This article is part of the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest series. In this series, we share real scientific research from respected universities around the world. We explain it in plain, everyday language, so anyone — whether you are 14 or 70 years old — can understand it.
We do this to: • Spark curiosity | • Help people learn how to read research | • Encourage you to explore science yourself
👉 At the end of this article, we include a direct link to the original study, so you can:
• Read the full paper | • Download the PDF | • Do your own fact-checking | • Collect research like many of our readers do |
If you ever don’t like our explanation — you can skip it and go straight to the source.
What Question Did This Study Try To Answer?
Can electrical muscle stimulation help improve weak neck muscles and forward head posture when combined with proper neck movement?
This matters because poor neck posture and weak deep neck muscles are common in people who:
• Sit for long hours
• Use phones or computers daily
• Feel stiffness or fatigue in the neck
• Notice their head drifting forward over time
Who Did This Research And When?
This research was published in 2020 in the peer-reviewed journal Brain Sciences (MDPI).
The study was conducted in South Korea by researchers from:
• Yongin University
• Gangdong University
• AVENS Hospital
These institutions are well-known for physical therapy and rehabilitation research.
The study was ethically approved, peer-reviewed, and not industry funded, which increases trustworthiness
What Was This Research About?
The researchers studied how Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) affects:
• Deep neck muscle activation
• Forward head posture
• Neck alignment
They also looked at what happens when NMES is combined with gentle upper-neck movement, instead of NMES alone.
Who Was Studied?
The study included 34 adults who had:
• Poor head and neck posture
• Weak deep neck muscle control
They were divided into two groups:
• Group A: NMES + real upper-neck mobilization
• Group B: NMES + fake (sham) mobilization
Both groups trained 3 times per week for 4 weeks.
How Did The Researchers Measure Neck Changes?
They used objective physical measurements, not opinions.
1. Deep Neck Muscle Strength
Measured using the Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
This test checks how well deep neck muscles activate and hold posture.
2. Forward Head Posture
Measured using the Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)
A larger angle means better head-over-neck alignment.
What Did The Study Find? (Key Results)
1. Deep Neck Muscle Activation Improved
People using NMES + neck mobilization showed much stronger activation of deep neck muscles.
• CCFT scores nearly doubled in the combined group
• Improvement was significantly greater than NMES alone
This shows better control and endurance of stabilizing neck muscles.
2. Forward Head Posture Improved More With Combined Approach
• Head-to-neck alignment improved by almost 7 degrees
• This change was more than double the improvement seen with NMES alone
This suggests that muscle activation + correct neck movement works better than stimulation by itself.
3. NMES Alone Helped — But Not As Much
Both groups improved.
But the group that combined NMES with proper upper-neck movement improved more, and faster.
This shows how NMES is applied matters.
What Do These Findings Mean In Simple Words?
• Electrical stimulation can help wake up weak neck muscles
• Better neck muscle control supports upright head posture
• Forward head posture is not just about strength, but also movement quality
• Combining stimulation with correct motion works better than stimulation alone
Why Is This Relevant For People With Neck Discomfort?
Poor posture often means:
• Neck muscles working too hard
• Deep stabilizing muscles staying under-active
• The head drifting forward during daily tasks
This study shows a mechanical pathway where NMES supports muscle engagement, not pain treatment.
How Might This Help EMS Device Users?
This research suggests EMS/NMES may:
• Support activation of hard-to-reach neck muscles
• Encourage better postural control when used correctly
• Work best when combined with movement and awareness, not passively
Research Paper Details
Original Title:
Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Plus Upper Cervical Spine Mobilization on Forward Head Posture and Swallowing Function
Simplified Name:
Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Help Improve Weak Neck Muscles And Head Posture?
Source Link (Open-Access PDF):
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7464773/
Why This Source Is Trustworthy:
• Published in a peer-reviewed journal
• Conducted by university researchers
• No commercial funding
• Full data and methods publicly available
Featured Product
Featured Product: Original Oriems Ultimate Kit
Enhance your wellness routine with EMS technology trusted by over 10,000 Aussies.
Proudly chosen from 68,000+ nominees.
Voted Year’s Best two years in a row (2024 & 2025).
👉 Click above to check availability
Disclaimer:
This product is designed for general wellness and fitness purposes only.
It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Study Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Type | Randomized controlled trial |
| Country | South Korea |
| Participants | 34 adults |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Stimulation Type | Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) |
| Key Outcome | Improved deep neck muscle activation |
| Posture Result | Forward head posture improved more with combined approach |
| Key Insight | How EMS is used matters |
Let’s Talk
Have you ever noticed your head drifting forward during phone or computer use?
Do you think posture is about strength, or control?
Leave a comment — we read and respond.
Like this Research Digest? Share it with your friends 📚✨
https://bit.ly/49NpWJk
Disclaimer
This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.
For full details on our disclaimer, visit:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer
For Research Digest , all social media channels
🔍 How We Source Research Studies
At ORIEMS FIT Research Digest, every study we feature comes directly from peer-reviewed scientific journals, not social media or secondary websites.
Here’s how the process works:
-
Global Database Access
We search through respected scientific databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, MDPI, Frontiers, and Google Scholar — including university-hosted repositories. -
Peer-Reviewed Journals Only
Each paper we select must come from recognized academic journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed, ensuring the research has passed expert review. -
Verification and Citation
Every article is read in full — not just the abstract — and we verify:-
the authors’ institutions (universities, hospitals, or research institutes),
-
the publication year,
-
and the journal’s credibility.
We always include journal names, volume numbers, and DOI or reference links at the end of every digest.
-
-
Simplified, Not Altered
We rewrite the findings in simple, clear language — especially for readers aged 14 to 80 — but the data, results, and scientific integrity remain untouched. -
Continuous Updates
Our library grows weekly with new papers from Australia, Europe, Asia, and North America, highlighting only verified studies on EMS, FES, and natural healing mechanisms.
🧠 Our Mission
To make cutting-edge science understandable for everyone — without losing the facts or exaggerating the claims.
