Effect of an modified upper back brace with auditory feedback for postural correction and chronic neck pain relief in office workers: A pre-post study

Forward Head Posture is a postural deformity where the head is positioned anterior to the vertical midline of the body. It is typically characterized by excessive extension of the upper cervical spine and flexion of the lower cervical and upper thoracic spine. This posture often results from prolonged poor ergonomics or habitual slouching and places increased strain on the cervical spine and surrounding musculature. Rounded Shoulder Posture refers to a condition where the shoulders are positioned forward of the midline of the body. This is commonly associated with internal rotation of the humerus and protraction of the scapulae. It often accompanies forward head posture and is linked to muscular imbalances such as tight pectoralis major/minor and weak scapular stabilizers like the rhomboids and lower trapezius.Office workers are employees whose primary job responsibilities are performed in an office environment ,typically involving adminitrative ,clerical, managerial, or technical task that require the use of computers, communication tool,and paperwork .These postural deviations place excessive strain on the cervical and upper thoracic spine, often leading to chronic neck pain (CNP), muscular imbalances, and reduced functional efficiency. chronic neck pain refers to neck pain that persists for 12 weeks or more  despite treatment Studies have shown that poor posture contributes to musculoskeletal disorders, negatively affecting productivity and overall well-being Conventional interventions such as ergonomic adjustments, posture training, and physical therapy are commonly used to address FHP and RSP. However, compliance with posture correction strategies remains a challenge Wearable devices, including back braces, have been explored as a means to provide external support, but their passive nature may lead to muscle dependence rather than long-term correction.Recent advancements in biofeedback technology have introduced auditory feedback mechanisms that help users develop self awareness and active postural correction. By integrating auditory cues, an upper back brace may encourage sustained posture improvements without fostering reliance on external support. However, research on the effectiveness of such a device in office workers with chronic neck pain is still limited.A study is already been done in the department “ effect of upper back brace with auditory feedback for forward head rounded shoulder posture among office worker with chronic neck pain – A pre-post single group study” by Jyotsna Rupesh Bankhele et al The study showed the significant improvement in forward head and rounded shoulder as well as reduction in neck pain . however, it was conducted over a short period with small sample size. Therefore, we now aim to replicate the study with larger population over an extended period