• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2017

Background: This study was carried out to compare the effects of shoulder stabilization exercise and thoracic extension exercise including deep neck flexor exercise on posture and pain targeting physical therapists and occupational therapists with forward head posture. Methods: A total of 30 physical therapists and occupational therapists (15 males, 15 females), who are working in the nursing hospital at Daejeon, were randomly divided into a shoulder stabilization group (n=10), a thoracic extension exercise (n=10), and a control group (n=10), and 3 times were carried out for 8 weeks. Results: In the results of all measurements, 2 groups except for the control group showed a significant change in the recovery of forward head posture, and the should stabilization exercise group showed a relatively superior effect compared to the thoracic extension exercise group. Conclusions: These results of a study will be a basic data for the development of the forward head posture exercise therapy program.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.245-252
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• 2015

Objective: To assess the labial and lingual alveolar bone thickness in adults with maxillary central incisors of different inclination by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: Ninety maxillary central incisors from 45 patients were divided into three groups based on the maxillary central incisors to palatal plane angle; lingual-inclined, normal, and labial-inclined. Reformatted CBCT images were used to measure the labial and lingual alveolar bone thickness (ABT) at intervals corresponding to every 1/10 of the root length. The sum of labial ABT and lingual ABT at the level of the root apex was used to calculate the total ABT (TABT). The number of teeth exhibiting alveolar fenestration and dehiscence in each group was also tallied. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference test were applied for statistical analysis. Results: The labial ABT and TABT values at the root apex in the lingual-inclined group were significantly lower than in the other groups (p < 0.05). Lingual and labial ABT values were very low at the cervical level in the lingual-inclined and normal groups. There was a higher prevalence of alveolar fenestration in the lingual-inclined group. Conclusions: Lingual-inclined maxillary central incisors have less bone support at the level of the root apex and a greater frequency of alveolar bone defects than normal maxillary central incisors. The bone plate at the marginal level is also very thin.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 2019

Purpose : Excessive computer use frequently results in musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder such as forward head posture (FHP). The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of neck and shoulder exercise program on spino-pelvic alignment and the correlation between change in head and neck posture and spino-pelvic alignment in FHP. Methods : The study included 44 participants with FHP. The participants performed the exercise for correction of FHP 2-3 times a week for 4 weeks. We examined whole spine X-ray images in the lateral standing position with both arms crossed. We measured anterior head translation distance (AHT), craniovertebral angle (CVA), cervical lordosis (CL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbosacral lordosis (LSL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI) of the subjects. The association between change in AHT and each spino-pelvic parameter was also subjected to Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Results : There were statistically significant differences before and after exercise in the parameters of AHT, CVA, and SS (p<.05). Significant negative correlation was observed between the change in AHT and CVA (r=-.768, p<.001), and CL (r=-.388, p<.05). There was significant positive correlation between the change in AHT and SS (r=.328, p<.05), and PI (r=.333, p<.05). However, no significant correlation was observed in change in AHT with that of TK, LSL, and PT. Conclusion : Based on the above results, we conclude that there is a relationship between change in AHT, which is a parameter associated with forward displacement of the head, and that of CVA, CL, SS, and PI after exercise in cases of FHP.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.481-491
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• 1995

