Establishing minimal clinically important difference for effectiveness of corrective exercises on craniovertebral and shoulder angles among students with forward head posture: a clinical trial study

Abstract

Background Previous studies have addressed the effects of different exercises and modalities on forward head posture (FHP), but the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the effect of exercises on FHP remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of selective corrective exercises (SCEs) on the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and shoulder angle (SA) in students with FHP and to establish MCID for these angles. Methods In this randomized clinical trial study, a total of 103 second-grade male students with FHP were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. CVA and SA of participants were measured before and after the 8-week selective corrective exercise program (including strengthening and stretching exercises). The photogrammetric method was used to measure CVA and SA. MCID value was calculated for CVA and SA using the distribution method. Results The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of CVA (F = 89.04, P = 0.005, Effect size = 0.47) and SA (F = 18.83, P = 0.005, Effect size = 0.16). After eight weeks of selective corrective exercises, the MCID values of CVA and SA were 1.40° and 1.34°, respectively. Conclusion This study revealed that the selective corrective exercises might lead to postural correction of students having FHP problem. Results further indicated that a corrective exercise program would be considered beneficial if it increased CVA and SA values at least 1.40 and 1.34 degrees, respectively.

Effects of Cervical Mobilization on Balance and Gait Parameters in Individuals With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Values below 48° are defined as FHP (Watson & Trott, 1993). Heydari et al found the minimal clinically important diference of CVA to be 1.40° (Heydari et al, 2022).…”

Effects of telerehabilitation-based respiratory and corrective exercises among the elderly with thoracic hyper-kyphosis: a clinical trial

“…When utilizing photogrammetric methods to assess head posture, excellent intrarater (95% ICC of 0.98 to 0.99) and interrater (95% ICC, 0.91–0.99) reliabilities were reported [ 29 ]. A Nikon camera (D7500) was set on an adjustable camera stand at the height of every person's acromion with an 80 cm distance from them in lateral view [ 30 ]. Photos were taken by identifying the C7 vertebra of the neck, the ear tragus of the ear, and the head of the acromion bone in the shoulder using paper glue markers on individuals’ skin.…”

“…A cranial angle is formed by crossing two lines connecting the ear tragus with the C7 vertebrae and a horizontal line from the ear tragus. A shoulder angle is formed by intersecting two lines connecting the shoulder acromion with the C7 and a horizontal anterior–posterior line [ 30 ]. To examine the chest excursion, the diameter of the participant’s chest was measured using a tape meter at the level of the T10 spinous process in maximal exhalation and maximal inhalation phases.…”

Hiệu Quả Cải Thiện Tư Thế Đầu Ngã Về Trước Của Nhóm Năm Động Tác Tác Động Vùng Lưng Theo Phương Pháp Dưỡng Sinh Nguyễn Văn Hưởng Trên Sinh Viên

“…Về bài tập thể dục tác động lên cơ như nghiên cứu trên đối tượng học sinh của tác giả Zahra Heydari cùng các cộng sự (n = 51) [8]. Nghiên cứu này có độ tuổi trung bình nhỏ hơn (11,8 ± 0,87), thời gian tập khoảng 30 phút trong mỗi buổi trong 8 tuần.…”