Effects of lumbar lordosis assistive support on craniovertebral angle and mechanical properties of the upper trapezius muscle in subjects with forward head posture.
Jong-Hoon Moon, Jin-Hwa Jung, Suk-Chan Hahm and 3 others
PMID 29581671WHAT IT FOUND
Sitting with a lumbar support increased craniovertebral angle in 20 adults with forward head posture, from 46.82 to 50.92 degrees.
Upper trapezius stiffness and viscoelasticity decreased; the muscle tone result is inconsistent.
Key findings
01Mean craniovertebral angle was higher with LLAS: 46.82 degrees in neutral sitting and 50.92 degrees with LLAS.
02The table reports upper trapezius stiffness and viscoelasticity lower with LLAS, but muscle tone higher, despite the results text saying tone was lower.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The sample was small: 20 university staff and students with forward head posture. The authors state the findings cannot be generalized to all patients with neck pain. The study confirmed only short-term effects of LLAS. The results text says muscle tone was lower with LLAS, but the table reports a higher value with LLAS. All measurements were performed by a single experimenter.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this lumbar support treats neck pain or lowers upper trapezius tone. The study only measured short-term posture and muscle properties in 20 people with forward head posture, and the table reports a higher tone value with the support.