Comparison Between Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Breathing and Manual Therapy on Forward Head Posture in University Students
The Effects of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Breathing and Manual Therapy on Forward Head Posture in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Forward Head Posture (FHP) is a common postural dysfunction characterized by the anterior displacement of the head relative to the shoulders, leading to cervical spine misalignment, increased muscle strain, and neck pain. It is highly prevalent in university students (63-66%), largely due to prolonged sedentary behaviors and the use of smartphones, laptops, and tablets in poor ergonomic postures .
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of three intervention strategies for managing FHP in university students:
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Breathing + Conventional Exercises: DNS breathing will emphasize diaphragmatic activation and postural stabilization, combined with stretching, strengthening, and postural education.
Myofascial Release (MFR) + Conventional Exercises: Suboccipital MFR to release fascial tension, combined with the same conventional exercise program.
Conventional Exercises Alone (Control Group): A standard rehabilitation protocol of stretching, strengthening, and postural correction.
All interventions will be delivered three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting 45 minutes.
Assessments will be conducted at baseline, week 4, and week 6:
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) and Forward Shoulder Angle (FSA) measured using smartphone photographic analysis.
Wall Test to assess forward head and rounded shoulder posture.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to measure subjective pain intensity.
SF-36 Health Survey to evaluate quality of life across eight health domains.
The study will compare the relative effectiveness of DNS breathing and MFR, each combined with conventional therapy, against conventional therapy alone. Findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based postural rehabilitation, particularly for young adults with sedentary lifestyles.
Aperçu de l'étude
Statut
Les conditions
Intervention / Traitement
Type d'étude
Inscription (Estimé)
Phase
- N'est pas applicable
Contacts et emplacements
Coordonnées de l'étude
- Nom: Prof.Dr. H. Habibe serap INAL, doctor of physical therapy
- Numéro de téléphone: +905325573354
- E-mail: serap.inal@galata.edu.tr
Sauvegarde des contacts de l'étude
- Nom: PT Rami M.osama Ramdoun, Bachelor of physical therapy
- Numéro de téléphone: +905344100383
- E-mail: 2333095007@stu.istinye.edu.tr
Lieux d'étude
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Zeytinburnu
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Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, Turquie (Türkiye), 34010
- Recrutement
- İstinye University, Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi -İSÜFİZYOTEM
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Contact:
- Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Nurgül Dürüstkan Elbaşı, phd of physical therapy
- Numéro de téléphone: 0850 283 00 00
- E-mail: sbf@istinye.edu.tr
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Critères de participation
Critère d'éligibilité
Âges éligibles pour étudier
- Adulte
Accepte les volontaires sains
La description
Inclusion Criteria:
University student aged 18 to 28 years
Presence of forward head posture confirmed by photogrammetric assessment
Mild to moderate cervical pain (VAS score between 0 and 6)
Voluntary agreement to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
History of cervical spine surgery
Presence of neurological disorders
Diagnosis of cervical disc herniation
Severe musculoskeletal pain (VAS ≥ 7)
Plan d'étude
Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?
Détails de conception
- Objectif principal: Traitement
- Répartition: Randomisé
- Modèle interventionnel: Affectation parallèle
- Masquage: Aucun (étiquette ouverte)
Armes et Interventions
Groupe de participants / Bras |
Intervention / Traitement |
|---|---|
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Comparateur actif: Thérapie conventionnelle
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Standardized exercise protocol including head rotation, neck/upper back extension, swimmer exercise, head retraction with resistance band, and upper trapezius/levator scapulae stretches.
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Expérimental: dynamic neuromuscular stabilisation breathing
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Diaphragmatic breathing exercises performed in supine, side-lying, and quadruped positions, 3 sets of 1 minute each.
Standardized exercise protocol including head rotation, neck/upper back extension, swimmer exercise, head retraction with resistance band, and upper trapezius/levator scapulae stretches.
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Expérimental: Myofacial release
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Standardized exercise protocol including head rotation, neck/upper back extension, swimmer exercise, head retraction with resistance band, and upper trapezius/levator scapulae stretches.
Manual sustained pressure applied to the suboccipital region, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae, 2-3 minutes per site, to reduce myofascial stiffness and improve tissue extensibility
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Que mesure l'étude ?
Principaux critères de jugement
Mesure des résultats |
Description de la mesure |
Délai |
|---|---|---|
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Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)
Délai: 4 weeks, and 8 weeks
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The craniovertebral angle (CVA) will be measured using digital photogrammetry to assess the degree of forward head posture.
