Evaluation of Head Position Using Craniovertebral Angle in Two Sitting and Standing Positions in the Elderly

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Abnormal head posture can lead to pain, physical limitations, falls and fractures that have a negative impact on people's quality of life. Since head orientation in sagittal view varies according to different body postures, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of two standing and sitting postures on sagittal view. METHODS: This observational study was performed on 70 elderly people referred to Elderly Health Center of Babol University of Medical Sciences. In order to measure the craniovertebral angle to determine the direction of the head in the sagittal view, participants were photographed in both standing and sitting positions. After initial evaluation, participants were divided into two groups of head posture (forward head posture and normal head posture) based on craniovertebral angle, with an angle of less than 51° as abnormal head posture. FINDINGS: The mean age of the subjects was 67.9±3.8. The size of the craniovertebral angle in sitting position (52±8.3) was greater than in standing position (48.1±6.5) (P<0.0001). In addition, two subgroups of forward head posture and normal posture showed increased craniovertebral angle in sitting position (forward head posture: 48.3±7.2, normal: 59.6±4.6) comapred to standing position (forward head posture: 43.7±6.5, normal: 56.9±4.2) (P<0.003, P<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: According to the results, the craniovertebral angle increases in sitting position compared to the standing position.

Keywords

• head posture
• craniovertebral angle
• standing position
• sitting position
• elderly.