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Home-Based Corrective Exercise With Remote Reinforcement for Upper Crossed Syndrome

4. november 2026 oppdatert av: JORGE MONTERO CÁMARA, Cardenal Herrera University

Effects of a Home-Based Corrective Exercise Program With Active Remote Reinforcement on Craniovertebral Angle, Rounded Shoulder Posture, Thoracic Kyphosis, Pain, Cervical and Shoulder Disability, and Pulmonary Function i Adults With Upper Crossed Syndrome: A Two-Arm Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial

Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) is a musculoskeletal condition defined by simultaneous forward head posture (craniovertebral angle, CVA < 52°), rounded shoulders (RSP > 52°), and thoracic hyperkyphosis (> 42°). It is highly prevalent in sedentary workers and musicians and is associated with neck pain, shoulder pain, and reduced pulmonary function. This two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial will compare two home-based corrective exercise programs over 12 weeks in adults with confirmed UCS. Both groups (Experimental, EG; Control, CG) perform the same 20-minute program three times per week: diaphragmatic breathing re-education and targeted muscle strengthening and stretching. The EG additionally uses a volumetric incentive spirometer (Coach2, 4000 mL) as respiratory biofeedback and receives active remote reinforcement (biweekly video calls + asynchronous educational material from a physiotherapist); the CG performs the same exercises without the spirometer and receives only minimal adherence monitoring. Outcomes are assessed at baseline (week 0) and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Primary outcome: craniovertebral angle (CVA) measured by lateral photogrammetry. Secondary outcomes: rounded shoulder angle (RSP), thoracic kyphosis (bubble inclinometer and smartphone inclinometer), pain (Visual Analogue Scale), cervical disability (Neck Disability Index), shoulder pain and disability (SPADI), exercise adherence, and pulmonary function (spirometry: FVC, FEV₁/FVC, MVV) at weeks 0 and 12. Recruitment will take place at the Associació Amics de la Música de Meliana, Fisioterapia A Punto, and Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU (Valencia, Spain). A total of 96 participants (48 per arm) will be enrolled over a 2-year recruitment window.

Studieoversikt

Status

Har ikke rekruttert ennå

Forhold

Intervensjon / Behandling

Studietype

Intervensjonell

Registrering (Antatt)

96

Fase

  • Ikke aktuelt

Kontakter og plasseringer

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Studiekontakt

Deltakelseskriterier

Forskere ser etter personer som passer til en bestemt beskrivelse, kalt kvalifikasjonskriterier. Noen eksempler på disse kriteriene er en persons generelle helsetilstand eller tidligere behandlinger.

Kvalifikasjonskriterier

Alder som er kvalifisert for studier

18 år til 65 år (Voksen, Eldre voksen)

Tar imot friske frivillige

Nei

Kjønn som er kvalifisert for studier

Alle

Beskrivelse

Inclusion Criteria:

  • • Confirmed UCS diagnosis, defined by the simultaneous presence of: (a) craniovertebral angle (CVA) < 52°; (b) rounded shoulder posture angle (RSP) > 52°; and (c) thoracic kyphosis angle > 42°.

    • Age between 18 and 65 years.
    • Available and willing to perform the home exercise program and to attend all four face-to-face assessment sessions (weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12).
    • Access to a camera-equipped device (smartphone or tablet) for remote monitoring and reinforcement.
    • Ability to understand the study procedures and to sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe cervical or thoracic pathology: vertebral fracture, neoplasm, infection, or active systemic inflammatory disease.

    • Spinal surgery within the preceding 12 months.
    • Respiratory pathology contraindicating use of a volumetric incentive spirometer: recent pneumothorax (< 6 weeks), COPD GOLD grade III-IV, or unstable bronchial asthma.
    • Active physiotherapy treatment specifically targeting UCS within the preceding 3 months.
    • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
    • Cognitive impairment or language barrier preventing comprehension of the exercise program.
    • Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial.

Studieplan

Denne delen gir detaljer om studieplanen, inkludert hvordan studien er utformet og hva studien måler.

Hvordan er studiet utformet?

Designdetaljer

  • Primært formål: Behandling
  • Tildeling: Randomisert
  • Intervensjonsmodell: Parallell tildeling
  • Masking: Enkelt

Våpen og intervensjoner

Deltakergruppe / Arm
Intervensjon / Behandling
Eksperimentell: Experimental Group (EC)

Home-based corrective exercise program (3 sessions/week × 12 weeks, 20 min/session) combining: (1) diaphragmatic breathing re-education with a volumetric incentive spirometer (Coach2, 4000 mL, Smiths Medical) as biofeedback - 4 progressive levels, 10 repetitions; (2) muscle strengthening and stretching targeting the deep cervical flexors, lower and middle trapezius, rhomboids, and pectoral/suboccipital muscles. The EG additionally receives active remote reinforcement: a biweekly video call with a physiotherapist and asynchronous educational material (written guides and video tutorials) delivered via a messaging platform.

