ABSTRACT
This study was proposed to investigate the effect of variation of head position in normal as well as cervical spondylitic cases. In addition to examining the effect of the maintained position as one of the commonly assumed posture on hand grip strength. Sixty subjects participated in this study [thirty normal and thirty cervical spondylotic subjects]. Normal subjects were randomly assigned into male group with a mean age 26.2 +/- 5.09 years and female group with a mean age 24.13 +/- 7.08 years. Patient group was also classified into male group with a mean age 25.4 +/- 4.71 years and female group with a mean age 24.86 +/- 4.82 years. Jamar hand held Dynamometer, JA. Preston, [Inc. Jackson. Michigan] was used to measure the isometric hand grip strength. Each subject assume the same protocol concerning the starting position where the hand grip was measured in the standardized position for the arm, the head position was changed applying the neutral [normal] and non neutral; flexion and extension. Each position was maintained manually with the research staff for five minutes. The order of the tested position was randomized to avoid carryover from each position with two-minute rest interval. The results of this study revealed mean value of hand grip strength in female group lowered than in male and in the left hand compared to the right hand. The maintained position significantly lower the hand grip strength specially the maintained left flexion but the maintained extension still has a higher grip strength compared to flexion. The head position should be considered as an important factor that necessitate work station design that keep the head in the neutral position and the variation of posture or recovery time should be given for optimum hand function. Moreover, the neutral head position is a key factor in performance for normal or cervical spondylotic patient during hand function