• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.73-80
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the immediate effects of thoracic mobility exercises on the thoracic range of motion and chest expansion to provide data on thoracic mobility exercises in adults. METHODS: Adults were assigned randomly to two groups: the group that performed thoracic mobility exercises (TME group; n=10) or the group that performed thoracic mobility exercises using balance tools (TMEB group; n=10). The exercises were performed for 10 min in three different positions. The range of motion and chest expansion were measured before and after the exercise. RESULTS: The within-group comparisons before and after the intervention showed significant differences in the range of motion measurements for lateral flexion and rotation in the TME and TMEB groups (p < .05); difference in measurements of chest expansion was observed only in the TMEB group (p < .05). No significant differences in the range of motion for flexion and extension were observed in either group or during chest expansion in the TME group (p > .05). The between-group comparisons showed a significant difference in left lateral flexion (p < .05), whereas no other measures differed significantly (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The TME and TMEB groups showed significant increases in the thoracic range of motion; the TMEB group showed a significant increase in chest expansion.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2010

Scapular position and motion are essential for normal upper limb mobility; Further, the posture of patients with thoracic kyphosis is related to shoulder girdle function and disorder. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thoracic posture on the shoulder range of motion and on three-dimensional scapular kinematics. Thirty healthy subjects performed right-arm abduction along the frontal plane while standing in both erect and in slouched trunk posture. The scapular position and rotation, and shoulder and thoracic angles were recorded using a motion analysis system. The scapular upward rotation and internal rotation were significantly altered according to postural tatiges; however, scapular tilt was not affected. Shoulder angle was significantly decreased in the slouched posture as c rpared to tatt in the erect posture. Thus, a slouched posture(thoracic kyphosis) significantly affects the shoulder range of motion and scapular kinematics during shoulder abduction in the frontal plane.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.371-381
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• 2022

