• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.454-463
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare concurrent validity and test-retest reliability based on Craniovertebral angle of 'Angles video goniometer', a smart phone application for convenient range of motion measurement, and 'Image J', an analysis software with high reliability and validity. This was conducted to find out whether 'Angle video goniometer' can be used clinically. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Fifty subjects were imaged laterally, and the angle of the head and spine was measured using Image J and the Angles video goniometer, respectively, in a resting posture and a chin in posture. The level of concurrent validity between the two measurement methods and the level of inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability were analyzed. Results: For forty participants, the concurrent validity between Image J and Angles video goniometer showed very high validity with ICC of 0.997(0.995~0.999) and 0.994(0.994~0.998), CVME% 0.71~0.72%, SEM% 0.31~0.34, MDC% 0.86~0.94. The test-retest intra-rater reliability showed very high reliability ICC 0.994(0.991~0.996), CVME% 0.71%, SEM% 0.31~0.43, MDC% 0.86~1.19%. The test-retest inter-rater showed very high reliability ICC 0.995(0.992~0.997), CVME% 0.71%, SEM% 0.43~0.59%, MDC% 1.20~1.62% Conclusions: Angles video goniometer', a smartphone application, is a device with very high reliability and validity for craniovertebral angle measurement in healthy adults, and it is a device that can be easily used in clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.29-40
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• 2019

PURPOSE: Despite the widespread occurrence in the general population, few studies have directly evaluated the effects of shingles on non-specific neck pain (NSNP). This study investigated whether sensory training or therapeutic stretching exercises are more effective in increasing neck mobility and reducing neck pain in chronic NSNP patients. METHODS: Eighty-one subjects aged between 20 and 32 years with chronic neck pain (> six months), were allocated randomly to three groups: sensorimotor training group (STG), therapeutic stretching group (TSG), and home exercise group (HEG). All participants received a half-hour training session, three times weekly for six weeks. The outcomes were evaluated using the neck disability index for measuring neck pain, and a universal goniometer to measure the cervical passive range of motion before and after the six-week intervention. RESULTS: The post-test neck disability index scores in the STG (t = 4.86) and TSG (t = 3.24) were decreased significantly (p < .05). The passive range of motion changes in all cervical movements in the STG was increased significantly (p < .05) after intervention compared to those in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Sensorimotor training using chin tuck exercises may improve neck pain and mobility in subjects with chronic NSNP.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial decompressiontherapy using moving suction on body temperature, pain, neck disability index, and cervical rotation for young adult with nonspecific neck pain. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: The subjects were randomly assigned 22 patients with chronic cervical pain who met the study conditions to the experimental group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). In the experimental group, the myofascial decompressiontherapy (MDT) was performed for 10 minutes using moving suction withnegative 15 mmHg pressure from the insertion to the origin of the upper trapezius muscle, while the control group without negative pressure. In order to investigate the effects of the intervention, an infrared thermometer, a visual analogue scale, neck disability index, and goniometer were used. Results: As a result of comparing the pre- and post- changes in each group according to the intervention, skin temperature, pain, neck disability index, and cervical rotation in both the experimental and control groups were significantly improved (p<0.05). Comparison of pre- and post- changes between the experimental and control groups showed significant differences for pain and cervical rotation (p<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the body temperature and neck disability index. Conclusions: Based on the results, MDT using moving suction was effective in reducing pain and increasing of cervical rotation for young adult with nonspecific neck pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.242-252
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• 2023

Background: Neck pain is a common problem in the general population and second only to low back pain in musculoskeletal problems. The aim of this study is to compare three different types of exercise training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: This study was conducted on 45 patients with neck pain. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (conventional treatment), Group 2 (conventional treatment plus deep cervical flexor training), and Group 3 (conventional treatment plus stabilization of the neck and core region). The exercise programs were applied for four weeks, three days a week. The demographic data, pain intensity (verbal numeric pain scale), posture (Reedco's posture scale), cervical range of motion ([ROM] goniometer), and disability (Neck Disability Index [NDI]) were evaluated. Results: In all groups, a significant improvement was found in terms of pain, posture, ROM, and NDI values in all groups (P < 0.001). Between the groups, analyses showed that the pain and posture improved more in Group 3, while the ROM and NDI improved more in Group 2. Conclusions: In addition to conventional treatment, applying core stabilization exercises or deep cervical flexor muscle training to patients with neck pain may be more effective in reducing pain and disability and increasing ROM than conventional treatment alone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the myofascial release and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy to patients chronic neck pain. METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups, namely myofascial release (7 subjects) and cervical traction (7 subjects). Each group performed their therapy 45 minutes per day, two times a week, for four weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Function was measured with the neck disability index (NDI). The cervical range of motion (CROM) was measured with a cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer. RESULTS: After four weeks of therapy, the VAS (p < .05) and NDI (p < .05) significantly decreased, and ROM significantly increased in both groups (p < .05). There were also significant differences between the two groups for these three measures, except for neck flexion and neck extension(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Myofascial release and cervical traction are more effective than cervical traction alone for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing ROM in patients with chronic neck pain.

