Effects of Cervical Spine Retraction Exercise With and Without Diaphragmatic Breathing in Forward Head Posture.

This study aims to determine the effect of combining diaphragmatic exercises with cervical retraction exercise on pain, disability, active range of motions of cervical spine and craniovertebral angle in individuals with forward head posture.

Forward head posture altering breathing pattern is one of the most common musculoskeletal deformity. Diaphragmatic exercises can reduce pain and disability levels, and correct forward head posture (FHP) in patients with neck discomfort. In this randomized clinical trial, fifty two participants displaying forward head posture (FHP) will be randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups: the Diaphragmatic Exercises and Cervical Retraction Exercise Combined Group or the Cervical Retraction Exercise Alone Group. Randomization will be performed using a convenient random sampling method via sealed opaque envelopes. Each participant will receive a total of twelve treatment sessions over a four-week period. The efficacy of the interventions will be assessed at the beginning (first session), conclusion (twelfth session), and two weeks after completing the sessions. Outcome measures, including pain intensity, disability levels, cervical range of motion, and craniovertebral angle (CVA), will be evaluated using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), universal goniometer and Image J software, respectively. Data will be analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26. Normality of data will be assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. For within-group comparisons, either repeated measures ANOVA or the Friedman test will be used. To compare changes between the groups, the independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test will be applied, depending on the data distribution. The analysis of these outcome measures will provide valuable insights into the impact of the interventions on participants' symptoms and postural alignment.