The Effects of Reactive Neuromuscular Training on the Upper Quarter Posture in Students with Forward Head Posture: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Reactive neuromuscular training (RNT) is a training method used in rehabilitation. However, its effectiveness onforward head posture (FHP) is still unknown. This study aimed to compare the effects of traditional training with 8week RNTon the craniovertebral, shoulder, and kyphotic angles in high school students with FHP.Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, conducted in Urmia city, Iran (2018), we selected a total of 60 male high schoolstudents using a convenient sampling technique. We assigned the subjects to one control group and two experimental groups;one of the experimental groups performed traditional exercises while the other did RNT. After the pretest, the training programperformed three days a week under the supervision of a researcher. Posture assessment carried out in two steps: prior to training(pretest data) and after eight weeks of training (posttest data). We applied a photogrammetric method to evaluate the sagittalangles of the neck and shoulder. Moreover, we conducted the ANCOVA test at a significance level of P. Results: Both training methods improved trunk posture (F=156.07, p lt;0.001) and the sagittal angles of the neck (F=35.35,p lt;0.001) and shoulder (F=23.31, p lt;0.001); however, RNT was more effective than the traditional type of training (p lt;0.001).Conclusion: Eight weeks of traditional and RNT exercises enhanced kyphotic, shoulder, and craniovertebral angles. It seemsthat RNT might have a better outcome in the management of high school students with FHP.