Quantitative analysis of static posture of head and spine, pelvic gridle and lower limb in sagittal plan in subjects with and without “Forward Head Posture“

Abstract

Background: Forward Head Posture (FHP) as the most common disorder in the neck region may, alter the alignment of the spine. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the static posture of head and spine, pelvic gridle and lower limb in sagittal plan in subjects with and without FHP.

Methods: In this cross sectional observational study, 162 students (100 females and 62 males) with an average age of 23 ± 1.5 years were randomly assigned to the two groups- with and without FHP- according to Craniovertebral angle.Head tilt angle،Head position angle ،Cervical and thoracic and lumbar spine curvature، horizontal alignment of pelvis، sagittal alignment of lower limb، Angle of hip، Angle of ankle، vertical alignment of torso، vertical alignment of body، sagittal alignment of body were compared in two group.

Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups when comparing the angles of head tilt angle, angle of ankle, vertical alignment of torso and vertical alignment of body(). There was also an inverse correlation between angles of head tilt، angle of ankle and vertical alignment of torso with FHP intensity. There was a direct correlation between the vertical alignments of body with FHP intensity.

Conclusions: It seems that FHP affects other areas of spine in relation to extremities. It is recommended that in people with FHP other parts of the body should be evaluated.