Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural displacement that is significantly associated with neck pain, with higher risks of having neck pain in female and older populations. This study investigated the effect of two different forward head posture (FHP) interventions in elderly participants with poor posture and non-specific neck pain. Sixty-six elderly participants with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) < 50° were randomized into either a Chiropractic Biophyics^® (CBP^®) or a standardized exercise based FHP correction group (Standard Group). Both groups were treated for 18 sessions over a 6-week period. A 3-month post-treatment follow-up was also assessed with no further interventions. The CBP group received a mirror image^® exercise and a Denneroll™ cervical traction orthotic (DCTO); the standard group performed a protocol of commonly used stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck. Both groups received 30 min of their respective interventions per session. The primary outcome was the CVA, with secondary outcomes including pain intensity, Berg balance score (BBS), head repositioning accuracy (HRA), and cervical range of motion (CROM). After 18 sessions (6 weeks later), the CBP group had statistically significant improvement in the CVA (p < 0.001), whereas the standard group did not. In contrast, both groups showed improved functional measurements on the BBS and HRA as well as improved pain intensity. However, at the 3-month follow-up (with no further treatment), there were statistically significant differences favoring the CBP group for all outcomes (p < 0.001). The differences in the between group outcomes at the 3-month follow-up indicated that the improved outcomes were maintained in the CBP group, while the standard group experienced regression of the initially improved outcomes at 6 weeks. It is suggested that the improvement in the postural CVA (in the CBP group but not in the standard group) is the driver of superior and maintained pain and functional outcomes.

[Purpose] Respiratory physiotherapy is an effective approach to improving lung function in patient, including athletes with respiratory dysfunction caused by sports injury. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in the respirograms between taekwondo poomsae athletes and nonathletes according to the respirogram phase. [Subjects and Methods] Respiratory measurements for 13 elite taekwondo poomsae athletes were obtained. Respiratory function was measured using spirometry while the participant was seated. [Results] In respirogram phasic analysis, the inspiratory area of forced vital capacity were significantly increased in the athletes than in the nonathletes. The slopes of the forced vital capacity for athletes at slopes 1, 2, and 3 of the A area were significantly higher than those for the nonathletes. In correlation analysis, chest circumference was significantly correlated with slope 1 of the A area of the forced vital capacity. [Conclusion] Results indicate that differences in respirogram phasic changes between athletes and nonathletes may contribute to better understanding of respiratory function, which is important to sports physiotherapy research.

The current study aimed to determine whether participants with and without forward head posture (FHP) would respond differently in cervical nerve root function to various sitting positions. We measured peak-to-peak dermatomal somatosensory-evoked potentials (DSSEPs) in 30 participants with FHP and in 30 participants matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) with normal head posture (NHP), defined as having a craniovertebral angle (CVA) >55°. Additional inclusion criteria for recruitment were individuals between the ages of 18 and 28 who were in good health and had no musculoskeletal pain. All 60 participants underwent C6, C7, and C8 DSSEPs evaluation. The measurements were taken in three positions: erect sitting, slouched sitting, and supine. We identified statistically significant differences in the cervical nerve root function in all postures between the NHP and FHP groups (p < 0.001), indicating that the FHP and NHP reacted differently in different positions. No significant differences between groups for the DSSEPs were identified for the supine position (p > 0.05), in contrast to the erect and slouched sitting positions, which showed a significant difference in nerve root function between the NHP and FHP (p < 0.001). The NHP group results were consistent with the prior literature and had the greatest DSSEP peaks when in the upright position. However, the participants in the FHP group demonstrated the largest peak-to-peak amplitude of DSSEPs while in the slouched position as opposed to an erect position. The optimal sitting posture for cervical nerve root function may be dependent upon the underlying CVA of a person, however, further research is needed to corroborate these findings.

Background: Neurodynamic exercise is a common clinical practice used to restore neural dynamic balance. The order in which movements are performed during these exercises is believed to play a crucial role in their effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different sequences of neurodynamic exercise on nerve root function, with a specific focus on the median nerve. Methods: Participants were assigned randomly to three experimental groups, each undergoing a different test sequence: standard, proximal-to-distal, and distal-to-proximal. Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSSEPs) were recorded at key levels (C6, C7, C8, and T1). Results: The findings revealed a significant influence of the movement sequence on DSSEP amplitudes. The execution of neurodynamic exercise in the proximal-to-distal sequence was associated with a notable reduction in amplitudes (p < 0.05). Conversely, the distal-to-proximal sequence resulted in increased amplitudes compared to the standard sequence (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of carefully considering the order of movements during neurodynamic exercising, particularly when evaluating nerve roots that lack the protective perineurium. The choice of sequence appears to have a substantial impact on nerve function, with implications for optimizing clinical neurodynamic exercise techniques.

Purpose The goal of this study is to see if there's a predictive relationship between diastasis rectus abdominis and pelvic floor dysfunction, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and postpartum women's health-related quality of life. Method This cross-sectional, correlative study focused on 32 postpartum mothers aged 18 to 45 years old. Real Ultrasound Sonographic Imaging (RUSI) was used to determine DRA. The Pelvic Floor Disability Index was used to assess pelvic floor dysfunction (PFDI). The Active Straight Leg Raise Test (ASLR), the Long Dorsal Sacral Ligament Test (LDL), and the Posterior Pelvic Provocation Test (P4) were also investigated. The Short Form-12 (SF-12) Survey was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results A negative correlation between DRA and postpartum period was recorded (ρ=0.0001). The following categories showed a significant positive correlation between DRA and Pelvic floor dysfunction: Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (POPDI-6) corelated positively with DRA (ρ =0.01); Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory-8 (CRAD-8) (ρ =0.02); Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) (ρ =0.00). There was no correlation between DRA and sacroiliac joint dysfunction (ρ =0.8). Conclusion DRA was discovered to be a strong predictor of pelvic floor dysfunction, such as prolapse, colorectal-anal dysfunction, and urine distress. There was no evidence of a link between DRA and sacroiliac joint dysfunction or HRQoL.