Association of variations in Cranio-vertebral Angle and Vascular Parameters in patients with Forward Head Posture: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Cranio-vertebral Angle (CVA) is an estimate of the degree of alignment and cervical musculature which not only maintains the posture of the neck but also tends to impact significantly its physiological and biomechanical aspects. The aim of the study was to analyse the association between CVA and vascular parameters such as blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation and heart rate. It was a cross-sectional study which recruited patients with Forward Head Posture (FHP). Patients with Forward Head Posture, i.e., Cranio-Vertebral Angle < 53 degrees aged between 18 to 35 years irrespective of their gender and BMI were included within the study. A sample size of 100 participants was selected through purposive sampling technique. The outcome measure for measuring FHP was CVA using MB Ruler software, Blood pressure was measured using a standard sphygmomanometer, heartrate and oxygen saturation were measured using a standard oximeter. Normality was assessed using Kolmogorov Smirnoff Test which yielded parametric distribution of the data (since p-value > 0.05). The difference between the values of CVA and vascular parameters of the three instances were analysed using ANOVA. The correlational analysis using Pearson Correlational Coefficient suggests a strong positive correlation existing between CVA and POS while a strong negative correlation existing between CVA, SBP, DBP and HR. The overall power of the study yielded p-value of 0.009 and d value of 0.6 suggesting that good strength of the study. The main strength of study suggests strongly that CVA should be analysed in three different setups that is sitting posture, standing posture and concentration posture as analysed within this trial since its effect are varied all vascular parameters. Thus, it can be concluded that reduction in the CVA as in case of FHP can trigger the vascular parameters leading to further deterioration of health within such individuals. These vascular parameters constituting blood pressure both systolic and diastolic, peripheral oxygen saturation and heart rate can impact the interventions too being rendered to patients with FHP.