• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.151-155
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the effect of the degree of neck flexion on the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles in the sitting position. Methods: Twenty-five healthy young adults participated in this study. The study was designed to compare the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles according to the neck flexion angle under the three conditions (neutral position, 15° neck flexion, and 45° neck flexion) in the sitting position. During the neck position of three conditions in sitting, the electromyography (EMG) data (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the muscles were recorded using a wireless surface EMG system. Results: The muscle activity of the upper trapezius muscle and the sternocleidomastoid muscles showed a significant difference according to the three-neck position conditions (p<0.05), and in the post-hoc test results, both muscles showed significant differences between the neutral position and 15° flexion, the neutral position and 45° flexion, and the 15° flexion and 45° flexion, respectively. Conclusion: The load on the muscles around the neck and shoulders increased as the neck flexion angle increased. This suggests that performing various daily activities and tasks with the neck as neutral as possible can prevent muscle fatigue or musculoskeletal disorders.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of upper trapezius muscle stretching in more tensed position (MTP) and less tensed position (LTP) on the change of range of motion (ROM) for neck rotation, and the ROM for conjunct neck motions at end-range of neck rotation toward the painful side in patients with unilateral neck pain. Eighteen patients with unilateral neck pain were recruited for the study's MTP group, and 18 age-, weight- and gender-matched patients with unilateral neck pain were recruited for LTP group. The ROM changes in active neck primary and conjunct motions were measured using a cervical ROM inclinometer in the sitting position. Our results showed that both upper trapezius stretching method in MTP and LTP were significantly effective in increasing the ROM of neck rotation toward painful side in patients with unilateral neck pain. However, a significantly greater increase in the ROM for neck rotation and a further decrease in conjunct neck extension during neck rotation toward the painful side were shown in MTP group, compared to LTP group. The upper trapezius stretching in MTP is useful in increasing the ROM of neck rotation and decreasing the range of conjunct neck extension during neck rotation toward the painful side in patients with unilateral neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the directions of neck rotation on the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and lower trapezius while rotating a shoulder externally. Methods: Twenty-five healthy males participated in this study. The subjects were asked to rotate their shoulder externally with 90° shoulder abduction and 90° elbow flexion in three different neck rotations (neutral, ipsilateral, and contralateral) in the prone position. The muscle activities of the upper and lower trapezius were measured using surface electromyography. One way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the muscle activity of the upper and lower trapezius depending on the different neck turning directions. Results: In the upper trapezius, turning the neck in the ipsilateral direction while turning a shoulder externally decreased the muscle activity significantly, but the muscle activity was increased significantly by turning the neck in the contralateral direction. On the other hand, in the lower trapezius, turning the neck in the ipsilateral direction increased the muscle activity significantly, but the muscle activity was decreased significantly by turning the neck in the contralateral direction decreased it significantly. Conclusion: When someone has an imbalance of shoulder function, turning the neck in the ipsilateral direction while turning the shoulder externally in the prone position is effective in decreasing the activity of the upper trapezius and increasing the activity of the lower trapezius. Therefore, these results could be used as basic evidence for researching patients with shoulder problems.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Background: Neck pain is a major health problem in developed countries and has a lifetime prevalence of 50%. Major problems include a reduced cervical range of motion, muscle stiffness, dysfunction, postural changes, and decrease in psychosocial level. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of applying the upper trapezius inhibition dynamic taping to patients with chronic neck pain on their neck pain, functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture. Methods: The study design was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 patients with neck pain participated in this study and were randomly assigned to a Dynamic Taping group (n = 20) or Sham Taping group (n = 20). In both groups, basic intervention cervical pain control therapy and shoulder stabilization exercise program were performed. In addition, dynamic taping and sham taping were applied to participants in the Dynamic Taping and Sham Taping groups to inhibit the trapezius muscle, respectively. All interventions were performed three times a week and a total of 12 times for 4 weeks, and the participants' neck pain, functional impairment level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture were measured and compared before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in neck pain, functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck postural before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences between the two groups regarding the functional level and neck posture (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition dynamic taping of the upper trapezius muscle suppression is an effective method with clinical significance in reducing pain in individuals with chronic neck pain and improving the functional level, cervical range of motion, psychosocial level, and neck posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.27-32
