Quantitative Assessment of Head Posture of Young Adults Based on Lateral View Photographs (original) (raw)

Comparison of the Average Forward Head Angle of Male and Female Students in Three Educational Levels

2020

Background: Forward head posture is a major postural deformity in the head and neck area. Considering the importance and secondary consequences of this deformity, current study aims at investigating this deformity among boys and girls of different educational levels of Tehran universities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive and field study (causal-comparative). A total of 1017 students, 511 girls (age: 23.74±3.91, height: 162.42±7.14, weight: 57.33±8.87) and 506 boys (age: 23.82±3.57, height: 174.70±7.97, weight: 69.19±12.18) were selected. Their forward head angle was measured 3 times by a specific goniometer and the subjects' final angle was considered as the average of three measurements. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.22 software and the two-way ANOVA, Tukey and one-way ANOVA tests. Results: The results of one-way ANOVA analysis showed a significant difference in the head angle of the students at different educational levels (p 0.05). Conclusion: According to th...

Investigation of natural head posture in different head types

Journal of Oral Science, 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate natural head posture (NHP) in different head types. Lateral cephalograms of 99 adults (Mean age, 21.8 years ± SD, 2.2 yrs, range between 19 and 29 yrs) were examined. Head types were determined as Hyperbrachycephal, Brachycephal, Mesocephal or Dolichocephal according to the cephalic index. Analysis of variance and the Duncan's test were performed to assess inter-group differences for the parameters. The findings revealed that, NHP was statistically not different between the head type groups. Thus, it was suggested that environmental factors during growth may alter NHP, as well as craniofacial morphology but in a different manner (i.e. degree and direction) in each head type.

Defining Patterns of Sagittal Standing Posture in Girls and Boys of School Age

Physical therapy, 2016

Background. Sagittal postural patterns are associated with back pain in adolescents and adults. However, whether postural patterns are already observable during childhood is unknown. Such a finding would confirm childhood as a key period for posture differentiation and thus for chronic pain etiology. Objective. The aims of this study were to identify and describe postural patterns in girls and boys of school age. Design. This was a cross-sectional study. Methods. Eligible children were evaluated at age 7 in the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI in Portugal. Posture was assessed through right-side photographs during habitual standing with retroreflective markers placed on body landmarks. Postural patterns were defined from trunk, lumbar, and sway angles with model-based clusters, and associations with anthropometric measures were assessed by multinomial logistic regression. Results. Posture was evaluated in 1,147 girls and 1,266 boys. Three postural patterns were identified: sway (26.9%), flat (20.9%), and neutral to hyperlordotic (52.1%) in girls and sway to neutral (58.8%), flat (36.3%), and hyperlordotic (4.9%) in boys. In girls, a higher body mass index was associated with a sway pattern (versus a flat pattern: odds ratio=1.21; 95% CI=1.12, 1.29), whereas in boys, a higher body mass index was associated with a hyperlordotic pattern (versus a flat pattern: odds ratio=1.30; 95% CI=1.17, 1.44). Limitations. Photogrammetry as a noninvasive method for posture assessment may have introduced some postural misclassifications. Conclusions. Postural patterns in 7-year-old children were consistent with those previously found in adults, suggesting that childhood is a sensitive period for posture differentiation. Sagittal morphology differed between girls and boys, emphasizing sex-specific biomechanical loads during a habitual upright position even in prepubertal ages.

Reliability and Validity of Non-radiographic Methods of Forward Head Posture Measurement: A Systematic Review

Cureus, 2022

Forward head posture measurement can be conducted using various methods and instruments. The selection of the appropriate method requires the factors of validity and reliability to be considered. This systematic review reports on the reliability and validity of the non-radiographic methods examined for measuring forward head posture. The review identified relevant studies following a systematic search of electronic databases. The studies were assessed for quality by two independent reviewers using a critical appraisal tool. The studies' data were extracted and assessed, and the results were synthesized qualitatively using a level of evidence approach. Twenty-one studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Both reliability and validity were investigated for five studies, whereas reliability only was investigated for 17 studies. In total, 11 methods of forward head posture measurement were evaluated in the retrieved studies. The validity of the methods ranged from low to very high. The reliability of the methods ranged from moderate to excellent. The strongest levels of evidence for reliability support the use of classic photogrammetry. For validity, the evidence is not conclusive. Further studies are required to strengthen the level of evidence on the reliability and validity of the remaining methods. It is recommended that this point be addressed in future research.

