• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical vertebral height and shoulder stabilization on anterior head posture in people with turtle neck. The subjects of this study consisted of normal and healthy people with 30 turtle necks. Subjects were randomly assigned to shoulder stabilization exercise and cervical vertebrae exercise (30 men, 15 men and 15 women, height: $168.67{\pm}6.51$, $22.33{\pm}8.27$, $65.03{\pm}11.98$, and $28.66{\pm}1.91$), In the experimental group, shoulder stabilization exercise and cervical spine exercise were performed for 4 weeks. Deep neck flexor, leavator scapular, upper trapezius, rhomboid, and lower trapezius showed significant differences in shoulder stabilization and cervical vertebrae before and after the experiment. As a result, the CVA value decreased significantly and the muscle activity value increased significantly when exercise and Mckenzie program were applied. These results show that exercise and Mckenzie programs have a positive effect on turtle neck improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.29-41
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the treatment of Forward Head and Rounded Shoulder Posture (FHRSP) using posture correction exercises by comparing muscle activity and onset time around the neck and shoulder area during an arm elevation task. METHODS: The subjects were divided into FHRSP (21 persons) and non-FHRSP (19 persons) groups to measure muscle activity and onset time of muscle contraction. Wireless surface electromyography was used to assess the muscle activity and onset time of the right and left sternocleidomastoid (SCM), splenius capitis, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, serratus anterior, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, and infraspinatus during an arm elevation task. After the pre-measurement, the participants performed the postural correction exercises, and then the post-measurement was conducted. RESULTS: After the posture correction exercises, there were significant differences in the muscle activity and onset time of all muscles in the FHRSP group. The results of the comparison of the muscle onset time during an arm elevation task demonstrated that after the postural correction exercises, the muscle onset time was significantly reduced in the right and left SCM and left splenius capitis, but there were no significant changes in the onset time of other muscles. CONCLUSION: The results of this study help us understand the change in muscle activities and muscle contraction onset time in a person with FHRSP when lifting the arm and suggest the relevant basis to apply the posture correction exercise in clinical settings.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of combined postural correction exercises (CPCE) on muscle stiffness and muscle activity in children with cerebral spastic diplegia(CSD). The subjects were 3 children (2 male and 1 female) with CSD from 4 to 7 years old. The measurement sites were upper trapezius muscle(UT), rectus abdominis muscle(RA), and gluteus maximus muscle(Gmax), muscle stiffness and muscle activity were measured using Myoton and surface EMG, and the symmetry of both sides was also examined. As a result, children with severe compensatory action showed decreased muscle stiffness and muscle activity in UT and RA and increase in Gmax after CPCE intervention. Especially, the left and right symmetry of the muscles was decreased. In this study, despite some limitations, CPCE have shown a positive effect in posture correction of children with CSD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical basic data to reduce pain and improve function by comparing neck muscle activity and neck alignment using self-stretching and passive stretching exercises for chronic neck pain caused by forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were divided into 15 subjects assigned to perform self-stretching exercise and 15 subjects assigned to perform passive stretching exercise. The intervention was conducted for a total of 4 weeks. The muscle activity in the neck was measured by surface electromyography (EMG) before intervention, and craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles were measured by X-ray. The 4-week intervention was conducted and the above items re-measured in the same manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Muscle activity within both groups after intervention using self-stretching or passive stretching exercise was significantly different (p < .05)(p < .01). Neck alignment of both groups was significantly different (p < .001)(p < .01). Further, muscle activities of the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles showed significant differences (p<.05). Lastly, neck alignment showed statistically significant difference (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Self-stretching exercise activated motor nerves as a posture correction exercise, thereby improving inhibition of muscle activity, muscle contraction delay, and pathological conditions of the muscle. For future research, interventions of self-stretching exercise will be needed for patients with chronic back pain accompanied by forward head posture, and various clinical studies on postural improvement of forward head posture by maintaining a normal muscle tone state are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of cervico-thoracic (C-T) mobilization technique and therapeutic exercise on muscle activity, craniovertebral angle (CVA), and neck disability index (NDI) in patients with neck pain. Methods: : A total of 30 patients with neck pain were included and divided into C-T mobilization combined with Pilates group (Experimental group; EG) and thoracic mobilization and self-exercise (Control group; CG) group; each group consisted of 15 patients. The exercises were performed by patients in both groups three times a week, for four weeks. NDI was used to measure functional disability and sEMG was used to measure muscle activity. Results: The EG participants showed significant improvement in the CVA and NDI after the intervention than the CG (p<.05). While both groups presented after intervention decreased muscle activity(upper trapezius), there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p>.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that thoracic mobilization technique combined with Pilates exercise may have beneficial effects on CVA and NDI in patients with neck pain and forward head posture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.570-573
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• 2012