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study compared the immediate effect of a passive mobilization of upper cervical spine (Kaltenborn's joint mobilization) and an active upper cervical stretching (Olaf's Auto-stretching) on patients with neck pain and ROM. METHODS: Twenty-three subjects were randomized selected in the passive group (Kaltenborn's joint mobilization) included twelve subjects and the active group (Olaf's Auto-stretching) included eleven subjects. VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was measured before and after neck rotation performance. DUALER IQ PRO (JTECH Medical, U.S.A.) was used to measure the neck ROM. Mean value of double measurement was used before performance and after performance. SPSS version 18 was used to compare values independent t-test and paired t-test were used to compare pain and ROM. RESULTS: There are significant difference in the pain and the ROM in both of two group (p<.05). But there are no significant difference pain and ROM between two groups. CONCLUSION: Both of the passive mobilization of upper cervical spine and the active upper cervical stretching are effected on symptom improvement of patients with neck pain reduction and ROM increasing. Especially active upper cervical stretching is more economical, because it has similar effects with the passive mobilization, help to maintain the treatment effect of therapist by themselves and can help to save medical expenses of patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.2862-2868
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between neck pain and upper limb disability in patients with non-specific neck pain (n=132) recruited from physiotherapy departments in the Korea. Baseline neck pain/disability was measured using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and upper limb disability was measured using the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, Hand questionnaire (DASH). A range of baseline psychosocial variables were measured as potential confounding variables. Pairwise analysis revealed a positive correlation between NPQ score and DASH score (Pearsons' r=0.628, p<0.05). This study provides preliminary evidence that patients with severe neck pain/disability also report severe upper limb disability. The presence of severe neck pain or low pain self efficacy and high fear-avoidence beliefs questionnaire should clinicians towards a careful examination of upper limb function in patients presenting with neck pain. Our data suggest the upper limb disability may need to be addressed as part of the neck management process.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study was conducted to find correct head and neck patterns, manual contact. verbal commands with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF). Method : This is a literature study with books, seminar note and book for PNF international course. Result : Keep the information of the biomechanics and neural science in head and neck patterns and emphasize that manual contact, verbal commands and visual stimulus. Manual contacting for movement guide and stability of the $C_0/C_1$ verbal command and visual stimulus for correcting of the $C_0/C_1$ movements. Conclusion : In reminder for PNF learning, begin with head and neck and upper trunk patterns. In that time, Knott and Voss(1968) had not enough information about biomechanic movement components and neural science movement components. But Knott and Voss(1968) emphasized that head and neck patterns relate with trunk, upper extremities and lower extremities directly. Alar ligaments are relaxed with the head in neutral and taut in flexion. Axial rotation of the head and neck tightens both alar ligaments. The right upper and left lower portions of the alar ligament limit left lateral flexion of the head and neck. Therefore, head and neck patterns has to be modify. When head moving, eye and vestibular stimulus will be change. During head and neck patterns, must be consider about stimulus of eye system and vestibular system also.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a neck exercise using a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion and extension pattern on body balance in a progressive range of positions (supine, prone on elbow, and sitting), on numbness in the upper extremities, and on neck flexion motions in cervical myelopathy patients. Methods: One participant who was diagnosed with cervical myelopathy participated in this study. A reversal design (A-B-A') was used. The A and A' were the baseline period (no intervention), and B was the intervention period. The intervention used a neck extension pattern with a hold-relax technique and a neck flexion pattern with a combination of isotonic techniques in the supine position. Then, neck flexion and extension patterns were applied together with a reversal technique for stabilization, followed by a neck extension pattern with a combination of isotonic techniques in the prone position on the elbows. Finally, a neck flexion and extension pattern was used with a stabilizing reversal technique, and a neck extension pattern was applied with a combination of isotonic techniques in the sitting position for 60 minutes per day, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. To measure balance, numbness, and neck motion during neck flexion, the one-leg stand test and the visual analogue scale were used. Results: The right and left one-leg stand tests showed increased balance ability in the intervention phase. Upper extremity numbness was decreased in the intervention phase, and neck flexion motion was increased in the intervention phase. These increases were maintained after the intervention (Baseline II). Conclusion: These results suggest that a neck exercise using a PNF neck pattern with additional techniques in a progressive range of positions has a positive effect on cervical myelopathy patients for balance, numbness, and neck motion.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-46
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• 2015

The Mantle cell lymphoma(MCL) is a relatively rare subtype of malignant lymphoma characterized by chromosomal translocation t(11 ; 14)(q13 ; q32), positive response for CD5, and nuclear cyclin D1. It is account for an estimated 3-6% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The involvement of extra-nodal site is not uncommon, whereas salivary glands are rarely affected. It is more commonly occurred in men and old age and approximately 75% of cases are diagnosed with advanced stage. It is usually characterized by an aggressive clinical course, and the prognosis is poorer than other type of head and neck lymphoma. We recently encountered a 69-year-old female with mass in parotid tail and upper neck, and it was diagnosed as mantle cell lymphoma. We report the unique case with a review of literature.