NCT06439472

Effectiveness of the Suboccipital Inhibition Technique in Forward Head Posture.

Effectiveness of the Suboccipital Inhibition Technique in Individuals With Forward Head Posture: Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In this randomized controlled experimental trial, it is aimed to verify the effectiveness of applying the suboccipital inhibition technique in altering forward head posture, increasing the craniovertebral angle and decreasing the angle between the chin, the external acoustic meatus and the sternal angle.

Detailed description

Forward head posture (FHP) is defined as misalignment of the head caused by anterior translation of the head in relation to the trunk, The incidence rate of this postural alteration is 66% in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50. In order to diagnose this alteration, two angles are used: the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and the angle between the chin, the external acoustic meatus and the sternal angle (AMME), with the CVA being the reference angle for diagnosing a FHP. According to the literature, when the CVA is less than 49.9º, there is a FHP. We decided to use the suboccipital inhibition technique, which according to Eileen DiGiovanna et al (2005), causes a decrease in muscle tension leading to their relaxation. This relaxation, according to Heredia Rizo et al (2012), has significant effects on increasing CVA, which in turn will decrease AMME, resulting in a positive change in FHP.

Conditions

• Individuals With Forward Head Posture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Suboccipital Inhibition Technique	The researcher will place their palms under the patient's head and use their fingers to contact the occipital condyles. Next, the researcher will place the 3rd and 4th fingers of each hand in the space between the occiput and the spinous process of C2. The metacarpophalangeal joints are at 90º flexion, with the base of the skull resting on their hands while they apply constant, non-painful pressure in a postero-anterior direction, keeping the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers together in extension. Afterwards, the researcher applies a light and gentle traction in a cephalad direction in order to relieve the suboccipital area. Once the suboccipital muscles have relaxed, the researcher gently removes the contact, leaving the participant's head resting on the table. This technique is performed for 4 minutes.
OTHER	Sham Technique	The participant is instructed to lie down in the supine position while the mediator assumes a position at the head of the table and places their hands on the participant's shoulders. This technique is performed for 4 minutes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-09-01
• Primary completion: 2024-12-01
• Completion: 2024-12-01
• First posted: 2024-06-03
• Last updated: 2024-06-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Portugal