Forward Head Posture Differences in Tension Headaches

NCT07726303 | Active Not Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/006297
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

it evaluates forward head posture (craniovertebral angle), resting scapular alignment (upward rotation, anterior tilt, protraction, depression), and dynamic scapular kinematics (upward rotation, anterior-posterior tilt) between tension-type headache and controls.

Conditions

Tension-Type Headache

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• forward head posture (craniovertebral angle)

  forward head posture (craniovertebral angle) Using the Smartphone application AI Posture Evaluation and Correction System (APECS), CVA will be measured. Patients or subjects will stand on the right lateral view, while an adjustable tripod will hold the mobile phone (iPhone 11) camera at shoulder height, positioned 1.5 meters from the patient for standardization. craniovertebral angle (CVA) is measured in degrees (°).

  at baseline

• resting scapular alignment

  resting scapular alignment (upward rotation, anterior tilt, protraction, depression) is assessed using a modified digital inclinometer and recorded in degrees (°). The subject's resting scapular alignment of protraction, upward rotation, anterior tilt, and depression in a standing posture. Markers will be positioned on the inferior angle of the scapula, the posterolateral side of the acromion, and the scapular spine's root before scapular position measurements

  at baseline

• Dynamic scapular kinematics

  Dynamic scapular kinematics is assessed using digital inclinometer and recorded in degrees (°). The subject's scapular position will be measured during upward rotation, anterior tilt, and posterior tilt in a standing posture. Before the test, the landmarks will be determined before the measurement (scapula inferior angle, posterior lateral of the acromion, and scapula spine) and markers will be attached

  at baseline

Study Arms (2)

Tension-type headache (TTH) group

evaluates forward head posture (craniovertebral angle), resting scapular alignment (upward rotation, anterior tilt, protraction, depression), and dynamic scapular kinematics (upward rotation, anterior-posterior tilt) in tension-type headache subjects

Diagnostic Test: forward head posture , resting scapular alignment and dynamic scapular kinematics

control group

evaluates forward head posture (craniovertebral angle), resting scapular alignment (upward rotation, anterior tilt, protraction, depression), and dynamic scapular kinematics (upward rotation, anterior-posterior tilt) in asymptomatic subjects.

Diagnostic Test: forward head posture , resting scapular alignment and dynamic scapular kinematics

Interventions

forward head posture , resting scapular alignment and dynamic scapular kinematics DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

forward head posture using the Smartphone application AI Posture Evaluation and Correction System (APECS), resting scapular alignment using a modified digital inclinometer and dynamic scapular kinematics using The digital inclinometer

Tension-type headache (TTH) group; control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling method at the outpatient clinic, faculty of physical therapy, Sinai University, Egypt. Cases are consisting of individuals diagnosed with tension-type headache. Controls are healthy individuals without a history of tension-type headache. Eligible participants who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria and provide informed consent will be enrolled during the study period.

You may qualify if:

• Patients will be included if they meet the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society for Tension-Type Headache
• Score of 8 in screening questionnaire of TTH
• Patients' age ranges from 20 to 40 years
• BMI will range from 18.5- 29.9 kg/m2
• Chronic and frequent episodic Tension-Type Headache as duration of patient's symptoms is more than three months

You may not qualify if:

• Abnormal neurological symptoms (cervical radiculopathy-motor manifestation)
• Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency
• Systemic diseases e.g., Multiple sclerosis
• Diabetes and hypertension
• History of head trauma
• History of epileptic fits
• History of previous head or neck surgery
• History of Shoulder

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Cairo University

Giza, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tension-Type Headache

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Headache Disorders, Primary; Headache Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: lecturer of physical therapy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 20, 2026
• First Posted: July 24, 2026
• Study Start: January 16, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 25, 2026
• Study Completion: July 30, 2026
• Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

EG (1)