• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of intervention using neuromuscular control, self-stretching (SS), and neck stabilization exercises (NSEs) on neck pain, range of motion (ROM), and proprioception of position sense in adults with neck discomfort. Design: Three-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Forty-four adults who complained of neck pain participated in the experiment. They were randomly assigned to the following groups: neuromuscular control exercise (NMCE) group (n=15), SS group (n=14) and NSE group (n=15). The NMCE group did rolling with only upper limb pattern on both sides. The SS group performed neck stretching on each side, 3 sets of 30 seconds for each muscle. The NSE group had the pressure biofeedback applied with increases in pressure by 2 mmHg at a time from 20-30 mmHg while in the hook-lying position. All groups performed exercises for 10 minutes. Neck pain, ROM, and proprioception were measured to determine differences between the intervention methods. Results: Intra-group comparisons showed significant improvement after exercise in pain, ROM, and proprioception in the NMC group (p<0.05). In the comparison between groups, the NMC group had a significant decrease in pain compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). There was no difference in ROM between the groups but the NMC group showed significant improvement in left rotation compared to the stabilization exercise group (p<0.05). For proprioception, the NMC group had significantly lower error than the other two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: NMCEs through upper extremity pattern rolling exercise is effective in improving neck pain, ROM, and proprioception.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.49-56
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• 2015

Background: Although many of those who drive for a living are exposed to repetitive and awkward posture and whole body vibration which cause them cumulative trauma disorder, therapeutic studies related to the problems from the transport unit are still somewhat inadequate. The purpose of this case report is to identify the effect of combined exercise program on patients suffering chronic neck pain caused by long hour of intra-city bus driving. Method: A total of 4 subjects are selected as patients, all of whom have more than 10 years of experience in intra-city bus transportation services. These people have suffered from neck pain for years. We ran the combined exercise program 3 times a week for 4 weeks and respectively evaluated the results after the 2nd and 4th week. We implemented conventional physiotherapy for 40 minutes, another 40 minutes of combined exercise program, and then educated the patients to enable themselves to do active stretching program as a home program. The combined exercise program contained 3 different stages. 1st stage: active stretching program, 2nd stage combined stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise, 3rd stage: proprioceptive exercise Result: After 4 weeks of intervention, there was enhance in the range of motion. $12^{\circ}$ increase in flexion, $10^{\circ}$ in extension, $6^{\circ}$ in lateral flexion respectively, and $10^{\circ}$ in rotation on average. VAS(visual analgue scale) decreased by 33% on average, NDI(neck diability index) by 28% and fatigability by 23%. Conclusion: There were improved results in the range of motion, NDI, VAS, and in fatigability after applying combined exercise program to intra-city bus drivers exposed to whole body vibration and cumulative trauma disorder.

• 시큐리티연구
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• 제25호
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• pp.89-107
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• 2010

