Cervicogenic HeadacheNCT07763886
CORRELATION BETWEEN FORWARD HEAD POSTURE, CERVICAL MUSCLES ENDURANCE, AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE FUCTIONS IN CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE AMONG LATE ADOLESCENT STUDENTS.
An observational study of Cervicogenic Headache, run by Delta University for Science and Technology at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Forward Head Posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation characterized by anterior translation of the head relative to the trunk, which increases load on cervical muscles and joints. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 15 to 18 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cervicogenic Headache
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 10 Aug 2026to 1 Sep 2026
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Month
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 15 to 18 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Study population: The study will be conducted on fifty-six junior students diagnosed with cervicogenic headache associated with forward head posture. Patients were assigned based on the presence of FHP into two equal groups; Group I (with FHP) and Group II (without FHP). The sample size for this study was calculated using the G*power program 3.1.9 (G power program version 3.1, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany). The fifty-six junior students diagnosed with cervicogenic headache effect size for the sample size calculation was depending on the previous study (Althubaiti, 2022). Sample size calculation based on t-tests (Means: Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test; two groups), Type I error (α) = 0.05, power (1-β error probability) = 0.80, effect size Effect size d = 0.8345487 with a total sample size for 50 participants for 2 independent groups comparison Considering a 15% drop out rate, the appropriate minimum sample size for this study will be 56 patients (28 patients in each group as a minimum
Who may be able to join
- Fifty-six junior students diagnosed with cervicogenic headache
- Sudents from both sexes will participate in this study.
- The students' ages will be ranged from 17 to 18 years.
- All participants will be referred from neurologists
- All participants will be free from any medical disease, visual or hearing problem.
Who cannot join
- • Patients with a history of cervical spine surgery.
- Patients with Whiplash injury..
- Patients with any vestibular disorders.
- Patients with visual and hearing impairments.
- Patients with diabetes mellitus.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Forward Head Posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation characterized by anterior translation of the head relative to the trunk, which increases load on cervical muscles and joints. This postural change is associated with muscle fatigue, joint compression, and tension in cervical soft tissues, contributing to cervicogenic headache (Al-Mutairi et al., 20242; Koseoglu et al., 2023). The deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles, especially the longus colli and longus capitis, are key stabilizers of the cervical spine, and weakness or fatigue of these muscles leads to overuse of superficial muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene, creating an imbalance between deep and superficial systems. Diminished endurance of deep cervical flexors has been linked to forward head posture, impaired motor control, and persistent neck pain (Ismail et al., 2023). Cervical proprioception is crucial for accurate head position sense. Impaired cervical proprioception results in distorted information about head orientation, causing dizziness, incoordinated movement, and neck discomfort, and has been frequently observed in juniors with cervicogenic headache, increasing muscular strain and headache intensity. In the present study, therefore, we aim to investigate the correlation between FHP, cervical endurance, and proprioceptive function in junior students with cervicogenic headache
Read the detailed description
The prevalence of cervicogenic headache (CGH) increases in late adolescence largely due to poor postural habits that contribute to musculoskeletal dysfunction. This may attributed to the excessive use of smartphones, tablets, and computers (Hall et al., 2010; Tsantili et al., 2022). Prolonged forward head posture during use smartphones causes abnormal mechanical stress on the cervical muscles and joints, leading to musculoskeletal strain and headache. Poor ergonomic habits during studying or screen use may further exacerbate the problem, emphasizing the importance for early awareness and education on proper posture to prevent CGH in this age group (
- Conditions
- Cervicogenic Headache
- Keywords
- Forward Head Posture, Headache, Cervicogenic headache
- Medical subject headings
- Post-Traumatic Headache, Headache
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| study group | A. Headache screening questionnaire will be used to assess the presence and characteristics of cervicogenic headache in the students. B. Lateral photography method will be used to evaluate head posture in standing position, and Kinovea software will be used to analyze the digitized photos to measure the craniovertebral angle. C. Cervical Range of Motion device (CROM) will be used to assess the proprioceptive functions. D. Pressure biofeedback will be used to assess the endurance of the deep cervical flexor muscles. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Lateral photography
- Lateral photographic method:
Photography or photogrammetric method will be used to assess FHP. It is a reliable and valid method (Gadotti and Biasotto-Gonzalez,2010). A digital imaging technique will be used to evaluate head and neck posture in the standing position. A digital camera (Canon IXY 12 MP, Japan) will be used to capture images supported on a Magnus PV-3310 photo tripod with 3-way pan and tilt head, was used to capture a photograph. (kuo et al., 2014). Digitized photographs will be analyzed using Kinovea 2024.1.1. This is open access software used to analyze digitized photos and to measure the various head angles (Guzman-Valdivia et al.,2013)
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (2)
proprioception errors
Cervical Range of Motion device (Lindstorm, Minnesota 651-257-3040) is a type of goniometer designed specifically for cervical spine. It is a valid and reliable method to measure the cervical proprioception functions (Jordean, 2000; Tousignant et al., 2002 and Tousignant et al., 2006). It is composed of three inclinometers strapped to the subject's head and two magnets placed over the subject's shoulders. Each inclinometer measures proprioception error in one plane of movements. One gravity dial meter measures flexion and extension, another gravity dial measures lateral flexion and a compass meter measures rotation with its accuracy reinforced by two magnets Fig.(2) (Reddy et al., 2016).
