• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.272-277
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• 2022

Purpose: This study compared the subjective and objective sleep quality between subjects with and without thoracic hyper-kyphosis. Methods: Forty participants were divided into a hyper-kyphosis (n=17) and normal group (n=17) by thoracic spinal angle measurement. The subjective sleep quality was measured using PSQI, a self-report, and objective sleep quality was measured using an actigraphy that measures time according to sleep patterns. Results: The PSQI scores of subjects with thoracic hyper-kyphosis were significantly higher than those with normal thoracic curvature (p=0.013). The total sleep time and real sleep time were less in subjects with hyper-kyphosis than in normal subjects (p=0.006; p=0.029). The light sleep time was less in subjects with excessive spondylolisthesis than in normal subjects (p=0.010). Light sleep time was less in those with hyper-kyphosis, but deep sleep time was similar to the subjects with a normal thoracic curvature (p=0.003; p=0.140). Conclusion: Subjects with thoracic hyper-kyphosis had a decrease in subjective sleep quality, such as sleep discomfort, and objective sleep quality, such as a decrease in sleep time compared to normal subjects.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.153-160
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• 2022

This retrospective study reports the effectiveness of Daoyin exercise therapy in a patient with lower back pain who suffered from idiopathic scoliosis. A patient was treated with Korean medicine containing Daoyin exercise therapy for 4 weeks. The patient was assessed for the numeral rating scale (NRS), Cobb's angle, correctability, and coronal balance. After treatment, the NRS of low back pain decreased from 9 to 1. The Cobb's angle of the thoracic curve decreased from 27.31° to 17.66°. The Cobb's angle of the lumbar curve decreased from 21.86° to 9.05°. Correctabililty was 35.34% in the thoracic curve and 58.60% in the lumbar curve. And coronal balance decreased from positive 32.80 mm to negative 3.20 mm. This study suggests that Daoyin exercise therapy could be effective therapeutic choice for lower back pain with idiopathic scoliosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.46-52
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• 2010

Objective : In cervico-thoracic junction (CTJ), the use of strong fixation device such as pedicle screw-rod system is often required. Purpose of this study is to analyze the anatomical features of C7 and T1 pedicles related to screw insertion and to evaluate the safety of pedicle screw insertion at these levels. Methods : Nineteen patients underwent posterior CTJ fixation with C7 and/or T1 included in fixation levels. Seventeen patients had tumorous conditions and two with post-laminectomy kyphosis. The anatomical features were analyzed for C7 and T1 pedicles in 19 patients using computerized tomography (CT). Pedicle screw and rod fixation system was used in 16 patients. Pedicle violation by screws was evaluated with postoperative CT scan. Results : The mean values of the width, height, stable depth, safety angle, transverse angle, and sagittal angle of C7 pedicles were $6.9{\pm}1.34\;mm$, $8.23{\pm}1.18\;mm$, $30.93{\pm}4.65\;mm$, $26.42{\pm}7.91$ degrees, $25.9{\pm}4.83$ degrees, and $10.6{\pm}3.39$ degrees. At T1 pedicles, anatomic parameters were similar to those of C7. The pedicle violation revealed that 64.1% showed grade I violation and 35.9% showed grade II violation, overall. As for C7 pedicle screw insertion, grade I was 61.5% and grade II 38.5%. At T1 level, grade I was 65.0% and grade II 35.0%. There was no significant difference in violation rate between the whole group, C7, and T1 group. Conclusion : C7 pedicles can withstand pedicle screw insertion. C7 pedicle and T1 pedicle are anatomically very similar. With the use of adequate fluoroscopic oblique view, pedicle screw can be safely inserted at C7 and T1 levels.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.193-201
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• 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.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.33-41
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• 2010

Objectives : This study is designed to find out the relationship of scoliotic curve, cervical lordosis, lumbar lordosis and Ferguson's angle. Method : The study was composed of 46 scoliosis patients who had single curvature(Group I) on their lumbar spine(Group I-A) or thoracic spine(Group I-B) and 38 patients who had double curvature(Group II) on their lumbar and thoracic spine. The patients were evaluated with X-ray findings of full spine AP and Lateral views and statistically analyzed. Results : 1. Group II showed a significant increase in scoliotic curve angle as compared with Group I(P<0.05). 2. Scoliotic curve has a negative relationship with cervical lordosis in group II. Conclusion : 1. The patients who has double curvature of spine had higher scoliotic curve angle compared with who has single curvature. 2. The Scoliotic curve and cervical lordosis was statistically concerned on patients who has double curvature of spine.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2019

