Effects of Postural Correction Exercises in Reducing Forward Head Posture in Children Carrying Heavy Bag Packs

Riphah International University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Postural Kyphosis

Treatments: Other: strengthening exercise; Other: Postural correction exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06019819

MSPT/01689 Sidrah Sufian

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a 4-week postural correction exercise program in reducing FHP in children carrying heavy backpacks to school. This study's findings could have significant implications for preventing musculoskeletal problems associated with FHP. Furthermore, the study's findings could inform healthcare professionals and educators about the importance of promoting healthy postures among children and adolescents to prevent long-term musculoskeletal problems. This is an experimental study. Subjects will be divided into two groups. Group A (control group) and group B (experimental group).fun activities will be performed by experimental group under the supervision of the therapist.

Full description

Regular use of heavy school bags and inappropriate carrying methods can put children at the risk of musculoskeletal problems and changes the body posture. It is imperative to note that carrying a backpack more than the recommended weight limit poses a twofold hazard, particularly to children and adolescents who are undergoing neuromusculoskeletal development and growth. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that the backpack's weight does not exceed 10-15% of the child or adolescent's body weight. Overreaching this weight limit may result in posterior displacement of the center of gravity, thereby engendering augmented strain on the neck and back muscles. Such effects are commonly linked with spinal column pathologies and reduced lung volume.One of the most prevalent types of postural anomaly is called "forward head posture" (FHP), and it is typically characterized by the head being anterior to the body's vertical line gravity point. Chronic FHP issues develop from an excessive load being placed on the joint and muscle when cervical muscular imbalances brought on by postural misalignment are left untreated. Both an upper cervical extension and a lower cervical flexion define forward head position. These modifications in the cervical region could result in long-term bad head posture, which could cause "upper crossed syndrome" or other musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, neck and shoulder pain are common complaints among FHPs patients . Numerous studies have shown that carrying a backpack that is 7.5% of or more of your body weight (BW) causes postural compensations. The increased weight of the backpack correlates with higher FHP, trunk flexion, spinal asymmetry, and tensile forces in the intervertebral discs under static settings

Enrollment: 86 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 13 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Both gender
• Children who carry heavy backpacks to school (more than 10% of their body weight)
• Forward head posture, defined as a craniovertebral angle of less than 50 degrees.
• Willing to participate in the study.
• Consent obtained from parents or legal guardians

Exclusion criteria

• Cervical spine fracture or neurological disorder.
• Scoliosis or torticollis.
• Joint hypermobility or recent surgery . Prior history of physical therapy treatment for forward head posture in the past six months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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86 participants in 2 patient groups

General training group A

Active Comparator group

Description:

Perform general physical training activities conducted in schools including upper limb forward elevation, lateral elevation, touching toes in standing and cervical range of motion, strengthening exercise will be performed.

Treatment:

Other: strengthening exercise

Postural correction exercises group B

Experimental group

Description:

Chin Tuck, Strengthening shoulder retractors, Stretching sternocleidomastoiD, Pectorals stretch .

Treatment:

Other: Postural correction exercises