The comparison of head and neck alignment in children with visual and hearing impairments and its relation with anthropometrical dimensions

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare head and neck alignment in children with visual and hearing impairments and its relation with anthropometrical parameters. Methods: The study was a descriptive, correlational analysis within which the relations between dependent and independent variables have been studied. Thirty children with poor vision, 30 children with hearing loss and finally 30 healthy ones ranged 6-12 years old were selected randomly. Anteroposterior and mediolateral photographs of the neck were obtained to check forward head and torticollis postures. Anthropometric parameters (head, neck and thorax circumference, neck, shoulder and thorax width, neck length, the distance from tragus to sternal notch and sitting-height) were measured. Statistical analysis of data was performed by 1-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The statistical results indicated that forward head angle was less in the visually impaired group than the group with hearing loss (P = 0.001) and the healthy group (P = 0.017). The lateral flexion angle was more in the group with hearing loss than the healthy group (P = 0.001). There is also a positive significant correlation between head circumference (P = 0.025), neck length (P = 0.001), sternal notch-tragus distance (P = 0.003), and sitting-height (P = 0.014) with forward head posture. No significant relation was observed between other anthropometrical parameters with structural profile variable (Forward head and torticollis). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that visual and hearing impairments can affect the head and neck alignment of children and this alignment has a significant relation with some of the anthropometrical dimensions. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to treatment exercises in order to correct and improve body posture and changed anthropometrical dimensions in children with visual and hearing impairments.