Abstract

COMPARE THE EFFECTS OF DEEP NECK FLEXOR STRENGTHENING EXERCISES VERSES ELECTROTHERAPY MODALITIES ON HEAD FORWARD POSTURES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF SMARTPHONES

*Saad Ammar Al-Harbi and Dr. Shaik Daria Hussain

ABSTRACT

Background: Forward head posture is very common nowadays. Just look at anyone who works at a desk, students, or anyone who spends the majority of their day looking at some electronic device. Most of the time their head is looking down, their shoulders are rounded forward and their chest is tight. Over time this causes neck pain, upper back pain and tension headaches. Objective: to compare the effects of deep neck flexor strengthening exercises verses Electrotherapy modalities on head forward postures resulting from the use of smartphones. Methodology: Thirty participants were divided into three groups; first group G1 (vehicle group, n = 10), second group G2 (n = 10) who given deep neck flexor strengthening exercises and the third group G3 (n = 10) given Electrotherapy Modalities (Ultra sound and IFT). G1 using Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU); these exercises were performed on a hard therapy table to measure changes in the pressure gage accurately. The subjects maintained static contraction for ten seconds, and then took a rest for five seconds, which was defined as a one-time exercise. One set of exercises consisted of ten-time exercises, and a total of five sets were performed each day. The subjected performed the exercises three times each week for a four-week period. G2 exposed to Ultrasound for 10 min. and IFT for 10 min., three sessions per a week for four weeks. Results: Before treatment, the scores of PF, GH, BP and VT showed no statistical difference between treatment groups and control group (p > 0.05). After treatment at 4th week the scores of PF, GH, BP and VT in treatment group all improved significantly compared with those before treatment (p < 0.05, Table 1). But in control group, no significant differences were observed (p > 0.05). The scores of PF, GH, BP and VT in treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group. Conclusion: Deep cervical flexor training with a pressure biofeedback unit is a useful method for maintaining neck mobility and muscular endurance in people with forward head posture.

Keywords: head posture, neck flexor, strengthening exercises, Electrotherapy modalities.