Forward head posture (FHP) angle and plantar pressure resulting from oscillatory stimulation training of the shoulder joint: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Oscillatory stimulation provides strong sensory stimulation, which can activate muscle spindles, strengthening proprioceptive sense and, therefore, helping to strengthen the muscles involved in posture stability.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to investigate the difference in average distribution of plantar pressure resulting from changes in the forward head position (FHP) angle caused by controlling muscle activity in the neck and shoulders through Bodyblade.

METHODS:

The subjects were divided into an experimental group (Bodyblade, $n=$ 15) and a control group (general physiotherapy, $n=$ 15). Eighteen sessions of exercise were implemented. Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and cranial rotation angle (CRA) were measured to evaluate the change of FHP. The Gaitview AFA-50 (Alfoots Co, Korea) was used to measure the plantar pressure distribution.

RESULTS:

The experimental group showed a larger increase in CVA than the control group ( $p<$ 0.05). Only the experimental group showed a significant decrease in CRA ( $p<$ 0.05).

Both the anterior pressure and posterior pressure showed a significant improvement only in the experimental group ( $p<$ 0.05). The experimental group showed a larger increase in anterior/posterior ratio than the control group ( $p<$ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Bodyblade improves the angle of FHP, thus positively affecting the average ratio of plantar pressure.