Background: The forward head posture acts as a factor that can cause various neurovascular and musculoskeletal dysfunctions. But searching for a study on quality of life for patient with forward head posture was challenging. Therefore, this study aims to find the factors that most affect the quality of life in patients with forward head posture. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the cranio-vertebral angle (CVA), neck disability index (NDI), pain, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) thickness of patients with forward head posture and the quality of life of the patients and to figure out important factors that affect the quality of life of the patients with forward head posture. Design: Cress-sectional study. Methods: To measure the CVA, the angle at which the visible protrusion of C7 and the ear bead were connected was measured, and the neck disorder index was evaluated using the Korean version of NDI. The degree of pain of the subject was measured using a visual-analog scale (VAS). The SCM thickness was measured using an ultrasound imaging device, and the quality of life was evaluated using the Korean version of the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQL-BREF). Results: A significant predictive model showing 88% explanatory power for the dependent variable was confirmed, with an appropriate regression equation being found. The factor that most affected patients' quality of life in the forward head posture was confirmed by the SCM thickness. Conclusion: When applying an intervention to improve a patient's quality of life for patient with forward head posture, an intervention method that improves the SCM thickness should be recommended.

Background: Most non-pharmacological interventions for tension-type headache (TTH) focus on direct intervention in areas associated with headaches, with limited research exploring the indirect effects of interventions utilizing the fascia. Objectives: To investigate the effects of superficial back line (SBL) stretching and head-neck massage interventions on the range of motion (ROM) and neck disability index (NDI) of TTH. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The study participants were randomly allocated into three groups: SBL stretching group (n=9), head-neck massage group (n=9), and combined group (n=9). Prior to the intervention, measurements were taken for neck flexion ROM, straight leg raising test (SLRT) ROM, and NDI. The intervention consisted of 30-minute sessions conducted twice a week for 8 weeks. The second measurement took place 4 weeks after the intervention, followed by a third measurement conducted after an additional 4 weeks of intervention. Results: Comparing neck flexion ROM within each group, a significant increase was observed in the SBL stretching group after 8 weeks compared to before the intervention (P<.05). Regarding the comparison of SLRT ROM within each group, a significant increase was noted after 8 weeks compared to before the intervention in the SBL stretching, head-neck massage, and combined groups (P<.05). In terms of the comparison of NDI within each group, a significant decrease was observed in all three group after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: 8-week intervention involving SBL stretching, head-neck massage, and their combined application demonstrated effectiveness in improving neck flexion ROM, SLRT ROM, and the NDI for individuals with TTH.

The purpose of this study was to determine reliability and validity of the Neck Disability Index (NDI) now in use for the first time in neck pain patients of Korea. Fifty subjects (26 males and24 female) with neck pain enrolled in the study. They completed a standardized self-administered questionnaire that include pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping and recreation. Reliability was determined by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha by internal consistency. Validity was examined by correlating the NDI scores to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. The Test-retest reliability of the translated versions of the NDI was good ICC (2,1) = .90 (95%CI .85 .95). Cronbach's alpha value for NDI was found to be .95 and this was statistically significant (p<.05). The criterion-related validity coefficients was .72 (p<.01). We conclude that the Korean version of NDI has shown to be a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of neck pain.