Effectiveness of Standard Exercises and Wall Angels Exercise in Young Adults With Kyphotic Posture

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Wall Angels Exercise Combined With Standard Exercises in Young Adults With Kyphotic Posture: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Kyphosis-oriented exercise programs consist of isolated stretching, strengthening, and breathing exercises. However, the literature emphasizes that the body is a kinetic chain in many musculoskeletal disorders and supports holistic exercise approaches. To our knowledge, the effects of a complex exercise such as the Wall Angels exercise have not been studied in the kyphotic population. The aim of our study is to investigate whether the Wall Angels exercise combined with standard kyphosis exercises performed at home has additional effects and to contribute to the optimization of kyphosis rehabilitation programs.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Exercise Therapy; Kyphosis Thoracic
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: EXERCISE TRAINING WITH OR WITHOUT MEDICATION; Other: CONTROL

Detailed Description

The study was planned as a randomized controlled double-blind study and will consist of two groups: intervention (Wall angels exercise combined with kyphosis and breathing exercises) and control (Only kyphosis and breathing exercises). The G-Power version-3.1.9 power analysis measurement method was used to determine the sample size. According to the Power Analysis conducted by taking into account the results of the studies of Elpeze and Usgu (15), it was calculated that at least 38 volunteers would be included in the study for a p<0.05 with an effect size of 0.5 and a power of 85%. The outcome measures of the study will be demographic characteristics, pain (Visual Analog Scale), trunk flexibility assessment, thoracic range of motion assessment, kyphosis index, scapula protraction, upper extremity function, respiratory capacity, postural habit and postural awareness level, and quality of life assessment. Statistical analyses will be performed using SPSS version 23.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics; IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) software. Descriptive statistics of the data will be given using mean and standard deviation for numerical variables; and percentages for qualitative variables. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test will be used to examine the conformity of the data to normal distribution as a result of descriptive analyses. Intra-group comparisons will be evaluated using the Dependent Groups T test for groups with normal distribution, and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test for those not with normal distribution. In order to compare pre-post training values between groups, the Independent Groups T test for data with normal distribution, and the Mann Whitney-U test for data not with normal distribution will be used. The level of statistical significance will be accepted as p<0.05.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Isparta, Turkey
    • Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Health Science

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Volunteering to participate in the study and giving written consent
2. Being a woman/man between the ages of 18-25
3. Having a kyphotic posture

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Having a musculoskeletal disorder (scoliosis, etc.)
2. Having a neurological system disorder
3. Having a cardiopulmonary system disorder
4. Having a fracture or surgery related to the spine, rib cage, or upper extremity within the last year
5. Participating in an exercise program for kyphosis within the last 6 months

