A Study on the Effectiveness of Scapular Retraction Exercises on Forward Head Posture

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to find out the effectiveness of scapular retraction exercise for forward head posture. Background of the Study: • Forward head posture is a condition often seen in person who were using computer and laptops for long hours. Forward head posture is the anterior positioning of the cervical spine. This posture is sometime called “text neck”. It is a posture problem that is caused by several factor including sleeping with head elevated to high. Due to forward head posture the deep flexor muscle gets overstretched and weak thus resulting tightness of pectoralis muscle and over stretched to weak the rhomboid muscle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of scapular retraction exercise on neck posture, muscle activity, pain and quality of life in individuals with neck pain and forward head posture. Methodology: The study is experimental study with study set up at outpatient physiotherapy department of ACS Medical College and Hospital. 30 subjects are randomly selected with inclusion criteria of patient of both male and female, 18 to 30 years of age groups, IT job workers, often indulging in TV, Computer, Texting-neck, Driver’s neck and exclusion criteria with Systemic illness, subject undergone surgeries, patient with congenital cervical deformities, Cervical fractures and the material used is adhesive skin marker, Measuring tape and Thera band and the outcome measures is VAS scale, Craniovertebral Angle (tragus right ear &midpoint of the C7) and NDI (neck disability index). Procedure: 30 subjects with forward head posture were, included in this study. The Craniovertebral angle of all the subjects and were measured by using inch tape. The Craniovertebral angle was measured by angle between midpoint of the adhesive marker at tragus of right ear and midpoint of the reflective marker at C7. All the 30 subjects were received scapular retraction exercises as a common intervention Result: There is significant effect of Scapular Retraction Exercises in reducing Forward Head Posture.