Comparison of Wearable Device -Based , App- Based ,and Conventional Exercise Therapy for Cervico-Thoracic Postural Training in University Students.
| Registry | NCT07763327 |
|---|---|
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | Not applicable |
| Study type | Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: single, treatment |
| Enrollment | 87 (Estimated) |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University (Other) |
| Conditions | Forward Head Posture |
| Interventions | Wearable postural biofeedback device, App based Postural Reminder, Conventional Cervicothoracic Exercise Therapy (Device, behavioral, other) |
| Dates | start 2026-09-14, primary completion 2027-05-30 (estimated), completion 2027-05-31 (estimated), first posted 2026-08-13, last updated 2026-10-13 |
| Locations | 1 site in Pakistan |
Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Forward Head Posture All trials of Wearable postural biofeedback device All trials of App based Postural Reminder
Forward head posture and thoracic kyphosis are among the most common postural problems in university students, driven largely by long hours of screen use and poor sitting habits. Research suggests that nearly two-thirds of university students show measurable forward head posture, and if uncorrected, it is linked to chronic neck pain and long-term musculoskeletal strain. This study compares three approaches to correcting posture over a six-week supervised exercise program: a wearable sensor belt that vibrates in real time when posture slips, a smartphone app that sends scheduled reminders throughout the day, and exercise alone with no reminders. The two technology-assisted groups are prompted to correct their posture throughout daily activities, not just during exercise sessions. The study will show whether real-time or scheduled reminders produce greater improvements in posture, neck pain, and neck function than exercise alone . Helping physical therapists and university health services to identify the most practical strategy for correcting posture in screen-heavy academic environments.
Forward head posture(FHP) and thoracic kyphosis are increasingly prevalent among university students due to sustained flexed-neck postures during smartphone use, laptop-based study, and prolonged sitting. Chronic FHP alters the normal cervical lordotic curve, increases mechanical loading on cervical spine structures, and has been associated with muscular imbalance, cervicogenic pain , and headache.
Conventional postural correction exercise programs are well established, but adherence to postural correction outside of supervised sessions remains a key limitation. Students are typically unaware of their posture lapsing during daily activities such as studying, phone use and prolonged sitting and correction cues are usually absent outside the clinical or exercise setting.
Technology-assisted feedback systems have emerged as a potential solution to this adherence gap. Wearable biofeedback devices provide immediate, real-time correction cues when a threshold postural deviation is detected, theoretically reinforcing correct postural habits through continuous behavioral conditioning. App-based reminder systems, offers a scheduled, intermittent prompts rather than continuous monitoring , it is more practical and scalable given lower cost and no specialized hardware requirement.
This three arm, parallel group randomized controlled trial is designed to generate comparative evidence on the relative effectiveness of continuous biofeedback, scheduled reminders, and conventional exercise therapy alone, in order to inform evidence-based, resource-appropriate postural correction strategies for university and academic health settings.
The results of this trial are intended to directly inform clinical decision-making for physiotherapists and university wellness programs considering adoption of wearable or app-based postural correction tools. Should either technology-assisted approach demonstrate superiority over conventional exercise alone, this would support integration of low-cost, scalable postural feedback technology into standard student musculoskeletal health programs. Conversely, if outcomes are comparable across groups, this would support conventional supervised exercise as a sufficient, lower-cost first-line approach, without the added expense or complexity of technology-assisted feedback devices.
University students represent a population with high daily screen-time exposure and sedentary study behavior, making them broadly representative of the wider demographic at risk for posture-related cervical musculoskeletal strain seen in academic and early-career professional environments. Evidence generated from this population is expected to have relevance beyond the immediate study setting, informing postural health strategies applicable to similarly screen-intensive occupational and educational contexts.
| Arm | Type | Interventions | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wearable Device + Exercise | Experimental | Device: Wearable postural biofeedback device | Participants will receive a wearable biofeedback belt that provides real time vibration feedback upon postural deviation, in addition to the standardized cervicothoracic exercise program administered to all groups , over a 6 week intervention period |
| App- based Reminder + Exercise | Experimental | Behavioral: App based Postural Reminder | Participants will receive scheduled posture-check reminders via a smartphone application, in addition to the standardized cervicothoracic exercise program administered to all groups , over a 6 week intervention period. |
| Conventional Exercise Therapy | Active comparator | Other: Conventional Cervicothoracic Exercise Therapy | Participants will receive the standardized cervicothoracic exercise program alone over a 6 week intervention period, without any wearable device or app based reminder. |
Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 30 Years
Inclusion Criteria: 1. University students aged 18-30 years enrolled in a degree program at Riphah International University. 2. Daily sitting duration ≥ 5 hours (academic and/or device-related activities). 3. Presence of at least one observable postural deviation confirmed at baseline assessment: forward head posture (CVA < 50°), rounded shoulders (protracted shoulder distance in supine line), or thoracic kyphosis (> 40° via digital inclinometer). 4. Smartphone ownership and basic digital literacy Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of spinal surgery, vertebral fracture, or major cervical/thoracic trauma within the past 12 months. 2. Diagnosed neurological disorders affecting posture or motor control (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke, cervical dystonia). 3. Structural spinal deformities requiring active medical or surgical management (e.g., scoliosis Cobb angle > 20°, Scheuermann's kyphosis). 4. Current participation in physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, or another structured posture correction program. 5. Cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions contraindicating moderate-intensity exercise (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, severe asthma). 6. Skin conditions, open wounds, or allergies precluding safe use of the posture correction belt.
| Facility | City | Country | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduation Lab of Riphah College of Rehabilitation & Allied Health Sciences , Riphah International University. Islamabad | Islamabad | Pakistan | Recruiting |