• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the duration of smartphone usage on cervical and lumbar spine flexion angles and reposition error in the cervical spine. The study included 18 healthy smartphone users (7 males and 11 females). We measured the kinematics of the upper and lower cervical and lumbar spine flexion angles and the reposition error of the upper and lower cervical spine after 3 s and 300 s smartphone use in sitting. A paired t-test was used to compare the effects of the duration of smartphone usage on the kinematics of cervical and lumbar spine flexion angles and reposition error. The flexion angles of the lower cervical and lumbar spine and the reposition error in the upper and lower cervical spine were significantly increased after 300 s smartphone of use (p<.05). However, the flexion angle of the upper cervical spine was not significantly different between the 3 s and 300 s smartphone of use (p>.05). These findings suggest that prolonged use of smartphones can induce changes in cervical and lumbar spine posture and proprioception in the cervical spine.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.272-277
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• 2020

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is common postural malalignment. FHP is described relatively extension to upper cervical and lower cervical is relatively flexion. Although several researchers mentioned the lower cervical flexion posture in FHP, most of the studies related to FHP is focused on the deep cervical flexor function. Objects: The purposes of present study is to compare the cervical strength (upper cervical extension [UCE], lower cervical extension [LCE], upper cervical flexion [UCF], lower cervical flexion [LCF]) between individuals with and without FHP. Methods: Fifty-one participants are recruited. Participants who have the craniovertebral angle (CVA) less than 48 degree were classified to the FHP group (n = 24) and the others were included in without FHP group (n = 27). The cervical strength (UCE, LCE, UCF, LCF) were measured using Smart KEMA strength sensor and the strength data was normalized by body weight. All strength measurement conducted at head and neck neutral position in sitting. Independent t-test was used to compare the cervical strength between individuals with and without FHP. Results: The mean value of CVA was greater in without FHP group than with FHP group (p < 0.000). The strength value of UCF (p < 0.002) and LCE (p < 0.001) was significant less in FHP group than without FHP group. But no significant differences were seen in the LCF and UCE strength between two groups. Conclusion: UCF and LCE weakness in FHP group should be considered to evaluate and manage the individuals with FHP.

• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2005

Two hundreds of female aged 19 years old and up were recruited to evaluate the postural changes and bilateral variation of asymmetry over age. To find out the differences among the age group, subjects were classified into 5 groups, early young age(19-29), late young age(30-39), early middle age(40-49), late middle age(50-59), and old age(60-). 35 body measurements were taken by the 3-D body scanner which allowed us to take measurements which cannot be measured using traditional methods, including the shape of a cross section, slice area surface are, and volume. Bilateral variations were observed as a function of age; Depth of scapular point level, scapular point to center back, and blade angle. Postural change of anterior cervical angle, upper anterior thoracic angle, upper posterior thoracic angle, posterior cervical angle, and center back/center front ratio were also exhibited. In each measurements, subjects were classified into normal, and abnormal group. Percentiles of abnormal in shoulder line angle, blade angle, neck point $\∼$ acromial point $\∼$ scapular point, posterior cervical angle, and upper posterior thoracic angle were increased over age group. The upper body of lateral view was classified into 3 types of posture based on the previous research; straight, erect(leaning back), and stooped(bent forward). The percentiles of subjects who have straight postures were decreased as a function of age, but those of stooped postures were increased. Subjects who have erect postures did not so. The stooped posture group shows the big cervical fossa angle, anterior cervical angle, posterior cervical angle, upper posterior thoracic angle, and the small upper anterior thoracic angle comparing to the straight and erect posture group. These results could be apply for clothing construction reflecting the changes in back, shoulder, neck, and the bilateral asymmetry according to the target age group.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.461-468
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of upper cervical stabilization exercise on Temporomandibular Disorder(TMD) and pressure pain threshold. 36 subjects were divided into two groups: upper cervical stabilization exercise group(UCSEG) and control on three times a week for a total of four weeks. The upper cervical stabilization group showed more significant effect than the control group (p <.01, 95% CI: 8.074, 16.899). (p <.01, 95% CI: .826, 3.243). In the change of pressure pain threshold, the upper cervical stabilization group showed significant improvement in both the masticatory muscle(p <.01, 95% CI: .251, 1.382) and masticatory muscle(p <.01, 95% CI: .462, 1.826).The results of this study showed that the upper cervical stabilization exercise was effective that TMD. It will be able to provide more effective interventions for patients suffering from TMD, and to suggest new approaches for TMD patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2012

We present the rare case of solitary xanthogranuloma in the upper cervical column mimicking a Brown-Sequard syndrome. A 29-year-old man complained with right hemiparesis and left hypoesthesia after a car accident. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images revealed a lobulated homogenously well-enhancing mass in between posterior arch of the atlas (C1) and spinous process of the axis (C2) resulting in a marked spinal canal narrowing with cortical erosions. The patient was managed by complete resection of the tumor with partial laminectomy with lower half of C1 posterior arch and upper half of C2 spinous process. The authors advise complete removal of the xanthogranuloma and consideration as a differential diagnosis of lesions among upper cervical lesions.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.197-206
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• 1996

