• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.169-174
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to establish normal values for the thoracic limb joint reference angles in Shih Tzu dogs and to describe the standardized CT methodology for measuring the joint reference angle of the humerus. Five pairs of thoracic limbs of Shih Tzu dogs were collected for the CT scans in this study. Three blinded observers measured the joint reference angle of the humerus and radius for each dog by using CT scans in the frontal, sagittal, and axial planes. The means (± SDs) for the average of the right and left humeral joint reference angles were as follows: mMPHA, 83.74 ± 3.95°; mLDHA, 85.04 ± 2.57°; mCaPHA, 46.75 ± 2.20°; mCrDHA, 79.47 ± 1.97°; and HTA, 19.16 ± 2.38°. Means (± SD) for the average of right and left of the radial joint reference angles were as follows: aMPRA, 85.04 ± 1.58°; aLDRA, 87.59 ± 1.37°; aCrPRA, 84.60 ± 1.46°; aCdDRA, 84.27 ± 1.79°; and RTA, 20.91 ± 3.00°. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the joint reference angles for the inter- and intraobserver reliability were good to excellent, except those for the mCrHA and HTA were moderate. Our results suggest that the method of measuring joint reference angles of other long bones by using CT can be applied to thoracic limbs and can extract valid values for one specific breed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.41-47
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• 2016

PURPOSE: Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common postural problems among white-collar workers who perform highly repetitive tasks in the same position. The aim of this study was to research the effects of thoracic and lumbar support fixtures on forward head posture (FHP) during visual display terminal (VDT) work. METHODS: The subjects were 36 healthy male students with no problems in their medical history or respiratory systems. The subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (n=12), thoracic support fixtures (n=12), and lumbar support fixtures (n=12). We conducted a text typing task of the same content for 20 minutes, and evaluated the angles, including the craniovertebra angle (CVA), craniorotation angle (CRA) with photogrammetry. RESULTS: The thoracic and lumbar support fixture groups showed a statistically significant difference at the CVA and CRA to the control group (p<.05), and the post-hoc test showed an increase of the CVA and decrease of the CRA than the control group. However, when we compared the effects of thoracic and lumbar support fixtures on FHP, there was no significant difference in the difference in decrease of the CVA or increase of the CRA (p>.05). CONCLUSION: We determined that VDT work using thoracic and lumbar support fixtures has a positive effect on forward head posture in white-collar workers. Further studies are required to find the more effective location of support fixtures.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2004

Altered scapular kinematics in the scapular joint is commonly believed to be a factor contributing to trunk posture. The purpose of this study was to analyze the muscle activity with several changes of the shoulder angle. Tests were performed on 10 male subjects by repeated measures. Each subject was measured while sitting in both erect and slouched trunk positions. In each sitting posture, a three-dimensional motion analysis measurement was used to measure thoracic angle and shoulder abduction angle. Measurements were taken with the shoulder abdcution angle at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $120^{\circ}$, and $150^{\circ}$. By using surface Electromyography (EMG) electrodes, we recorded the activity of the upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius, middle deltoid, and serratus anterior muscle while the subject held a 4 kg weight at each angle. The mean of root mean square (RMS) of EMG activity was calculated. The middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and middle deltoid muscle activity showed significantly higher results but serratus anterior muscle activity showed significantly lower results (p<.05). With the shoulder angle increased, the muscle activity was also significantly increased (p<.05). In conclusion, the thoracic spine posture significantly affects the scapular muscle during scapular plane abduction, and the slouched posture is associated with increased trapezius muscle activity and with decreased serratus anterior muscle activity.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2012

Purpose : Purpose of this study was to investigate whether cervicothoracic posture was associated with scapula orientation and muscle activity during shoulder abduction. Methods : Cervicothoracic junction angle and thoracic kyphosis angle were measured in health twenty subjects. Then, scapular resting orientation and range of motion (upward/downward rotation, internal/external rotation) and muscle activity (upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior) was determined using motion capture system and surface electromyography while subjects performed shoulder abduction. Results : Cervicothoracic junction angle was significantly associated with range of motion of scapular internal/external rotation during shoulder abduction. Thoracic kyphosis angle was significantly associated with scapular resting orientation of upward/downward rotation and average IEMG of lower trapezius. Conclusion : The result of this study shows that poor cervicothoracic posture is relationship with altered scapular kinematics cause of shoulder dysfunction. These findings suggested that cervicothoracic posture may be considered in occupation and exercise including arm elevation over head as well as used as predict factor to estimate shoulder dysfunction.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2021

