Clinical trial NCT03006497: Exercise Program Based on Motor Learning and Forward Head Posture Correction
Official title: The Efficacy of Exercise Program Based on Motor Learning Principles in Correction of Forward Head Posture
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Musculoskeletal Abnormalities
Deformity
Keywords: neck
motor control
motor learning
Lead sponsor: Technological Education Institute of Sterea Ellada
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2016-12-30
Enrollment: 52
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 26
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency of an exercise program based on principles of motor learning in correction of Forward Head Position (FHP) in asymptomatic patients.

Detailed description: Epidemiological studies have shown that bad posture and poor body control occurs at puberty, with forward head posture (FHP) and rounded shoulders being the most common biomechanical deviations in sagittal plane. The FHP is defined as an anterior displacement of the head with hyperextension of the cervical spine and this is associated with a reduction in the length of the upper portion of the trapezius, posterior portion of the cervical extensor muscles, the sternocleidomastoid and the levator scapulae. FHP can be evaluated by measuring craniovertebral angle (CVA) which is defined as the angle between a horizontal line passing through C7 and a line extending from the tragus of the ear to C7.

CVA, smaller than 50 degrees, constitute a criterion of abnormal posture of cervical spine, suggesting FHP. People with FHP present incomplete balance control, thereby affecting the position of the center of gravity and motor control of the body. The establishment of altered motor control strategies could lead to balance disorders, neck muscle imbalances, chronic neck pain and even respiratory dysfunction.

Despite the efforts of researchers to create effective treatment programs based on strength training and stretching exercises, positive long-term results have been a problem in FHP correction. For this reason, re-education of posture and body alignment, through exercise programs based on motor learning, with cognitive elements (attention, motivation, feedback, reasoning), could be proved a more effective therapeutic strategy.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Students at Technological Educational Institute of Sterea Ellada,
* Aged 18-26 years old
* Males and females
* Craniocervical angle \< 50 degrees (statical Forward Head Posture in standing position)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Injury or surgery in cervical spine
* Accompanying neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental problems
* Any medical administration
* Intense continuous or intermittent neck pain
* BMI \>25
* Participation in any rehabilitation or physiotherapy sessions considering neck dysfunction the last 6 months
* Change in physical activities during the research period of 6 weeks

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in Static Forward Head Posture (sFHP)
timeFrame: Change from Baseline sFHP at 4 weeks and Change from Baseline sFHP at 6 weeks
measure: Change of Dynamic Forward Head Posture (dFHP)
timeFrame: Change from Baseline dFHP t at 4 weeks and Change from Baseline dFHP at 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Overall self-esteem
timeFrame: Baseline; week 4; week 6
measure: Mood
timeFrame: Baseline; week 4; week 6
measure: Overall physical fatigue
timeFrame: Baseline; week 4; week 6
measure: Overall mental fatigue
timeFrame: Baseline; week 4; week 6
measure: Attention-concentration
timeFrame: Baseline; week 4; week 6
measure: Verbal Comprehension index
timeFrame: Baseline
measure: Perceptual Organization Index
timeFrame: Baseline
measure: Change in Deep neck flexors endurance
timeFrame: Change from Baseline Deep neck flexors endurance at 4 weeks and Change from Baseline Deep neck flexors endurance at 6 weeks
measure: Change in Discomfort
timeFrame: Change from Baseline discomfort at 4 weeks and Change from Baseline discomfort at 6 weeks
measure: Change in Area of Discomfort
timeFrame: Change from Baseline discomfort at 4 weeks and Change from Baseline discomfort at 6 weeks
measure: Weight
timeFrame: Baseline
measure: Height
timeFrame: Baseline
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: Technological Educational Institute of Sterea Ellada
name: Eleni V Kapreli, MSc, PhD
role: STUDY_CHAIR
affiliation: Technological Educational Institute of Sterea Ellada
name: Stefani Argyrou, BSc
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
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