The relationship between cervical range of motion, head-repositioning accuracy, and postural stability in healthy adults

Aims: To investigate the inter-relationship between cervical range of motion (CROM), headrepositioning accuracy (HRA), postural stability and their correlation with age and gender in healthy adults. Methods: A correlational study using cross-sectional design with convenient sampling was conducted. Thirty subjects with no previous history of neck pain or injury to the cervical spine in the previous 6 months were recruited. Subjects' CROM was measured by a cervical range of motion device. HRA was measured by equipment including laser pointer, helmet, goggles and marking pens. Postural stability was assessed by Biodex Balance System. Findings: CROM was shown to be negatively correlated to HRA and postural stability (P<0.05) although the reliability coefficient was poor (r ranged from -0.0017 to 0.64). HRA was positively correlated to postural stability (P<0.05), yet the reliability coefficient was poor (r ranged from 0.12 to 0.41). Results also demonstrated positive correlation between age and all the variables measured (P