Measured: Baseline
D. Stabilizer pressure biofeedback:
Chattanooga Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback Unit. is a valid and reliable method to assess cervical strength and endurance (ICC) 95%. The unit consists of a combined gauge and inflation bulb connected to a pressure cell. Designed by physical therapists, the Stabilizer registers changing pressure in an air-filled pressure cell allowing body movements to be detected during exercise (Lee .20164)
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Aug 2026
- Study start10 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cervicogenic HeadacheStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 1 Month
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Delta University for Science and Technology
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim Abu Ella, Delta University for Science and Technology
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07763886
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Cervicogenic 22
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: cofidentiality
Publications
van der Meer HA, Visscher CM, Engelbert RHH, Mulleners WM, Nijhuis-van der Sanden MWG, Speksnijder CM. Development and psychometric validation of the headache screening questionnaire - Dutch Version. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2017 Oct;31:52-61. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2017.07.001. Epub 2017 Jul 4.
PubMed 28734169
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- CORRELATION BETWEEN FORWARD HEAD POSTURE, CERVICAL MUSCLES ENDURANCE, AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE FUCTIONS IN CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE AMONG LATE ADOLESCENT STUDENTS.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07763886
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Cervicogenic 22
- Conditions
- Cervicogenic Headache
- Keywords
- Forward Head Posture, Headache, Cervicogenic headache
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Delta University for Science and TechnologyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Aug 2026 (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.
Forward Head Posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation characterized by anterior translation of the head relative to the trunk, which increases load on cervical muscles and joints. This postural change is associated with muscle fatigue, joint compression, and tension in cervical soft tissues, contributing to cervicogenic headache (Al-Mutairi et al., 20242; Koseoglu et al., 2023). The deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles, especially the longus colli and longus capitis, are key stabilizers of the cervical spine, and weakness or fatigue of these muscles leads to overuse of superficial muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene, creating an imbalance between deep and superficial systems. Diminished endurance of deep cervical flexors has been linked to forward head posture, impaired motor control, and persistent neck pain (Ismail et al., 2023). Cervical proprioception is crucial for accurate head position sense. Impaired cervical proprioception results in distorted information about head orientation, causing dizziness, incoordinated movement, and neck discomfort, and has been frequently observed in juniors with cervicogenic headache, increasing muscular strain and headache intensity. In the present study, therefore, we aim to investigate the correlation between FHP, cervical endurance, and proprioceptive function in junior students with cervicogenic headache
Detailed description
The prevalence of cervicogenic headache (CGH) increases in late adolescence largely due to poor postural habits that contribute to musculoskeletal dysfunction. This may attributed to the excessive use of smartphones, tablets, and computers (Hall et al., 2010; Tsantili et al., 2022). Prolonged forward head posture during use smartphones causes abnormal mechanical stress on the cervical muscles and joints, leading to musculoskeletal strain and headache. Poor ergonomic habits during studying or screen use may further exacerbate the problem, emphasizing the importance for early awareness and education on proper posture to prevent CGH in this age group (
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Target follow-up
- 1 Month
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| study group | – | –A. Headache screening questionnaire will be used to assess the presence and characteristics of cervicogenic headache in the students. B. Lateral photography method will be used to evaluate head posture in standing position, and Kinovea software will be used to analyze the digitized photos to measure the craniovertebral angle. C. Cervical Range of Motion device (CROM) will be used to assess the proprioceptive functions. D. Pressure biofeedback will be used to assess the endurance of the deep cervical flexor muscles. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 15 to 18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
- Study population
- The study will be conducted on fifty-six junior students diagnosed with cervicogenic headache associated with forward head posture. Patients were assigned based on the presence of FHP into two equal groups; Group I (with FHP) and Group II (without FHP). The sample size for this study was calculated using the G*power program 3.1.9 (G power program version 3.1, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany). The fifty-six junior students diagnosed with cervicogenic headache effect size for the sample size calculation was depending on the previous study (Althubaiti, 2022). Sample size calculation based on t-tests (Means: Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test; two groups), Type I error (α) = 0.05, power (1-β error probability) = 0.80, effect size Effect size d = 0.8345487 with a total sample size for 50 participants for 2 independent groups comparison Considering a 15% drop out rate, the appropriate minimum sample size for this study will be 56 patients (28 patients in each group as a minimum
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Fifty-six junior students diagnosed with cervicogenic headache
- Sudents from both sexes will participate in this study.
- The students' ages will be ranged from 17 to 18 years.
- All participants will be referred from neurologists
- All participants will be free from any medical disease, visual or hearing problem.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- • Patients with a history of cervical spine surgery.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Lateral photography
Time frame: Baseline
B. Lateral photographic method: Photography or photogrammetric method will be used to assess FHP. It is a reliable and valid method (Gadotti and Biasotto-Gonzalez,2010). A digital imaging technique will be used to evaluate head and neck posture in the standing position. A digital camera (Canon IXY 12 MP, Japan) will be used to capture images supported on a Magnus PV-3310 photo tripod with 3-way pan and tilt head, was used to capture a photograph. (kuo et al., 2014). Digitized photographs will be analyzed using Kinovea 2024.1.1. This is open access software used to analyze digitized photos and to measure the various head angles (Guzman-Valdivia et al.,2013)
2 secondary outcomes
proprioception errors
Time frame: Baseline
D. Stabilizer pressure biofeedback:
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 28734169van der Meer HA, Visscher CM, Engelbert RHH, Mulleners WM, Nijhuis-van der Sanden MWG, Speksnijder CM. Development and psychometric validation of the headache screening questionnaire - Dutch Version. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2017 Oct;31:52-61. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2017.07.001. Epub 2017 Jul 4.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. cofidentiality
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cervicogenic Headache, run by Delta University for Science and Technology at 1 site in Egypt.
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 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Aug 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 Egypt. 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. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ibrahim Abu Ella (+201008442281, ibrahimneuron@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Lateral photography (time frame: Baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07763886, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 13 Aug 2026.