High intensity laser therapy versus scapular stabilization exercises on ventilatory function in forward head posture

Abstract

Introduction: Forward head posture (FHP) causes neck pain, disability, and respiratory problems:- Two treatments are high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and scapular stabilization exercises (SSE), which are effective in mitigating musculoskeletal pain and raising functional activities in individuals experiencing neck pain. The present study compares the effect of HILT and SSE on ventilatory function in FHP patients. Material and methods: Sixty FHP patients with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) < 49° and decreased ventilatory function were recruited and allocated randomly to three equal groups (n = 20): traditional exercises (Group A), traditional exercises plus SSE (Group B), and traditional exercises plus HILT (Group C). All participants received three sessions weekly for 12 weeks. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced ventilatory capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), CVA, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), chest expansion, and neck disability index (NDI) were measured pre- and post-treatment. Results: In all groups the FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, MVV, and CVA values following therapy were significantly higher than the pre-intervention values (p < 0.001). Significantly greater increases in FVC, FEV1, MVV, CVA, and chest expansion were noted in group B compared with groups A and C (p < 0.05), with Group C demonstrating significant enhancement compared to group A (p < 0.05). FEV1/FVC did not significantly differ among the three groups post-therapy. VAS and NDI were significantly lower in Group C than in Groups A and B (p < 0.05), whereas Group B showed significantly greater reduction in these parameters compared to Group A post treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusions: SSE is more beneficial for improving neck alignment, ventilatory function, and chest expansion in FHP patients, while HILT is more advantageous for mitigating pain and disability.