Avulsion of spinous process, also called Clay-shoveler's fracture, is most prevalent among those engaged in hard physical labor. To the best of the author's knowledge, only one case of multiple spinous process fractures of the upper thoracic spine in a novice golfer has been reported. A 45-year-old female presented with intractable posterior neck pain. The patient experienced a sharp, sudden pain on the neck while swinging a golf club, immediately after the club head struck the ground. Dynamic cervical radiographic findings were C6 and C7 spinous process fractures. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed C6 and C7 spinous process fractures without spinal cord pathology. The patient was treated with pain medications and cervical bracing. The patient's pain gradually improved. The injury mechanism was speculated to be similar to Clay-shoveler's fracture. Lower cervical spinous process fractures can be associated with a golf swing. If the patient complains of long lasting neck pain and has a history of golf activity, further study should be conducted to rule out lower cervical spinous fracture.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.213-225
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related on pain in female office workers. Methods : Neck pain group of 31 female subjects complained of neck and arm discomfort. Normal group of 20 female subjects had no complaints or minimal discomfort. Cervical curvature and muscle tone were assessed by whole spine x-ray, meridian-electromyography(MEMG), craniovertebral angle, and Moire. Neck pain was evaluated by Neck Disability Index(NDI) and Visual Analog Scale(VAS). The emotional and other physical factors that could effect neck pain were checked by questionnaires including Beck Depression Index(BDI), Stress Reaction Index(SRI), Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale(SRRS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale(GSRS). Results : The contraction and fatigue of upper trapezius by MEMG was significantly higher in the neck pain group. And BDI, SRI, SRRS, and GSRS were significantly higher in the neck pain group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the Jackson's angle, Cobb's method, craniovertebral angle, and moire between two groups. Conclusions : The results suggest that neck pain is related to mental stress rather than physical stress and physical stress does not change cervical curvature significantly.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.69-76
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• 2002

본 연구에서는 상부 승모근의 근막통증(myofascial pain syndrome; MPS)를 대상으로 이완상태에서 근 활성도를 측정해보고, 통증을 감소시키는 데 주로 이용되는 경피신경자극 치료 후 근 활성도에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. 본 연구의 대상자는 근막 통증으로 진단을 받은 총 10명을 대상으로 실시하였다. 주관적 시각 척도(visual analogue scale; VAS)와 압통 역치 측정계(pressure threshold meter)를 이용하여 경피신경자극 전, 후 통증의 정도를 평가하였고, 표면 근전도를 이용하여 이완시 근 활성도를 측정하였다. 치료 기구는 경피신경자극기(TENS: HAT-2000)를 이용하였다. 치료 전과 비교하여 VAS는 통증이 심한 쪽과 약한 쪽 모두에서 유의하게 감소하였으며(p<.05), 압통 역치는 통증이 심한 쪽과 약한 쪽 모두에서 유의한 차이가 없었고(p>.05), 근 활성도는 통증이 심한 쪽에서 유의하게 감소하였다(p<.05).

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.53-59
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• 2002

본 연구는 컴퓨터 작업시 머리자세가 상부 승모근의 근전도 활성도에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. 대상자는 상지에 근골계질환이 없는 대학생 5명을 대상으로 하였으며, 표면근전도(MP100WS)를 이용하여 근 활성도를 측정하였다. 실험은 10분 동안 머리를 중립자세로 모니터를 보고 컴퓨터 작업을 수행하는 것과 문서걸이(copy holder)를 보기 위해 머리를 $45^{\circ}$ 회전하고 컴퓨터 작업을 하는 두 가지 조건을 $%RVC_{RMS}$를 이용하여 비교 분석하였다. 머리를 중립자세로 했을 때 평균 $%RVC_{RMS}$ 값이 높았으나 머리를 $45^{\circ}$ 회전하여 작업시에는 시간이 지남에 따라 $%RVC_{RMS}$가 지속적으로 증가함을 보여주었다. 따라서 컴퓨터 작업시 문서는 모니터로부터 가까이 하여 머리회전을 최소화시키는 것이 근육의 피로나 부작용을 줄일 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate effects of shoulder adduction load on rotator cuff muscles, including the infraspinatus, during the external rotation exercise of shoulder. METHODS: This study investigated 16 healthy university students from Daegu University. Before the study started, all participants understood the content of this study. They signed an informed consent form. Five electrodes for surface electromyography (sEMG) were attached to their infraspinatus, middle deltoid, posterior deltoid, upper trapezius and pectoralis major. The participants then underwent the shoulder external rotation exercise with the shoulder adduction at three loads (0 mmHg, 20 mmHg and 40 mmHg) that were controlled using a stabilizer Pressure $Bio-feedback^{TM}$ device. The surface electrodes recorded the electromyographic data during the external rotation exercise of shoulder. RESULTS: The infraspinatus was most activated when the shoulder adduction pressure was 40 mmHg during the external rotation exercise of shoulder. The infraspinatus activation significantly increased when the shoulder adduction pressure intensity increased, while the middle deltoid activation and the posterior deltoid activation significantly decreased (p<.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, increases in shoulder adduction load intensity during shoulder external rotation exercises can have a positive effect on the infraspinatus, which consists of rotator cuff muscles, with minimal activity in the middle and posterior deltoid.