이 연구는 만성 경부통을 가진 민간 경비원들을 대상으로 경부 안정화 운동을 실시하여, 목통증, 경부장애지수, 관절가동범위, 근육통증, 재위치감각 변화에 미치는 영향을 비교 분석 하고자 실시하였다. 연구 대상자는 경기 지역 민간경비업체에 종사하는 직원 중 만성 경부통을 호소하는 21명을 대상으로 경부 안정화 운동그룹, 자세교정 운동그룹으로 무선 할당하여, 주3회, 8주간 운동을 실시하였다. 실험 전 후 설문지를 이용하여 목통증과 경부장애지수를 조사하였으며, 관절가동범위, 근육통증, 재위치감각 검사를 실시하여 실험 전 후 변화된 값을 비교 측정하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 통증강도와 경부장애지수는 경부 안정화 운동그룹이 실험 후 유의하게 감소하였으며(p<0.05), 관절가동범위, 근육통증, 재위치감각은 경부 안정화 운동그룹에서 실험 후 유의한 향상이 있었으나, 자세교정 운동그룹은 유의한 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났으며(p>0.05), 그룹 간 비교에서도 경부 안정화 운동그룹이 통증, 경부장애지수, 관절가동범위, 근육통증, 재위치감각에서 유의한 향상이 있었다(p<0.05). 본 연구 결과를 볼 때, 만성 경부통을 호소하는 민간 경비원들을 대상으로 경장근과 다열근과 같은 심부근육 강화에 초점을 둔 경부안정화 운동프로그램이 일반적인 자세교정 운동프로그램보다 통증 및 목 기능개선에 효과적인 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 경부 안정화 운동이 만성 경부통을 가진 민간 경비원들의 목 통증 감소와 기능 회복에 효과적이라고 할 수 있겠다.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.139-146
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction in patients with neck pain. Patients with neck pain also experience muscle weakness and limitation of activities of daily living. Craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction may increase the thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscles, thereby reducing pain and limitations on activities of daily living. METHODS: Twenty-six volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=13) and a control group (n=13). Both groups performed craniocervical flexion exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit; the experimental group performed craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included ultrasonography for measurement of muscle thickness and the Neck Disability Index for the level of pain and function. RESULTS: The rate of change in muscle thickness in both groups significantly increased (p<.05), with a significantly greater increase in the experimental group than in the control group (p<.05). The Neck Disability Index score significantly improved (p<.05) in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction can be effective in increasing muscle thickness and improving the Neck Disability Index score in patients with neck pain.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제15권3호
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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.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.301-309
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to provide an effective method of exercise therapy for patients with cervicogenic headache. Methods : The subjects were divided into the following two groups according to the intervention received: cervical stretch exercise (n=15, control group) cervix-stabilizing exercise (n=15, experimental group) tone (Hz) and stiffness (N/m) of the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles were measured. T1 slope angle and neck tilt angle were measured. After the exercise program intervention, a greater amount of change in muscle tone and stiffness of suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles was found in the experimental group, as compared to the control group. Greater amount of change in posture was found in the experimental group, as compared to the control group (p<0.05). Results : After the exercise program intervention, a greater amount of change in muscle tone and stiffness of suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles was found in the experimental group, as compared to the control group. Greater amount of change in posture was found in the experimental group, as compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion : The neck-stabilizing exercise were shown to be effective in decreasing the tone of the cervical muscles by stabilizing the cervical bone and improving muscle activity, and in improving the posture by decreasing muscle tone and stiffness.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.145-154
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis on the craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headaches in adults with a forward head posture and tension headache. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, a total of 22 adults with forward head postures and tension headaches were randomly assigned to the experimental group (sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis, n = 11) or the control group (sling exercise without a neck orthosis, n = 11). All participants undertook the sling exercise program (3×/week for 4 weeks). The craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headache were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the craniovertebral angle, muscle tension, and headache in the experimental group (p < .05). This group also showed a larger decrease in the muscle tension and headache (upper trapezius, -4.97 Hz vs -1.70 Hz, p < .05; splenius capitis, -5.44 Hz vs -2.54 Hz, p < .05; headache, -19.73 score vs -14.64 score, p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The sling exercise wearing a neck orthosis could be an effective way to relieve the symptoms caused by a forward head posture. It could also be a more effective way of decreasing muscle tension and headaches than the sling exercise without wearing a neck orthosis.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.149-154
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study is to suggest an intervention method for clinical use in the future by analyzing the effect of breathing exercise on activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle, which are respiratory synergist muscles, and pulmonary functions in patients with forward head posture. Methods: Prior to the experiment, 12 patients (experimental group) performed feedback exhalation exercise along with conventional deep neck exercise, and 11 subjects (control group) performed feedback deep neck exercise along with conventional deep neck exercise. The intervention programs were performed for 40 minutes once a day (three times a week for four weeks). Results: Before intervention, %RMS was measured for surface electromyography (sEMG), and FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were measured using a spirometer. After four weeks, these items were re-measured under the same condition and analyzed. In within-group comparison of the experimental group, activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle showed a significant decrease (p<0.05)(p<0.001), and forced vital capacity (FVC) showed a significant increase (p<0.05). In within-group comparison of the control group, activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle showed a significant decrease (p<0.05), and in between-group comparison, there were significant differences in activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and FVC (p<0.05). Conclusion: Long-term forward head posture restrains exercise performance of the neck and leads to exercise avoidance of the neck during daily activities, thus restraint factors might be created even while breathing. To cut off this link, a constant effort is required and diversified research on the correlation between neck functions and breathing should be conducted.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.15-21
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cervical deep muscle flexion exercise (CCFE) on craniovertebral angle, pain, and neck disability for patients with chronic neck pain Methods: The subjects of this study were randomly divided into three groups of 30 patients with chronic neck pain: rectus abodominis functional massage (n=10), cervical deep muscle flexion exercises group (n=10), and the control group(n=10). To assess visual analog scale (VAS) was used to test the neck pain, To assess neck posture was used to craniovertebral angle, VAS was used to test the neck pain, neck disability index (NDI) was used to test the neck dysfunction. All measurements were performed before and after each intervention was applied 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Results: In the results of all measurements, 2 groups except for the control group showed a significant change in the recovery of posture, neck pain, neck disability index (p<.05). Conclusions: Our results of this study showed that applying cervical deep muscle flexion exercise and rectus abodominis functional massage to patients with chronic neck pain improved cervical posture, neck pain, neck disability.