Forward Head Posture
Conditions
Keywords
Balance, posture, Motor control training, Muscle endurance, Sensors, Visual impairment
Brief summary
This assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of motor control training, sensor-based biofeedback training using a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU), and standardized postural correction exercises on mild visual dysfunction in university students with forward head posture (FHP). The trial seeks to establish whether targeted postural rehabilitation can produce measurable improvements in validated visual and sensorimotor outcomes.
Detailed description
Forward head posture is highly prevalent among young adults due to prolonged screen exposure and sustained cervical flexion. Emerging neurophysiological evidence suggests that cervical alignment influences visual stability through altered proprioceptive input, cervico-ocular reflex mechanisms, and sensorimotor integration. However, no randomized controlled trials have investigated whether correcting FHP leads to measurable improvements in validated visual parameters.
Interventions
the intervention will be a progressive training starting from the stationary, no inertia and no object manipulation to in motion with inertia and with object manipulation taking help of sitting standing and stepping stairs like activities keep the head in normal position with the help of a laser gun. the intervention duration is 45 minutes/day, with three sessions per week for 4 weeks.
DEVICESensor development training group
the sensor will be being placed at C7 measuring current craniovertebral angle with the threshold being set at 50 degrees. the real time feedback will be shown on the mobile app. and the data will be recorded for whole intervention time. the intervention duration is 45 minutes/day, with three sessions per week for 4 weeks.
OTHERconventional posture training
the strengthening of deep neck flexors and retractors and stretching of pectoralis major and cervical extensors will be done using intervention duration is 45 minutes/day, with three sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 18-30 years Both genders BMI 17.5-27.99 CVA \<50° Mild visual impairment log Mar 0.1-0.5
Exclusion criteria
* • Head and neck trauma or surgical history, Neurological disorders * Vestibular disorders, Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) * Congenital head and neck postural abnormality * Diagnosed oculomotor pathology (strabismus, nystagmus) * Diagnosed congenital ocular defects (corneal dystrophies) * Diagnosed glaucoma, cataract, uncorrected refractive errors * Diagnosed diabetes
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| visual impairment | baseline to 8th week | The mild visual impairment will be measured by LogMar chart. the smallest line that person can read will be recorded as reading of visual impairment. the score is generally in form of fractions. |
| oculomotor function | baseline to 8th week | this will be measured by the near point convergence test. the point at which blurring stated by participant will be measured in cms. |
| visual reaction time | baseline to 8th week | this will be measured on visual reaction time app on phone. the person has to click the screen when the stimulus arrives on screen. The average of 3 readings will be recorded as the visual reaction time |
| visual fatigue | baseline to 8th week | The visual fatigue will be measured by 17 item asthenopia questionnaire (ASQ-17). the score will be marked on 5 point likert scale with greater score shows more severity |
| craniovertebral angle | baseline to 8th week | this will be measured by mobile app specified for said purpose. sideways picture will be taken and CVA will be noted from the app. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| flexor muscle endurance | baseline to 8th week | this will be measure by flexor endurance test as the end of couch in supine lying with head lift in chin tuck in position. the time of hold in seconds will be noted. |
| extensor muscle endurance | baseline to 8th weeks | the test will be done in prone lying holding the head in static position at the end of couch. the time of hold will be measured in seconds. |
| pelvic tilt | baseline to 8th week | the pelvic tilt will be measured by the pelvic inclinometer in degrees by place its both ends at anterior superior iliac spine. |
| static balance | baseline to 8th week | the static balance will be measured by Balance Error Scoring System test. the readings in double foot stance, single leg stance and tandem stance will be done on firm and foam surface and the composite score will be used. the no. of wrrors in adopting position will be marked as points. total score is 60. lower score indicate good balance. |
| dynamic balance | baseline to 8th week | The dynamic balance will be measured by the Y-balance test in anterior, postero-medial and postero-latertal positions. the composite score according to formula will be taken as final score. the higher score indicates good balance. |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
CONTACTQamar Mehmood, PHD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORQamar Mehmood, PHD
Riphah internatioal university
Outcome results
None listed