Evaluation of forward head posture tendency in adolescents with primary headache

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the relationship between forward head posture and primary headache in adolescents. Methods: The study was conducted with 69 students between 10 and 19 years old (12.5 ± 1.7 years). Participants were divided into three groups: tension-type headache (TTH), migraine without headache. We used a questionnaire on the clinical and individual characteristics of headache based on ICHD II-2004. Forward head posture was evaluated by two different angles: C7-tragus angle and manubrium-sternal angle. Results: There was no statistical difference between groups regarding gender p=0.68 and age (χ2); p=0.574, Mann-Whitney test. Adolescents with TTH had the head forward posture in relation to controls without headache in both angles studied [Craniovertebral angle: TTH (50.7° ± 1.3°) vs. control (50.9° ± 1.1°), p=0.915, Mann-Whitney] and manubrium-sternal angle: [TTH (97.6° ± 1.7°) vs. control (96.6° ± 1.9°), p=0.533, Mann-Whitney test]. The manubrium-sternal angle was greater in migraine [without headache (96.6° ± 1.9°) vs. migraine (100.3° ± 5.8°); p=0.724, Mann-Whitney test]. Conclusion: In this study no correlation between forward head posture with primary headaches in adolescents was observed.