This study ws performed to investigate the relationship between cervical curvature and the spatial position of the posterior part of the atlas imaged in the lateral cephalograph. Sixty six patients with temporomandibular disorders(TMD) and twenty dental students were selected for patients group and control group, respectively. The average age of patients group was 26.3 years, and 24.9 years in control group. Measured variables were cervical depth, upper space between the atlas and the base of the occiput, lower space between the atlas and the spinous process of the axis, rea of the posterior part of the atlas imaged in the lateral cephalograph, and the cervical curvature passing through the uppermost point in dorsal side of Dens of the Axis to the lowermost and rearmost point of the 5th cervical vertebra. The reliability of the method used for measuring cervical curvature with curved ruler was also tested. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Cervical depth of patients group was 122.9mm and significantly shorter than that of control group, in which cervical depth was 131.9mm, and cervical depth was significantly correlated with other variables in all subjects. 2. Upper space was greater in patients group, but total space including upper and lower space showed no difference between the two groups. The average value of total space was 26.5mm. 3. Area of the posterior part of the atlas was 168.2$\textrm{mm}^2$ in patients group, and 186.5$\textrm{mm}^2$ in control group with significant difference between the two groups. 4. Average range of radius of cervical curvature were 33-40cm and there was no difference between the two groups. 5. There was no significant correlation between the cervical curvature and the area of the posterior arch of the atlas. 6. The method using curved ruler for measuring cervical curvature could be accepted as a reliable method.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2018

Background: After a stroke, the patient may have abnormal muscle tone due to abnormal alignment. Physical therapists have used stretching, neural mobilization other methods to treat patients after stroke. In addition, joint mobilization is also used to stimulation in pathway of cervical segmental region and to normal cervical spine alignment. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine whether Maitland cervical spine mobilization has an immediate effect on muscle tone and stiffness of upper extremity. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into a experimental group ($n_1=10$), a placebo group ($n_2=10$), and a control group ($n_3=10$). The Maitland cervical spine mobilization was applied in the supine position. Immediately after the intervention, muscle tone and stiffness of biceps brachii, brachioradialis, deltoid, and pectoralis major were measured using Myoton(R)PRO. In the placebo group, sham mobilization was applied to the fifth and sixth cervical vertebra, and the control group was instructed to control breathing. Results: In the experimental group, significant differences were found in muscle tone and stiffness of biceps brachii and brachioradialis in comparison with the affected side and the non-affected side before the intervention (p<.05), whereas there was no significant difference after the intervention (p>.05). Muscle tone of biceps brachii on the non-affected side and pectoralis major on the affected side was significantly decreased before and after the intervention (p<.05). The placebo and control group showed no changes on the non-affected and affected side, and no significant differences were detected before and after the intervention. All the groups revealed no significant differences in muscle tone and stiffness of upper extremity before and after the intervention. Conclusion: This study suggests that the application of Maitland cervical spine mobilization enhanced muscle tone of upper extremity on the involved side symmetrically, and influenced a decrease in muscle tone.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.19-26
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• 2013

The smart-phone has become a necessity for most people. In this study, we determined that using a smart-phone for 20 minutes can cause increased neck and shoulder muscle activities and fatigue. Seventeen healthy male smart-phone users who attended Yonsei University played a smart-phone game for 20 minutes and changes in their bilateral cervical erector spinae and upper trapezius muscle activities and fatigue were measured. To assess muscle activities and fatigue, we used the following variables: the median frequency, the 50th percentile Amplitude probability distribution function (APDF) value (median load), and the discrepancy in the 90th percentile APDF value and the 10th percentile APDF value (APDF range). A paired t-test was used to compare pre-smart-phone-use status with post-smart-phone-use-status. The median frequency of the bilateral cervical erector spinae and the upper trapezius decreased significantly after 20 minutes of smart-phone use (p<.05). In addition, the 50th percentile APDF value of the bilateral cervical erector spinae and the right upper trapezius increased significantly (p<.05). The APDF range of the bilateral cervical erector spinae and the upper trapezius also increased significantly (p<.05). However, the 50th percentile APDF range of the left upper trapezius was not significantly different (p>.05). These findings suggest that using smart-phones for 20 minutes can induce muscle fatigue and increased neck and shoulder muscle activities.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate sensory disturbance in cervical spondylosis using grip force and investigate the relationship between the grip force and upper extremity function. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eleven cervical spondylosis patients with paresthesia conducted grip and lift tasks using a precision grip with the tips of the thumb and index finger on either side. The sum of the grip force used during the first four seconds was calculated and defined as the total grip force. The cutaneous pressure threshold of the fingers, the pinch power, the grip power and three subtests of the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF) were also assessed. Correlations between the total grip force and cutaneous pressure threshold, pinch power, grip power, and STEF subtest times were evaluated. Results: We found that the total grip force correlated with the cutaneous pressure threshold (p<0.05). Moreover, the total grip force of the dominant thumb correlated with the results of the three STEF subtests (p<0.05). There were no significant correlations between the total grip force and pinch/grip powers. Conclusions: We found that the total grip force correlated with cutaneous pressure threshold and upper extremity function. The results suggest that the total grip force could serve as an objective index for evaluating paresthesia in cervical spondylosis patients, and that the impaired ability of the upper extremity function is related to grip force coordination.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.507-511
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• 2011

Objective : Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is known to be mainly related with upper cervical problems. In this study, the effect of radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) for lower cervical (C4-7) medial branches on CGH was evaluated. Methods : Eleven patients with neck pain and headache, who were treated with lower cervical RFN due to supposed lower cervical zygapophysial joint pain without symptomatic intervertebral disc problem or stenosis, were enrolled in this study. CGH was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of the cervicogenic headache international study group. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and degree of VAS improvement (VASi) (%) were checked for evaluation of the effect of lower cervical RFN on CGH. Results : The VAS score at 6 months after RFN was $2.7{\pm}1.3$, which were significantly decreased comparing to the VAS score before RFN, $8.1{\pm}1.1$ ($p$<0.001). The VASi at 6 months after RFN was $63.8{\pm}17.1%$. There was no serious complication. Conclusion : Our data suggest that lower cervical disorders can play a role in the genesis of headache in addition to the upper cervical disorders or independently.