Endovaginal and endorectal receiver only surface coils were designed for MR imaging (MRI) and $^1H$ MR spectroscopy (MRS) for the uterine cervix and the prostate. The shape of endovaginal coil wire was rectangular with round corner. Size of the coil wire was empirically determined for 7cm and 4cm along the long and short axis, respectively. The coil wire loop was supported by acryl handle and bent about $150^{\circ}$ at one side of the loop considering the average angle of the cervix to the vagina. We called this as a "spoon-type endovaginal coil". The wire of the endorectal coil was made of the flexible materials so that the wire loop became long elliptic shape by pushing the acryl handle into the plastic tube for the comfort of patients when the coil was inserted into the cervix. Then, the shape was maintained to be circle by popping out handle. Conventional spin echo (SE) and fast spin echo (FSE) sequences were used as 71 and 72 weighted imaging sequences, respectively. Matrix size was 128~$256{\times}256$. FOVs for surface coil and body coil were 14cm and 24cm, respectively. 3D volume localized in vivo $^1H$ MR spectroscopy of the human cervix and prostate was performed using PRESS or STEAM localization method with the following parameters . TR=3 sec, TE=135 msec for PRESS or 30 msec for STEAM, NEX=2, NS=48, Sl=2048, and SW=2500 Hz. Using home-built endovaginal and endorectal coils, excellent T1- and T2-images were obtained to visualize early cervical and prostate tumors. 3D volume localized in vivo IH MRS was useful to differentiate the cancerous tissue from the normal tissue.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.167-181
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• 1997

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between velocity and factors which could affect the velocity of mandibular movement. For this study, 30 dental students without any masticatory signs and symptoms and 90 patients with temporomandibular disorders(TMD) were selected as the control group and the patients group, respectively. After determining Angle's classification and lateral guidance pattern of occlusion, clinical examination for TMD was perfomed. Velocity and distance of mandibular movements were recorded with BioEGN, reproducibility index of lateral excursions was evaluated by Pantronic(PRI) and BioEGN (BERI) activity in masticatory and cervical muscles were measured with BioEMG, and occlusal contact time and cross-arch unbalance(Total left-right statistics, TLR) on clenching were recorded with T-scan, respectively. The results of this study were as follows : 1. Velocity in the patients was faster than that in the controls in most mandibular movements, but on wide opening and closing movement, result was reverse. 2. Velocity on closing movements were faster than that on opening movements in the control group and a similar tendency was also shown in the patients group. 3. Patients with muscle disorders showed a tendency to have the highest value of velocity of all diagnostic subgroups, while patients with degenerative joint diseases showed a tendency to have the lowest value. 4. Patients with canine guidance showed a tendency to have the highest value of velocity in three subgroups by lateral guidance pattern, while patients with group function showed a tendency to have the lowest value. 5. BERI had a positive correlation with opening velocity on lateral excursion, while TLR had a negative correlation with opening velocity on swallowing. 6. EMG activity on clenching in masticatory muscles had negative correlation with opening velocity on border movements, and on swollowing, while the activity in rest correlated positively with opening velocity on border movements. 7. There were positive correlation between the velocity and the distance in long components of mandibular trajectory.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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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.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.125-140
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• 2023

This study aimed to develop a smart wearable device for assessing the risk angle associated with turtle neck syndrome in patients with Video Display Terminal (VDT) syndrome. Turtle neck syndrome, characterized by forward head posture resulting from upper cross syndrome, leads to thoracic kyphosis. In this research, a stretch sensor was used to monitor the progression of turtle neck syndrome, and the sensor data was analyzed using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) and the Gauge Factor (GF) calculation method. The scapula and cervical spine angles were measured at five stages, with 15-degree increments from 0° to 60°. During the experimental process, the stretch sensor was attached to the thoracic spine in three different lengths: 30mm, 50mm, and 100mm. Among these, the attachment method yielding the most reliable data was determined by measuring with three techniques (General Trim Adhesive, PU film, and Heat Transfer Machine), and clothing using the heat transfer machine was selected. The experimental results confirmed that the most significant change in thoracic kyphosis occurred at approximately 30° of forward head posture. Prolonged deformity can lead to various issues, highlighting the need for textile sensor solutions. The developed wearable device aims to provide users with real-time feedback on their turtle neck posture and incorporate features that can help prevent or improve the condition.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

