Investigating the Relationship Between Cognitive Performance and Prefrontal Cortex Activity with Postural Stability, and Their Predictive Role in Individuals with Upper Crossed Syndrome

Document Type : Original Article

Researcher

Allameh Tabatabai University

Ministerial Ethics Committee
Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) is a common postural abnormality characterized by forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis. These postural changes may affect muscle function, sensory input, and postural control, potentially leading to difficulties in maintaining balance and postural stability, particularly under conditions requiring greater control. Recent evidence indicates that postural stability depends not only on musculoskeletal factors but also on cognitive processes such as attention, executive control, and information processing. The prefrontal cortex plays an important role in regulating these cognitive processes, particularly when cognitive and postural tasks are performed simultaneously. Despite numerous studies focusing on the structural and musculoskeletal aspects of UCS, the contribution of cognitive function and prefrontal cortical activity to postural stability in these individuals has received limited attention. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the relationship between cognitive performance, prefrontal cortical activity, and postural stability in individuals with UCS, as well as to determine the predictive role of these variables in static and dynamic balance. Forty individuals aged 18–35 years with UCS will be recruited and assessed under single-task and dual-task conditions. Cognitive tests, balance assessments, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will be used to evaluate the study variables. The collected data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. The findings are expected to provide a better understanding of the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying postural control in individuals with UCS and may contribute to the development of more comprehensive and effective rehabilitation interventions.