Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is the most common postural fault of the cervical spine in the sagittal plane. This faulty posture has been associated with many pathological conditions such as neck pain, cervicogenic headache, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome and impingement syndrome. Interestingly, trunk posture and developmental cervical canal stenosis have been linked to a few upper quadrant anthropometric measures. Thus, investigating the role of upper quadrant anthropometry as a predictor for the development of FHP could help in detecting subjects at risk of developing forward head, and hence, preventive measures could be employed. Purpose: To investigate if there would be any association between selected upper quadrant anthropometric variables and the severity of FHP. Participants: Forty asymptomatic adults (26 female and 14 male) were enrolled in this study. Methods: The severity of FHP was assessed by measuring the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and gaze angle using the photogrammetric method. Upper quadrant anthropometric variables were measured using a medical tape and an anthropometer. In addition, weight and height were measured using a weight scale and a height meter and then the body mass index was calculated. Results: Correlations between CVA and gaze angle, and all measured upper quadrant anthropometric variables were non-significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is no statistical evidence to support that upper quadrant anthropometry could predict the severity of FHP as measured by CVA and gaze angle

Issued also as CD