The distribution and the related factors of forward head posture among medical students

Abstract

Objective: Forward head posture (FHP) is becoming common in medical students who study for long durations with wrong postures due to intensive curriculum. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of FHP and related factors in medical students. Methods: The first and second-year medical students filled out the questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, activity status, Smartphone Addiction Questionnaire, Beck Depression, Body Awareness, and Perceived Stress Scales after their verbal consent was obtained. FHP and craniovertebral angle values were measured. Results: 47% of the students had highly severe (≥5 cm), 46.2% had severe FHP (2.5-5 cm), and 6.8% had mild FHP. The mean CVA (Costovertebral Angle) values were determined as 44.31 ± 4.31. The frequency of students whose CVA values are below 45° is 59.3% (140 people). The frequency of highly severe FHP was also found as high in the taller, in males, and in the students with high BMI. In the regression model examining the situations that increase the risk of severe FHP, it was found that depression increased the risk of FHP 2.5 times. Conclusions: FHP was found to be very common (90%) in medical students. FHP was found to be more severe in students with high depression scores.