Efficacy of posture correction band vs. McKenzie's exercises on pulmonary function and chest expansion in asymptomatic population with forward head posture.

Background: Poor posture and sedentary lifestyle cause Forward Head Posture (FHP). To correct this, a Posture Correction Band (PCB) is commonly used. However, the efficacy of PCB vs. McKenzie's Exercises on pulmonary function and chest expansion in asymptomatic individuals with FHP was not known.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of PCB vs. McKenzie's Exercises on the Pulmonary function and chest expansion in asymptomatic population with FHP.

Methodology: A Randomized control trial was conducted on forty-two subjects with FHP. Subjects were divided in two groups. G1 group was educated as per McKenzie's exercises to perform once daily for a month. The Pulmonary function test and chest expansion of this group was performed before and after the McKenzie exercises. G2 group wore PCB for 2 h daily for a month and their PFT and chest expansion was recorded before and after the trial. FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR and Chest expansion were measured.

Results: The P-value of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and PEFR between the groups (treatment group) was significant as 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.02 respectively. The chest expansion was non-significant between the groups (treatment group) with P-value as 0.553, 0.493 and 0.699 at axillary, 4th intercostal and xiphisternum level respectively. The P-value of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and PEFR between the groups (control group) was non-significant as 0.682, 0.149, 0.424 and 0.414 respectively. The chest expansion was also non-significant between the groups (control group) with P-value as 0.853, 0.651 and 0.763 at axillary, 4th intercostal and xiphisternum level.

Conclusion: The study concluded that there were significant effects of both Posture Correction Band and Mc'Kenzie exercises on pulmonary function with greater difference seen with PCB and non-significant effects on chest expansion in terms of P-values in treatment group.