Objective: Balance disturbance is one of the observed impairments in patient with forward head posture (FHP). The aim of this study was comparing the effect of stabilization and stretching-strengthening exercises on the improvement of balance in these patients.

Materials & Methods: Thirty three females with FHP were randomized into three groups of stabilization training, stretching-strengthening and control. The degree of FHP was measured using plumb line and the crania-vertebral angle. Balance tests performed in three different standing conditions on a force platform. The subjects were evaluated after 6 weeks training and 1 month follow-up by repeated measure ANOVA and T-test through SPSS software.

Results: Balance parameters in both stretching-strengthening and control groups showed no significant changes (P>0.05) while in the stabilization group, significant decrease in displacement and velocity of center of pressure were seen under conditions of double-leg, eyes-open, foam-surface and single-leg, eyes-closed, rigid-surface (P<0.05) and no changes observed in balance parameters under conditions of double-leg, eyes-open, rigid-surface (P>0.05).

Conclusion: In the conditions of standing that visual and proprioception information from plantar region of foot is challenged, stabilization exercises lead to more balance improvement than stretching-strengthening exercises.