• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-52
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the levels of usage of the superficial neck muscles during head rotation in forward head posture and in multimodal postures for improvement of cervical rotation movement impairment. METHODS: To acquire electromyography (EMG) signals from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM-M), upper trapezius (UPT-M), and the splenius capitis (SPC-M) muscles, 11 subjects practiced right rotation of the head in forward head postures (FHP), upright sitting postures (USP), upright sitting postures with supported arms (SUP), standing postures with the arms leaning against the wall (WSP), and four feet postures (FFP), respectively. RESULTS: The left SCM-M was used significantly more in the FFP compared to the FHP, but not in other postures (p<0.01). The left UPT-M was used significantly more in all postures other than the FHP. The right SPC-M was used significantly more in the FFP (p<0.001) and significantly less (p<0.05) in the SUP compared to the FHP. CONCLUSION: During the rotation of the head, although the usage of the SPC-M significantly decreased in SUP compared to FHP but the usage of the SCM-M and UPT-M did not decrease significantly in other postures compared to FHP. Further research is necessary to prove the hypothesis that special postures may reduce the activity of the superficial neck muscles during head rotation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2019

PURPOSE: Forward head posture (FHP) is a head-on-trunk malalignment that results in musculoskeletal dysfunction and neck pain. To improve forward head posture, both the craniocervical flexion exercise (CCFE) and the visual guide (VG) technique have been used. This study compared the immediate effects of CCFE and VG combined with CCFE on craniovertebral angle (CVA), as well as on the activity of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and anterior scalene (AS) muscles during CCFE in subjects with FHP. METHODS: In total, 16 subjects (nine males, seven females) with FHP were recruited using the G-power software. Each subject conducted CCFE and CCFE combined with VG in random order. The CVA was recorded using a digital camera and the ImageJ image analysis software. The EMG data of SCM and AS were measured by surface electromyography. A paired T-test was used to assess differences between the effects of the CCFE and VG combined with CCFE interventions in the same group. RESULTS: The CVA was significantly greater for CCFE combined with the VG than for CCFE alone (p<.05). The activity of the SCM and AS muscles was also significantly greater when the VG was combined with CCFE than during CCFE alone across all craniocervical flexion exercise phases (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Use of the VG technique combined with CCFE improved FHP in subjects with FHP compared to CCFE alone.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.393-405
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the effects of changes of head posture and cervical spine shape on the mandibular resting or clenching electromyographic(EMG) activity in anterior temporalis(TA), masseter(MM), sternocleidomastoid muscle(SCM) and trapezius insertion(TI). 30 patients with Temporomandibular Disorders(TMDs) participated in this study. EMG activity($\mu$V) at rest and clenching was observed in four head postures, namely natural head posture(NHP), forward head posture(FHP), upward head posture(UHP), and downward head posture(DHP). For taking in upward or downward head posture head was inclined 10$^{\circ}$ upward or downward and CROM$^\textregistered$(cervical-range-of motion, Performance attainment Inc., USA) was used to maintain same posture during the procedure, and BioEMG$^\textregistered$ (Bioelectromyograph, Bioresearch Inc., USA) was used to record EMG activity in the above four muscles at eight locations on both sides. The recorded EMG activity($\mu\textrm{V}$) were compared and analyzed by cervical spine shape such as the head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination. Head position from plum line was measured in vertical plate calibrated with cm scale, comical curvature by radius was measured with adjustable curved ruler, and cervical inclination by cervical vertebrae tangent(CVT)was measured in lateral cephalograph. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Mean value of head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination were 4.8cm, 26.7cm, and 86.6$^{\circ}$, respectively, And There were no correlationship among these items. 2. For resting EMG activity by head posture, the value in anterior temporalis was higher at FHP than at DHP, the value in masseter was higher at FHP than at NHP, and DHP, the value in sternocleidomastoid muscle was higher at UHP than at NHP, and the value in trapezius insertion was higher at FHP and DHP than, NHP and UHP. The clenching EMG activity, however, did not show any difference by head posture. 3. Comparison of resting and clenching EMG activity between higher and lower groups by head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination did not show any significant difference. From this result, the author concluded that the cervical spine shape had not significantly affected to EMG activity in usual patients with TMDs.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to suggest an effective method of daily life movement training for stroke patients by comparison and analysis of the biomechanic characteristics of sitting up from a lying posture in stroke patients and healthy elderly participants. Methods: Fifteen stroke patients and 15 age-matched elderly participants were included in the study. The movement of sitting up from a lying posture was divided into three stages, and the differences in muscle activity in the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and rectus femoris (RF) during the movement were analyzed. Results: Subjects in the experimental group showed slower speed than those in the control group. In the neck joint, the change of angle in movement showed a larger decrease at all stages in the experimental group than in the control group; the movement also decreased in stages I and II in the upper trunk joint. The movement also showed a statistically significant decrease in stage II in the lower trunk, pelvic, and hip joints. The SCM showed higher activity in the control group than in the experimental group, showing a statistically significant difference; the RA showed high activity in the experimental group. The RF showed higher activity in the control group than in the experimental group, showing a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: From the results obtained above, increasing movements in the neck, pelvic, and hip joints and strengthening of lower body muscles are required in order to improve the ability for getting up from a lying posture in stroke patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.388-395
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• 1996

