Effect of Pilates Exercises on Forward Head Posture in Breastfeeding Women

NCT06271850 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/004949
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 74
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Musculoskeletal postural issues stemming from infant care positions can exert a significant impact on the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. These positions can induce mechanical alterations in the spine's natural curvature, potentially resulting in long-term deformities in postnatal women such as forward head posture (FHP), ultimately contributing to physical disability over the long term.so, The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Pilates exercises on FHP in breastfeeding women.

Conditions

Breastfeeding

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Measurement of craniovertebral angle (CVA)

  It will be measured before and after treatment program by using posture screen analysis mobile application. This method has many advantages, as it is relatively fast, the image and values obtained are easily preserved, and it is more precise and reliable than visual evaluation alone The CVA is the best indicator of FHP. To determine this angle, two references are defined: One line that runs from the swallow of the ear to seventh cervical vertebra (C7) and another horizontal line parallel to the ground that passes only through the spinous apophysis of C7. An angle of less than 50°-53° may indicate FHP. Thereby, the smaller the CVA, the greater the disability

  up to 8 weeks

• Assessment of neck pain intensity

  It will be evaluated before and after treatment program by using VAS, which is a linear scale that measures the magnitude of pain severity. It encompasses a horizontal line scaled as a spectrum from mild pain beginning from the left to increasing severity to the right end of the horizontal line. The line is 10 cm in length, with each side of the line ending in extremes either no pain or intense pain. In terms of utilization, each participant will mark her pain on the line of the spectrum of the scale

  up to 8 weeks

• Measurement of cervical range of motion

  It will be measured before and after treatment program by goniometer. The movements that will measured by the goniometer include flexion and extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left rotation. The goniometer will be placed on the participant's head. During all the measurements, the participant will be seated, with her back straight, and looking ahead; her feet will be supported on the floor. The participant will remain in the same sitting position from the moment the recording procedure will start. The measurement will be performed from "the neutral" position to the final range of motion in a given plane. The participant will perform a practice trial. During each trial, the movement will be executed to reflect the participant's maximum capabilities. When the maximum movement will be performed in one direction, the final position will be identified and recorded

  up to 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Evaluation of disability due to neck pain

  up to 8 weeks

• Assessment of neck muscle fatigue

  up to 8 weeks

• Assessment of breastfeeding self-efficacy

  up to 8 weeks

• Measurement of weight and height of baby

  up to 8 weeks

• Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life

  up to 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Ergonomic breastfeeding training (control group)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

They will receive ergonomics breastfeeding training only.

Other: Ergonomics breastfeeding training

Pilates exercises and ergonomic breastfeeding training (study group)

EXPERIMENTAL

They will receive Pilates exercises, in addition to ergonomics breastfeeding training.

Other: Ergonomics breastfeeding training; Other: Pilates exercises

Interventions

Ergonomics breastfeeding training OTHER

The ergonomics training includes the most ergonomically appropriate methods to breastfeed and ergonomic guidelines, including how to cuddle and breastfeed the baby correctly.

Ergonomic breastfeeding training (control group); Pilates exercises and ergonomic breastfeeding training (study group)

Pilates exercises OTHER

Pilates exercises, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks, in the form of neck extensor stretching, neck extensor and rotation stretching, pectoral muscle stretching, strengthening of deep neck flexors and scapular retractor, and core strengthening exercises ( pelvic bridging, plank, cat and camel, curl up, single leg abdominal press and double leg abdominal press).

Pilates exercises and ergonomic breastfeeding training (study group)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• All women are breastfeeding and will have FHP.
• They are between six to twelve months post-delivery.
• They should have a single, healthy, and full-term baby without complications.
• Their body mass index (BMI) will not exceed 30 Kg/m2.
• Their parity will range from 2 to 3 children.
• They are housewife.

You may not qualify if:

• Cancer of the breast or the surrounding area, any previous breast or chest surgery, breast infection, retracted, cracked, inflamed or inverted nipples.
• Any cardiorespiratory disease, anemia, or diabetes mellitus.
• Recent fracture or surgery of the cervical spine or shoulder.
• History of physical and mental diseases.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Doaa Onsy Ewass

Port Said, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Breast Feeding

Interventions

Exercise Movement Techniques

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding Behavior; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics

Study Officials

• Khadega S Abd El Aziz, PHD

  Cairo University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 15, 2024
• First Posted: February 22, 2024
• Study Start: February 20, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 20, 2024
• Study Completion: January 20, 2025
• Last Updated: April 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF

Locations

EG (1)