부산대학교 도서관

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback exercise would improve cervical alignment and mechanical properties of cervical muscles in patients with forward head posture. Methods: Thirty patients with forward head posture were recruited and were randomly divided into three groups: cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback exercise group (n=10, group Ⅰ), passive stretching group (n=10, group Ⅱ) and control group (n=10, group Ⅲ). After receiving conventional physical therapy, each group additionally received cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback exercise and passive stretching for 30min, three days per week for four weeks. Their muscle tone (㎐), stiffness (㎐) and craniovertebral angle (°) were analyzed before the intervention. After four weeks of intervention, the above items were re-measured and an intergroup analysis was performed. Results: The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle tone and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the suboccipital, upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles in groups Ⅰand Ⅱ. Furthermore, statistically significant intergroup differences were observed in the suboccipital muscles with a greater change in group Ⅰ than in group Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Furthermore, greater changes in the upper trapezius muscles were observed in group Ⅰ than in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Sternocleidomastoid muscle changes were greater group Ⅰ than in group Ⅱ, Ⅲ. The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle stiffness and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the muscles in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ, upper trapezius muscles in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ, and sternocleidomastoid muscles in group Ⅰ. Moreover, statistically significant intergroup differences in the suboccipital muscles with a greater change in group Ⅰ than in group Ⅱ and Ⅲ; upper trapezius muscles with greater changes in group Ⅰ than in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ, and sternocleidomastoid muscles with a greater change in group Ⅰ than in group Ⅱ and Ⅲ, were observed. The comparison and analyses of the changes in the craniovertebral angle and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup changes in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ, and statistically significant intergroup differences with greater changes in group Ⅰ than in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Conclusion: Cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback exercise may be suggested as an effective intervention method for functional recovery of patients in the forward head posture.