Association between Forward Head Posture and Sympathetic Sudomotor Outflow in Asymptomatic Subjects

Research Abstract

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FORWARD HEAD POSTURE AND SYMPATHETIC SUDOMOTOR OUTFLOW IN ASYMPTOMATIC SUBJECTS. Background: The adverse effects of forward head posture (FHP), which considered as a common posture translating displacement with average estimation of 66%, but there is a lack of literature concerning its effect on sympathetic nerve fibers. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the association between forward head posture and the latency and amplitude of sympathetic skin response (SSR). Design: Correlation study. Setting: Electromyography (EMG) lab of Faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University. Participants: Thirty subjects with mean age 25.9 ± 2.48 years, mean height 175.8 ± 6.848 cm, mean weight 84.06 ± 9.93 kg and mean body mass index 29.8 ± 1.32 kg/m2 were participated in this study with craniovertebral angle (CVA) or forward head angle mean 34.2 ± 3.5O. Method: FHP was assessed by CVA and sympathetic sudomotor outflow was assessed by measuring latency and amplitude of SSR. Results: There was significant correlation between CVA and latency of SSR (r = -0.6050, p < 0.004), and between CVA and amplitude of SSR (r = 0.4377, p = 0.015). Conclusion: It was concluded that there was significant correlation between CVA and latency of SSR, between CVA and amplitude of SSR. CVA is a predictor for change in latency and amplitude of SSR. Key words: forward head posture, sympathetic outflow, sympathetic response, latency, amplitude.

Research Keywords

Association between Forward Head Posture and Sympathetic Sudomotor Outflow in Asymptomatic Subjects