Congenital muscular torticollis(CMT) is a disorder characterized by shortening of at least one of the cervical muscles and tilting of the head to opposite side. The most commonly affected muscle is the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Pathogenesis and etiology of congenital muscular torticollis were not clearly identified, but considered as fetal malposition, birth trauma, vascular accident, heredity, infection and CNS pathology. Untreated congenital muscular torticollis often causes facial asymmetry and This is the rasult of tensional rotation of the face toward affected side. So early treatment may prevent facial and neck asymmetry and limitation of neck movement. There are many treatment methods in CMT, including conservative and operative method, but presently Bipolar release and Z-Plasty of SCM muscle has been introduced when the conservative treatment had failed. The benefits of this method are to preservation of the normal Neck V-contour and improvement of the neck motion. We treated CMT using Bipolar release and Z-plasty in two patients. After that the patients improved on the range of neck motion and maintained the normal V-conture of the neck, so we report two cases of CMT with literatures.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

We investigated the potential of electromyography (EMG) for diagnosing imbalance in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to apply functional cerebrospinal therapy (FCST). The electromyography signals were measured in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) while a FCST specialist conducted a restricted cervical rotation test. In addition, we also observed the changes in the electromyography signals according to pre-treatment or treatment with a TMJ balancing appliance (TBA), a customized TMJ balancing appliance (CBA), or a CBA with one paper bar. The right SCMs of the two patients with right TMJ imbalance had high EMG signals in the right cervical rotation test, while the left SCMs showed low EMG signals in the left rotation. In addition, the high EMG signals in the right SCMs decreased when using the TBA or the CBA, but the EMG signals of the left SCMs showed low EMG values during the treatments. Furthermore, the EMG signals of the right SCMs rose again after artificial imbalance of the right TMJ by the CBA with one paper bar. This case report demonstrated the potential of EMG as an objective diagnostic method for FCST.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.241-247
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• 2007

Purpose : Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a common and benign congenital disorder of the musculoskeletal system in neonates and infants. The pathophysiology is that the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is shortened on the involved side by fibrosis, leading to ipsilateral tilt and contralateral rotation of the face and chin. In this study, we investigated the clinical features of CMT, the role of ultrasonography (USG) in prediction of prognoses and the clinical significance of early detection and treatment. Methods : Forty seven patients (M:F=31:16) were diagnosed as a CMT between March 2003 and May 2006. We reviewed age at diagnosis, physical findings, USG findings, treatment and therapeutic outcome from their medical records. Results : The median age at diagnosis was 90 days (18 days-9 years, 7 months) and the right side of neck was affected in more patients (right : left=26:21). Of 24 patients with a palpable neck mass, 21 had USG; 19 cases showed sternocleidomastoid tumor (SMT). In cases with no neck mass, USG was performed in 11 patients; seven had postural torticollis (POST), three had SMT and one had muscular torticollis (MT). Among 40 patients with follow-up, 36 had total resolution. There was negative correlation between the age at diagnosis and the recovery time, whereas the final outcome was not correlated with USG findings. However, the patients without positive findings in USG had earlier resolution (1 month vs 2.6 months, P=0.0008). The patients with SMT had earlier diagnosis and excellent outcomes. The patients with MT were delayed to diagnosis and had the longest time to resolve. Lastly, the patients with POST had delayed diagnoses, but they had excellent outcomes. Conclusion : Since the patients with delayed diagnoses, in despite of benign courses, may take a long time to resolve and rarely need surgical treatment, it is important to diagnose and treat early. This study showed that USG findings of the SCM may be used as predictive factors.