Breathing Exercises Effects on Forward Head Posture

Effects Of Breathing Exercises On Cardiorespiratory Parameters In Subjects With Forward Head Posture

The main objective of this study is to find the effects of breathing exercises on cardiorespiratory parameters in subjects with forward head posture. This will be a Randomized Clinical Trial study with two different breathing exercises which include Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise (DBE) for Treatment group A individuals and Thoracic Extension Exercise (TEE) for Treatment Group B individuals will be performed along with ergometric advices. Each exercise session will be done three times per week for total over a period of 12 weeks. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6th and 12th week with photogrammetry method for craniovertebral angle (CVA) and spirometer for pulmonary function test values (PFTs).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Forward Head Posture
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Group; Other: Thoracic Extension Exercise Group

Detailed Description

The Forward Head Posture (FHP)is the poor posture alignment of the body in which the craniovertebral angle is <50 degrees. This FHP causes the deep cervical flexors to become weak and excessive use of the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscle leads towards compromised respiratory functions. The diaphragm mobility is also reduced which effect the lung volume and capacities.

FHP is due to weak deep neck flexor muscles which are compensated by the over-activity of sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscle. This in turn leads to many musculoskeletal changes like muscular imbalance, changes in stress-strain curve due to over activity of cervical spine. FHP can badly effect thoracic expansion and alveolar ventilation which can reduce vital capacity, reduce lung volumes and lung capacities thus leading towards respiratory function weakening.

Prolonged FHP not only affect the muscles but also involve ligaments of the cervical and upper thoracic spine which cause the respiratory disorders and the end result of these changes shows that 83% of individuals with this forward head posture had altered breathing pattern. This shows that there is strong relation between cervical posture and respiratory parameters.

The respiratory function is usually affected by any change in muscle activity which is caused by pain in neck flexors or extensors and their reduced activity which causes changes in vicious circle of the neck. For improvements in such forward head posture and its related problems many therapeutic and rehabilitative techniques have been used such as Kinesio tapping, myofascial release, and Mckenzie exercises.All of these showed positive impact in improving the forward head posture and reducing impairments. Some of the previous exercises mentioned showed the positive combined effects of breathing exercises and therapeutic exercises

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab
    • Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, 54000
      • Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both Males and Females are included
• Age group: Middle age adult from 30 to 45 years are included
• Individuals with forward head posture and Craniovertebral Angle <50o

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous history of neck or back surgery or neurological signs
• Psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Currently using muscle relaxation medication
• Cervical fracture, trauma or tumor
• Unstable cardiac condition
• Undergone any thoracic or abdominal surgery

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Group; This group will perform baseline treatment along with balloon breathing exercises also known as diaphragmatic breathing exercise for pulmonary function improvement and FHP Diaphragmatic breathing is done slowly and deeply through nose with minimum usage of chest movement. Only diaphragm is used for breathing in supine lying position with one hand placed on chest and other hand is placed on abdomen. Focus should be on the contraction of diaphragm that can be checked by hand placed on abdomen while there is as little movement in chest as possible which is also checked by hand placed on chest. Inhalation and exhalation should be for 6 second approximately. Each exercise session consist of 4 sets and each set has 4 complete breathing breaks. Will be done 2 times a day and 3 times per week for total of 8 weeks.	Other: Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Group; The subjects in this group will perform Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Group
Active Comparator: Thoracic Extension Exercise Group; This group along with baseline treatment will do Thoracic Extension Exercises (TEE) for FHP and Pulmonary function improvements. This is done in 3 steps. The restricted upper thoracic area is placed on foam roller with subject lying supine with knees flexed, buttock slightly lifted up from the floor and crossed hands on the chest. Roll the foam roller slightly up and down. Swiss ball is place in front of the subject who is sitting with knees flexed and then the ball is pushed slightly forward with both hands placed on it. While lying prone lift up and then pushing down the upper body while the upper body is supported by elbows places just below shoulders. All these steps will be followed by 2 sets of 15 repetitions and holding 10 sec for each repetition.	Other: Thoracic Extension Exercise Group; The subjects in this group will perform Thoracic Extension Exercise Group

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Photogrammetry Method for Forward Head Posture Assessment	Photogrammetry is a reliable and accurate tool for measurement of angles. It is used to measure the FHP through measurement of Craniovertebral angle (CVA) measurement. CVA is the inner angle between the horizontal line drawn from C7 spinous process to the midpoint of the tragus. As the higher the CVA the higher the FHP. All measurements are done after taking a photograph via digital camera in lateral-view in standing position	Baseline; 6th Week; 12th Week
Spirometry for Pulmonary Function Test FEV1	Spirometry method is use to measure pulmonary functions by assessing the lung volumes and capacities. As these pulmonary values will changed after FHP as the mobility of cervical spine and diaphragm are compromised. Spirometry is a cost effect, environment friendly, noninvasive and sensitive tool which can easily help in assessment of pulmonary function	Baseline; 6th Week; 12th Week
Spirometry for Pulmonary Function Test FVC	Spirometry method is use to measure pulmonary functions by assessing the lung volumes and capacities. As these pulmonary values will changed after FHP as the mobility of cervical spine and diaphragm are compromised. Spirometry is a cost effect, environment friendly, noninvasive and sensitive tool which can easily help in assessment of pulmonary function	Baseline; 6th Week; 12th Week
Spirometry for Pulmonary Function Test FEV1/FVC ratio	Spirometry method is use to measure pulmonary functions by assessing the lung volumes and capacities. As these pulmonary values will changed after FHP as the mobility of cervical spine and diaphragm are compromised. Spirometry is a cost effect, environment friendly, noninvasive and sensitive tool which can easily help in assessment of pulmonary function	Baseline; 6th Week; 12th Week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Danish Hassan, PhD*, Riphah International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 30, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 30, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): February 28, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 9, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 13, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): November 14, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 19, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 18, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Forward Head Posture; Diaphragmatic breathing exercise; Cardiorespiratory parameters; Craniovertebral Angle; Thoracic Extension Exercise
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Aspiration
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR & AHS/23/0332

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No