Fateme Bokaee1, Asghar Rezasoltani2, Farideh Dehghan Manshadi3, Sedigheh Sadat Naimi3, Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban4, Hadi Azimi5. 1. a Students' Research Committee, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran. 2. b Physiotherapy Research Centre, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran. 3. c Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran. 4. d Proteomics Research Centre, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran. 5. e English Language Teaching Department, School of Medicine , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The stability of the craniocervical (CC) area is provided by CC muscles. Muscle imbalance between forces of these muscles may lead to forward head posture (FHP). FHP is one of the most prevalent abnormal postures in patients with neck pain. The aim of the present study was to compare isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles between women with and without FHP. METHOD: Isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles was measured by a custom-made device and compared between 70 women with and without FHP (35 in each group). RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles, but the ratio of the isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) revealed significant difference between the two groups, and it was greater in the control group compared with that in the FHP group. DISCUSSION: The ratio of isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) may be a good indicator for assessment of patients with FHP. This ratio may also be valuable to follow the results of therapeutic intervention for these patients.
OBJECTIVE: The stability of the craniocervical (CC) area is provided by CC muscles. Muscle imbalance between forces of these muscles may lead to forward head posture (FHP). FHP is one of the most prevalent abnormal postures in patients with neck pain. The aim of the present study was to compare isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles between women with and without FHP. METHOD: Isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles was measured by a custom-made device and compared between 70 women with and without FHP (35 in each group). RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles, but the ratio of the isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) revealed significant difference between the two groups, and it was greater in the control group compared with that in the FHP group. DISCUSSION: The ratio of isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) may be a good indicator for assessment of patients with FHP. This ratio may also be valuable to follow the results of therapeutic intervention for these patients.