Influence of Forward Head Posture on Cervicocephalic Kinesthesia and Electromyographic Activity of Neck Musculature in Asymptomatic Individuals

Overview

Journal J Chiropr Med

Date 2021 Feb 4

PMID 33536860

Citations 12

Authors

Arzoo Khan

Zainy Khan

Pooja Bhati

M Ejaz Hussain

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare cervicocephalic kinesthesia and electromyographic (EMG) activity of neck muscles-upper trapezius (UT) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM)-between individuals with and without forward head posture (FHP) and to examine the correlation between cervicocephalic kinesthesia and craniovertebral angle (CVA).

Methods: Twenty-two asymptomatic individuals with FHP and 22 without FHP were recruited for the present study. Craniovertebral angle was measured, and those with CVA ≤53° were assigned to the FHP group, whereas those with CVA >53° were assigned to the control group. Thereafter, cervicocephalic kinesthesia and EMG activity of the neck muscles were assessed. Cervicocephalic kinesthesia was measured using a head repositioning accuracy test for all cervical spine motions. EMG activity of the UT and SCM muscles was recorded at rest and during activity.

Results: Position-sense error values were found to be significantly greater for all directions-ie, flexion, extension, side flexion, and rotation-in participants with FHP than those without ( < .05). EMG activity of the UT and SCM muscles was found to be significantly raised both at rest and during activity in individuals with FHP relative to the non-FHP group ( < .05). Position-sense error values showed a significant inverse correlation with CVA ( < .05).

Conclusion: Findings of the present study suggest that cervicocephalic kinesthesia and activation patterns of the neck muscles may be significantly altered in individuals with FHP. Also, cervicocephalic kinesthesia is significantly associated with the severity of FHP.

Citing Articles

Lifestyle factors and determination of optimal cut-off values for forward head posture in young adults with neck pain: a cross-sectional analysis.

Lee J, Jeong K, Mun S, Lee S, Baek Y BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025; 26(1):8.

PMID: 39748347 PMC: 11697479. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-08188-1.

Effects of Postural Changes Using a Standing Desk on the Craniovertebral Angle, Muscle Fatigue, Work Performance, and Discomfort in Individuals with a Forward Head Posture.

Lee H, Lee Y Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(23).

PMID: 39685059 PMC: 11641771. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12232436.

Effects of head alignment devices on working memory and postural support during computer work.

Jung J, Kang C PLoS One. 2024; 19(7):e0306966.

PMID: 38990907 PMC: 11239027. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306966.

Investigation of muscle activation during kinetic chain based exercises in individuals with and without forward head posture.

Cobanoglu G, Guzel N, Ecemis Z, Demirkan M J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2024; 37(6):1537-1549.

PMID: 38968043 PMC: 11613131. DOI: 10.3233/BMR-230397.

[Effect of the forward head syndrome in the development of temporomandibular disorders].

Tomas J, Castillo C, Villarroel G, Giner A, Felipe N Rev Cient Odontol (Lima). 2024; 10(4):e133.

PMID: 38390609 PMC: 10880704. DOI: 10.21142/2523-2754-1004-2022-133.

References

Limon S, Valinsky L, Ben-Shalom Y . Children at risk: risk factors for low back pain in the elementary school environment. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004; 29(6):697-702. DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000116695.09697.22. View

. The density of muscle spindles in the medial, intermediate and lateral columns of human intrinsic postvertebral muscles. J Anat. 1983; 136(Pt 3):509-19. PMC: 1171897. View

Edmondston S, Sharp M, Symes A, Alhabib N, Allison G . Changes in mechanical load and extensor muscle activity in the cervico-thoracic spine induced by sitting posture modification. Ergonomics. 2011; 54(2):179-86. DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2010.544765. View

Finley M, Lee R . Effect of sitting posture on 3-dimensional scapular kinematics measured by skin-mounted electromagnetic tracking sensors. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003; 84(4):563-8. DOI: 10.1053/apmr.2003.50087. View