Validity and Reliability of Electronic Head Posture Instrument for Measurement of Cranio-Horizontal Angle, Craniovertebral Angle and Sagittal Shoulder Angle

Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development, 2020

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) means that the head is in an anterior position in relation to the postural line and it is considered to coexist with hyperextension of upper cervical spine, flattening of lower cervical spine, rounding of the upper back and elevation and protraction of the shoulders. Because of associated problems, assessment of head posture has become increasingly important in clinical practices in evaluating and designing treatment regimens. For clinical diagnosis, angle measurements have been utilized as information for evaluating physical characteristics, determining the effects of rehabilitation and preventing injury induced by physical activity. There are various software’s available for measuring angles, one of them being Surgimap. In recent years, angle measurements using Electronic head posture instrument (EHPI) have been clinically researched as new angle measurement methods for the forward head posture apart from photographic measurement methods. Thu...

Evaluation of head position using craniovertebral angle in two sitting and standing positions in the elderly

Journal of Babol University of Medical Sciences, 2020

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Abnormal head posture can lead to pain, physical limitations, falls and fractures that have a negative impact on people's quality of life. Since head orientation in sagittal view varies according to different body postures, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of two standing and sitting postures on sagittal view. METHODS: This observational study was performed on 70 elderly people referred to Elderly Health Center of Babol University of Medical Sciences. In order to measure the craniovertebral angle to determine the direction of the head in the sagittal view, participants were photographed in both standing and sitting positions. After initial evaluation, participants were divided into two groups of head posture (forward head posture and normal head posture) based on craniovertebral angle, with an angle of less than 51° as abnormal head posture. FINDINGS: The mean age of the subjects was 67.9±3.8. The size of the craniovertebral angle in sitting position (52±8.3) was greater than in standing position (48.1±6.5) (P<0.0001). In addition, two subgroups of forward head posture and normal posture showed increased craniovertebral angle in sitting position (forward head posture: 48.3±7.2, normal: 59.6±4.6) comapred to standing position (forward head posture: 43.7±6.5, normal: 56.9±4.2) (P<0.003, P<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: According to the results, the craniovertebral angle increases in sitting position compared to the standing position.

Neck posture measurement amongst schoolchildren

Biomechanica Hungarica, 2010

Background: There is a paucity in basic data concerning neck posture in childhood. Our aim was to gain preliminary data on the head/neck/shoulder posture, and to document their evolution with growth in schoolchildren. Methods: For measuring posture digital photographs were taken of the children seated in a straight-high-backed chair. The camera (Agfa 5Ti, 5.2 megapixels) was located perpendicularly to each subject's height, positioned from the left side, the focus was on the tragus with a standard distance of 150 cm. The fi rst photo was taken in the "neutral head posture" and a second photo in "resting" posture). The digital photos were then evaluated by a computer software program (distributed as Marker Angels). The angles analyzed were as follows: the craniovertebral angle (CVA), the head tilt angle (HTA), the shoulder angle (SHA). Subjects were hundred and fortyseven 9-year old, and hundred and fourtythree 16-year old schoolchildren, who were attending public school in different districts of Budapest. Results: In the 16-year old's group the CVA values have been found reduced signifi cantly (by an average of 8 degrees in neutral position and 6 degrees in resting position) compared to the 9 year olds. The HTA elevated by an average of 1.6 degrees (NS) in neutral position and reduced signifi cantly (by 4.2 degrees) in resting position. The values of the SHA elevated signifi cantly (by an average of 13.33 degrees in neutral position and 13.32 degrees in resting) between the 9-16 year olds, which referred to more protracted shoulder posture. Discussion: The CVA characterizes the neck posture, the less it's value, the more the forward position. The neck posture is in strong correlation to the head and the shoulder positions. That means forward bent neck position is in correlation to the so called "rounded" shoulder or the shoulder protraction. Although the position of the was found not consequent in neutral position, however was in correlation in resting position. Conclusion: Measuring head/neck/shoulder posture by means of digital photos and evaula ted by computer program proved easy, useful method. We obtained preliminary descriptive data on neck posture in degrees of two age groups of schoolchildren. The comparison of the results pro ved the tendency of progression in "poor posture" during 7 schoolyears, between in the age of 9-16.

