Stabilization vs Proprioception Training on Neck Flexor Endurance in Adolescents With Forward Head Posture

Cervical Muscle Stabilization Versus Neck Proprioception Training on Neck Flexors Endurance in Adolescents With Forward Head Posture

Forward Head Posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation among adolescents, often resulting from prolonged screen use and poor ergonomic habits. It is characterized by an anterior positioning of the head relative to the vertical midline of the body, leading to altered cervical spine mechanics and muscle imbalances. One of the key consequences of FHP is the reduced endurance of deep neck flexor muscles, which play a crucial role in cervical stability and postural control.

Cervical muscle stabilization exercises and proprioceptive training are two widely used interventions aimed at improving neuromuscular control and endurance of cervical muscles. While both methods have shown benefits in postural correction, their relative effectiveness in enhancing neck flexor endurance in adolescents with FHP remains unclear.

This study aims to compare the effects of cervical muscle stabilization versus neck proprioception training on the endurance of deep neck flexors in adolescents with Forward Head Posture.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Forward Head Posture
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: cervical muscle stabilization exercises; Other: Proprioceptive training

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Damietta Governorate
    • Damietta, Damietta Governorate, Egypt, 10723
      • Walaa HENEDY

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adolescent with forward head posture
• Their age ranged from 16 to 18 years
• They had normal height, weight, and BMI (BMI percentile ≥5 and <85) relative to their age.
• They were free from any medical condition or musculoskeletal deformity that could affect posture or interfere with the assessment or intervention procedures
• They were free from any visual or hearing problem

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Athletic adolescent

  • Adolescent with congenital or acquired spinal deformities
  • Adolescent having any Injury to the neck or upper extremity and history of joint inflammation
  • Adolescent with neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary disease that limit their movement
  • Adolescent with cognitive disorders, or vision disorders not corrected by glasses

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Cervical muscle stabilization; 15 adolescent with foreward head posture receiving Cervical muscle stabilization exercises	Other: cervical muscle stabilization exercises; deep cervical muscle stabilization exercises, 15 minutes, 3 sessions per week for two months
Experimental: Proprioceptive training; 15 adolescent with foreward head posture receiving Proprioceptive training	Other: Proprioceptive training; proprioceptive training, 15 minutes, 3 sessions per week for two months

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Deep Neck Flexor Endurance	Measuring using a pressure biofeedback device	pretreatment and after 2 months of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Delta University for Science and Technology
• Investigators: Study Chair: Hala I Kassem, Professor, Professor

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): August 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 19, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 26, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): July 4, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 6, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: Forward Head Posture

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