Treleaven J, Jull G, Sterling M . Dizziness and unsteadiness following whiplash injury: characteristic features and relationship with cervical joint position error. J Rehabil Med. 2003; 35(1):36-43. DOI: 10.1080/16501970306109. View

Koskimies K, Sutinen P, Aalto H, Starck J, Toppila E, Hirvonen T . Postural stability, neck proprioception and tension neck. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1997; 529:95-7. DOI: 10.3109/00016489709124093. View

Hill R, Jensen P, Baardsen T, Kulvik K, Jull G, Treleaven J . Head repositioning accuracy to neutral: a comparative study of error calculation. Man Ther. 2008; 14(1):110-4. DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2008.02.008. View

Lee K, Han H, Cheon S, Park S, Yong M . The effect of forward head posture on muscle activity during neck protraction and retraction. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015; 27(3):977-9. PMC: 4395757. DOI: 10.1589/jpts.27.977. View

Bergenheim M, Ribot-Ciscar E, Roll J . Proprioceptive population coding of two-dimensional limb movements in humans: I. Muscle spindle feedback during spatially oriented movements. Exp Brain Res. 2000; 134(3):301-10. DOI: 10.1007/s002210000471. View

10.

Han J, Park S, Kim Y, Choi Y, Lyu H . Effects of forward head posture on forced vital capacity and respiratory muscles activity. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016; 28(1):128-31. PMC: 4755989. DOI: 10.1589/jpts.28.128. View

11.

Kavounoudias A, Gilhodes J, Roll R, Roll J . From balance regulation to body orientation: two goals for muscle proprioceptive information processing?. Exp Brain Res. 1999; 124(1):80-8. DOI: 10.1007/s002210050602. View

12.

Falla D, Jull G, Russell T, Vicenzino B, Hodges P . Effect of neck exercise on sitting posture in patients with chronic neck pain. Phys Ther. 2007; 87(4):408-17. DOI: 10.2522/ptj.20060009. View

13.

Sohn J, Choi H, Lee S, Jun A . Differences in cervical musculoskeletal impairment between episodic and chronic tension-type headache. Cephalalgia. 2010; 30(12):1514-23. DOI: 10.1177/0333102410375724. View

14.

Sahrmann S, Azevedo D, Van Dillen L . Diagnosis and treatment of movement system impairment syndromes. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017; 21(6):391-399. PMC: 5693453. DOI: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.08.001. View

15.

Larson K, Oatis C . Incidence of common postural abnormalities in the cervical, shoulder, and thoracic regions and their association with pain in two age groups of healthy subjects. Phys Ther. 1992; 72(6):425-31. DOI: 10.1093/ptj/72.6.425. View

16.

Lee H, Wang J, Yao G, Wang S . Association between cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility and frequency of subclinical neck pain. Man Ther. 2007; 13(5):419-25. DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2007.04.001. View

17.

Kwon J, Son S, Lee N . Changes in upper-extremity muscle activities due to head position in subjects with a forward head posture and rounded shoulders. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015; 27(6):1739-42. PMC: 4499973. DOI: 10.1589/jpts.27.1739. View

18.

Roll J, Bergenheim M, Ribot-Ciscar E . Proprioceptive population coding of two-dimensional limb movements in humans: II. Muscle-spindle feedback during "drawing-like" movements. Exp Brain Res. 2000; 134(3):311-21. DOI: 10.1007/s002210000472. View

19.

Lee S, Lee C, OSullivan D, Jung J, Park J . Clinical effectiveness of a Pilates treatment for forward head posture. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016; 28(7):2009-13. PMC: 4968495. DOI: 10.1589/jpts.28.2009. View

20.

Ruivo R, Pezarat-Correia P, Carita A . Intrarater and interrater reliability of photographic measurement of upper-body standing posture of adolescents. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2014; 38(1):74-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.10.009. View