HighlightsForward head posture (FHP) is a prevalent poor posture in patients with neck disorders.We compared the thickness of the cervical muscles in women with and without FHP.Women with FHP had significantly greater thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

The ratio of isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) may be a good indicator for assessment of patients with FHP. This ratio may also be valuable to follow the results of therapeutic intervention for these patients.

Background. Forward head posture (FHP) is the most common poor postures in patients with shoulder and neck pain. Longus colli (LCo) muscle has important role in maintaining normal posture of the cervical spine and dysfunction of this muscle may lead to abnormal posture of the cervical spine. Ultrasonography is one of the most common methods used to evaluate muscle performance. The aim of this study was to compare performance of LCo muscle between women with and without FHP. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 70 women with and without FHP (35 in each group). Thickness of LCo muscle in resting state, contraction state (50% of maximal isometric contraction of craniocervical flexion) and thickness change of this muscle between resting and contraction state were measured by ultrasonography and compared between two groups using Independent-Samples T test. Results. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between two groups regarding thickness of LCo muscle in resting and contraction state but, thickness change of this muscle between resting and contraction state was significantly smaller in women with FHP compared with control group. Conclusions. The results of this study indicated that measurement of thickness change of LCo muscle between resting and contraction state seems to be a better parameter than thickness of this muscle in resting or contraction state for assessment of performance of this muscle.

Introduction. This systematic review protocol aims to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation for chronic non-specific low back pain with sacroiliac joint origin. Methods. Search will be done in Pubmed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Clinical Key, Science Direct, Medline, Embase, PEDro, ProQuest, the Cochrane Library, PROS-PERO, the MOH Thesis, MOH Articles, Magiran, and SID. Google Scholar search engine will also be used. All types of Clinical Trials, Cohort, Case-controls, Cross-sectionals, Observational Descriptive, Case Report, Case Series, Ecological Studies, Systematic Reviews, thesis and dissertation in English and Persian published prior to September 2019 will be included. The articles recruiting 18 to 60 years old will be included. Considering PICO, the finally retrieved articles will be assessed qualitatively by CONSORT, STROBE, PEDro, NIH and CASP checklists. Changes in pain and function will be favorable. Dissemination. The protocol presented in present paper will be used to summarize and qualify present literatures on conservative therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain with sacroiliac joint origin.

Introduction. The aim of this study will be to evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation currents on the pain and function in subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain. Methods.