Background: Studies investigating the immediate effects of a single intervention to correct forward head posture are rare. Objects: This study aimed to compare the changes in treatment effects in patients with forward head posture and neck pain after manual and self-exercise therapy over a 1-hour period. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomly divided into manual and self-exercise therapy groups. Following the initial evaluation, manual or self-exercise therapy was applied to each group for 30 minutes each in the prone, supine, and sitting positions. The variables measured were the craniovertebral angle (CVA), stress level, pain level, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) stiffness. After the intervention, re-evaluation was conducted immediately, 30 minutes later, and 1 hour later. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the maintenance of treatment effects between the two groups. Results: Based on the two-way mixed ANOVA variance, there was no interaction between the groups and time for all variables, and no main effects were found between the groups. However, a significant effect of time was observed (p < 0.05). Post hoc tests using Bonferroni's correction revealed that in both groups, the CVA, pain, and stress showed significant improvements immediately after the intervention compared with before the intervention, and these treatment effects were maintained for up to 1 hour after the treatment (p < 0.0083) in the manual therapy group. However, the stress level was maintained until 30 minutes later (p < 0.0083) in the self-exercise group. There was no significant decrease in right SCM stiffness before and after the intervention; however, left SCM stiffness significantly decreased after the self-exercise intervention (p < 0.0083). Conclusion: Both manual and self-exercise therapy for 30 minutes were effective in reducing forward head posture related to the CVA, pain, and stress levels. These effects persisted for at least 30 minutes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2023

Background: In modern society, the use of computers accounts for a large proportion of our daily lives. Although substantial research is being actively conducted on musculoskeletal diseases resulting from computer use, there has been a recent surge in interest in improving the working environment for prevention. Objects: This study aimed to examine the effects of posture correction feedback (PCF) on changes in neck posture and muscle activation during computer typing. Methods: The participants performed a computer typing task in two sessions, each lasting 16 minutes. The participant's dominant side was photographed and analyzed using ImageJ software to verify neck posture. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to confirm the participant's cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius muscle activities. The EMG signal was analyzed using the percentage of reference voluntary contraction and amplitude probability distribution function (APDF). In the second session, visual and auditory feedback for posture correction was provided if the neck was flexed by more than 15° in the initial position during computer typing. A 20-minute rest period was provided between the two sessions. Results: The neck angle (p = 0.014), CES muscle activity (p = 0.008), and APDF (p = 0.015) showed significant differences depending on the presence of the PCF. Furthermore, significant differences were observed regarding the CES muscle activity (p = 0.001) and APDF (p = 0.002) over time. Conclusion: Our study showed that the feedback system can correct poor posture and reduces unnecessary muscle activation during computer work. The improved neck posture and reduced CES muscle activity observed in this study suggest that neck pain can be prevented. Based on these results, we suggest that the PCF system can be used to prevent neck pain.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.32-40
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• 2024

Objectives The main aim was to quantify forward head posture using POM Checker®, a postural balance analyzer, among elementary school students. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate whether postural imbalance improved following three sessions of the school doctor program focused on body posture correction. Methods The program was conducted as part of the school doctor program in Korean Medicine, featuring lectures by a designated Korean Medicine doctor at an elementary school. The curriculum covered the importance of maintaining correct posture and included posture correction exercises. Pre- and post-program self-reported surveys were administered, alongside postural measurements taken over three months at one-month intervals. The survey included data on gender, grade, lifestyle habits, and awareness of correct posture. Result Out of 73 participating students, 63 underwent body balance measurements from the upper grades of one elementary school. Survey results revealed significant variations in daily sitting hours and weekly exercise levels. Attendance at lectures increased knowledge about correct posture. Initial measurements of forward head posture categorized 41.0% and 1.6% of participants into caution and risk groups, respectively. After the second measurement, the caution group representation decreased to 3.2%, and by the third measurement, only 1.6% of participants remained in the caution group. Conclusions Improvements in the angle and understanding of forward head posture among elementary school students were observed before and after the Korean Medicine school doctor program. However, posture improvement may be temporary, necessitating consistent follow-up management and monitoring.