Effect of the craniocervical brace on craniocervical angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, and trunk extensor muscle activity during typing in subjects with forward head posture.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between forward head posture (FHP) and thoracic kyphosis has been a subject of interest in the rehabilitation field for visual display terminal workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of the craniocervical brace use on craniocervical angle (CCA), thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), and trunk extensor muscle activity.

METHODS: Twelve young male subjects with forward head posture (21.6±1.9 years) participated in this study. We compared CCA & TKA and trunk extensor muscle activity between with and without application of the craniocervical brace during visual display terminal work.

RESULTS: When wearing the craniocervical brace, the subjects demonstrated significantly greater CCA at the start and the end of the task and less change in CCA during the task (p < 0.05). While non-significantly less TKA was seen at the start of the task, significantly less TKA was observed at the end of the task when using the craniocervical brace (p < 0.05). The craniocervical brace use also led to significantly less change in TKA (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the trunk extensor muscle activity.

CONCLUSIONS: Use of the craniocervical brace decreased FHP immediately, lessened thoracic kyphosis over time, and prevented the worsening of FHP and thoracic kyphosis during visual display terminal work.