EFFECTS OF WEARING HEADSCARVES ON CERVICAL SPINE MOBILITY

Abstract

Background: Cervical spine provides three-dimensional movements of the head on the body while keeping the horizontality of visual gaze. Thus, cervical range of motion (ROM) is an important assessment that is commonly used in clinical practice. The headscarf is commonly used attire by females in Islamic cultures. The study aimed to investigate the effect of wearing headscarves on cervical ROM in females who wear headscarves compared with females who don’t wear headscarves.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fifty-two females with mean age 28.1±3.1 years were divided into two groups: Headscarf group (n=26) and no-scarf group (n=26). Cervical Range of Motion Device was used to measure cervical spine range of motion in a seated position for flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion, right rotation and left the rotation.

Results: The headscarf group reported a significant limitation in cervical ROM in all six directions. Moreover, females in the headscarf group who wore the headscarf for more or equal to 6 hours had significantly less left rotation compared to those who wear it for less than 6 hours (71.3±2.1 vs. 64.5±2.1, η2=2.2; p=0.045). No significant differences in mean ROM by age at onset of wearing a headscarf (≤12 years vs. > 12 years) or a number of years worn (≤15 years vs. > 15 years) were detected (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Wearing the headscarf may influence cervical ROM. Also, six hours or more of daily wear may result in further decline of cervical ROM.