Forward Head Posture, Postural Alignment, Sagittal Lumbopelvic Alignment
Conditions
Keywords
Smartphone users, Craniovertebral angle, Forward head posture, Sagittal alignment
Brief summary
Forward head posture is a common postural abnormality characterized by anterior positioning of the head in the sagittal plane. This posture may increase biomechanical stress on the cervical spine and may be associated with compensatory changes in spinal and lumbopelvic alignment. This observational study will investigate the relationship between forward head posture and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment among male smartphone users aged 18 to 35 years. Craniovertebral angle will be measured using the APECS mobile application, and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment parameters will be measured using the Spine3D LiDAR system.
Detailed description
Forward head posture is considered one of the commonly occurring musculoskeletal postural abnormalities. It is characterized by an anterior position of the head relative to the body's line of gravity in the sagittal plane. This altered posture may increase mechanical load on cervical joints, ligaments, and surrounding soft tissues. Sagittal spinal and lumbopelvic alignment are important components of global postural balance. Changes in one spinal region may influence adjacent regions through compensatory mechanisms that help maintain horizontal gaze and keep the body's center of gravity within the base of support. Smartphone use is commonly associated with prolonged neck flexion and altered head posture. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between craniovertebral angle, as an indicator of forward head posture, and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment parameters among smartphone users. A total of 85 male participants with forward head posture will be recruited from outpatient clinics and students of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Sphinx University. Forward head posture will be assessed using craniovertebral angle measured by the APECS mobile application. Sagittal lumbopelvic alignment will be assessed using the Spine3D LiDAR system by Sensor Medica, including lordotic angle, lumbar arrow, and trunk inclination.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTCraniovertebral Angle Assessment Using APECS Mobile Application
The craniovertebral angle will be measured using the APECS mobile application to assess forward head posture. Participants with a craniovertebral angle equal to or less than 50 degrees will be considered to have forward head posture.
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTSagittal Lumbopelvic Alignment Assessment Using Spine3D LiDAR
Sagittal lumbopelvic alignment will be assessed using the Spine3D LiDAR system by Sensor Medica. The measured parameters will include lordotic angle, lumbar arrow, and trunk inclination.
Sponsors
Deraya University
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Male participants aged 18 to 35 years. * Craniovertebral angle equal to or less than 50 degrees, measured photographically using the APECS mobile application. * Body mass index from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m². * Smartphone use of at least 4 hours per day for at least 6 months. * Asymptomatic participants without diagnosed musculoskeletal or neurological conditions. * Medically stable participants. * Participants willing to provide informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* History of trauma. * Major psychological problems. * Previous surgery involving the spine, abdomen, or shoulders. * Spinal deformity. * Lower limb deformity. * Low back pain. * Current or chronic pain in the neck, back, or pelvis. * Obesity. * Concomitant systemic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or cancer. * Pregnancy. * Degenerative or radicular cervical spine disorders, including cervical spondylosis, cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical radiculopathy, or cervical spinal stenosis. * Degenerative or radicular lumbar spine disorders, including herniated disc or lumbar spinal stenosis. * Participation in regular postural correction therapy or specific spine-focused exercise programs within the previous 6 months.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Correlation Coefficient Between Craniovertebral Angle Measured by APECS Mobile Application and Lordotic Angle Measured by Spine3D LiDAR | single assessment session at enrollment | The Pearson correlation coefficient will be calculated between craniovertebral angle and lordotic angle. Craniovertebral angle will be measured in degrees using the APECS mobile application. Lordotic angle will be measured in degrees using the Spine3D LiDAR system by Sensor Medica. The correlation coefficient is unitless. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Correlation Coefficient Between Craniovertebral Angle Measured by APECS Mobile Application and Lumbar Arrow Measured by Spine3D LiDAR | single assessment session at enrollment | The Pearson correlation coefficient will be calculated between craniovertebral angle and lumbar arrow. Craniovertebral angle will be measured in degrees using the APECS mobile application. Lumbar arrow will be measured in millimeters using the Spine3D LiDAR system by Sensor Medica. The correlation coefficient is unitless. |
| Correlation Coefficient Between Craniovertebral Angle Measured by APECS Mobile Application and Trunk Inclination Measured by Spine3D LiDAR | single assessment session at enrollment | The Pearson correlation coefficient will be calculated between craniovertebral angle and trunk inclination. Craniovertebral angle will be measured in degrees using the APECS mobile application. Trunk inclination will be measured in degrees using the Spine3D LiDAR system by Sensor Medica. The correlation coefficient is unitless. |
Countries
Egypt
Outcome results
None listed