Assessment and Comparison between Cervical Retraction Exercise and Muscle Energy Technique on Cervical Joint Position Sense in Individuals with Forward Head Posture

Background: Forward Head posture (FHP) one of the most common postural disorder causes a change in the biomechanical movement, affect the length---tension relationship in the cervical muscles, increase muscular activity level and impair cervical proprioception. Cervical Retraction and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) have been proposed to improve joint proprioception.Objective: To assess and compare the effect between Cervical Retraction and Muscle Energy Technique on cervical joint position sense in individuals with forward head posture using head repositioning test.Method: This is a comparative study where 60 subjects were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria and assigned to Group A (n=30; Cervical Retraction) and Group B (n=30; Muscle Energy Technique) respectively. Proprioceptive exercises were given to both the groups. The intervention was given for 2 weeks-3 sessions per week. Error in Cervical Joint Position sense was assessed pre and post intervention using Head Repositioning Accuracy test. The data was collected and statistically analysed.Results: The study showed statistical significant reduction (p<0.05) in error in cervical joint position sense within the groups as well as between the groups for all the physiological movement (Flexion, Extension, Left Rotation and Right Rotation).Conclusion: Cervical Retraction as well as Muscle Energy Technique can be used to improve Cervical Joint position sense. However, Cervical Retraction is better as compared to Muscle Energy Technique.Keywords: Forward head posture, Cervical Joint Position sense, Cervical Retraction, Muscle Energy Technique, Head Repositioning Accuracy test.