the Tone and Viscoelastic Properties of Back Muscles in Thoracic Kyphosis

NCT07142538 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: hakanpolat3
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The thoracic curvature of the spinal column occurs in the sagittal plane. While the normal thoracic kyphosis angle of the spine is 20-40°, an angle of 45-50° is referred to as postural kyphosis, increased kyphosis, or hyperkyphosis. The strength of the central and deep back muscles of the trunk controls spinal stability and intervertebral movements in dynamic situations. This ensures that thoracic curvature is maintained within normal physiological limits. Increased kyphosis can result from poor postural habits, prolonged computer use, trunk asymmetry, and muscle weakness. Studies have reported an increase in thoracic kyphosis, postural deviations in the trunk, and changes in shoulder and head positions as a result of weakening of the back muscles. Corrective exercise programmes aimed at strengthening the back muscles are frequently used in the treatment of thoracic kyphosis. The effects of exercise programmes on muscle strength, endurance, and kyphosis angle have been investigated. However, there are few studies examining the effects of corrective exercise programmes on muscle tone and viscoelastic properties in the back muscles. In our study, we aim to investigate the effects of an 8-week corrective exercise programme on the tone and viscoelastic properties of the back muscles in individuals with thoracic kyphosis and to propose its inclusion as a contemporary approach in clinical treatment protocols.

Conditions

Exercise; Kyphosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• The MyotonPro

  device can determine the stiffness, tone, and elasticity properties of muscles. This previously calibrated device creates a mechanical stimulus that induces the damped natural oscillations of the tissues using a 3 mm diameter probe placed perpendicular to the muscle with a non-invasive handheld feature. The resulting oscillations are recorded by an accelerometer. MyotonPro® is a valid and reliable method for determining muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity, and it also offers high test-retest reliability and reproducibility .

  8 weeks

• Flexible Ruler:

  The flexible ruler method is a reliable method used to measure cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine curvature. The measurement is taken using a 40 cm long flexible ruler while standing with arms relaxed at the sides, head upright, and eyes looking straight ahead. The C2 and C7 vertebrae are palpated and marked using removable adhesive skin markers. The flexible ruler is then placed over the cervical lordosis between these two points, and markers indicating the location of the C2 and C7 spinous processes are placed on it. The flexible ruler is placed on millimeter paper, and the resulting curve is reflected. A vertical angle is drawn from the peak of the curve to the baseline, and the cervical lordosis deviation angle is determined using an angle-to-angle connection

  8 weeks

• Kyphosis-Specific Spine Appearance Questionnaire

  The Kyphosis-Specific Spine Appearance Questionnaire consisted of 10 items on a Likert scale (1 to 5) regarding patients' perceptions of appearance; higher scores indicated worsening deformity and increased concern about kyphosis-specific appearance. The first item is based on drawings showing varying degrees of severity of hyperkyphosis deformity in the sagittal plane. Questions two through ten are based on textual questions that rate concerns about other aspects of spinal deformity appearance. The total score of the questionnaire is calculated as the average of the ten responses

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

corrective exercise group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

8 weeks, 3 days a week, 45 minutes shoulder, neck and back exercises postur exercises

Other: exercises

control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Shoulder and neck posture exercises Home exercises 8 weeks 3 days a week

Other: exercises

Interventions

exercises OTHER

Exercise training was provided to both groups.

control group; corrective exercise group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• having a kyphosis degree of ≥50° in individuals with thoracic kyphosis and voluntarily participating in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• individuals with scoliosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis, and other congenital spinal problems.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sanko University: lead

Study Sites (1)

SANKO University

Gaziantep, 27090, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity; Kyphosis

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior; Spinal Curvatures; Spinal Diseases; Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 19, 2025
• First Posted: August 26, 2025
• Study Start: February 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2024
• Study Completion: December 15, 2024
• Last Updated: August 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)