Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
The most common postural abnormality in the cervical spine with direct impact on the craniofacial area and temporomandibular arthralgia is the forward head posture (FHP). Despite chronic neck pain associated and the high prevalence of this postural dysfunction, among computer professionals, very few studies have evaluated the effects of strengthening exercise methods in treating neck disorders using Electromyogram (EMG).
To compare the myoelectric amplitude of neck muscles, cranio vertebral (CV) angle and range of motion (R.O.M), pain score on VAS to determine the effectiveness of strengthening training in the management of FHP among computer professional.
15 healthy subjects and 15 patients with CV angle less than 44° and pronounced FHP were recruited in the study and allocated into two groups. Group I (n=15) control group, and Group II (n=15) received strengthening training for 8 weeks. EMG activity was recorded from levator scapulae (LS), upper trapezius(UT), cervical erector spinae (CES) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles, while performing all neck movements before and after training. CV angle, cervical R.O.M. and pain on VAS was measured at baseline and after 8 weeks.
Differences in the mean % MVIC of LS, UT, CES and SCM muscles were found to be statistically significant (p<0.005) after intervention in training group. Significant changes were seen in the CV angle (p<0.001), cervical ROM (p<0.001) and pain threshold on VAS (p<0.001) after intervention.
Neck strengthening exercises along with the stretching and general postural awareness proved to be an effective treatment in the management of FHP.
Electromyography, Forward Head Posture, Craniovertebral angle, Strengthening exercises, Cervical spine, computer
