Effect of Posture and Breathing Exercises in Forward Head Posture

NCT ID: NCT06197919

Last Updated: 2024-01-09

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 36 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-05-10
• Study Completion Date: 2024-01-10

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of postural exercises with and without breathing exercises in the subjects having forward head posture.

Detailed Description

Forward head posture (FHP) is a prevalent postural deviation that can occur in individuals of various age groups, spanning from childhood to old age. It manifests as an anterior positioning of the head in relation to the neck in the sagittal plane. . FHP is commonly associated with the excessive extension of the upper cervical spine (C1-C3) and flexion of the lower cervical spine (C4-C7). A common method to diagnose forward head posture is by measuring craniovertebral angle i.e. if CVA<49 than FHP is positive. In many cases faulty postures are linked with different musculoskeletal conditions as well as breathing difficulties. Forward head posture specifically impairs the mobility and functionality of the diaphragm, resulting in inefficient contraction of abdominal muscles and reduced lung capacity. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted so that we can rule out proper treatment protocol for forward head posture.

For this randomized clinical trial, 36 participants having forward head posture will be recruited from Sehat medical complex and shalamar hospitals Lahore by nonprobability convenient sampling. Participants will divide in two groups A and B by randomization. Group A will be given both exercise regimes of postural exercises and breathing exercises while group B will be given with only postural exercise protocol. Pain, ROM and craniovertebral angle will be assessment before the treatment start, after 5 weeks and at the end of treatment after 10 weeks. After the collection of data in 8 months, Statistical analysis using SPSS version 21, will be done to summarize the results.

Conditions

Forward Head Posture

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

postural exercises with breathing exercises

The postural exercise program consisted of two strengthening and stretching exercises. The exercises involved chin tucks in, shoulder retraction , and unilateral and bilateral pectoralis stretches alternating each 2-week period. 36 Participants were instructed to complete 3 sets of 12 repetitions of the strengthening exercises and 3 stretching exercises held for 30 seconds each.

For the breathing exercises in experimental group, breathing program includes respiratory muscle training, relaxation techniques, breathing techniques, e.g., deep breathing, hand controlled abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing, aimed stretching and strengthening exercises are combined with each other. Deep breathing, controlled diaphragmatic breathing, slow relaxed exhalation with pursed lips technique, direct apnoea exercises and segmental breathing techniques. exercise protocol will be continued for 10 weeks with and initial, after 5 weeks and final assessment of pain and CVA.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

postural exercises with breathing exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

The postural exercise program consisted the exercises i.e chin tucks in, a chin drop in sitting, shoulder retraction. Participants were instructed to complete 3sets of 12repetitions of these exercises. This program was to be repeated 4times per week. They also returned for a consultation every 2weeks to be checked for exercise technique and progression, if appropriate. Progress to the next exercise level was indicated if the participant could complete 12repetitions, 3times easily with correct form.

For the breathing exercises in experimental group, breathing program includes respiratory muscle training, relaxation techniques, breathing techniques, e.g., deep breathing, hand controlled diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation technique, deep breathing, controlled diaphragmatic breathing, slow relaxed exhalation with pursed lips technique, and segmental breathing techniques. exercise protocol will be continued for 6 weeks with and initial, after 3weeks and final assessment of pain and CVA.

postural exercises without breathing exercises

In this study forward head posture will be defined as CVA<49°, which was diagnosed by photogrammetry method.

The postural exercise program consisted of two strengthening and stretching exercises. The exercises involved

(a) chin tucks in (c) shoulder retraction , and (d) unilateral and bilateral pectoralis stretches alternating each 2-week period. 36 Participants were instructed to complete 3 sets of 12 repetitions of the strengthening exercises and 3 stretching exercises held for 30 seconds each. This program was to be repeated 4 times per week. They also returned for a consultation every 2 weeks to be checked for exercise technique and progression, if appropriate. Progress to the next exercise level was indicated if the participant could complete 12 repetitions, 3 times easily with correct form.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

postural exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

In this study forward head posture will be defined as CVA<49°, which was diagnosed by photogrammetry method.

The postural exercise program consisted of two strengthening (deep cervical flexors and shoulder retractors) and two stretching (cervical extensors and pectoral muscles) exercises based on Kendall et al's approach. The exercises involved

1. chin tucks ins

2. a chin drop in sitting

3. shoulder retraction

4. unilateral and bilateral pectoralis stretches Participants were instructed to complete 3 sets of 12 repetitions of the strengthening exercises and 3 stretching exercises held for 30 seconds each. This program was to be repeated 4 times per week. They also returned for a consultation every 2 weeks to be checked for exercise technique and progression, if appropriate. Progress to the next exercise level was indicated if the participant could complete 12 repetitions, 3 times easily with correct form

Interventions

postural exercises

In this study forward head posture will be defined as CVA<49°, which was diagnosed by photogrammetry method.

The postural exercise program consisted of two strengthening (deep cervical flexors and shoulder retractors) and two stretching (cervical extensors and pectoral muscles) exercises based on Kendall et al's approach. The exercises involved

1. chin tucks ins

2. a chin drop in sitting

3. shoulder retraction

4. unilateral and bilateral pectoralis stretches Participants were instructed to complete 3 sets of 12 repetitions of the strengthening exercises and 3 stretching exercises held for 30 seconds each. This program was to be repeated 4 times per week. They also returned for a consultation every 2 weeks to be checked for exercise technique and progression, if appropriate. Progress to the next exercise level was indicated if the participant could complete 12 repetitions, 3 times easily with correct form

Intervention Type: OTHER

postural exercises with breathing exercises

The postural exercise program consisted the exercises i.e chin tucks in, a chin drop in sitting, shoulder retraction. Participants were instructed to complete 3sets of 12repetitions of these exercises. This program was to be repeated 4times per week. They also returned for a consultation every 2weeks to be checked for exercise technique and progression, if appropriate. Progress to the next exercise level was indicated if the participant could complete 12repetitions, 3times easily with correct form.

For the breathing exercises in experimental group, breathing program includes respiratory muscle training, relaxation techniques, breathing techniques, e.g., deep breathing, hand controlled diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation technique, deep breathing, controlled diaphragmatic breathing, slow relaxed exhalation with pursed lips technique, and segmental breathing techniques. exercise protocol will be continued for 6 weeks with and initial, after 3weeks and final assessment of pain and CVA.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Individuals with 20 to 35 years of age, both male and female
• Individuals with CVA <49.

Exclusion Criteria

• History of Surgery of thorax or spine or both.
• Traumatic neck injury.
• Acute or chronic neuro-muscular pain.
• Clinical deformity present in thoracic cage or spine

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Ali Raza, MS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

izzah ijaz

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

Sehat Medical Complex

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Site Status: RECRUITING

Shalamar Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Pakistan

Central Contacts

imran amjad, PhD

Role: CONTACT

imran.amjad@ripha.edu.pk

03324390125

Facility Contacts

waseem javed, phD

Role: primary

wasim800@hotmail.com

03457881133

usman sarwar, FCPS

Role: primary

onlyawan@yahoo.com

03004280554

usman sarwar, FCPS

Role: backup

onlyawan@yahoo.com

03326099065

Other Identifiers

REC/RCR &AHS/23/0169

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id