The Effects of McKenzie Exercise on Forward Head Posture and Respiratory Function

Abstract

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the effects of the McKenzie exercise program on forward head posture and respiratory function. Methods: Thirty adult men and women with forward head posture, aged 20-29 years, were randomly assigned to the experimental group (N=15) or the control group (N=15). Subjects in the experimental group performed the McKenzie exercises three times a week for four weeks, while subjects in the control group did not receive any intervention. Craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured to quantify forward head posture, and forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC % predicted, forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), and FEV1 % predicted were measured to determine changes in respiratory function. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyze pre-test differences in forward head posture and respiratory function between the two groups, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze differences in forward head posture and respiratory function within the groups before and after intervention. The significance level (α) was set to 0.05. Results: A comparison of pre-and post-test measures showed that CVA significantly increased in the experimental group (p= 0.001) denoting postural improvement, whereas no significant difference was found in the control group (p = 0.053). All respiratory measures, i.e.,FVC, FVC %pred, FEV1, and FEV1 %pred, were significantly improved in the experimental group, whereas there were no significant differences in the control group. Conclusions: McKenzie exercise can be effective in improving forward head posture and respiratory function.tion of abdominal muscles, decreasing lung capacity. 12 Moreover, forward head posture leads to thoracic elevation as muscle tone of the sternocleidomastoid is increased. Subsequently the mobility of

Effects of McKenzie exercise, Kinesio taping, and myofascial release on the forward head posture

“…On the other hand, group C showed a significant change of CVA after the intervention (p<0.05). Kim 8 ) and Jeong 19 ) confirmed that McKenzie exercise increases CVA in patients with a FHP. It has been said that the increase in CVA led to the relaxation of forward head posture and the reduction in pain and NDI 20 ) .…”

“…The McKenzie exercise encourages self-care treatment through repeated exercises and focuses on extension, including ROM exercise, manipulation, and patient education 7 ) . In a study on men and women with FMP in their 20s, Kim 8 ) reported that McKenzie exercises significantly ameliorated the cervical posture of people with FHP.…”

Correlation between pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle activity in patients with forward head posture

“…As the FVC decreased, the activities of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the anterior scalene muscle increased (a negative correlation). When Kim et al 16 ) compared the pulmonary functions of a forward head posture group and a control (healthy) group, the FVC was 81.95% in the forward head posture group and 93.54% in the control group; this shows that the FVC in the forward head posture group was significantly smaller than in the control group. Janda et al 17 ) determined that the forward head posture that is included as part of the upper crossed syndrome was associated with kyphosis and round shoulders.…”

A Comparison Study of Posture and Fatigue of Neck According to Monitor Types (Moving and Fixed Monitor) by Using Flexion Relaxation Phenomenon (FRP) and Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)

“…FHP is a frequent occurrence during a prolonged VDT task that increases the fatigue of muscles supporting the head and neck [ 8 , 28 ]. FHP also increases loads on the joints and muscles of the neck and is related to chronic musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue, and pain [ 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Thus, FHP has been reported as the leading cause of WMSDs, such as pains of neck, shoulder, and headaches [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. To diagnose FHP, the craniovertebral angle (CVA) has frequently been evaluated in many related studies [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. CVA is the angle between a horizontal line passing through the spinous process of C7 and a line extending from C7 to the tragus of the ear [ 10 ]; a lower CVA (average CVAs with pain and without pain groups are 44.44 and 48.63, respectively) indicates higher FHP [ 6 , 11 ].…”