Correlation of Forward Head Posture with Join...

Correlation of Forward Head Posture with Joint Position Sense in Junior College Teachers: An Observational Study

Author Name : Dr. Sonali Kadam, Dipti Jambhulkar, Dr. Ajay Kumar

ABSTRACT

Introduction: As junior college teachers are involved in lecture preparation and reading activity using digital media, this gives continuous pressure on cervical neck musculature, which could affect joint position sense (proprioception) i.e. sense of the body positioning in the space which is mediated by proprioceptors, mechanosensory neuron located within muscles, tendons, and joints. One of the most inappropriate postures is the forward head posture which is the head placed in front of the trunk in the sagittal plane. Due to head and neck joint and muscle impairment, it seems such postural disorders might affect cervical neck proprioception and reduce work efficiency. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find the correlation between forward head posture and cervical joint position sense in junior college teachers.

Methods: A total of 70 individuals participated out of which 35 were divided into two groups of forward head posture and non-forward head posture. The head posture was measured by the craniovertebral angle which was calculated based on the angle between a horizontal line passing through C7 and a line extending from the tragus of the ear to C7. Further to calculate the angle (Markus Bader) MB Ruler 5.0 software was used. Cervical joint position sense was assessed using the Joint Position Error test (JPE) in flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion, right rotation, and left rotation.

Results: The results of the Pearson’s correlation showed there was no significant difference between the CVA of FHP and JPE test in six movements.

Conclusion: The present study showed no correlation between Forward head posture and cervical joint position sense in junior college teachers.

Keywords: Craniovertebral angle, head posture, Joint position sense, Junior college teachers