Effect of the craniocervical brace on craniocervical angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, and trunk extensor muscle activity during typing in subjects with forward head posture

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Yoon, Tae-Lim^a | Cynn, Heon-Seock^{b; *} | Choi, Sil-Ah^b | Lee, Ji-Hyun^b | Chio, Bong-Sam^c

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea | [b] Applied Kinesiology and Ergonomic Technology Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea | [c] Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Woosong University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

Correspondence: [*] Address for Correspondence: Heon-Seock Cynn, PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju, Kangwon-do 220-710, South Korea. Tel.: +82 337602497; Fax: +82 337602496; E-mail: cynn@yonsei.ac.kr.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The relationship between forward head posture (FHP) and thoracic kyphosis has been a subject of interest in the rehabilitation field for visual display terminal workers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of the craniocervical brace use on craniocervical angle (CCA), thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), and trunk extensor muscle activity. METHODS: Twelve young male subjects with forward head posture (21.6±1.9 years) participated in this study. We compared CCA & TKA and trunk extensor muscle activity between with and without application of the craniocervical brace during visual display terminal work. RESULTS: When wearing the craniocervical brace, the subjects demonstrated significantly greater CCA at the start and the end of the task and less change in CCA during the task (p < 0.05). While non-significantly less TKA was seen at the start of the task, significantly less TKA was observed at the end of the task when using the craniocervical brace (p < 0.05). The craniocervical brace use also led to significantly less change in TKA (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the trunk extensor muscle activity. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the craniocervical brace decreased FHP immediately, lessened thoracic kyphosis over time, and prevented the worsening of FHP and thoracic kyphosis during visual display terminal work.

Keywords: Cervical alignment, cervical spine, computer work, forward head posture, habitual posture, thoracic kyphosis

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162378

Journal: Work, vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 163-169, 2016