• 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 Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.209-216
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the association of the muscle activity around the neck of the operator(dental hygienists') according to the change in the patient's neck angle during a direct visual inspection on the maxillary right-side molar palatal surface. The operators were $4^{th}$ year dental hygiene students, who are future dentalhy gienists, having accurate understanding on and awareness of the location of the operation site, hand fixation, and how to use the tools. Data on the change in the muscle activity around the neck were collected by using surface electromyography and neck goniometer. SPSS statistics 20 was used for statistical analyses including Shapiro-wilk test and one-way ANOVA. As a result, the activities of the operator upper trapezius, cervical erector spinae, and levator scapulae muscles significantly decreased when the patient's head was angled compared to when it was not. For the angle of the operator head, the head bend significantly decreased when the patient's head was angled than when it was not. Based on the study results, it is expected that angling the patient's head when treating his or her teeth will decrease the excessive muscle activity around the neck of the operator, and will reduce muscle fatigue. Therefore, angling the head of the patient while treating his or her teeth is recommended. This suggests that muscle pain caused by repetitive actions in the wrong posture can be reduced.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of therapeutic massage and Mckenzie exercise on pain and range of motion in chronic neck pain patient: a case study. Method : A Twenty-year old female subject with chronic neck pain was selected, she received therapeutic massage and Mckenzie exercise for 30 minutes a day, three days a week for five weeks. Pain was measured visual analog scale(VAS), neck disability index(NDI) and the Copenhagen neck functional disability scale (CNFDS). Range of motion was measured using a goniometer(shoulder joint) and the CROM Deluxe(cervical range of motion instrument). Result : VAS, NDI and CNFDS were decreased 3 score, 4 score and 6 score(respectively) than before the training. The range of motion was increased in shoulder joint and neck movement than before the training. Conclusion : The massage and Mckenzie exercise increased range of motion in shoulder joint and neck movement, and decreased neck pain in chronic neck pain patient. Additional research on therapeutic massage and Mckenzie exercise for improving pain and range of motion is need.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2020

Background: Neck pain can be caused by any structure in the neck, such as intervertebral discs, ligaments, muscles, facet joints, dura mater, and nerve roots. The hyoid bone is a structure that is also related to head and neck posture, neck movement and pain, but there are no studies on hyoid deviation, neck pain, and range of motion (ROM). Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fascia relaxation and mobilization of the hyoid bone on the ROM, pain, and lateral deviation of the hyoid bone. Methods: Twenty-five patients with neck pain identified by the lateral motion test (10 males [35.13 ± 7.67 years, 172.69 ± 3.90 cm, 78.77 ± 6.96 kg] and 15 females [35.13 ± 10.05 years, 161.11 ± 4.09 cm, 52.59 ± 2.98 kg]) was chosen randomly. Baseline values for pain, neck ROM, and lateral deviation in the hyoid bone were recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS), goniometer, and tape measure. Then, each patient was treated with hyoid fascia relaxation and mobilization, and all results were recorded after intervention. Comparison of the results before and after intervention was analyzed using paird t-test (p < 0.05). Results: Right rotation, extension, VAS, and rotational asymmetry statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Right rotation and extension increased ROM, rotational asymmetry ratio and VAS decreased. However, there was no significant difference in flexion, left rotation, center point (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Fascia relaxation and hyoid mobilization could improve the ROM of cervical extension, asymmetry of the cervical rotation and neck pain.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of sport massage and McKenzie stretch exercise on forward head posture. To understand the effect, this study measured and analyzed body alignment of the neck. Methods: In this study, a total of 14 subjects with forward head posture were analyzed. Subjects were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=7) received a McKenzie stretch exercise and group 2 (n=7) received a McKenzie stretch exercise and a sport massage. The McKenzie stretch exercise was performed three times a week, for four weeks, while the sport massage was performed once a week. The body alignment of the neck (CVA, CRA) was measured using a goniometer. Results: The improvements in neck body alignments (CVA, CRA) after the McKenzie stretch exercise and sport massage were both significant (group 1: p<0.05; group 2: p<0.05), whereas the between-group comparison found no significant differences. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study confirmed that the McKenzie stretch exercise and sport massage had a significant positive effect on the body alignment of the neck. However, a study that included a greater number of subjects and a long-term treatment period is needed to generalize these results.