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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.