Forward Head PostureNCT07298226
Immediate Effects of Atlanto-Occipital Mobilization on Head Posture, Respiratory Function, and Neck Mobility in Forward Head Posture
A study testing Atlanto-occipital joint mobilization in people with Forward Head Posture, run by Bitlis Eren University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of atlanto-occipital joint mobilization on head posture, respiratory function, and cervical range of motion in healthy individuals with forward head posture. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Forward Head Posture
- What is being tested?
- Atlanto-occipital joint mobilization
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 Dec 2025to 1 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Volunteering to participate in the study.
- Being between the ages of 18 and 45.
- Having forward head posture according to craniovertebral angle measurement.
Who cannot join
- History of cervical surgery or trauma.
- Diagnosed cervical disc herniation or cervical stenosis.
- Presence of a diagnosed neurological and/or rheumatological disorder.
- Pregnancy.
- Presence of malignancy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
Ankara, 06000
About this study
Official title: An Investigation Into the Immediate Effects of Atlanto-Occipital Joint Mobilization on Head Posture, Respiratory Function, and Cervical Range of Motion in Individuals With Forward Head Posture
The purpose of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of atlanto-occipital joint mobilization on head posture, respiratory function, and cervical range of motion in healthy individuals with forward head posture.
Read the detailed description
Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural disorder characterized by the anterior displacement of the head relative to the shoulders. The estimated prevalence of FHP among individuals who use electronic devices frequently is reported to be high, affecting a significant portion of the general population. While postural correction exercises and ergonomic education are generally the first-line management strategies for FHP, manual therapy techniques (such as joint mobilizations and soft tissue therapy) are often recommended as an adjunct treatment. Additionally, various physiotherapy approaches, including stretching of the posterior cervical muscles, strengthening of the deep neck flexors, and respiratory exercises, can also be utilized. Specific mobilization of the atlanto-occipital joint is theorized to normalize arthrokinematics and reduce fascial restrictions in the suboccipital region. This is said to decrease neuromuscular tension, improve proprioceptive input, and restore optimal alignment, resulting in positive effects on head posture, cervical mobility, and respiratory function.
- Conditions
- Forward Head Posture
- Being tested
- Atlanto-occipital joint mobilization, Sham application
- Keywords
- Forward head posture, Atlanto-occipital joint mobilization, Cervical mobility, Respiratory function
- Medical subject headings
- Respiratory Aspiration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Atlanto-occipital joint mobilizationOther
The intervention group will receive a single session of atlanto-occipital joint mobilization.
Sham applicationOther
The control group will receive a single session of sham intervention.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mobilization group | Experimental | The intervention group will receive atlanto-occipital joint mobilization. Receives: Other: Atlanto-occipital joint mobilization |
| Sham group | Sham comparator | The control group will receive the sham application. Receives: Other: Sham application |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) for Forward Head Posture
Forward head posture will be assessed by measuring the craniovertebral angle (CVA) using a goniometer. The CVA is the angle between the horizontal line passing through the C7 spinous process and the line from the tragus of the ear to the C7 spinous process.
Measured: Assessments will be performed at baseline (before the application) and immediately following the single-session intervention.
Respiratory Function assessed by Spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75%)
Respiratory function will be assessed using a spirometry device. The following parameters will be recorded and analyzed: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), and Forced Expiratory Flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%).
Measured: Assessments will be performed at baseline (before the application) and immediately following the single-session intervention.
Cervical mobility (Cervical Range of Motion (CROM)) assessed by Bubble Inclinometer
Cervical mobility (range of motion) will be assessed using a bubble inclinometer. Active range of motion will be measured in degrees for the movements of flexion, extension, lateral flexion (left/right), and rotation (left/right).
Measured: Assessments will be performed at baseline (before the application) and immediately following the single-session intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Dec 2025
- Study start5 Dec 2025
- Primary completion1 Mar 2026
- Study completion1 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Forward Head PostureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Individuals included in the study will be allocated by block randomization into an intervention group (atlanto-occipital joint mobilization) and a control group (sham application).
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bitlis Eren University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mesut Arslan, Bitlis Eren University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07298226
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BP-M
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 12 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- An Investigation Into the Immediate Effects of Atlanto-Occipital Joint Mobilization on Head Posture, Respiratory Function, and Cervical Range of Motion in Individuals With Forward Head Posture
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07298226
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BP-M
- Conditions
- Forward Head Posture
- Keywords
- Forward head posture, Atlanto-occipital joint mobilization, Cervical mobility, Respiratory function
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Bitlis Eren UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of atlanto-occipital joint mobilization on head posture, respiratory function, and cervical range of motion in healthy individuals with forward head posture.
Detailed description
Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural disorder characterized by the anterior displacement of the head relative to the shoulders. The estimated prevalence of FHP among individuals who use electronic devices frequently is reported to be high, affecting a significant portion of the general population. While postural correction exercises and ergonomic education are generally the first-line management strategies for FHP, manual therapy techniques (such as joint mobilizations and soft tissue therapy) are often recommended as an adjunct treatment. Additionally, various physiotherapy approaches, including stretching of the posterior cervical muscles, strengthening of the deep neck flexors, and respiratory exercises, can also be utilized. Specific mobilization of the atlanto-occipital joint is theorized to normalize arthrokinematics and reduce fascial restrictions in the suboccipital region. This is said to decrease neuromuscular tension, improve proprioceptive input, and restore optimal alignment, resulting in positive effects on head posture, cervical mobility, and respiratory function.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Individuals included in the study will be allocated by block randomization into an intervention group (atlanto-occipital joint mobilization) and a control group (sham application).
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mobilization group | Experimental | Other: Atlanto-occipital joint mobilizationThe intervention group will receive atlanto-occipital joint mobilization. |
| Sham group | Sham comparator | Other: Sham applicationThe control group will receive the sham application. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Volunteering to participate in the study.
- Being between the ages of 18 and 45.
- Having forward head posture according to craniovertebral angle measurement.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of cervical surgery or trauma.
- Diagnosed cervical disc herniation or cervical stenosis.
- Presence of a diagnosed neurological and/or rheumatological disorder.
- Pregnancy.
- Presence of malignancy.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanto-occipital joint mobilizationThe intervention group will receive a single session of atlanto-occipital joint mobilization. | Other | Mobilization group |
| Sham applicationThe control group will receive a single session of sham intervention. | Other | Sham group |
Primary outcome
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) for Forward Head Posture
Time frame: Assessments will be performed at baseline (before the application) and immediately following the single-session intervention.
Forward head posture will be assessed by measuring the craniovertebral angle (CVA) using a goniometer. The CVA is the angle between the horizontal line passing through the C7 spinous process and the line from the tragus of the ear to the C7 spinous process.
Respiratory Function assessed by Spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75%)
Time frame: Assessments will be performed at baseline (before the application) and immediately following the single-session intervention.
Respiratory function will be assessed using a spirometry device. The following parameters will be recorded and analyzed: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), and Forced Expiratory Flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%).
Cervical mobility (Cervical Range of Motion (CROM)) assessed by Bubble Inclinometer
Time frame: Assessments will be performed at baseline (before the application) and immediately following the single-session intervention.
Cervical mobility (range of motion) will be assessed using a bubble inclinometer. Active range of motion will be measured in degrees for the movements of flexion, extension, lateral flexion (left/right), and rotation (left/right).
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Atlanto-occipital joint mobilization in people with Forward Head Posture, run by Bitlis Eren University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) for Forward Head Posture (time frame: Assessments will be performed at baseline (before the application) and immediately following the single-session intervention.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Mar 2026.