Purpose: Continuous use of a smartphone increases the angle of forward bending of the user's cervical vertebrae, causing pain in the shoulders and back, including the thorax, lumbar region, and vertebrae. Although there are many studies on changes in the cervical spine due to smartphone usage, the changes in the shoulders, thoracolumbar spine, and pelvic have rarely been compared. The purpose of this study is to investigate the change in the spinal segments, shoulders, and pelvic when using a smartphone with both hands while in the standing position. Methods: This study was conducted on 35 adults in their twenties. The selection criteria for the subjects were limited to those in a similar age group, thus excluding posture differences according to age, and to those who did not have specific diseases or pain in the spinal and musculoskeletal system for 12 months prior to the study. In this study, we used a 3D spinal diagnostic imaging system (Back Mapper, Frickenhausen) to compare the changing conditions in each vertebral segment before and during smartphone usage with both hands while in the standing position. Posture differences according to smartphone usage were compared using the paired t-test for the motion of each spinal segment. Results: This study showed that the thoracic and lumbar angle increased posteriorly during smartphone usage (p<0.05). In addition, the anterior rotation angle of the shoulder bone significantly increased, but no significant difference occurred in the pelvic region. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, smartphone usage with both hands while in the standing position showed that the spine, as a whole, forms a kyphotic curve. Therefore, we propose to present a postural guideline for correct smartphone usage, considering the change in each vertebral segment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.179-186
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• 2021

Background: Patients with advanced asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have postural deviations such as thoracic hyperkyphosis, forward shoulder posture (FSP) due to an increase in head and cervical protraction, reduced shoulder range of motion and a corresponding increase in scapula elevation and upward rotation. Unlike congenital vertebral kyphosis that are permanent and rigid deformities with bony and other structural deformations which cause respiratory impairment, these deformities in these patients may be more flexible. Since the thoracic hyperkyphosis has been implicated as having adverse health consequences it is necessary to evaluated the relationship between thoracic kyphosis and cardiopulmonary functions of patients with COPD and asthma. Methods: It was a cross-sectional analytical study. Eighty-four eligible patients with COPD and asthma were recruited from the Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and basic anthropometric parameters, pulmonary parameters, cardiovascular parameters, thoracic kyphosis (Cobb) angle and presence of respiratory symptoms of participants were assessed. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: There was no significant correlation between the thoracic kyphosis and selected pulmonary parameters (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1, p=0.36), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC, p=0.95), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR, p=0.16), Thoracic expansion (TE, p=0.27)/cardiovascular parameters (Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP, p=0.108), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP, p=0.17) and Pulse Rate (PR, p=0.93) as well as the respiratory symptoms (SGRQ scores, p=0.11) in all subjects. Conclusion: There was no relationship between thoracic kyphosis and selected pulmonary/cardiovascular parameters as well as respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD and asthma.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.42-56
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• 2019

Background: Individuals with mechanical neck pain show biomechanical and neurophysiological changes, including cervical spine muscle weakness. As a result of deep muscle weakness, it causes stability disability and reduced upper thoracic spine mobility, which finally leads to functional movement restriction such as limited range of motion and dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that thoracic spine manipulation and mobilization could reduce symptoms of mechanical neck pain in patients. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thoracic mobility exercise on cervicothoracic function, posture feature, and pain intensity in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Methods: The study subjects were 26 persons who were randomly assigned to the experimental (with thoracic mobility exercise) and control groups (without thoracic mobility exercise), with 13 subjects in each group. The cervicothoracic function (neck functional disability level and cervicothoracic range of motion), posture feature, and pain rating (using a quadrupled visual analogue scale [QVAS]) were measured before, after 3 weeks, and after 6 weeks. Results: Statistically significant group-by-time interactions were found with repeated analyses of variance for the Korean neck disability index (KNDI), all cervical range of motion (CROM), all thoracic range of motion (TROM), cranial rotation angle, sagittal shoulder posture (SSP), and QVAS (p<.05). All groups showed significant improvements from all times in all the evaluated methods. The KNDI, CROM, TROM of left rotation, and SSP in the experimental group showed significant improvements after 3 weeks, and the TROM of the right rotation and QVAS in the experimental group showed significant improvements after 6 weeks when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Thoracic mobility exercise during 6 weeks might be effective intervention to improve the functional level, posture feature, and QVAS pain rating for managing individuals with mechanical neck pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.437-442
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• 2009

Objective : To characterize perioperative biomechanical changes after thoracic spine surgery. Methods : Fifty-eight patients underwent spinal instrumented fusions and simple laminectomies on the thoracolumbar spine from April 2003 to October 2008. Patients were allocated to three groups; namely, the laminectomy without fusion group (group I, n = 17), the thoracolumbar fusion group (group II, n = 27), and the thoracic spine fusion group (group III, n = 14). Sagittal (ADS) and coronal (ADC) angles for adjacent segments were measured from two disc spaces above lesions at the upper margins, to two disc spaces below lesions at the lower margins. Sagittal (TLS) and coronal (TLC) angles of the thoracolumbar junction were measured from the lower margin of the 11th thoracic vertebra body to the upper margin of the 2nd lumbar vertebra body on plane radiographs. Adjacent segment disc heights and disc signal changes were determined using simple spinal examinations and by magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical outcome indices were determined using a visual analog scale. Results : The three groups demonstrated statistically significant differences in terms of angle changes by ANOVA (p<0.05). All angles in group I showed significantly smaller angles changes than in groups II and III by Turkey's multiple comparison analysis. Coronal Cobb's angles of the thoracolumbar spine (TLC) were not significantly different in the three groups. Conclusion : Postoperative sagittal balance is expected to change in the adjacent and thoracolumbar areas after thoracic spine fusion. However, its prevalence seems to be higher when the thoracolumbar spine is included in instrumented fusion.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.48-56
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• 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.