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The main objective of this study is to find the effects of breathing exercises on cardiorespiratory parameters in subjects with forward head posture. This will be a Randomized Clinical Trial study with two different breathing exercises which include Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise (DBE) for Treatment group A individuals and Thoracic Extension Exercise (TEE) for Treatment Group B individuals will be performed along with ergometric advices. Each exercise session will be done three times per week for total over a period of 12 weeks. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6th and 12th week with photogrammetry method for craniovertebral angle (CVA) and spirometer for pulmonary function test values (PFTs).
The Forward Head Posture (FHP)is the poor posture alignment of the body in which the craniovertebral angle is <50 degrees. This FHP causes the deep cervical flexors to become weak and excessive use of the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscle leads towards compromised respiratory functions. The diaphragm mobility is also reduced which effect the lung volume and capacities.
FHP is due to weak deep neck flexor muscles which are compensated by the over-activity of sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscle. This in turn leads to many musculoskeletal changes like muscular imbalance, changes in stress-strain curve due to over activity of cervical spine. FHP can badly effect thoracic expansion and alveolar ventilation which can reduce vital capacity, reduce lung volumes and lung capacities thus leading towards respiratory function weakening.
Prolonged FHP not only affect the muscles but also involve ligaments of the cervical and upper thoracic spine which cause the respiratory disorders and the end result of these changes shows that 83% of individuals with this forward head posture had altered breathing pattern. This shows that there is strong relation between cervical posture and respiratory parameters.
The respiratory function is usually affected by any change in muscle activity which is caused by pain in neck flexors or extensors and their reduced activity which causes changes in vicious circle of the neck. For improvements in such forward head posture and its related problems many therapeutic and rehabilitative techniques have been used such as Kinesio tapping, myofascial release, and Mckenzie exercises.All of these showed positive impact in improving the forward head posture and reducing impairments. Some of the previous exercises mentioned showed the positive combined effects of breathing exercises and therapeutic exercises
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Group | Experimental | This group will perform baseline treatment along with balloon breathing exercises also known as diaphragmatic breathing exercise for pulmonary function improvement and FHP Diaphragmatic breathing is done slowly and deeply through nose with minimum usage of chest movement. Only diaphragm is used for breathing in supine lying position with one hand placed on chest and other hand is placed on abdomen. Focus should be on the contraction of diaphragm that can be checked by hand placed on abdomen while there is as little movement in chest as possible which is also checked by hand placed on chest. Inhalation and exhalation should be for 6 second approximately. Each exercise session consist of 4 sets and each set has 4 complete breathing breaks. Will be done 2 times a day and 3 times per week for total of 8 weeks. |
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| Thoracic Extension Exercise Group | Active Comparator | This group along with baseline treatment will do Thoracic Extension Exercises (TEE) for FHP and Pulmonary function improvements. This is done in 3 steps. The restricted upper thoracic area is placed on foam roller with subject lying supine with knees flexed, buttock slightly lifted up from the floor and crossed hands on the chest. Roll the foam roller slightly up and down. Swiss ball is place in front of the subject who is sitting with knees flexed and then the ball is pushed slightly forward with both hands placed on it. While lying prone lift up and then pushing down the upper body while the upper body is supported by elbows places just below shoulders. All these steps will be followed by 2 sets of 15 repetitions and holding 10 sec for each repetition. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Group | Other | The subjects in this group will perform Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise Group |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Photogrammetry Method for Forward Head Posture Assessment | Photogrammetry is a reliable and accurate tool for measurement of angles. It is used to measure the FHP through measurement of Craniovertebral angle (CVA) measurement. CVA is the inner angle between the horizontal line drawn from C7 spinous process to the midpoint of the tragus. As the higher the CVA the higher the FHP. All measurements are done after taking a photograph via digital camera in lateral-view in standing position | Baseline; 6th Week; 12th Week |
| Spirometry for Pulmonary Function Test FEV1 | Spirometry method is use to measure pulmonary functions by assessing the lung volumes and capacities. As these pulmonary values will changed after FHP as the mobility of cervical spine and diaphragm are compromised. Spirometry is a cost effect, environment friendly, noninvasive and sensitive tool which can easily help in assessment of pulmonary function | Baseline; 6th Week; 12th Week |
| Spirometry for Pulmonary Function Test FVC | Spirometry method is use to measure pulmonary functions by assessing the lung volumes and capacities. As these pulmonary values will changed after FHP as the mobility of cervical spine and diaphragm are compromised. Spirometry is a cost effect, environment friendly, noninvasive and sensitive tool which can easily help in assessment of pulmonary function | Baseline; 6th Week; 12th Week |
| Spirometry for Pulmonary Function Test FEV1/FVC ratio | Spirometry method is use to measure pulmonary functions by assessing the lung volumes and capacities. As these pulmonary values will changed after FHP as the mobility of cervical spine and diaphragm are compromised. Spirometry is a cost effect, environment friendly, noninvasive and sensitive tool which can easily help in assessment of pulmonary function | Baseline; 6th Week; 12th Week |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Danish Hassan, PhD* | Riphah International University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic | Lahore | Punjab Province | 54000 | Pakistan |
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| Thoracic Extension Exercise Group | Other | The subjects in this group will perform Thoracic Extension Exercise Group |
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