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Immediate Effect of Cervico-thoracic Mobilization on Deep Neck Flexors Strength in Individuals with Forward Head
Gauri Milind Ghan1, V Sarath Babu2
1Master of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal Sciences), MGM's Institute of Physiotherapy, Aurangabad, India.
Introduction:
Forward head posture is the most frequently observed postural deviations and is said to be associated with shortening of posterior cervical extensors and weakening of the anterior deep cervical flexors. Manual therapy has the potential to achieve reflexogenic changes in muscle and enhance the motor activity and strength.
Purpose Of The Study:
To evaluate the immediate effect of grade IV cervicothoracic Maitland mobilization on deep neck flexors strength in individuals with forward head posture.
Study Design:
A Single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Method:
Sixty individuals were randomly divided into two groups. Placebo-controlled (PBO) group (n = 30) received the grade I and experimental (EXP) group (n = 30) received grade IV posteroanterior central and unilateral Maitland mobilization from the upper cervical to the upper thoracic spine. Outcome measure: Clinical Cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT) was used to measure the motor activity and the strength of deep neck flexors.
Results:
The strength of deep neck flexors effectively increased (p = <0.0001) after advocating grade IV mobilization.
Conclusion:
This study concluded that grade IV central and unilateral posteroanterior Maitland mobilization demonstrated significant increase in the deep neck flexors strength in individuals with forward head posture.
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