Background: Flat-back posture refers to a posture in which the pelvis is tilted backward, the lumbar spine is bent, the upper thoracic spine is increasingly bent, and the lower thoracic spine is straight. Given that most of the day is spent sitting, we need to develop exercise programs and devices that are suitable for people who spend less time exercising than sitting. Objects: This study investigated the effects of resistance footrest exercise on spine posture angles in visual display terminal (VDT) workers with flat back. Methods: We measured the upper lumbar angle (ULA) and lower lumbar angle (LLA) using a flexible ruler for the ULA and LLA. Then, after 1 week of resistance footrest exercise designed to strengthen the lumbar spine musculature, we measured these angles again. We measured each angle three times and then compared measurements from before and after exercise. Results: There were no significant differences in the ULA following the strengthening exercise, but significant differences were observed in LLA. Conclusion: The resistance footrest exercise strengthened the muscles affecting the pelvic and lumbar lordotic angles, and increases in the LLA were changed. This suggests that the role of the lower lumbar spine in the lumbar lordotic curve is greater than that of the upper lumbar spine. In addition, considering the contemporary tendency to lead fairly sedentary lives, these results indicate that exercising while seated can be effective.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.799-806
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• 2009

Thoracic injury from restraint loading is the principle causative factor of death, which was shown to be particularly significant for older drivers. To characterize thoracic response to belt loading of older drivers, detailed finite element models of the adult and aged thorax were developed. The geometry of the 50th percentile adult male was chosen for the adult FE model. The thoracic FE model was validated against data obtained from results of PMHS pendulum impact tests. The quantified patterns of age-related shape and well-established material changes were applied to the adult model to develop the aged model. Belt force and chest deflection were applied to the developed two types of models. Rib and clavicle fracture risk obviously increased in the aged model. This finding showed that larger rib angle and reduced material properties of the ribcage produced more higher risk of injury in the older driver.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.781-784
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• 2009

Pericardial cyst is an uncommon congenital mediastinal tumor. The majority of pericardial cysts are located in the right cardiophrenic angle, but rarely they can be located intrapericardially. We now present a case of a huge intra-pericardial pericardial cyst excised with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.208-215
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of deep neck flexion exercise(DNFE) and thoracic range of motion exerecise(TROM) on the pain and forward head position(FHP) in stroke patients. Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to DNFE group, TROM group, and control group. pre and post intervention, pain(VAS), Craniovertebral angle(CVA), cranial rotation angle(CRA), FHP, and TROM were measured. As a result. The DNFE group and the TROM group showed significant differences in VAS, CVA, CRA, FHP, and TROM pre and post intervention(p <.05), and the two groups showed VAS, CVA, CRA, FHP, and TROM compared to the control group (p <.05). In conclusion, in patients with stroke, DNFE and TROM were effective in restoring FHP and neck pain. We hope that they will be used in the interventional program for stroke patients in clinical practice.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.391-396
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cross arms and palms facing forward on spinopelvic parameters during the whole spine lateral radiography. In addition, we would like to present the usefulness of a posture with the palm facing forward during whole spine lateral radiography of the spine using EOS. The subjects of this study were images of a total of 50 patients (18 males, 32 females) who whole spine lateral radiography using the conventional method and the EOS method from October 2020 to March 2021. The posture used in this study was set as 'CAP' for cross arms and 'PUSH' for posture with palms facing forward. In this study, among the spinal stability factors, thoracic kyphosis (thoracic vertebrae 4 to 12), lumbar lordosis (lumbar vertebrae 1 to sacrum 1), sagittal vertical axis, sacral slope, and shoulder flexion angle were compared on average. The mean thoracic kyphosis was 34.52±12.46° for CAP and 28.46±10.81° for PUSH (p<0.01). The lumbar lordosis of CAP was 42.45±17.45°and that of PUSH was 40.56±16.14°(p>0.57). The sagittal vertical axis was 26.59±34.34 mm in CAP and 21.21±35.41 mm in PUSH (p>0.44). In CAP, the sacral slope was 30.96±10.29°, and in PUSH, it was 31.01±10.19° (p>0.98). shoulder flexion angle was 38.31±8.24° for CAP and 26,08±6.71° for PUSH(p<0.01). As a result of this study, the PUSH posture is considered to be a posture that can minimize the shoulder flexion angle and can perform a stable examination while minimizing changes in spino-pelvic parameter.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2012

Background: The purposes of this study were to: 1) investigate the relation between thoracic kyphosis, postural stiffness and thoracic rotation and 2) the intra-rater reliability of the measurement methods for thoracic kyphosis and rotation angle. Methods: Thirty-nine young adults (13 males, 26 females) participated in the study. Thoracic kyphosis was measured using a Flexicurve while standing in their usual relaxed posture and then in their maximally erector posture. Index of kyphosis (IK) measures taken in the relaxed and maximally erect positions were used to estimate postural stiffness. Thoracic rotation range of motion (ROM) was measured using universal goniometer and inclinometer in two positions. The association between the magnitude of the IK and thoracic stiffness and thoracic rotation ROM was also examined. Reliability was determined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: When measured from the mean relaxed IK (${\pm}SD$) was 7.42 (${\pm}1.47$) and mean erect IK was 4.92 (${\pm}1.63$) and mean IK ratio was 1.66 (${\pm}.65$). The relaxed IK was significantly correlated with the range of motion thoracic rotation in two positions (r=.503~580, p<.01). Conclusion: Thoracic kyphosis in relaxed position was associated with the range of motion thoracic rotation. Thoracic kyphosis measurement with the Flexicurve and range of motion 2 techniques of thoracic rotation showed good reliablity and may be a useful measurement tool in clinical practice.