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention arm; 1. Posture Exercises (3 sets * 15 reps): 1a) Shoulder lift 1b) Shoulder forward circles 1c) Shoulder backward circles 2. Pectoral Stretch Exercise (3 sets * 10 reps; each stretch held for 30 seconds; for right and left sides) 3. Back Strengthening Exercise (3 sets * 15 reps) 4. Self Mobilization Exercise (3 sets * 10 reps; for right and left sides) 5. Cat-Camel Exercise (3 sets * 10 reps) 6. Breathing Exercises (3 sets * 10 reps): 6a) Diaphragmatic breathing 6b) Segmental breathing 7. Wall angels exercise (2 sets * 10 reps)	Other: EXERCISE TRAINING WITH OR WITHOUT MEDICATION; Posture exercise, stretching exercise, breathing exercise, back strengthening exercise, self-mobilization exercise, cat camel exercise and postural correction exercise will be applied.
Active Comparator: Control arm; 1. Posture Exercises (3 sets * 15 reps): 1a) Shoulder lift 1b) Shoulder forward circles 1c) Shoulder backward circles 2. Pectoral Stretch Exercise (3 sets * 10 reps; each stretch held for 30 seconds; for right and left sides) 3. Back Strengthening Exercise (3 sets * 15 reps) 4. Self Mobilization Exercise (3 sets * 10 reps; for right and left sides) 5. Cat-Camel Exercise (3 sets * 10 reps) 6. Breathing Exercises (3 sets * 10 reps): 6a) Diaphragmatic breathing 6b) Segmental breathing	Other: CONTROL; Posture exercise, stretching exercise, breathing exercise, back strengthening exercise, self-mobilization exercise, cat camel exercise will be applied.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Postural Habits and Awareness Scale	Postural habits and awareness levels will be assessed with the Postural Habits and Awareness Scale (PHAS). PHAS is a valid and reliable tool developed to assess postural habits and awareness in healthy adults. This scale consists of four sub-dimensions: postural habits and awareness, awareness of factors that impair posture, ergonomic awareness and positional awareness. PHAS is structured as a 5-point Likert scale consisting of 19 items, 7 of which are related to postural habits and 12 to postural awareness. Participants rate each item on a scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The total score on the scale ranges from 0 to 95, with higher scores indicating better postural habits and awareness.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)	The level of pain will be assessed by the participant using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (0: no pain; 100: unbearable pain).	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Trunk Hyperextension and Lateral Flexion Flexibility Measurement	Trunk flexibility will be measured using trunk hyperextension and lateral flexion (for right and left sides) tests and a tape measure. For the trunk hyperextension measurement, the participant is asked to stand facing the wall and with their pelvis touching the wall. First, the distance between the sternum notch and the wall is measured and recorded in this position. Then, the participant's pelvis is supported and they are asked to move their trunk backwards away from the wall. At the last point, the sternum notch and wall distance is measured again. The difference between the first and last measurements is recorded in centimeters. For the trunk lateral flexion measurement, the participant stands with their back to the wall. The tape measure is placed distal to the 3rd phalanx. The measure is recorded in centimeters. The measurement is repeated for the other side.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Flexruler Measurement (kyphosis index)	The kyphosis index will be calculated using the appropriate formula after the measurement with the flexible ruler. The flexible ruler is a metal covered with plastic, approximately 60 cm long, which can be molded according to the contour of the spine to measure the curves in the sagittal plane. To determine the kyphosis index, the spinous processes of the C7 and T12 vertebrae are determined as references and the participant's kyphosis shape is evaluated with the flexible ruler and transferred to paper. The kyphosis index is calculated by evaluating the angle formed between the distance between C7 and T12, defined as thoracic length, and the distance of the kyphosis peak, defined as thoracic width, to the thoracic length line.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Inclinometer Tests	Thoracic range of motion will be measured using an inclinometer for flexion and rotation (for the right and left sides). The spinous processes of the T1 and T12 vertebrae are marked as reference points. For the measurement of thoracic flexion, the inclinometer is placed vertically on the T1 vertebra and the participant is asked to lean forward so that the lumbar region does not participate in the movement. The value obtained at this point is recorded in degrees for the T1 vertebra flexion. Immediately afterwards, the inclinometer is placed vertically on the T12 vertebra and the T12 vertebra flexion is recorded in degrees. For thoracic right and left rotations, the inclinometer is placed horizontally on the T1 vertebra. The participant is asked to rotate the thoracic region and the value at the last point is recorded in degrees for the T1 vertebra. Immediately afterwards, the degree for the T12 vertebra is recorded.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Scapula Protraction Test	For the right and left scapula, the inferior edge of the scapula is determined and the vertical distance to the midline of the spine is measured with a tape measure and recorded in centimeters.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Chest Circumference Measurement	Respiratory capacity will be recorded in centimeters by taking the difference between the chest circumference measurements obtained at maximum inspiration and maximum expiration from the axillary, epigastric and subcostal regions. The greater the difference, the better the pulmonary function.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire	The DASH is a questionnaire designed to assess disability resulting from upper extremity injuries, activity limitations, leisure activities, and work participation restrictions. The questionnaire consists of three sections. The first section contains 30 items: 21 items assessing difficulties in activities of daily living, 5 items assessing symptoms, and 4 items assessing social function, work, sleep, and self-esteem. This first section determines the Function/Symptom Model (DASH-FS) score. All questions are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale (1: no difficulty, 5: cannot do at all) (0: no disability, 100: maximum disability). Scores range from 0 to 100 for each section (0: no disability, 100: maximum disability).	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
SRS22 Patient Outcome Questionnaires	Quality of life will be assessed with the Scoliosis Research Society Patient Questionnaire. The SRS-22 is a valid and reliable scoliosis-specific quality of life scale developed by Haher et al. and modified by the Scoliosis Research Society to assess the current perception of medical status and self-image in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. The scale consists of five subscales consisting of 22 questions, including pain, general body image, spine function, mental health, and treatment satisfaction. Participants rate each question on a scale of 1 (most negative) to 5 (most positive). Scores for each subscale range from 0 to 25, while the total score for treatment satisfaction ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores on the scale indicate improved quality of life, while lower scores reflect decreased quality of life.	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Suleyman Demirel University
• Investigators: Study Director: Mesut Ergan, asst. prof., Suleyman Demirel University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 3, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 20, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 13, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 31, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 31, 2024
• Last Verified: December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Posture; Kyphosis; Corrective Exercise; Thoracic Mobility
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Spinal Diseases; Spinal Curvatures; Kyphosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: 09-27-2024/80/4

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No