Effectiveness of the Suboccipital Inhibition Technique in Forward Head Posture.

NCT ID: NCT06439472

Last Updated: 2024-06-04

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 50 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-09-30
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-31

Brief Summary

In this randomized controlled experimental trial, it is aimed to verify the effectiveness of applying the suboccipital inhibition technique in altering forward head posture, increasing the craniovertebral angle and decreasing the angle between the chin, the external acoustic meatus and the sternal angle.

Detailed Description

Forward head posture (FHP) is defined as misalignment of the head caused by anterior translation of the head in relation to the trunk, The incidence rate of this postural alteration is 66% in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50.

In order to diagnose this alteration, two angles are used: the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and the angle between the chin, the external acoustic meatus and the sternal angle (AMME), with the CVA being the reference angle for diagnosing a FHP. According to the literature, when the CVA is less than 49.9º, there is a FHP.

We decided to use the suboccipital inhibition technique, which according to Eileen DiGiovanna et al (2005), causes a decrease in muscle tension leading to their relaxation. This relaxation, according to Heredia Rizo et al (2012), has significant effects on increasing CVA, which in turn will decrease AMME, resulting in a positive change in FHP.

Conditions

Individuals With Forward Head Posture

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Suboccipital Inhibition Technique

Experimental: Suboccipital Inhibition Technique

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Suboccipital Inhibition Technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

The researcher will place their palms under the patient's head and use their fingers to contact the occipital condyles. Next, the researcher will place the 3rd and 4th fingers of each hand in the space between the occiput and the spinous process of C2. The metacarpophalangeal joints are at 90º flexion, with the base of the skull resting on their hands while they apply constant, non-painful pressure in a postero-anterior direction, keeping the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers together in extension. Afterwards, the researcher applies a light and gentle traction in a cephalad direction in order to relieve the suboccipital area. Once the suboccipital muscles have relaxed, the researcher gently removes the contact, leaving the participant's head resting on the table.

This technique is performed for 4 minutes.

Sham Technique

Placebo Comparator: Sham Technique

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Sham Technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

The participant is instructed to lie down in the supine position while the mediator assumes a position at the head of the table and places their hands on the participant's shoulders. This technique is performed for 4 minutes.

Interventions

Suboccipital Inhibition Technique

The researcher will place their palms under the patient's head and use their fingers to contact the occipital condyles. Next, the researcher will place the 3rd and 4th fingers of each hand in the space between the occiput and the spinous process of C2. The metacarpophalangeal joints are at 90º flexion, with the base of the skull resting on their hands while they apply constant, non-painful pressure in a postero-anterior direction, keeping the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers together in extension. Afterwards, the researcher applies a light and gentle traction in a cephalad direction in order to relieve the suboccipital area. Once the suboccipital muscles have relaxed, the researcher gently removes the contact, leaving the participant's head resting on the table.

This technique is performed for 4 minutes.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Sham Technique

The participant is instructed to lie down in the supine position while the mediator assumes a position at the head of the table and places their hands on the participant's shoulders. This technique is performed for 4 minutes.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• male and female;
• be over 18 years old;
• have a craniovertebral angle of less than 49.9º.

Exclusion Criteria

• have a craniovertebral angle greater than 49.9º;
• be a 3rd or 4th year osteopathy student;
• be an osteopath.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Natália Maria Oliveira Campelo

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Natália MO Campelo, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Escola Superior de Saúde do Porto

Locations

Escola Superior de Saúde do Porto

Porto, , Portugal

Countries

Portugal

Central Contacts

Natália MO Campelo, PhD

Role: CONTACT

nmc@ess.ipp.pt

22 206 1000

Facility Contacts

Natália MO Campelo, PhD

Role: primary

nmc@ess.ipp.pt

+35122 206 1000

References

Aggarwal, A., Nair, A., Palekar, TJ e Bhamare, D. (2022). Efeito da técnica de liberação suboccipital na postura anterior da cabeça: um estudo comparativo. Jornal Médico da Universidade Dr. DY Patil , 15 (4), 534-537.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Contractor, ES, Shah, S. e Dave, P. (2019). Estudar o efeito imediato da técnica de energia muscular suboccipital no ângulo craniovertebral e no ângulo crânio-horizontal em indivíduos com postura de cabeça anteriorizada. Int J Health Sci Res , 9 (3), 83.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Kim, BB, Lee, JH, Jeong, HJ e Cynn, HS (2016). Efeitos da liberação suboccipital com exercício de flexão craniocervical no alinhamento craniocervical e na atividade muscular cervical extrínseca em indivíduos com postura anterior da cabeça. Jornal de Eletromiografia e Cinesiologia , 30 , 31-37.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Weber, P., Corrêa, ECR, Milanesi, JM, Soares, JC, & Trevisan, ME (2012). Postura craniocervical: análise cefalométrica e biofotogramétrica. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Orais , 11 (3), 416-421.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

DiGiovanna, E. L., Schiowitz, S., Dowling, D. J. (2005). Uma abordagem osteopática para diagnóstico e tratamento. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Other Identifiers

OST1_016

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id