Gozde TEKE, Dilek COKAR, Mirsad ALKAN
Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi - 2026;12(2):103-108
Objective: This study aimed to examine whether cervicothoracic posture influences pain and postural control by exploring its relationship with upper extremity dynamic postural control and lower extremity loading patterns. Methods: Forty-six adults aged 18-55 years participated. Individuals with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) <54 derece were classified as the forward head posture (FHP) group, and those with CVA >=54 derece as the control group. Assessments included pain (Visual Analog Scale (VAS)), posture (PostureScreen Mobile(R)), upper extremity dynamic postural control (Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (UQYBT)), functional status (Neck Disability Index (NDI)), neck awareness (Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FreNAQ)), and plantar pressure (FreeMed(R) pedobarograph). Results: Groups were demographically comparable (p>0.05). The FHP group showed significantly lower CVA values (51.33+/-2.4 derece vs. 61.78+/-3.7 derece; p<0.001). Pain and FreNAQ scores were higher in the FHP group (p<0.05), while NDI, and UQYBT did not differ (p>0.05). Among plantar pressure parameters, only static maximum pressure - left was higher in controls (p=0.019). CVA demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with pain (r=-0.514; p<0.001), a weak negative correlation with FreNAQ (r=-0.395; p=0.007), and a weak positive correlation with static maximum pressure - left (r=0.331; p=0.025). Conclusion: FHP was observed to be associated with increased pain and reduced neck awareness, while differences in plantar pressure parameters were limited. The lack of group differences in disability, upper extremity dynamic control, and quality of life may be related to the sample size and study design. These findings suggest that pain, neck awareness, and plantar loading characteristics may be considered alongside CVA in postural evaluation.
