Interaction between Proprioception, Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain in Adult Women

• Main Authors: Zeinab Raoofi, Javad Sarrafzadeh, Anita Emrani, Arsalan Ghorbanpour
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iran University of Medical Sciences 2019-02-01
• Series: Function and Disability Journal
• Subjects: posture; proprioception; neck pain
• Online Access: http://fdj.iums.ac.ir/article-1-72-en.html

Background: One of the most common inappropriate postures is forward head posture (FHP), which the head is placed in front of the trunk in sagittal plane. Due to head and neck joints and muscles’ impairments, it seems this postural disorder might affect neck proprioception. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate cervical proprioception in FHP subjects with and without neck pain and healthy subjects.    Methods: 31 subjects with FHP, 31 subjects with FHP and 31 healthy subjects were participated in this study. Craniovertebral (CV) angle was determined by photography. Cervical range of motion (CROM) device was used to measure active range of motion (AROM), joint reposition error of target angle (50 percent of the total AROM) and neutral angle in neck flexion, extension, left and right rotation and lateral flexion.    Results: The results of ANOVA test showed there was a significant difference between AROM of extension, right rotation, and left lateral flexion between groups (p<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference between target and neutral angle reposition error in all directions in FHP groups and healthy group (p<0.05). Also, the result of Pearson correlation test showed a significant and inverse correlation between CV angle and repositioning error (p<0.05).    Conclusion: The results of our study showed that FHP, regardless of pain, increases the amount of joint reposition error. As a result, mechanical stability and normal kinematics are reduced.