Comparison of manual therapy and exercise therapy for postural hyperkyphosis: A randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a manual therapy and an exercise therapy program in improving postural hyperkyphosis among young adults. Methods: Forty-six women between the ages of 18 to 30 years with thoracic kyphosis diagnosed by flexicurve ruler were randomly assigned to either an exercise therapy or a manual therapy group. The exercise therapy program focused on stretching and strengthening exercises in 15 sessions over 5 weeks. The manual therapy group received 15 sessions of manual techniques including massage, mobilization, muscle energy and myofascial release. Kyphosis angle and back extensor muscle strength were measured with a motion analysis system and a dynamometer at the baseline and after treatment. The data were analyzed with paired and independent t-tests. Results: After treatment, the angle of thoracic kyphosis was smaller and back extensor muscle strength was significantly greater in both the exercise and manual therapy groups (p < 0.001). We found no significant differences between groups in the changes in kyphosis angle or muscle strength after treatment (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Manual therapy was as effective as exercise therapy in reducing kyphosis angle and increasing back extensor muscle strength in young women with postural hyperkyphosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Exercise therapy
• hyperkyphosis
• manual therapy
• motion analysis system

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, for scientific and financial support for this study.