Effect of kinetic control training on pain and craniovertebral angle symptomatic forward head posture

Introduction
Forward head posture (FHP) is a condition where the head shifts anteriorly in the cervical spine's sagittal plane, which affects the activation of the muscles encompassing the shoulder complex as well as scapular mechanics, leading to changes in force couples, tissue overuse, pain, weakness in the deep cervical flexors, and uncontrolled movement of the cervical and shoulder muscles.

Material and methods
Forty-two participants with symptomatic FHP, aged 18-40 years, were randomly distributed into two equal groups; in the control group (A), 21 participants received conventional physical therapy; in the experimental group (B), 21 participants underwent the same treatment as the control group plus kinetic control exercises (KC). Treatments were conducted three times weekly for four weeks. Craniovertebral angle (CVA) by Photographic Posture Analysis Method, pain severity by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), neck function by Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Deep Cervical Flexor Endurance (DCFE) by Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT) were evaluated pre- and post-study program.

Results
Post-intervention, comparisons between groups demonstrated a further significant improvement in NDI and DCFE in group B compared to group A (p < 0.05) across both groups.

Conclusions
KC is more effective in improving DCFE (motor control) and functional disability than conventional therapy. Both KC and conventional therapy demonstrated equal effectiveness in enhancing CVA and NPRS.