• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2017

Purpose : Forward head posture is typical neck disorders occur in all people. And this attitude causes a shortening and weakening of the muscles in the body. It also causes excessive extension acts as a reward. This attitude has to change if the pain occurs around the neck and shoulders, and are subjected to unusual stress. Patients with chronic neck pain associated with forward head posture was found to be the more severe the fall of the respiratory, forward head posture poor quality of much breath. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of changes in forward head posture and neutral head posture on respiratory. Method : Forty volunteers were participated in study and divided into two groups [forward head posture group (n=20) and neutral head posture group (n=20)]. We measured cervical alignment with global postural system to find out a forward head posture. Respiratory function was measured with a SPIROVIT SP-1 equipment and we found out a forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC. A pared t-test was used to determine a statistical significance for the pulmonary function variation and a independent t-test was used to determine a statistical significance in the two groups. Results : In the experimental group, FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in the artificial neutral head posture than in the forward head posture. In the control group, FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in the neutral head posture than in the forward head posture. FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/ FVC were significantly higher in the neutral head posture of control group than the artificial neutral head posture of experimental group and higher in the artificial forward head posture of control group than the forward head posture of experimental group. Conclusion : In conclusion, neutral head posture is considered to be an important factor in correct posture and improvement of lung function and continuous study of posture correction program for posture imbalance will be needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.108-111
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the forward head posture and tension type headache on neck movement among office workers. Methods: The subjects were 6 male and 21 female patients composed of a forward head posture group, forward head posture group with a tension type headache and a normal group. Each group consisted of 2 males and 7 females. The cranio-vertebral angle of the head and the angle of motion of the neck were measured. SPSS 23.0 was used for data analysis and one-way ANOVA was performed for the mean comparison of the neck movements in the three groups. Results: The participants had a limitation in the movement of all necks between the forward head posture group and forward head posture with tension type headache group compared to the normal subjects. The forward head posture with tension headache group had limited neck extension and lateral bending compared to the forward head posture group. Conclusion: Office workers have limitations in the movement of the neck when they are accompanied by forward head posture and tension headache. In particular, when accompanied with a tension headache, there is a restriction on the neck extension and side bending. This study is expected to provide basic data for the relief of tension headache and the treatment of forward head posture in office workers.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of posture correction and real-time visual feedback using a video display on muscle activity and change of head position during overhead arm lift test in individuals with forward head posture. Methods: Fifteen subjects with forward head posture and fifteen normal subjects who volunteered were included in this study. During both groups performed the overhead arm lift test, the muscle activity of the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, sternocleidomastoid, and lower trapezius muscle were measured using electromyography, and head position change was measured using photographs. Then, forward head posture group was asked to perform overhead arm lift test again after posture correction and real-time visual feedback using a video display respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze four conditions: pre-test, posture correction, real-time visual feedback, and the control group. Results: The upper trapezius and lower trapezius muscle activity significantly decreased posture correction, real-time visual feedback, and control group than pre-test of forward head posture group (p<0.05). The sternocleidomastoid muscle significantly decreased real-time visual feedback and control group than pre-test of forward head posture group. Head position change significantly decreased three conditions than pre-test of forward head posture group and real-time visual feedback and control group significantly decreased than posture correction. Conclusion: This study recommend for maintaining cervical stability during the overhead arm lift test, postural control using real-time visual feedback is more effective in subjects with forward head posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Purpose : This research intended to find out the effects of scalenus medius muscle relaxed posture on the increase of head-neck rotation for general adults. Methods : This research was conducted on 30 subjects whose both sides head neck rotation angles are not the same and that agreed to participate in the experiment. In a posture of sitting erectly on a mat, both sides head neck rotation angles were measured with C-ROM equipment, and while supporting arm in direction opposite the side where head neck rotation limited and leaning over the body at 45 degree and neck at vertical condition against ground, head-neck rotation angles were measured each with C-ROM equipment. Results : The Head-Neck rotation angle on the side of limited head-neck rotation demonstrated more increase in scalenus medius relaxed posture than in erect sitting posture, showing significant difference statistically(p<0.05). The head-neck rotation angle on the side of non-limited Head-Neck rotation demonstrated more decrease in scalenus medius relaxed posture than in erect sitting posture, not showing any significant difference statistically (p>0.05). Conclusions : This posture may be used for preventing limit of head-neck rotation caused of scalenus medius muscle tension and increasing head-neck rotation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2017

Objective: This study tried to examine the muscle activity of the neck and trunk according to head posture changes during use of laptops. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included nineteen young men and women. All subjects maintained each posture while practice typing on laptops for ten minutes with a 5-minute break between each posture. For the neutral head posture, the subjects practiced typing while pulling their chins down towards the Adam's apple and were able to look at their knees while having their external auditory meatus, acromion, and greater trochanter vertical to the ground. For the natural head posture, they practiced typing while balancing their posture between extension and flexion of the cervical vertebrae by themselves without any guidelines. While a forward head posture was created by having their heads face the front horizontal to the rope hanging from the ceiling, they practiced typing with their external auditory meatus located in the place which was 5 cm in front of the vertical plane. The subjects used general word process but practiced typing with accuracy and high speed. Muscle activities were randomly measured using surface electromyography according to each postures. Results: The research result had found that muscle activity with the natural head posture was more significantly reduced than that of the forward head posture in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, upper trapezius, cervical vertebral spinae, and thoracic vertebrae spinae muscles (p<0.05) and that the neutral head posture was more significantly reduced than that of forward head posture in the upper trapezius, cervical vertebral spinae, and thoracic vertebrae spinae muscle activity (p<0.05) with significant increases in lumbar spinae muscle activity (p<0.05). Also, muscle activity with the neutral head posture significantly increased more in the sternocleidomastoid muscle and lumbar spinae than that of the natural posture (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our study results suggest that in order to prevent musculoskeletal pain, the neutral head posture with use of laptops is effective in reducing load to the shoulders and vitalizing the postural muscles.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the immediate effects of a figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention on round shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion mobility in forward head posture. Methods: Thirty patients with forward head posture were assigned randomly to the figure-8 shoulder brace group (n = 15) or the taping intervention group (n = 15). Patients were assessed for forward head posture, shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion. Results: The figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention groups showed a significant difference for forward head posture, shoulder posture, and thoracic kyphosis after the experiment (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that a figure-8 shoulder brace and taping intervention has a positive effect on rounded shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis, and chest expansion in patients with forward head posture.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2023

