Next Article in Journal
Effects of Age on the Neural Tracking of Speech in Noise
Previous Article in Journal
B7-H3 as a Reliable Diagnostic Biomarker for the Differentiation of High-Grade Gliomas (HGGs) and Low-Grade Gliomas (LGGs)
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Brain Sciences
Volume 15
Issue 8
10.3390/brainsci15080873
brainsci-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

The Effectiveness of an Exercise Program Based on Motor Learning Principles for the Correction of the Forward Head Posture: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by
Stephani Argyrou
1,
Pavlos Kitixis
2,
Zacharias Dimitriadis
3,
Anna Christakou
4,*,
Nikolaos Strimpakos
3,
George Paras
2,
Maria Tsioutsoumaka
1 and
Eleni Kapreli
1
1
Clinical Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Thessaly, 35132 Lamia, Greece
2
Human Performance and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Thessaly, 35132 Lamia, Greece
3
Health Assessment and Quality of Life Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Thessaly, 35132 Lamia, Greece
4
Laboratory of Biomechanics, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, Greece
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(8), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15080873
Submission received: 28 June 2025 / Revised: 8 August 2025 / Accepted: 14 August 2025 / Published: 15 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromuscular Diseases and Musculoskeletal Disorders)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an exercise program based on principles of motor learning with cognitive elements (such as attention) in the correction of Forward Head Posture (FHP). Methods: A total of 55 university students from the University of Thessaly, aged between 18 and 25 years, participated in this study. Volunteers found to have a craniovertebral angle <50° were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group IG (n = 27) and the control group CG (n = 28). The IG followed a treatment protocol consisting of three 30–45-min sessions per week for four weeks, a total of twelve sessions, while the control group received the same content instructions and group sessions upon completion. Results: After the four-week intervention period, significant improvements were observed in both static and dynamic craniovertebral angle measurements (p < 0.05) when comparing the IG to the CG. Additionally, there was a notable increase in the endurance of the deep neck flexors (p < 0.05), even though the intervention for the IG did not include specific strength exercises. Furthermore, participants with FHP were able to transfer (B–C) motor skills (p < 0.01) acquired during static position tasks to a similar but dynamically untrained task. They also retained (B–D) improvements in posture and strength during the two-week detraining period (p < 0.01), indicating sustained motor learning effects. Conclusions: The exercise intervention was successful at decreasing FHP in subjects, sustaining the results for a two-week period. This study supports the effectiveness of postural training by a program based on motor learning principles. New rehabilitation strategies based on motor control and motor learning could be introduced into physiotherapy practice to increase effectiveness.
Keywords: craniovertebral angle; forward head posture; motor learning; rehabilitation craniovertebral angle; forward head posture; motor learning; rehabilitation

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Argyrou, S.; Kitixis, P.; Dimitriadis, Z.; Christakou, A.; Strimpakos, N.; Paras, G.; Tsioutsoumaka, M.; Kapreli, E. The Effectiveness of an Exercise Program Based on Motor Learning Principles for the Correction of the Forward Head Posture: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Sci. 2025, 15, 873. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15080873

AMA Style

Argyrou S, Kitixis P, Dimitriadis Z, Christakou A, Strimpakos N, Paras G, Tsioutsoumaka M, Kapreli E. The Effectiveness of an Exercise Program Based on Motor Learning Principles for the Correction of the Forward Head Posture: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Sciences. 2025; 15(8):873. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15080873

Chicago/Turabian Style

Argyrou, Stephani, Pavlos Kitixis, Zacharias Dimitriadis, Anna Christakou, Nikolaos Strimpakos, George Paras, Maria Tsioutsoumaka, and Eleni Kapreli. 2025. "The Effectiveness of an Exercise Program Based on Motor Learning Principles for the Correction of the Forward Head Posture: A Randomized Controlled Trial" Brain Sciences 15, no. 8: 873. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15080873

APA Style

Argyrou, S., Kitixis, P., Dimitriadis, Z., Christakou, A., Strimpakos, N., Paras, G., Tsioutsoumaka, M., & Kapreli, E. (2025). The Effectiveness of an Exercise Program Based on Motor Learning Principles for the Correction of the Forward Head Posture: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Sciences, 15(8), 873. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15080873

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop