Ann Rehabil Med.  2012 Feb;36(1):98-104. 10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98.

The Effect of The Forward Head Posture on Postural Balance in Long Time Computer Based Worker

• Kang JH
• Park RY
• Lee SJ
• Kim JY
• Yoon SR
• Jung KI

• KMID: 2266786
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To estimate the effects of a relatively protruded head and neck posture on postural balance, in computer based worker. METHOD: Thirty participants, who work with computers for over 6 hrs per day (Group I), and thirty participants, who rarely work with computers (Group II), were enrolled. The head and neck posture was measured by estimating angles A and B. A being the angle between the tragus of the ear, the lateral canthus of the eye, and horizontal line and B the angle between the C7 spinous process, the tragus of the ear, and the horizontal line. The severity of head protrusion with neck extension was assessed by the subtraction of angle A from angle B. We also measured the center of gravity (COG) and postural balance by using computerized dynamic posturography to determine the effect of computer-based work on postural balance.
RESULTS
Results indicated that group I had a relatively more protruded head with extensive neck posture (angle B-A of group I and group II, 28.2+/-8.3, 32.9+/-6.0; p<.05). The COG of group I tended more toward the anterior than that of group II. Postural imbalance and impaired ability to regulate movement in forward and backward direction were also found.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that forward head postures during computer-based work may contribute to some disturbance in the balance of healthy adults. These results could be applied to education programs regarding correct postures when working at a computer for extended periods of time.

Keyword

Turtle neck; Center of gravity; Postural balance

MeSH Terms

Adult
Ear
Eye
Gravitation
Head
Humans
Neck
Postural Balance
Posture

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A is the angle between the tragus of the ear, the lateral canthus of the eye, and the horizontal line of the tragus. B is the angle between C7, the tragus of the ear, and the horizontal line of the C7 spinous process. The severity of the turtle neck posture was assessed by substraction of the angle A and from the angle B.

• 

  Fig. 2 Six conditions of sensory organization test (SOT)

Reference

1. Martin L, Scannell GF. Working safely with video display terminals. USA: OSHA;p. 1997–4.

2. AMA. Health effects of video display terminals. Council on Scientific Affairs. JAMA. 1987; 257:1508–1151. PMID: 3546748.

3. Rempel DM, Harrison RJ, Barnhart S. Work-related cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremity. JAMA. 1992; 267:838–842. PMID: 1732657.

4. Picavet HS, Schouten JS. Musculoskeletal pain in the Netherlands: prevalences, consequences and risk groups, the DMC(3)-study. Pain. 2003; 102:167–178. PMID: 12620608.

5. Kim DQ, Cho SH, Han TR, Kwon HJ, Ha M, Paik NJ. The effect of VDT work on work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 1998; 10:524–533.

6. Cho WH, Lee WY, Choi HK. An investigation on the biomechanical effects of turtle neck syndrome through EMG analysis. J Korean Soc Precision Eng. 2008; 1:195–196.

7. Yoo WG, YI CH, Jeon HS, Cynn HS, Choi HS. Effects of the height of ball-baskrest on head and shoulder posture and trunk muscle activity in VDT workers. Ind Health. 2008; 46:289–297. PMID: 18544890.

8. Szeto GP, Straker L, Raine S. A field comparison of neck and shoulder postures in symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers. Appl Ergon. 2002; 33:75–84. PMID: 11831210.

9. Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to cervicogenic headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004; 27:414–420. PMID: 15319765.

10. Burgess-Limerick R, Plooy A, Ankrum DR. The effect of imposed and self-selected computer monitor height on posture and gaze angle. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1998; 13:584–592.

11. Silva AG, Punt TD, Sharples P, Vilas-Boas JP, Johnson MI. Head posture and neck pain of chronic nontraumatic origin: a comparison between patients and pain-free persons. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 90:669–674. PMID: 19345785.

12. Griegel-Morris P, Larson K, Mueller-Klaus K, Oatis CA. Incidence of common postural abnormalities in the cervical, shoulder and thoracic regions and their association with pain in two age groups of healthy subjects. Phys Ther. 1992; 72:425–431. PMID: 1589462.

13. Chester JB Jr. Whiplash, postural control and the inner ear. Spine. 1991; 16:716–720. PMID: 1925743.

14. Barrett DS, Cobb AG, Bentley G. Joint proprioception in normal, osteoarthritic and replaced knees. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1991; 73:53–56. PMID: 1991775.

15. Poole E, Treleaven J, Jull G. The influence of neck pain on balance and gait parameters in community-dwelling elders. Man Ther. 2008; 13:317–324. PMID: 17553727.

16. Harrison AL, Barry-Greb T, Wojtowicz G. Clinical measurement of head and shoulder posture variables. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1996; 23:353–361. PMID: 8727015.

17. Visscher CM, De Boer W, Lobbezoo F, Habets LL, Naeije M. Is there a relationship between head posture and craniomandibular pain. J Oral Rehabil. 2002; 29:1030–1036. PMID: 12453255.

18. Park BJ, Park SB, Park JW, Lee SJ, Lee KH. The effects of physical factors on anteroposterior, intersical weight-bearing pattern and stance phase in normal adults. J Korean Acad Rehabil Med. 2008; 32:576–581.

19. Goh EK. Diagnostic significance of dynamic posturography. J Pusan Med Coll. 1991; 31:343–350.

20. Goh EK. Clinical application of computerized dynamic posturography. Res Vestibul Sci. 2005; 4:107–118.

21. Di Fabio RP. Sensitivity and specificity of platform posturography for identifying patients with vestibular dysfunction. Phys Ther. 1995; 75:290–305. PMID: 7899487.

22. Umphred DA. Neurological rehabilitation. 2001. 4th ed. St Louis: Mosby;p. 616–660.

23. Dornan J, Fernie GR, Holliday PJ. Visual input: its importance in the control of postural sway. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1978; 59:586–591. PMID: 367311.

24. Vernazza S, Alexandrov A, Massion J. Is the center of gravity controlled during upper trunk movements. Neurosci Lett. 1996; 206:77–80. PMID: 8710191.

25. Ming Z, Narhi M, Siivola J. Neck and shoulder pain related to computer use. Pathophysiology. 2004; 11:51–56. PMID: 15177516.