Background: Flexion of cervical and lumbar joints is required when viewing a smartphone screen. Thus, these joints are overused, together with the surrounding joints and muscles. Long-term use of smartphones will cause changes in cervical and lumbar posture. The effect on forward head posture will vary, depending on the angle of cervical flexion start position in relation to the smartphone. This study investigated how forward head posture changes over time when using a smartphone at 20° and 40° cervical flexion start positions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-five subjects with a forward head posture angle of 35° or less participated in the study. A Forward Head Posture app on the participants' smartphones measured forward head posture 5 and 10 minutes after watching videos on their smartphones. Cervical range of motion was used to set a smartphone watching start posture of 20° and 40° of cervical flexion. Results: There was no significant difference in forward head posture, irrespective of cervical flexion start position, but the angle of forward head posture increased more at cervical flexion of 40° than at cervical flexion of 20°. There was no significant difference in what according to smartphone video viewing times, but the angle of forward head posture increased over time. Conclusion: An increase in forward head posture over time with smartphone usage poses a potential risk of neck and shoulder pain. Therefore, smartphone users should avoid prolonged screen time.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2020

Purpose: This study investigated the correlation between standing balance and head-forward posture in adolescents. Methods: The participants in this study were 15 female adolescents. We took photographs of the participants' craniovertebral angle with a digital camera to determine the degree of head-forward posture. Standing balance was evaluated using the 30-second Romberg test of BT4. The measurements were taken on a stable-support surface and on an unstable-support surface using a balance pad. The data measured in this study were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, and the statistical significance level α was established as 0.05. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to identify the correlation between the degree of head-forward position of the participants and their balance ability. Results: When we measured 30 seconds of the Romberg test, we observed that, with their eyes open, the participants' head-forward posture and balance were not correlated. However, with their eyes closed, there was a strong correlation between the forward position of the head and the balance ability, which declined as the head position increased. Conclusion: Adolescents with severe head-forward posture exhibited problems with balance in posture control with closed eyes when visual information was not available. It can be inferred that an abnormality occurs in proprioceptor sensation due to their habitual head-forward posture. Education on correct posture and preventive activities should be recommended to improve the health of such adolescents and avoid possible future problems of physical deterioration.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.131-147
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• 1993

To evaluate the contribution of head/neck posture to signs/symptoms of craniomandibular disorder(CMD), the author clinically, cephalo-metrically, analyzed craniomandibular index (CMI), clinical dysfunction index(CDI), occlusal index(OI) and head posture, cervical spine, cervicovertebral anatomy, craniofacial variables from 30 CMD patients and control. And the author analyzed difference between patients and control, and the correlation between CMI, CDI and head posture, cervical spine, cervicovertebral anatomy, craniofacial variables in CMD patients and control. The obtained results were as follows : 1. There was very high significant correlation between CMI and CDI(r=0.8969, p<0.01). 2. There was significant difference between patients and control in head/neck posture, head/neck anatomy(p<0.05). 3. There was significant correlation between CMI, CDI and head posture, cervical spine, cervicovertebral anatomy, craniofacial variables(p<0.05). 4. There was more significant correlation between DI and head/neck posture, head/neck anatomy than between PI and head/neck posture, head/neck anatomy in CMD patients(p<0.05)

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

Purpose: This paper proposes proper and effective neck exercises by comparing the deep and superficial cervical flexor muscle activities and thickness according to the pressure level during cranio-cervical flexion exercises between a normal posture group and forward head posture group. Methods: A total of 20 subjects (8 males and 12 females) without neck pain and disabilities were selected. The subjects' craniovertebral angles were measured; they were divided into a normal posture and a forward head posture group. During cranio-cervical flexion exercises, the thickness of the deep cervical flexor neck muscle and the activity of the surface neck muscles were measured using ultrasound and EMG. Results: The results showed that the thickening of the deep cervical flexor was increased significantly to 28 and 30 mmHg in the forward head posture group. The sternocleidomastoid muscle activity increased significantly to 24, 26, 28, and 30 mmHg in the forward head posture group. The anterior scalene muscle activity increased significantly to 26, 28, and 30mmHg in the forward head posture group. A significant difference of 26, 28, and 30 mmHg in the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscles was observed between two groups. Conclusion: To prevent a forward head posture and maintain proper cervical curve alignment, the use of the superficial cervical flexor muscles must be minimized. In addition, to perform a cranio-cervical flexion exercises to effectively activate the deep cervical flexor muscles, 28 and 30 mmHg for normal posture adults and 28 mmHg for adults with forward head postures are recommended.