, which showed greater angles than in taking NHP. In change of muscle activities, there were significant decreases in both LT and SA after taking IHP, which showed lower activities than in taking a NHP, whereas there was no significant change in UT. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that postural alterations associated with forward head and rounded shoulder postures could alter scapular kinetics and muscle activity during the forward overhead reaching.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.49-56
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was compared for rounded scapular between strechting on pectoralis minoor and strengthening on scapular stabilizer muscles. Methods : The main laboratory had an experiment of the exercise for rounded shoulder posture with 30 patients on a pectoralis minor stretching and scapula to stabilize the elastic band to divide into two groups in this study which were conducted. Results : Acromial height measured from changes of the rounded shoulder posture changes before and after workouts; stretching before exercise in the exercise group is from $94.19{\pm}3.47$ to after result of $94.84{\pm}3.19$, and the after exercise of an elastic band pre-exercise in the exercise group is from $93.60{\pm}3.42$ to $88.68{\pm}3.49$, dividing into two groups, which increased significantly. Compared to an acromial height variation results before and after workouts; stretching exercise group made $3.07{\pm}1.43$, $4.91{\pm}2.24$ and elastic band exercise group, $4.91{\pm}2.24$, which shows the difference between the two groups and was not statistically significant. Conclusion : Against a pectoralis minor that cause the findings of this study, RSP proximately shows serratus anterior and the strengthening of trapezius by exercises of the shoulder peaks which decrease in height arbitration scheme of a pectoralis minor stretching effect as shown. Therefore, it is expected RSP patients in clinical intervention methods combined with stretching exercises strengthens muscles against an elastic band exercise effective.