A marker will be placed on the tragus of the ear and the spinous process of C7, and the angle formed between a horizontal line through C7 and the line connecting C7 to the tragus will be calculated.
Smaller angles indicate a greater degree of forward head posture.
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4 weeks, and 8 weeks
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Mesures de résultats secondaires
Mesure des résultats |
Description de la mesure |
Délai |
|---|---|---|
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Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Délai: Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks
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Pain intensity will be assessed using a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain.
Participants will mark their perceived pain level at rest and during activity.
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Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks
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Collaborateurs et enquêteurs
Parrainer
Les enquêteurs
- Chercheur principal: Prof.Dr. Habibe. Serap İnal, doctor of physical therapy, istinye university, faculty of health sciences , Department of physical therapy and rehabilitation
Publications et liens utiles
Publications générales
- Ajimsha MS, Al-Mudahka NR, Al-Madzhar JA. Effectiveness of myofascial release: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2015 Jan;19(1):102-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.06.001. Epub 2014 Jun 13.
- Karimian R, Rahnama N, Ghasemi G, Lenjannejadian S. Photogrammetric Analysis of Upper Cross Syndrome among Teachers and the Effects of National Academy of Sports Medicine Exercises with Ergonomic Intervention on the Syndrome. J Res Health Sci. 2019 Jul 3;19(3):e00450.
- Fathollahnejad K, Letafatkar A, Hadadnezhad M. The effect of manual therapy and stabilizing exercises on forward head and rounded shoulder postures: a six-week intervention with a one-month follow-up study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019 Feb 18;20(1):86. doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-2438-y.
- Salahzadeh Z, Maroufi N, Ahmadi A, Behtash H, Razmjoo A, Gohari M, Parnianpour M. Assessment of forward head posture in females: observational and photogrammetry methods. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2014;27(2):131-9. doi: 10.3233/BMR-130426.
- Okuro RT, Morcillo AM, Ribeiro MA, Sakano E, Conti PB, Ribeiro JD. Mouth breathing and forward head posture: effects on respiratory biomechanics and exercise capacity in children. J Bras Pneumol. 2011 Jul-Aug;37(4):471-9. doi: 10.1590/s1806-37132011000400009. English, Portuguese.
- Briem K, Huijbregts P, Thorsteinsdottir M. Immediate effects of inhibitive distraction on active range of cervical flexion in patients with neck pain: a pilot study. J Man Manip Ther. 2007;15(2):82-92. doi: 10.1179/106698107790819882.
- Gulrandhe P, Kovela RK, Samal S. Effect of the Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Technique on Functional Capacity in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cureus. 2023 Jul 18;15(7):e42076. doi: 10.7759/cureus.42076. eCollection 2023 Jul.
- Aggarwal, A., Nair, A., Palekar, T. J., & Bhamare, D. (2022). Effect of suboccipital release technique in forward head posture: A comparative study. Medical Journal of Dr. DY Patil University, 15(4), 534-537.
- Alshahrani, A., Aly, S. M., Abdrabo, M. S., & Asiri, F. Y. (2018). Impact of smartphone usage on cervical proprioception and balance in healthy adults. Biomed res, 29(12), 2547-2552.
- Naz, A., Bashir, M. S., & Noor, R. (2018). Prevalance of forward head posture among university students. Rawal Med J, 43(2), 260-2.
Dates d'enregistrement des études
Dates principales de l'étude
Début de l'étude (Réel)
Achèvement primaire (Estimé)
Achèvement de l'étude (Estimé)
Dates d'inscription aux études
Première soumission
Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité
Première publication (Réel)
Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude
Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)
Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité
Dernière vérification
Plus d'information
Termes liés à cette étude
Termes MeSH pertinents supplémentaires
- La douleur
- Manifestations neurologiques
- Conditions pathologiques, signes et symptômes
- Signes et symptômes
- La douleur du cou
- Thérapeutique
- Thérapies complémentaires
- Modalités de physiothérapie
- Réhabilitation
- Thérapie, tissus mous
- Manipulations musculo-squelettiques
- Massage
- Thérapie de libération myofasciale
Autres numéros d'identification d'étude
- 25 - 26 - 2025
Plan pour les données individuelles des participants (IPD)
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Informations sur les médicaments et les dispositifs, documents d'étude
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