Relationship between head posture and anterior-posterior skeletal patterns in a group of female patients

Saudi medical journal, 2014

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between head posture and anteroposterior skeletal patterns in female adult patients. METHODS The study included 75 lateral cephalograms of orthodontic patients in the age range of 18-25 years. The study was conducted from May 2012 to January 2013 at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The lateral cephalograms were divided into 3 groups based on the anterior-posterior skeletal relationship angle: skeletal class I, II, and III. Twenty-three craniofacial morphological variables were identified and used. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine significant differences among the 3 skeletal classifications. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the cervical lordosis angle and the cervical curvature with the postural variables were estimated. Significance was set at the p<0.05 level. RESULTS Significant differences were observed in the mandibular plane inclination between...

Intrarater and Interrater Reliability of Sagittal Head Posture: A Novel Technique Performed by a Physiotherapist and a Speech and Language Pathologist

Journal of Voice, 2014

Introduction. Different professionals such as speech and language pathologists and voice scientists are involved in the evaluation of head and neck posture. Therefore, a reliable, time-efficient, and precise method of posture assessment is essential for use in clinical and research settings. Photogrammetry is one of the most commonly used methods to assess head and neck posture. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the intrarater reliability of the method with a large sample size and the interrater reliability by two different specialists (a physiotherapist and a speech and language pathologist). Method. A total of three hundred four subjects (144 males and 160 females) aged between 18 and 28 years participated in the study. During the test session, a photograph was taken of the left-side profile of each subject in their ordinary and comfortable position. The head posture angle of each picture was calculated by two raters. The whole procedure was repeated in a retest session, 24 hours later. A total number of eight analyses were performed for each subject. The reliability was evaluated at several stages hierarchically and after confirming the reliability in each step, the next step was investigated. Paired t tests on the differences of scores obtained at all the aforementioned stages were used to ensure the absence of any systematic bias. To assess the reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the standard error of measurements (SEMs) were calculated. Results. There was no significant difference between the mean values of the test and the retest angles at any stage of calculating the head posture angle in both pictures by both examiners (P > 0.05). The ICC and SEM values calculated for all stages were between 0.86-0.97 and 0.52-1.53, respectively. Conclusion. Systematic bias has not occurred at any stage. The ICC and SEM values calculated have demonstrated that there were appropriate relative and absolute reliabilities in all stages. This method is suggested to be used simply in research and clinical areas by different specialists.

Influence of Body Positions on Craniovertebral Angle in the Elderly People With Forward Head Posture: A Pilot Study

2018

Introduction: Forward Head Posture (FHP) is one of the most common faulty sagittal postures of the craniocervical region in elderly adults. The sagittal alignment of the spine changes with different body positions. This study aimed to compare head postural alignment between sitting and standing positions in elder people with FHP. Materials and Methods: The head posture was assessed in 32 participants including 16 old adults with FHP (Mean±SD age=67.9±3.8 years) and 16 normal matched individuals (Mean±SD age=67.5±3.4 years). Side-view photographs were taken in standing and sitting positions to determine the amount of the craniovertebral angle. Results: The results of the paired t test indicated a significant difference between head postural alignment in sitting and standing positions for normal (P<0.003) group. However, there is no significant difference in sitting vs. standing in FHP group (P<0.09). Conclusion: The assessment of head postural alignment in elder people using craniovertebral angle in two different positions, sitting and standing, demonstrated no changes in the alignment of head at FHP participants. It may be due to need for keeping the forward gaze.