Reem Mohamed Atta Abdel Salam ElKaffas
Asst. Lecturer
Effect of adding cervicothoracic mobilization to comprehensive corrective exercises on postural alignment and neck functional level in upper crossed syndrome: randomized controlled trial
fizjoterapia polska • 2025
Publication Information
Authors
Reem Mohamed Atta1(A,B,G), Abeer Abdelrahman Yamany2(D,E), Hassan Hussein Ahmed3(C,E),
Rania Reffat Ali2(B,F), Hebatallah Mohamed Said Zaghloul4(C,G) , Hanaa Kenawy Atta2(F,D)
Keywords
cervicothoracic mobilization, postural alignment, neck pain, neck disability, upper crossed syndrome
Journal
fizjoterapia polska
Publisher
Fizjoterapia Polska
Volume
1
Issue
25
Pages
177-184
publication.type
Local
Paper Link
Open Link
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction. Upper crossed syndrome (UCS) is a prevalent musculoskeletal ailment marked by shortening and weakness in the neck, shoulders, and
upper back muscles. Poor posture, including forward head posture (FHP), rounded shoulders, and hyperkyphosis, often induces the syndrome, particularly
when individuals engage with gadgets, read, or drive.
Objectives. To explore the efficacy of integrating cervicothoracic mobilization into comprehensive corrective exercises on FHP angle, rounded shoulder
(RS), kyphosis, neck pain, and functional level among patients suffering from UCS.
Material and methods. Sixty patients of both sexes with UCS took part in this study. Patients were randomly assigned using computerized block randomization
into two equal groups. Group A consisted of thirty patients who underwent cervicothoracic mobilization in addition to comprehensive corrective
exercises, while Group B included thirty patients who received only comprehensive corrective exercises.
The assessment was performed before and after the treatment period. FHP and RS were assessed using the lateral view of the craniovertebral angle
(CVA) and the sagittal shoulder angle (SSA). The kyphotic angle was assessed using a flexicurve, pain level was evaluated via the Visual Analogue Scale
(VAS), and neck functional level was assessed using the Arabic version of the Neck Disability Index (NDI‑Ar). The intervention was performed three times
weekly for eight weeks for all patients.
Results. Group A exhibited a statistically significant increase in CVA and SSA, along with a reduction in thoracic kyphosis angle, VAS, and NDI, in comparison
to Group B.
Conclusion. Cervicothoracic mobilization was effective in treating UCS by improving FHP, rounded shoulders, kyphotic angle, neck pain, and neck dysfunction
when combined with comprehensive corrective exercises.
Introduction. Upper crossed syndrome (UCS) is a prevalent musculoskeletal ailment marked by shortening and weakness in the neck, shoulders, and
upper back muscles. Poor posture, including forward head posture (FHP), rounded shoulders, and hyperkyphosis, often induces the syndrome, particularly
when individuals engage with gadgets, read, or drive.
Objectives. To explore the efficacy of integrating cervicothoracic mobilization into comprehensive corrective exercises on FHP angle, rounded shoulder
(RS), kyphosis, neck pain, and functional level among patients suffering from UCS.
Material and methods. Sixty patients of both sexes with UCS took part in this study. Patients were randomly assigned using computerized block randomization
into two equal groups. Group A consisted of thirty patients who underwent cervicothoracic mobilization in addition to comprehensive corrective
exercises, while Group B included thirty patients who received only comprehensive corrective exercises.
The assessment was performed before and after the treatment period. FHP and RS were assessed using the lateral view of the craniovertebral angle
(CVA) and the sagittal shoulder angle (SSA). The kyphotic angle was assessed using a flexicurve, pain level was evaluated via the Visual Analogue Scale
(VAS), and neck functional level was assessed using the Arabic version of the Neck Disability Index (NDI‑Ar). The intervention was performed three times
weekly for eight weeks for all patients.
Results. Group A exhibited a statistically significant increase in CVA and SSA, along with a reduction in thoracic kyphosis angle, VAS, and NDI, in comparison
to Group B.
Conclusion. Cervicothoracic mobilization was effective in treating UCS by improving FHP, rounded shoulders, kyphotic angle, neck pain, and neck dysfunction
when combined with comprehensive corrective exercises.