Relationship Between Forward Head Posture and Sagittal Lumbopelvic Alignment Among Smartphone Users

NCT07633678 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FHP-LPA-Smartphone-2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 85
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Forward head posture is a common postural abnormality characterized by anterior positioning of the head in the sagittal plane. This posture may increase biomechanical stress on the cervical spine and may be associated with compensatory changes in spinal and lumbopelvic alignment. This observational study will investigate the relationship between forward head posture and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment among male smartphone users aged 18 to 35 years. Craniovertebral angle will be measured using the APECS mobile application, and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment parameters will be measured using the Spine3D LiDAR system.

Conditions

Forward Head Posture; Sagittal Lumbopelvic Alignment; Postural Alignment

Keywords

Smartphone users; Craniovertebral angle; Forward head posture; Sagittal alignment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Correlation Coefficient Between Craniovertebral Angle Measured by APECS Mobile Application and Lordotic Angle Measured by Spine3D LiDAR

  The Pearson correlation coefficient will be calculated between craniovertebral angle and lordotic angle. Craniovertebral angle will be measured in degrees using the APECS mobile application. Lordotic angle will be measured in degrees using the Spine3D LiDAR system by Sensor Medica. The correlation coefficient is unitless.

  single assessment session at enrollment

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Correlation Coefficient Between Craniovertebral Angle Measured by APECS Mobile Application and Lumbar Arrow Measured by Spine3D LiDAR

  single assessment session at enrollment

• Correlation Coefficient Between Craniovertebral Angle Measured by APECS Mobile Application and Trunk Inclination Measured by Spine3D LiDAR

  single assessment session at enrollment

Study Arms (1)

Male Smartphone Users With Forward Head Posture

Male participants aged 18 to 35 years who use smartphones for at least 4 hours per day for at least 6 months and have forward head posture, defined by craniovertebral angle equal to or less than 50 degrees. Participants will be assessed for craniovertebral angle and sagittal lumbopelvic alignment parameters during a single assessment session.

Diagnostic Test: Craniovertebral Angle Assessment Using APECS Mobile Application; Diagnostic Test: Sagittal Lumbopelvic Alignment Assessment Using Spine3D LiDAR

Interventions

Craniovertebral Angle Assessment Using APECS Mobile Application DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The craniovertebral angle will be measured using the APECS mobile application to assess forward head posture. Participants with a craniovertebral angle equal to or less than 50 degrees will be considered to have forward head posture.

Male Smartphone Users With Forward Head Posture

Sagittal Lumbopelvic Alignment Assessment Using Spine3D LiDAR DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Sagittal lumbopelvic alignment will be assessed using the Spine3D LiDAR system by Sensor Medica. The measured parameters will include lordotic angle, lumbar arrow, and trunk inclination.

Male Smartphone Users With Forward Head Posture

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Male smartphone users aged 18 to 35 years with forward head posture, recruited from outpatient clinics and students of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Sphinx University. Eligible participants use smartphones for at least 4 hours per day for at least 6 months and have craniovertebral angle equal to or less than 50 degrees. Participants are medically stable and free from diagnosed musculoskeletal or neurological conditions.

You may qualify if:

• Male participants aged 18 to 35 years.
• Craniovertebral angle equal to or less than 50 degrees, measured photographically using the APECS mobile application.
• Body mass index from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m².
• Smartphone use of at least 4 hours per day for at least 6 months.
• Asymptomatic participants without diagnosed musculoskeletal or neurological conditions.
• Medically stable participants.
• Participants willing to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• History of trauma.
• Major psychological problems.
• Previous surgery involving the spine, abdomen, or shoulders.
• Spinal deformity.
• Lower limb deformity.
• Low back pain.
• Current or chronic pain in the neck, back, or pelvis.
• Obesity.
• Concomitant systemic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or cancer.
• Pregnancy.
• Degenerative or radicular cervical spine disorders, including cervical spondylosis, cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical radiculopathy, or cervical spinal stenosis.
• Degenerative or radicular lumbar spine disorders, including herniated disc or lumbar spinal stenosis.
• Participation in regular postural correction therapy or specific spine-focused exercise programs within the previous 6 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Deraya University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Deraya university, faculty of physical therapy

Minya, Menia Governorate, Egypt

Location

Related Publications (8)

• Ahmed SM, et al. Relationship between forward head posture and sacral slope angle. Current Science International. 2019. doi:10.36632/csi/2019.8.4.22

  BACKGROUND

• Kim EK, Kim SG. Forward head posture (FHP) angle and plantar pressure resulting from oscillatory stimulation training of the shoulder joint: A randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2019;32(1):37-42. doi: 10.3233/BMR-160748.

  PMID: 30056409 BACKGROUND

• Berthonnaud E, Dimnet J, Roussouly P, Labelle H. Analysis of the sagittal balance of the spine and pelvis using shape and orientation parameters. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2005 Feb;18(1):40-7. doi: 10.1097/01.bsd.0000117542.88865.77.

  PMID: 15687851 BACKGROUND

• Elabd AM, Elabd OM. Relationships between forward head posture and lumbopelvic sagittal alignment in older adults with chronic low back pain. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Oct;28:150-156. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.07.036. Epub 2021 Aug 8.

  PMID: 34776134 BACKGROUND

• Richards KV, Beales DJ, Smith AJ, O'Sullivan PB, Straker LM. Neck Posture Clusters and Their Association With Biopsychosocial Factors and Neck Pain in Australian Adolescents. Phys Ther. 2016 Oct;96(10):1576-1587. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20150660. Epub 2016 May 12.

  PMID: 27174256 BACKGROUND

• Asadzadeh A, Salahzadeh Z, Samad-Soltani T, Rezaei-Hachesu P. An affordable and immersive virtual reality-based exercise therapy in forward head posture. PLoS One. 2024 Mar 6;19(3):e0297863. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297863. eCollection 2024.

  PMID: 38446782 BACKGROUND

• Kuss DJ, Kanjo E, Crook-Rumsey M, Kibowski F, Wang GY, Sumich A. Problematic Mobile Phone Use and Addiction Across Generations: the Roles of Psychopathological Symptoms and Smartphone Use. J Technol Behav Sci. 2018;3(3):141-149. doi: 10.1007/s41347-017-0041-3. Epub 2018 Jan 8.

  PMID: 30238057 BACKGROUND

• Lee S, Kang H, Shin G. Head flexion angle while using a smartphone. Ergonomics. 2015;58(2):220-6. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2014.967311. Epub 2014 Oct 17.

  PMID: 25323467 RESULT

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 1, 2026
• First Posted: June 8, 2026
• Study Start: June 5, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 5, 2026
• Study Completion: May 5, 2026
• Last Updated: June 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)