Forward Head PostureNCT07603947
Impact of Forward Head Posture on Postural Stability and Gait Kinematics
An observational study of Forward Head Posture and Postural Stability, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
1. Evaluate postural stability in subjects with forward head posture versus matching controls. 2. Evaluate gait parameters in subjects with forward head posture versus matching controls. 3. Investigate the correlation between postural stability and kinematic gait parameters in each group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Forward Head Posture, Postural Stability, Gait Analysis
- How many people
- 66 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 11 May 2026to 30 Dec 2026
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Day
- Phase
- Observational
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: The study population will consist of adult males and females recruited from the university community and surrounding local community. Participants aged 18-35 years will be screened for eligibility. Eligible participants will be allocated into two cohorts based on head posture assessment using craniovertebral angle measurement: individuals with forward head posture and healthy individuals with normal head posture. Participants must be able to walk independently without assistive devices and have no history of neurological, musculoskeletal, vestibular, or visual disorders that may affect balance or gait performance.
Who may be able to join
- Cranio-vertebral angle less than 50◦
- Age from 18-35 years old (Young adults)
- BMI from 18.5-24.9
- Participants can walk independently without assistive devices
Who cannot join
- Individuals are excluded if they have had:
- Neck trauma, recent fractures, or Surgery or any underlying neurological or systemic conditions affecting the neck
- Pregnancy or Malignancy
- any inability to comprehend or respond to study assessments
- Any known respiratory or cardiovascular conditions that might affect the results of gait analysis
- Vestibular problems, visual problems, and sensory impairment affecting balance
- If they are undergoing current physical therapy or ergonomic intervention for FHP
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Cairo University
Giza
Cairo university Cairo University, 0237617691, eth.com@pt.cu.edu
About this study
Official title: Impact of Forward Head Posture on Postural Stability and Kinematic Gait Characteristics: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study
- Evaluate postural stability in subjects with forward head posture versus matching controls.
- Evaluate gait parameters in subjects with forward head posture versus matching controls.
- Investigate the correlation between postural stability and kinematic gait parameters in each group.
Read the detailed description
Forward head posture (FHP) is a common sagittal-plane postural deviation characterized by anterior translation of the head relative to the trunk. It has become increasingly prevalent among young adults due to prolonged use of computers, smartphones, and other digital devices. FHP has been associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction, altered cervical biomechanics, impaired proprioception, and deficits in postural control.
Recent evidence indicates that altered cervical alignment may influence not only local cervical function but also whole-body balance control and locomotor performance. Changes in head and neck alignment may disrupt vestibular, visual, and somatosensory integration, thereby affecting postural stability and gait efficiency. Although previous studies have independently investigated the effects of FHP on balance or gait, the relationship between postural stability and detailed kinematic gait characteristics in individuals with FHP remains insufficiently understood.
Therefore, this comparative cross-sectional study will investigate the impact of forward head posture on postural stability and kinematic gait characteristics in asymptomatic young adults.
A total of 66 participants of both sexes, aged between 18 and 35 years, will be recruited and assigned into two groups:
Forward Head Posture Group: participants with craniovertebral angle less than 50 degrees.
Control Group: participants with normal cervical posture.
Each participant will attend one laboratory-based assessment session.
Assessment Procedures
- Postural Assessment Craniovertebral angle will be measured using standardized lateral photography and a smartphone-based digital angle measurement application for group allocation.
- Postural Stability Assessment Dynamic postural stability will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System. Participants will perform bilateral stance testing at stability level 6 for three trials of 20 seconds each, with 10-second rest intervals. Outcome measures will include: Overall Stability Index Anterior-Posterior Stability Index Mediolateral Stability Index
- Gait Assessment
Spatiotemporal gait characteristics will be assessed using the Biodex Gait Trainer. Following a familiarization period, participants will walk under two testing conditions:
Self-selected comfortable walking speed Fast walking speed
Outcome measures will include:
Walking velocity Step length Cadence Symmetry indices Temporal gait parameters Primary Objective
To compare postural stability and gait characteristics between young adults with forward head posture and healthy controls.
Secondary Objective
To investigate the relationship between postural stability measures and gait parameters within each group.
Statistical Analysis
Descriptive statistics will be calculated for all variables. Between-group comparisons will be performed using one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Correlation analysis will be performed to examine associations between postural stability and gait parameters. Statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05.
- Conditions
- Forward Head Posture, Postural Stability, Gait Analysis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Head Posture Group | Participants with clinically identified forward head posture based on craniovertebral angle assessment. Postural stability and gait kinematic characteristics will be assessed during standardized testing procedures. | |
| Control Group | Age- and sex-matched healthy participants with normal head posture. Postural stability and gait kinematic characteristics will be assessed using the same standardized procedures. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Walking speed
Kinematic Gait characteristic, measured in meter/second
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Overall stability index
one of the postural stability outcome measures, Higher values indicate poorer balance
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Step Cycle
Kinematic Gait characteristic measured in cycle/sec
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Mediolateral Stability index
one of the postural stability index outcome measures, Higher values indicate poorer balance
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Anteroposterior Stability index
one of the postural stability outcome measures, Higher values indicate poorer balance in the anteroposterior directions
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Step Length
Kinematic gait characteristic, measured in cm
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 May 2026
- Study start11 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion11 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Forward Head PostureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 1 Day
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yasmin Magdy Othman, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07603947
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006413
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 11 May 2026
- Last updated
- 22 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No