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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04463199

Effects of Deep Cervical Flexors Training On Forward Head Posture, Neck Pain and Functional Status

Using computer for long hours is related to higher risk of computer related muscular disorders like forward head posture and neck pain. Deep cervical flexor muscles are important head-on-neck posture stabilizers thus their training may lead to improvement in forward head posture (FHP) and neck pain (NP).

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Key information

Conditions

Forward Head Posture Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

13 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

King Saud University

Riyadh, 11433, Saudi Arabia

About this study

In contemporary societies, computer use by children is a necessity and thus highly prevalent. Using computer for long hours is related to higher risk of computer-related muscular disorders like forward head posture and neck pain. Deep cervical flexor muscles are important head-on-neck posture stabilizers thus their training may lead to improvement in forward head posture (FHP) and neck pain (NP). Aim of study was to determine if 4 weeks of deep cervical flexors training is effective in alleviating neck pain and improving forward head posture in adolescent children using computer regularly. A pretest-posttest experimental group design was used. Subjects were randomly assigned into control group (receiving postural advice only) and experimental group (receiving deep cervical flexor training and postural advice). Dependent variables were measured on day 0 (at baseline) and after 4weeks of training. The photographic analysis was used for measuring forward head posture, visual analog scale (VAS) for neck pain intensity and Neck Disability Index (NDI) for functional disability. Experimental group received craniocervical flexion training for 4 weeks and postural advice. Control group received only postural advice.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Neck pain with or without headache, of duration more than 3 months and less than 1 year and 6 months, as identified by body discomfort chart and
  • Neck disability index value less than 24 (mild to moderate disability scores on NDI)
  • Forward head posture as identified by straight line down from external meatus falling anterior to shoulder and mid thorax.
  • Using computer for at least 3 hours a day for at least 4 days a week or more.

Exclusion criteria

  • Ongoing or previous history of spinal fracture
  • Ongoing or previous history of neurological signs
  • Ongoing or previous history of inflammatory disease
  • Ongoing or previous history of spinal tumor
  • Ongoing or previous history of spinal infection
  • Ongoing or previous history of spinal cord compression
  • Ongoing or previous history of congenital, or acquired postural deformity
  • Ongoing or previous history of cervical spinal surgery
  • Ongoing or previous history of spinal instability

Treatment and study plan

Craniocervical flexion training

Other

PBU airbag was clipped together and folded in, fastened, and placed suboccipital. Uninflated pressure sensor was kept below the neck, so that it touched the occiput then inflated to a stable baseline pressure of 20 mmHg to just fill the space below the neck but not to push it into lordosis. Subjects were demonstrated the correct action of the deep cervical flexors that is gentle nodding of head as if saying "yes".

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in craniovertebral angle

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Change in the craniovertebral angle is assessed from baseline at 4 weeks interval.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Neck Disability Index

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Change in Functional status is assessed from baseline at 4 weeks interval.

  2. Change in Visual Analog Scale

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Change in Neck pain intensity assessed from baseline at 4 weeks interval. It is a scale on a piece of paper equal to the length of 10 cm. Each centimeter has 1 point, with 0 means "no pain" and 10 means "worst pain felt ever". Lower the score, better the outcome measure.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

King Saud University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Deep Cervical Flexors Training On Forward Head Posture, Neck Pain and Functional Status in Adolescent Children Using Computer Regularly

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Jul 9, 2020
Registry last updated
Jul 13, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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