Objective
To assess postural stability, specifically center of body sway during single-leg standing balance, among individuals with and without forward head posture (FHP) during smartphone use.
Methods
The research recruited 53 healthy smartphone users, aged 18–25, and categorized them into FHP group comprising 26 subjects and the normal (control) group with 27 subjects. Participants were assigned the task of maintaining balance while engaged in smartphone typing during single-leg standing. The experiment involved four specific conditions according to neck posture and stable of surface. The study meticulously quantified body center of pressure (COP) sway amplitudes using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board.
Results
The research revealed that individuals with FHP exhibited significantly greater body sway compared to the control group when using smartphones. Notably, distinct variations were observed in path length sway, anteroposterior (AP), and mediolateral (ML) sway amplitude, particularly evident when maintaining flexed neck positions on a soft surface while engaged with smartphones.
Conclusion
These findings strongly suggest that individuals with FHP encounter deteriorated postural stability during smartphone use, particularly in challenging head positions.

Citations

• Cognitive–motor interference: Effects of smartphone use on static balance and mobility
  Emre Söylemez, Mehmet Dağ
  Applied Neuropsychology: Adult.2026; : 1.     CrossRef
• The impact of excessive smartphone use on imbalance symptoms: The role of craniovertebral angle and cervical proprioception
  Musa Güneş, Emre Söylemez, Aydın Sinan Apaydın
  WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Impact of Smartphone Usage Duration on Postural Alignment, Neck Pain and Cervical Function Disability Among University Students
  Huma Khan, Pardeep Kumar, Sapna Bai, Ayesha Zafeer, Areej Imran, Syed Alamgir
  The Healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.2026; 6(4): 1.     CrossRef
• Comparison of Prefrontal Hemodynamic Responses and Balance Control Differences Based on Head Posture and Task Difficulty in Cognitive-Balance Tasks
  Jeongeun Kim, Jihye Jung, Seungwon Lee
  Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science.2026; 15(2): 244.     CrossRef
• Validity of a qualitative visual method for diagnosing forward head posture
  Shohei Shibasaki, Tomonori Kishino, Yoriko Sei, Keiichiro Harashima, Konomi Sakata, Hiroaki Ohnishi, Takashi Watanabe
  Musculoskeletal Science and Practice.2025; 76: 103282.     CrossRef
• Assessment of balance in overweight and obese young adults: utilizing centre of pressure displacement variables in the single leg sit-to-stand test
  Noppharath Sangkarit, Weerasak Tapanya, Patchareeya Amput, Chananya Muangchuen, Piyaporn Seeta, Worrasak Paleeta
  International Journal of Adolescence and Youth.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Evaluating fall risk in community-dwelling older adults through balance assessment with the Nintendo Wii Balance Board
  Weerasak Tapanya, Noppharath Sangkarit, Puttipong Poncumhak, Saisunee Konsanit
  Human Movement.2025; 26(1): 161.     CrossRef
• Knowledge on text neck syndrome among paramedical students
  Anugraha Puthalan Kunnath, Sankeerthana Rameshan, Deena Vachal Sudheendran, Fathima Rouff, Akash Chandran, Sabna Pulikka Kkunnil
  International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health.2025; 12(7): 3055.     CrossRef

Objective
We evaluated the effects of forward head posture on the myoelectrical activities of the paraspinal muscles.

Method: 15 healthy persons who were pain-free and didn't have the history of neuromuscular disease were participated in this study. Measurements were taken in three different sitting positions (relaxed, erect and forward head posture) with staring forward and arms hanging at the side. Paraspinal myoelectrical activities were measured by surface electrodes in paracervical, paralumbar, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and levator scapular (LS) muscles. Simultaneously whole spine lateral X-ray including skull was taken. We measured cranio-cervical spinal alignment indicies (craniovertical, craniocervical, cervicohorizontal and upper cervical angles) introduced by Huggare and Gonzalez, lower cervical angle, lumbar lordosis angle and myoelectrical activity of each muscle in three different sitting positions.

Results: The analysis of relationship between lumbar lordosis and cranio-cervical spinal alignment index showed significant results. The more the lumbar lordosis increased, the head forward displacement decreased. But, the myoelectrical activities of paraspinal muscles were not influenced by the posture.

Conclusion: Maintaining lumbar lordosis is very important to correct forward head posture and research for the distraction force loaded to soft tissue of the neck in forward head posture is needed. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2003; 27: 126-130)