Pilates Effects on Forward Head Posture: A Clinical Trial

NCT06883721 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2023-02/02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate and compare the effects of 8-week Pilates exercises and cervical stabilization exercises on pain, posture, range of motion, quality of life, and body composition in individuals with forward head posture (FHP). FHP is a common postural disorder characterized by the anterior displacement of the head relative to the cervical spine. This condition can lead to neck pain, muscle tension, and limited movement. The study will include participants aged 18-50 years with FHP. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the Pilates group or the cervical stabilization exercise group. The Pilates group will participate in Pilates exercises twice a week for 8 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The cervical stabilization exercise group will perform cervical stabilization exercises at home for the same duration. The primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of Pilates and cervical stabilization exercises on FHP. Participants' posture, neck pain, range of motion, quality of life, and body composition will be measured before and after the 8-week intervention. These measurements will be used to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the two exercise methods on FHP. This study seeks to investigate the effectiveness of Pilates in the treatment of FHP and contribute to the scientific literature in this field. The findings may help determine the most appropriate exercise method for individuals with FHP.

Conditions

Forward Head Posture

Keywords

Forward head posture; Pilates; Craniovertebral angle; Cervical stabilization; Randomized controlled trial; Neck pain; Posture; Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)

  The craniovertebral angle (CVA), a key metric and a widely used measure for assessing forward head posture (FHP), will be evaluated using standardized digital photogrammetry. Lateral photographs will be captured using a Fujifilm XT-3 mirrorless camera equipped with a 35mm lens. The CVA will be calculated as the angle between a line connecting the tragus and C7 markers and a horizontal reference line parallel to the floor. Higher CVA values will indicate a less severe forward head posture, reflecting better postural alignment.

  Baseline (week 0) and after the 8-week intervention (week 8).

• Neck Pain Intensity

  Neck pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10 cm line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable/most severe pain). Participants will be instructed to rate their neck-specific discomfort on this scale. Lower scores will indicate less pain, while higher scores will indicate more severe pain.

  Baseline (week 0) and after the 8-week intervention (week 8).

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Posture

  Baseline (week 0) and after the 8-week intervention (week 8)

• Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)

  Baseline (week 0) and after the 8-week intervention (week 8)

• SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire

  Baseline (week 0) and after the 8-week intervention (week 8)

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Baseline (week 0) and after the 8-week intervention (week 8)

• Waist-to-hip ratio

  Baseline (week 0) and after the 8-week intervention (week 8)

Study Arms (2)

Pilates Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group performed Pilates exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. The exercises included mat and equipment-based exercises, focusing on core stabilization, breathing control, and postural alignment. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased throughout the intervention period.

Behavioral: Pilates

Cervical Stabilization Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group performed cervical stabilization exercises at home twice daily for 8 weeks.

Behavioral: Cervical stabilization exercise

Interventions

Pilates BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this group performed Pilates exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. The exercises included mat and equipment-based exercises, focusing on core stabilization, breathing control, and postural alignment. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased throughout the intervention period.

Pilates Exercise Group

Cervical stabilization exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this group performed cervical stabilization exercises at home twice daily for 8 weeks. The exercises included chin tucks, cervical extensions, shoulder elevations, and scapular retractions.

Cervical Stabilization Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18-50 years.
• Craniovertebral angle (CVA) \< 54°
• Sedentary lifestyle

You may not qualify if:

• History of spinal surgery (cervical/thoracic/lumbar) or neurological disorders.
• Acute or severe cervical trauma (e.g., fractures, whiplash injuries).
• Spinal deformities (e.g., scoliosis, kyphosis).
• Recent physiotherapy/manual therapy (within the past 6 months).
• Regular use of analgesics, muscle relaxants, or steroids.
• Active participation in regular exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bahçeşehir University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Physiolab Physiotherapy Center

Antalya, Alanya, 07460, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Interventions

Exercise Movement Techniques

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: A blinded assessor performed all outcome measurements (NYPRS, VAS, goniometry, SF-36, anthropometric measurements).
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Specialist Physiotherapist, PhD Student

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (Pilates exercise group, n=18) or a control group (cervical stabilization exercise group, n=18) for an 8-week intervention period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 5, 2025
• First Posted: March 19, 2025
• Study Start: January 25, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 18, 2023
• Study Completion: May 18, 2023
• Last Updated: March 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: IPD and supporting information will be available starting March 5, 2025 and will remain accessible for 5 years.
• Access Criteria: Anonymized individual participant data (IPD) and supporting documents (study protocol, statistical analysis plan, informed consent form) will be provided upon request to researchers affiliated with academic institutions who have collaborated with the institution where the study was conducted and have signed a data use agreement. To access the data, researchers must submit their research proposals and request forms directly to yusufyasasin@gmail.com. The data will be stored on the secure server of the institution where the study was conducted. Access requests will be approved by the ethics committee of the institution where the study was conducted.

Locations

TU (1)