Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation. An increasing number of studies have reported that people with FHP present with impaired postural control and gait; however, there is conflicting evidence. A systematic review focusing on these relationships has been unavailable to date.
Research Question: Is there a relationship between FHP, postural control and gait?
Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021231908). Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL Plus (via EBSCO) were systematically searched, and a manual search was performed using the reference lists of included studies. Eligible studies included observational studies addressing the relationship between FHP, postural control and/or gait. Quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Cross-Sectional Studies.
Results: Nineteen studies were selected for this review. Consistent evidence supported that people with FHP had significant alterations in limits of stability (n = 3), performance-based balance (n = 3), and cervical proprioception (n = 4). Controversial evidence existed for a relationship of FHP with static balance (n = 4) and postural stability control (n = 4). Limited evidence existed to support an alteration in gait and vestibular function. Three studies on induced FHP consistently identified no reduced postural control.
Significance: Current evidence supports an association between FHP and a detrimental alteration in limits of stability, performance-based balance, and cervical proprioception. Instead of simply indicating impaired overall balance, the findings of this review indicate that a reduction in specific aspects of the postural control requires to be clarified in clinical evaluation for individuals with FHP, which would facilitate the planning and application of appropriate interventions to prevent dysfunctions and disability.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.10.008 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Effectiveness of combined physical exercise and cognitive training in older adults with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Narra J
December 2024
Departement of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Falls among cognitively impaired older adults are a global concern. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of combining physical exercise and cognitive training to improve balance among older adults. A systematic search of databases, including Embase, Medline-OVID, CINAHL-EBSCOhost, and Central-Cochrane Library, was conducted from March 9 to April 6, 2023.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn a visual inverted pendulum balancing task avoiding impending falls gets harder as we age.
Exp Brain Res
January 2025
Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Laboratory, Brandeis University, MS 033, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA.
Younger adults (YA) and older adults (OA) used a joystick to stabilize an unstable visual inverted pendulum (VIP) with a fundamental frequency (.27 Hz) of half that of bipedal human sway. Their task was to keep the VIP upright and to avoid ± 60° "fall" boundaries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMerging motoneuron and postural synergies in prosthetic hand design for natural bionic interfacing.
Sci Robot
January 2025
Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College of London, London, UK.
Despite the advances in bionic reconstruction of missing limbs, the control of robotic limbs is still limited and, in most cases, not felt to be as natural by users. In this study, we introduce a control approach that combines robotic design based on postural synergies and neural decoding of synergistic behavior of spinal motoneurons. We developed a soft prosthetic hand with two degrees of actuation that realizes postures in a two-dimensional linear manifold generated by two postural synergies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBalance recovery and its link to vestibular agnosia in traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal behavioural and neuro-imaging study.
J Neurol
January 2025
Centre for Vestibular Neurology (CVeN), Department of Brain Sciences, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, W6 8RF, UK.
Background: Vestibular dysfunction causing imbalance affects c. 80% of acute hospitalized traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases. Poor balance recovery is linked to worse return-to-work rates and reduced longevity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: While aerobic exercises have demonstrated efficacy in slowing cognitive decline and improving psychological symptoms associated with cognitive impairments, they may not be feasible due to multiple disabilities. Other gentle exercises with mindful approaches, such as "Yoga-like", have been explored but lack clear evidence.
Aim: To assess the efficacy of a "Yoga-like" intervention on cognitive and psychological features in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer Disease (AD).
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!