Pilates Effects on Forward Head Posture: A Clinical Trial

NCT ID: NCT06883721

Last Updated: 2025-03-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

36 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-01-25

Study Completion Date

2023-05-18

Brief Summary

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This study aims to investigate and compare the effects of 8-week Pilates exercises and cervical stabilization exercises on pain, posture, range of motion, quality of life, and body composition in individuals with forward head posture (FHP). FHP is a common postural disorder characterized by the anterior displacement of the head relative to the cervical spine. This condition can lead to neck pain, muscle tension, and limited movement.

The study will include participants aged 18-50 years with FHP. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the Pilates group or the cervical stabilization exercise group. The Pilates group will participate in Pilates exercises twice a week for 8 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The cervical stabilization exercise group will perform cervical stabilization exercises at home for the same duration.

The primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of Pilates and cervical stabilization exercises on FHP. Participants' posture, neck pain, range of motion, quality of life, and body composition will be measured before and after the 8-week intervention. These measurements will be used to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the two exercise methods on FHP.

This study seeks to investigate the effectiveness of Pilates in the treatment of FHP and contribute to the scientific literature in this field. The findings may help determine the most appropriate exercise method for individuals with FHP.

Detailed Description

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This study will be designed as an 8-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the effects of Pilates and cervical stabilization exercises (CSE) on forward head posture (FHP) in adult participants. Based on the understanding that proper posture is essential to maintain musculoskeletal balance and minimize excessive mechanical strain, the study will address the increasing prevalence of FHP-a problem exacerbated by sedentary lifestyles, prolonged screen use, and occupational demands. In FHP, the head is displaced forward relative to the cervical spine, disrupting the natural spinal curvature, which can lead to neck pain and altered muscle activation patterns.

The trial will be conducted in a controlled clinical setting at a physiotherapy center in Antalya, Turkey, in accordance with CONSORT 2010 guidelines. Robust randomization and blinded outcome assessments will be employed to ensure methodological rigor, and quality assurance protocols-such as regular equipment calibration and data audits-will be implemented to maintain data integrity.

Participants randomized to the Pilates intervention will participate in supervised sessions twice per week, each lasting 60 minutes, consisting of a 10-minute warm-up, a graduated main exercise phase, and a 10-minute cool-down. During the first four weeks, sessions will emphasize mat-based exercises focusing on core engagement, controlled breathing, and alignment. Beginning in Week 2, additional equipment (e.g., Pilates balls and 1-kg dumbbells) will be introduced, with resistance bands incorporated from Week 4 and further modified in Week 6 to progressively challenge participants. The control group will perform a daily CSE regimen (including chin tuck, cervical extension, shoulder elevation, and scapular retraction) structured into two sets designed to support neuromuscular control and postural stability. Both groups will receive ergonomic guidelines for daily posture management.

Data collection will be managed by trained physiotherapists who will adhere to strict protocols and perform regular device calibrations. Data analysis will be conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics (v29.0), employing appropriate statistical tests and calculating effect sizes, with a 95% confidence interval (p \< 0.05) determining statistical significance. A comprehensive quality assurance plan-including regular audits, predefined data validation rules, and a maintained data dictionary-will further ensure the robustness and reliability of the findings.

Conditions

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Forward Head Posture

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (Pilates exercise group, n=18) or a control group (cervical stabilization exercise group, n=18) for an 8-week intervention period.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
A blinded assessor performed all outcome measurements (NYPRS, VAS, goniometry, SF-36, anthropometric measurements).

Study Groups

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Pilates Exercise Group

Participants in this group performed Pilates exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. The exercises included mat and equipment-based exercises, focusing on core stabilization, breathing control, and postural alignment. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased throughout the intervention period.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Pilates

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this group performed Pilates exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. The exercises included mat and equipment-based exercises, focusing on core stabilization, breathing control, and postural alignment. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased throughout the intervention period.

Cervical Stabilization Exercise Group

Participants in this group performed cervical stabilization exercises at home twice daily for 8 weeks.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Cervical stabilization exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this group performed cervical stabilization exercises at home twice daily for 8 weeks. The exercises included chin tucks, cervical extensions, shoulder elevations, and scapular retractions.

Interventions

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Pilates

Participants in this group performed Pilates exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. The exercises included mat and equipment-based exercises, focusing on core stabilization, breathing control, and postural alignment. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased throughout the intervention period.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Cervical stabilization exercise

Participants in this group performed cervical stabilization exercises at home twice daily for 8 weeks. The exercises included chin tucks, cervical extensions, shoulder elevations, and scapular retractions.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adults aged 18-50 years.
* Craniovertebral angle (CVA) \< 54°
* Sedentary lifestyle

Exclusion Criteria

* History of spinal surgery (cervical/thoracic/lumbar) or neurological disorders.
* Acute or severe cervical trauma (e.g., fractures, whiplash injuries).
* Spinal deformities (e.g., scoliosis, kyphosis).
* Recent physiotherapy/manual therapy (within the past 6 months).
* Regular use of analgesics, muscle relaxants, or steroids.
* Active participation in regular exercise
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Bahçeşehir University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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yusuf yaşasın

Specialist Physiotherapist, PhD Student

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Physiolab Physiotherapy Center

Antalya, Alanya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

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2023-02/02

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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