Effects of Cervical Spine Retraction Exercise With and Without Diaphragmatic Breathing in Forward Head Posture.

Riphah International University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Forward Head Posture

Treatments: Other: Diaphragmatic Breathing; Other: Cervical Retraction Exercise; Other: Baseline Treatment

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06130969

REC/RCR & AHS/23/0155

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to determine the effect of combining diaphragmatic exercises with cervical retraction exercise on pain, disability, active range of motions of cervical spine and craniovertebral angle in individuals with forward head posture.

Full description

Forward head posture altering breathing pattern is one of the most common musculoskeletal deformity. Diaphragmatic exercises can reduce pain and disability levels, and correct forward head posture (FHP) in patients with neck discomfort.

In this randomized clinical trial, fifty two participants displaying forward head posture (FHP) will be randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups: the Diaphragmatic Exercises and Cervical Retraction Exercise Combined Group or the Cervical Retraction Exercise Alone Group. Randomization will be performed using a convenient random sampling method via sealed opaque envelopes. Each participant will receive a total of twelve treatment sessions over a four-week period. The efficacy of the interventions will be assessed at the beginning (first session), conclusion (twelfth session), and two weeks after completing the sessions. Outcome measures, including pain intensity, disability levels, cervical range of motion, and craniovertebral angle (CVA), will be evaluated using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), universal goniometer and Image J software, respectively. Data will be analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26. Normality of data will be assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. For within-group comparisons, either repeated measures ANOVA or the Friedman test will be used. To compare changes between the groups, the independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test will be applied, depending on the data distribution. The analysis of these outcome measures will provide valuable insights into the impact of the interventions on participants' symptoms and postural alignment.

Enrollment: 52 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Primary complaint of neck pain (pain on the posterior part of the cervical spine to the beginning of the thoracic area with or without pain in the shoulder girdle)
• Age from 20 to 35 years
• Both gender
• CVA <49° (16)

Exclusion criteria

• Any serious pathology such as tumor
• Had history of whiplash injury within 3 months of the examination,
• Underwent prior surgery to the cervical spine
• Currently using muscle relaxation medication.
• Degenerative conditions
• Exhibited positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression.
• Patients with a history of respiratory disease, such as repeated bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary lymph nodes, pleurisy, cured tuberculosis and others

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A

Experimental group

Description:

Cervical Retraction exercise without diaphragmatic breathing along with baseline treatment

Treatment:

Other: Cervical Retraction Exercise

Other: Baseline Treatment

Group B

Experimental group

Description:

Cervical Retraction exercise with diaphragmatic breathing along with baseline treatment

Treatment:

Other: Diaphragmatic Breathing

Other: Cervical Retraction Exercise

Other: Baseline Treatment