To Compare the Effect of Pilates Method Versus Muscle Energy Technique Along with Conventional Therapy for Forward Head Posture in Collegiate Students
Keywords:
Pilates, Muscle Energy Technique, Neck Pain, Forward Head Posture, Collegiate Students, Craniovertebral Angle, Cervical Range of MotionAbstract
Introduction: Forward Head Posture (FHP) is a prevalent postural deviation among young adults, often attributed to prolonged screen use, sedentary behaviour, and poor ergonomic habits. This condition results in musculoskeletal imbalances such as weakened deep cervical flexors and overactive cervical extensors, contributing to pain, limited cervical range of motion, and functional impairments.
Objective: To compare the effects of the Pilates method versus Muscle Energy Technique (MET), both combined with conventional physiotherapy, in managing FHP among collegiate students.
Methodology: Fifty-four collegiate students diagnosed with FHP were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A (n = 27) received Pilates-based exercises with conventional therapy, while Group B (n = 27) underwent MET alongside conventional therapy. Both groups were treated three times per week over eight weeks. Outcome measures included the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Craniovertebral Angle (CVA), and Cervical Range of Motion (CROM), assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8.
Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements within their respective interventions across all outcome measures (p < 0.05). However, between-group analysis revealed that Group A (Pilates) achieved superior results in pain reduction, postural correction (CVA), functional improvement (NDI), and cervical mobility (CROM). The differences between groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05), favouring the Pilates method.
Conclusion: Although both the Pilates method and MET are effective in the treatment of FHP, Pilates demonstrated greater effectiveness in reducing pain, improving posture, and enhancing cervical function. These findings support the inclusion of Pilates-based rehabilitation in physiotherapy protocols targeting FHP in young adults.
Downloads
References
Sepehri S, Sheikhhoseini R, Piri H, Sayyadi P. The effect of various therapeutic exercises on forward head posture, rounded shoulder, and hyperkyphosis among people with upper crossed syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord [Internet]. 2024 Feb 1; 25(1): 1. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07224-4
Lee SM, Lee CH, O’Sullivan D, Jung JH, Park JJ. Clinical effectiveness of a Pilates treatment for forward head posture. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016; 28(7): 2009–13. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.2009
Chang MC, et al. Treatment of upper crossed syndrome: a narrative systematic review. Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(16).
Lin G, Zhao X, Wang W, Wilkinson T. The relationship between forward head posture, postural control, and gait: a systematic review. Gait Posture. 2022; 98: 316–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.10.008
Jung JY, Lee YB, Kang CK. Effect of forward head posture on resting state brain function. Healthcare (Basel) [Internet]. 2024 Jun 7 [cited 2025 Aug 3]; 12 (12): 1162. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12121162
Elhafez HM, Mohammed KS, El-Azeim ASA, Abdallah GA. Pilates mat versus cervical stabilization exercises on the craniovertebral angle, pain, function, and myoelectrical activity of the cervical muscles in forward head posture: a randomized controlled trial. Physiother Quart. 2024 Sep 9;32(3): 63–73. https://doi.org/10.5114/pq/175217
Singh S, Kaushal K, Jasrotia S. Prevalence of forward head posture and its impact on the activity of daily living among students of Adesh University – a cross-sectional study. Adesh Univ J Med Sci Res. 2020; 2(2): 99–102. https://doi.org/10.25259/aujmsr_18_2020
Argade RU. Prevalence of forward head posture in IT professionals. Int J Creative Res Thoughts. 2024; 12(6): 480–2.
Koseki T, Kakizaki F, Hayashi S, Nishida N, Itoh M, et al. Effect of forward head posture on thoracic shape and respiratory function. J Phys Ther Sci. 2019; 31(1): 63–8
Chandarana P, Rathod S, Sorani D. Prevalence of upper crossed syndrome in college going students–an observational study. Int J Health Sci Res. 2022; 12(3): 179–86.
Kang J, Park R, Lee S, Kim J, Yoon S, Jung K. The effect of the forward head posture on postural balance in long time computer based worker. Ann Rehabil Med. 2012; 36(1): 98. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98
Deniz Y, Pehlivan E, Cicek E. Biomechanical variances in the development of forward head posture. Phys Ther Korea. 2024; 31(2):104–13. https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2024.31.2.104
Fathollahnejad K, Letafatkar A, Hadadnezhad M. The effect of manual therapy and stabilizing exercises on forward head and rounded shoulder postures: a six-week intervention with a one-month follow-up study. BMC MusculoskeletDisord. 2019; 20(1): 86. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2438-y
Li F, Dev RDO, Soh KG, Wang C, Yuan Y. Effects of Pilates on body posture: a systematic review. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl. 2024; 6(3):100345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2024.100345
Reema J, N P. The effect of muscle energy technique and posture correction exercises on pain and function in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain having forward head posture—a randomized controlled trial. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2022; 15(2): 14–21. https://doi.org/10.3822/ijtmb.v15i2.673
Chary DS, Nagrale S, Golhar S. Immediate effects of muscle energy technique on pain and posterior shoulder tightness in badminton players: an experimental study. Int J Phys Educ Sports Health. 2020; 7(3): 273. Available from: https://www.kheljournal.com/archives/2020/vol7issue3/PartE/7-3-37-860.pdf
Wronski Z, Klasic M, Gjinovci B. Influence of physiotherapy on forward head posture and related problems – a critical review of literature. Physiother Rev. 2024; 28(1): 22–32. https://doi.org/10.5114/phr.2024.136486
Mahajan R, Kataria C, Bansal K. Comparative effectiveness of muscle energy technique and static stretching for treatment of subacute mechanical neck pain. Int J Health Rehabil Sci. 2012; 1(1): 16–21.
Ali S, Ghaffar A, Yaqoob A, Khalid A. Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique on pain and functional disability in mechanical neck pain. Ann KEMU. 2017; 23(2): 132–6.
Rydeard R, Leger A, Smith D. Pilates-based therapeutic exercise: Effect on subjects with nonspecific chronic low back pain and functional disability: A randomized controlled trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36 (7): 472–84.
Kloubec JA. Pilates: how does it work and who needs it? Muscle Nerve. 2010; 41(6): 761–6.
Shadi N, Khalaghi K, Seyedahmadi M. Comparing the effects of Pilates, corrective exercises, and Alexander’s technique on upper cross syndrome among adolescent girls (ages 13–16): a six-week study. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024; 16(1): 143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00933-2
Downloads
-
Download PDF
Abstract Views: 10, 
Download PDF: 14
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Innovative Scientific Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
