PREVALNCE OF FORWARD HEAD POSTURE WHILE USING COMPUTERS AMONG OFFICE WORKERS IN PESHAWAR (A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/mvr91f11Keywords:
Office workers, Computers, Cross-Sectional Studies, Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal Disorders, , Posture, PrevalenceAbstract
Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal deviations observed in individuals engaged in prolonged computer use. It is strongly associated with occupational risk factors such as static sitting, poor ergonomics, and repetitive screen exposure. The condition has been linked with neck pain, myofascial dysfunction, shoulder impingement, and reduced postural control. With increasing reliance on digital technology in professional environments, assessing the prevalence of FHP among office workers is critical to inform preventive and ergonomic strategies aimed at mitigating work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of forward head posture among computer users working in various offices in University Town, Peshawar.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November to December 2018, including 359 office workers (both male and female) aged 17–60 years. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of participants was 30.88 years (SD ±8.86). Data were collected using a self-modified, validated questionnaire, and forward head posture was assessed using craniovertebral angle measurement via the smartphone application Surgimap. All participants provided informed consent prior to inclusion. Descriptive statistics including means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages were calculated.
Results: Out of 359 participants, 216 (60.2%) exhibited forward head posture, whereas 143 (39.8%) did not. The majority of participants, 239 (66.6%), reported stretching their arms forward during work, while 120 (33.4%) did not. With regard to daily working hours, 150 (41.8%) participants reported working more than 5 hours per day, 39 (10.9%) worked 3–4 hours, 13 (3.6%) worked 1–2 hours, 12 (3.3%) worked 2–3 hours, and only 2 (0.6%) reported less than 1 hour.
Conclusion: This study concluded that forward head posture was highly prevalent among office workers in Peshawar using computers for prolonged periods. The findings highlight the importance of early ergonomic interventions, posture education, and awareness programs to prevent long-term musculoskeletal complications.
References
O'Reilly K, McDonnell JM, Ibrahim S, Butler JS, Martin-Smith JD, O'Sullivan JB, et al. Biomechanical and ergonomic risks associated with cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction amongst surgeons: A systematic review. Surgeon. 2024;22(3):143-9.
Alghadir AH, Iqbal ZA. Effect of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Training Using Pressure Biofeedback on Pain and Forward Head Posture in School Teachers with Neck Pain: An Observational Study. Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:5588580.
Nasir, Urooj & Shabbir, Hamza & Shah, Ariba & Uddin, Shahab & Khan, Muhammad & Dawood, Muhammad & Aziz, Abdul. (2025). COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF NEUROMUSCULAR TAPING VS. STRETCHING IN CHRONIC PLANTAR FASCIITIS PATIENTS. Insights-Journal of Life and Social Sciences. 3. 283-289. 10.71000/px7j9q20.
Iqbal ZA, Alghadir AH, Anwer S. Efficacy of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Training on Neck Pain, Functional Disability, and Muscle Endurance in School Teachers: A Clinical Trial. Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:7190808.
Lavé A, Gondar R, Demetriades AK, Meling TR. Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders in neurosurgery: a systematic review. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2020;162(9):2213-20.
Bernardes RA, Caldeira S, Parreira P, Sousa LB, Apóstolo J, Almeida IF, et al. Foot and Ankle Disorders in Nurses Exposed to Prolonged Standing Environments: A Scoping Review. Workplace Health Saf. 2023;71(3):101-16.
Cooney NJ, Sowman P, Schilaty N, Bates N, Hewett TE, Doyle TLA. Head and Neck Characteristics as Risk Factors For and Protective Factors Against Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Military and Sporting Populations: A Systematic Review. Sports Med. 2022;52(9):2221-45.
Markwell SA, Garman KS, Vance IL, Patel A, Teitelman M. Individualized ergonomic wellness approach for the practicing gastroenterologist (with video). Gastrointest Endosc. 2021;94(2):248-59.e2.
Ruiz-Lozano RE, Hernández-Camarena JC, Garza-Garza LA, Bustamante-Arias A, Colorado-Zavala MF, Cardenas-de la Garza JA. Isotretinoin and the eye: A review for the dermatologist. Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(6):e14029.
Zong Y, Kamoi K, Zhang J, Yang M, Ohno-Matsui K. Mpox (Monkeypox) and the Eye: Ocular Manifestation, Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccination. Viruses. 2023;15(3).
Marzban H, Rezaei E, Shahmahmoudi F, Zangiabadi Z, Sahebi A, Makki F. Musculoskeletal disorders among bank workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024;25(1):951.
Soo SY, Ang WS, Chong CH, Tew IM, Yahya NA. Occupational ergonomics and related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists: A systematic review. Work. 2023;74(2):469-76.
Omari AA, Al-Ashqar R, Nuseir A, Al Balas H, Allan H, Kanaan Y, et al. Overview of Upper Airway Management During COVID-19 Outbreak: Head and Neck Surgeon's Perspective. J Craniofac Surg. 2020;31(6):e644-e9.
Singer SR, Kim IH, Creanga AG, Mupparapu M. Physiologic and Pathologic Calcifications of Head and Neck Significant to the Dentist. Dent Clin North Am. 2021;65(3):555-77.
Li Y, Xu H, Li R, Cheng M, Wen C. Prevalence and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers in medical radiation environments. Work. 2024;79(4):1867-77.
Jalali M, Farhadi S, Esmaeili R, Aghaei H, Rahimimoghadam S, Niroumand M, et al. Prevalence, incidence and associated factors of musculoskeletal disorders before and during the Covid-19 pandemic in faculty members: a comparative cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024;25(1):692.
Kamray, Rabbia & Shabbir, Hamza & Mirza, Qurat & Butt, Aqsa & Nouman, Talha & Fatima, Maryam & Khan, Kashmala & Asim, Hafiz & Ali, Amir. (2025). Comparative Effectiveness of Motor Imagery Training Versus Conventional Strength Training on Quadriceps Strength, Pain Levels, and Range of Motion in Patients Six Months Post-ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Health, Wellness, and Community Research. e529. 10.61919/7r78rm15.
Lynn Salzar T, Aguilar KN, Smith ML, Pickens A, Han G, Anderson G, et al. Stand-Capable Workstations Reduce Occupational Sedentary Time Among Administrative Workers. IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors. 2024;12(3):162-74.
Fan X, Forsman M, Yang L, Lind CM, Kjellman M. Surgeons' physical workload in open surgery versus robot-assisted surgery and nonsurgical tasks. Surg Endosc. 2022;36(11):8178-94.
Rodríguez-Romero B, Smith MD, Pértega-Díaz S, Quintela-Del-Rio A, Johnston V. Thirty Minutes Identified as the Threshold for Development of Pain in Low Back and Feet Regions, and Predictors of Intensity of Pain during 1-h Laboratory-Based Standing in Office Workers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4).
Rodríguez-Romero B, Smith MD, Quintela-Del-Rio A, Johnston V. What Psychosocial and Physical Characteristics Differentiate Office Workers Who Develop Standing-Induced Low Back Pain? A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(19).
Contractor ES, Shah S, Shah S, Dave P. Validity and Reliability of Electronic Head Posture Instrument for Measurement of Cranio-Horizontal Angle, Craniovertebral Angle and Sagittal Shoulder Angle. Executive Editor. 2020;11(7):265.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nadeem Afsar, Syed Muhammad Hammad, Saba Khan, Alia Misbah, Tayyab Awan, Sara bukhari (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
