Cervical Exercises and Balance in Forward Head Posture

This study aims to evaluate the effects of neck stabilization exercises and proprioception training on balance and posture in university students aged 18-25 who are detected to have forward head posture.

Individuals will be evaluated before the study, and following the evaluation, stabilization exercises will be applied to the first group under the control of a physiotherapist 3 days a week for 6 weeks. In addition to the stabilization exercises, proprioception training will be given to the second group. Individuals are trained with cervical proprioceptive training, exercises performed by returning the neck to its natural neutral posture and to positions within a predetermined range.

Patients are first trained with their eyes open, then with their eyes closed. Feedback for proprioceptive performance is necessary to reduce the margin of error in repositioning. Laser pointer headbands were used for feedback. With the help of this laser pointer, exercises will be applied to the patients by increasing the level of difficulty. In order to make the exercises more difficult, they will first be applied sitting, then standing, then in semi-tandem and tandem positions. No program will be applied to the 3rd group, the control group.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of neck stabilization exercises and proprioception training on balance and posture in university students aged 18-25 who were found to have forward head posture.

This study was designed with a randomized controlled experimental research model. Following the ethics committee approval, the data of the study will be collected in the Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University Kozakli Vocational School Application Laboratory.

Inclusion Criteria for the Study:

University students aged 18-25, Those with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) less than 50 degrees, (34). No history of trauma or surgery in the neck region, No systemic disease, No dizziness problems, Individuals who want to participate in the study voluntarily, Individuals who have received informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

Patients who are not between the ages of 18-25, those with a craniovertebral angle greater than 50 degrees, those who are mentally incapable of making assessments, those who cannot adapt to the training program and those who refuse to participate in the study will not be included.

Individuals will be evaluated before the study, following the evaluation, stabilization exercises will be applied to the first group 3 days a week for 6 weeks under the control of a physiotherapist. In addition to the stabilization exercises, the second group will receive proprioception training. Individuals are trained with cervical proprioceptive training, exercises performed by returning the neck to its natural neutral posture and to positions within a predetermined range.

Patients are first trained with their eyes open, then with their eyes closed. Feedback for proprioceptive performance is necessary to reduce the margin of error in repositioning. Laser pointer headbands were used for feedback. With the help of this laser pointer, exercises will be applied to the patients by increasing the level of difficulty. In order to make the exercises more difficult, they will first be applied sitting, then standing, then in semi-tandem and tandem positions. No program will be applied to the 3rd group, the control group.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals aged between 18-35
* Diagnosed with forward head posture based on craniovertebral angle
* No prior neck surgery or trauma
* Able to participate in exercise sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

* Neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting balance
* Recent injury or surgery in cervical spine
* Use of medications affecting postural control