Effects of a Combination of Scapular Stabilization and Thoracic Extension Exercises on Respiration, Pain, Craniovertebral Angle and Cervical Range of Motion in Elementary School Teachers with a Forward Head Posture: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Na-Yeon Kang (강나연); Kyoung Kim (김경)

Effects of a Combination of Scapular Stabilization and Thoracic Extension Exercises on Respiration, Pain, Craniovertebral Angle and Cervical Range of Motion in Elementary School Teachers with a Forward Head Posture: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
Abbr : J Korean Soc Phys Med
2022, 17(2), pp.29-40
Publisher : The Korean Society of Physical Medicine
Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Physical Therapy > Other physical therapy
Received : March 3, 2022
Accepted : April 25, 2022
Published : May 31, 2022

Na-Yeon Kang ¹, Kyoung Kim ¹

¹대구대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an exercise program for the thoracic spine and scapula rather than the neck, which is the primary site of pain. METHODS: Thirty-two elementary school teachers with a forward head posture (FHP) were assigned randomly to either the experimental group (n = 16) or the control group (n = 16). The experimental group performed scapular stabilization exercise (SSE) and thoracic extension exercise (TEE), and the control group performed cervical self-myofascial release exercise and stretching exercise. The pulmonary functions, pain, craniovertebral angle (CVA), and cervical range of motion (CROM) were measured before the intervention and six weeks after. RESULTS: The within-group comparisons showed that the VAS and CROM (except for extension) in both groups were significantly different before and after the intervention (p < .05). The changes in the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1), and CVA were significant only in the experimental group (p < .05). The between-group comparisons showed a significant difference in the FVC, FEV1, VAS, CVA, and left lateral flexion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of SSE and TEE in the experimental group was more effective in improving the FHP and breathing ability. Moreover, the experimental group and control combination appeared to be effective in reducing pain and improving the CROM. The combination of SSE and TEE, which are exercises that do not target the cervical spine directly, was effective in improving the posture, respiration, neck pain, and CROM in elementary school teachers with FHP.

KEYWORDS

Cervical spine, Exercise, Forward head posture, Neck pain

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

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