Purpose: Forward head posture (FHP) is known to cause pain, limit range of motion, and reduce quality of life. Joint mobilization is commonly used to correct FHP. However, no study has compared cervical, thoracic, and combined cervical and thoracic joint mobilization for FHP. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of each mobilization technique on range of motion in the sagittal plane and pain in patients with FHP. Methods: Forty-five patients were recruited and randomly divided into three groups: the mobilization group (CM; n = 15), the cervical and thoracic mobilization group (CTM; n = 15), and the thoracic mobilization group (TM; n = 15). Each intervention was performed in sets of three and repeated six times. Range of motion and pain were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The cervical range of motion was evaluated using a goniometer, and pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale and pain thresholds of the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles. Results: All groups showed an increase in range of motion post-intervention, but the increase in the CTM group was significantly greater than in the CM and TM groups (p < 0.05). Pain measured using the visual analogue scale decreased in all groups, but the decreases in the CM and CTM groups were significantly greater than in the TM group (p < 0.05). The pain thresholds of the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles increased in all groups, but the increase in the CTM group was significantly greater than in the CM and TM groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggest that CTM may be more effective than CM or TM for improving cervical range of motion in the sagittal plane and pain in patients with FHP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.35-45
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate how upper thoracic manipulation and cervical stability training affects cervical range of motion and neck disability index of patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. METHODS: 30 patients with chronic mechanical neck pain, and randomly divided into the upper thoracic manipulation and the cervical stability training group. Upper thoracic manipulation group was conducted to the upper thoracic manipulation, and cervical stability training was conducted to the cervical stability training. Intervention period was 6 weeks, and 3 sessions, each of which was run for 5~10 minutes. The subjects were measured neck range of motion before and after intervention by electro-goniometer. Neck disability index was used to measure neck disability index Korean version. RESULTS: Comparison within groups, there were significant difference in neck range of motion before and after intervention, and Neck disability index significantly reduced in the cervical stability training group. The comparison between groups, there were no significant difference in neck range of motion and neck disability index. CONCLUSION: Upper thoracic manipulation and cervical stability training to the patients with chronic neck pain was helpful to improve neck range of motion and cervical stability training was helpful to improve neck disability index.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the immediate effects of thoracic mobilization according to segment on disabling low-back pain and the range of motion in patients with chronic low-back pain. METHODS: The participants were divided randomly into two groups: a group (N=12) with pain and disability between the 5th and 9th thoracic vertebrae (T5-T9) and a group (N=12) with pain and disability between the 10th and 12th thoracic vertebrae (T10-T12). The same experiment was conducted in both groups: 10 minutes of thoracic mobilization and 10 minutes of functional massage. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of motion measurements were applied to the participants in both groups. All participants were measured again immediately after the program was completed. RESULTS: In both groups, the VAS and range of motion measurements showed statistically significant improvement after the experiment (p<.05). No statistically significant difference was revealed between the two groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirmed positive and immediate effects of thoracic mobilization of patients with chronic low-back pain. But, no significant difference in the thoracic mobilization by segment between the two groups. Based on these results, thoracic mobilization could help to improve pain control and functional activity in patients with chronic low-back pain.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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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 Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to acknowledge the effects that have the strength exercise done only on the neck extensor, only on the thoracic extensor, and both the neck and the thoracic extensor on forward head posture(FHP) and cervical range of motion. Also is to discover which of the exercise is the most effective. Method: This experiment will be done by selecting 40 people who have 16cm or more FHP and they will be divided into four groups: three experimental groups and a control group. The first experimental group will do only the neck extensor strength exercise(NESE). The second experimental group will do only the thoracic extensorstrength exercise(TESE) and the third experimental group will do both the NESE and the TESE. The experimental groups will make a day three times each ten sets of extensor isometric strength exercise but the time will be increased from 4 to 6 and8 seconds until it will be done the ten sets. Then after four weeks, they will be compared which had the best results for the FHP and the cervical range of motion. Result: After the experiment, it was compared the experimental groups with the control group. Every experimental group had an improvement on their FHP and cervical range of motion. However, the only NESE and the only TESE did not have a significantly difference(p>.05). Only the group who did both the NESE and the TESE had a sign ificantly improvement compared to the control group. Conclusion: 1. The only NESE and the only TESE seem that had a positive effect on FHP and cervical range of motion. However, it cannot be conclude that it is effective. 2. When both the NESE and the TESE are done, it is showed statistically a significant difference(p<.05) on FHP and cervical range of motion. The refore, it would be note worthy if this exercise is used to improve the FHP and the cervical range of motion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.509-514
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• 2012

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the effects of upper backbone joint mobilization and self-stretching exercise in the patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: Thirty seven patients with chronic neck pain were divides into self stretching group(SSG, n=18) and mobilization group(MG, n=19). To assess the degree of neck pain, the visual analog scale (VAS) was utilized, and to measure the joint range of motion at the flexion-extension, it was compared and analyzed by using the cervical range of motion (CROM) device. RESULTS: The joint range of motion and visual analog scale of SSG and MG showed significant effects on both groups. In the comparison of groups, there was no significant difference, but it indicated effects on improving the pain and the range of joint motion in MG. CONCLUSION: According to the analysis, not only self-stretching exercise intervening for direct treatment but also upper backbone joint mobilization intervening for indirect treatment are effective to improve the pain and the range of motion.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.310-319
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combination of progressive scapular stabilization exercises, neck and thoracic spine mobilization, and thermoelectric physical therapy on pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and function in patients with acute whiplash injury. Design: A randomized controlled trial design. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=12) that performed scapular stabilization exercises, neck and thoracic spine mobilization, and physiotherapy, and a control group (n=12) that only performed neck and thoracic spine mobilization and physiotherapy. The pre-test was conducted before the intervention and consisted of a total of 12 treatment sessions of 60 minutes each, three times a week. A posttest was conducted 4 weeks later. Pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and function were assessed before and after intervention. Results: The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in pain reduction and range of motion and muscle strength improvement in the experimental group, and a significant difference was also found between the experimental group and the control group in terms of functional evaluation. Conclusions: The combination of exercise therapy and joint mobilization technique and physical therapy resulted in greater improvements in pain, range of motion, strength, and function assessment, contributing to improved overall function.