Comparison of forward head in persons with chronic neck pain and healthy persons

Introduction: Chronic neck pain is one of the most common problems among computer users. It seems that pain in neck affects the angle of forward head in these people. The aim of this research was to compare the degree of forward head in official computer users of Isfahan University with and without chronic neck pain.Methods and Materials: The statistical population was 66 men including 33 with chronic neck pain and 33 healthy subjects. A questionnaire was used for data collection about the subjects, and goniometer and visual analog scale (VAS) were used for assessment of their forward head angle and severity of neck pain respectively. For statistical analysis of data, independent t-test and Pearson correlation were used (P < 0.05).Results: Mean of forward head for subjects with chronic neck pain and healthy controls were 26.97 ± 6.99 and 24.24 ± 6.19 degrees respectively. There was a significant difference in mean forward head between persons with chronic neck pain and healthy persons (P<0.05). Mean severity of neck pain was 36.7 ± 15.34 among persons with chronic neck pain. Forward head angle and severity of neck pain correlated significantly (P < 0.05).Conclusions: It can be concluded that persons with neck pain had greater forward head angle compared with those without pain. This necessitates considering and taking corrective and preventive measures for persons that working with computers.Keyword: Forward head, Chronic neck pain, Computer users