The comparative study of the effect of stabilization exercise and stretching-strengthening exercise on balance parameters in forward head posture patients

Balance disturbance is one of the observed impairments in patient with forward head posture (FHP). The aim of this study was comparing the effect of stabilization and stretching-strengthening exercises on the improvement of balance in these patients.

Thirty three females with FHP were randomized into three groups of stabilization training، stretching-strengthening and control. The degree of FHP was measured using plumb line and the cranio-vertebral angle. Balance tests performed in three different standing conditions on a force platform. The subjects were evaluated after 6 weeks training and 1 month follow-up.

Balance parameters in both stretching-strengthening and control groups showed no significant changes (P>0. 05) while in the stabilization group، significant decrease in displacement and velocity of center of pressure were seen under conditions of double-leg، eyes-open، foam-surface and single-leg، eyes-closed، rigid-surface (P<0. 05) and no changes observed in balance parameters under conditions of double-leg، eyes-open، rigid-surface (P>0. 05).

In the conditions of standing that visual and proprioception information from plantar region of foot is challenged، stabilization exercises lead to more balance improvement than stretching-strengthening exercises.