Home-based corrective exercise program (3 sessions/week × 12 weeks, 20 min/session) combining: (1) diaphragmatic breathing re-education with a volumetric incentive spirometer (Coach2, 4000 mL, Smiths Medical) as biofeedback - 4 progressive levels, 10 repetitions; (2) muscle strengthening and stretching targeting the deep cervical flexors, lower and middle trapezius, rhomboids, and pectoral/suboccipital muscles. The EG additionally receives active remote reinforcement: a biweekly video call with a physiotherapist and asynchronous educational material (written guides and video tutorials) delivered via a messaging platform.

Aktiv komparator: Control Group (CG)

Identical home-based corrective exercise program (3 sessions/week × 12 weeks, 20 min/session) with the same muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. The CG does not use an incentive spirometer (diaphragmatic breathing performed without device) and does not receive active remote reinforcement; adherence monitoring is minimal (standardized paper diary).

Identical home-based corrective exercise program (3 sessions/week × 12 weeks, 20 min/session) with the same muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. The CG does not use an incentive spirometer (diaphragmatic breathing performed without device) and does not receive active remote reinforcement; adherence monitoring is minimal (standardized paper diary).

Hva måler studien?

Primære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Tiltaksbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

Angle formed between the horizontal line at the C7 spinous process and the line connecting C7 to the ipsilateral ear tragus, measured by lateral photogrammetry using standardized adhesive markers and Kinovea software. A lower CVA indicates greater forward head posture (normal > 52°).

Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

Sekundære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Tiltaksbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Rounded Shoulder Posture Angle (RSP)
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

Angle between the line connecting the C7 spinous process to the right acromion and the horizontal, measured by lateral photogrammetry (Kinovea). Values > 52° indicate rounded shoulder posture.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle - Bubble Inclinometer
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

Single-inclinometer sequential method: the instrument (Baseline, Fabrication Enterprises Inc., White Plains, NY) is zeroed at T1 and the angle is read at T12. Three measurements per time point; mean used for analysis.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle - Smartphone Inclinometer
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

Same T1-T12 sequential method using the Clinometer app (Plaincode) on iPhone 17. The upper corner of the narrow side of the phone is placed at T1 (zeroed to 0°), then moved to T12 (angle read). Three measurements per time point; mean used for analysis.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12
Pain Intensity - Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

100-mm horizontal VAS (0 = no pain; 100 = worst imaginable pain) for neck and interscapular pain during the past week. Minimum clinically important difference (MCID): 15 mm.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12
Cervical Disability - Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

10-item self-reported questionnaire assessing the impact of neck pain on daily activities; total score 0-50. Spanish validated version used. MCID: 5 points (10%). Interpretation: 0-8% no disability; 10-28% mild; 30-48% moderate; 50-64% severe; ≥ 64% complete disability.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12
Shoulder Pain and Disability - SPADI
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

13-item self-reported questionnaire with two subscales (Pain: 5 items; Disability: 8 items), each item scored 0-10. Total score 0-100 (higher = worse). MCID: 13-18 points. Spanish validated version used.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12
Exercise Adherence
Tidsramme: Weeks 1-12 (cumulative at each assessment point)

Percentage of prescribed sessions completed out of 36 planned sessions (3/week × 12 weeks), recorded in standardized session diaries. Adequate adherence defined as ≥ 70%

Weeks 1-12 (cumulative at each assessment point)
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC, % predicted)
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 12

Spirometric measurement (forced vital capacity as percentage of age-sex-height-weight predicted value). ATS acceptability and reproducibility criteria applied; 3 measurements per session, mean used.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 12
FEV₁/FVC Ratio (% predicted)
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 12

Ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity, expressed as percentage of predicted value.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 12
Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV, % predicted)
Tidsramme: Baseline (Week 0), Week 12

Spirometric measure of maximum airflow over 12-15 seconds, expressed as percentage of predicted value.

Baseline (Week 0), Week 12

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Studierekorddatoer

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Studer hoveddatoer

Studiestart (Antatt)

9. november 2026

Primær fullføring (Antatt)

9. november 2028

Studiet fullført (Antatt)

31. desember 2028

Datoer for studieregistrering

Først innsendt

29. oktober 2026

Først innsendt som oppfylte QC-kriteriene

4. november 2026

Først lagt ut (Faktiske)

9. november 2026

Oppdateringer av studieposter

Sist oppdatering lagt ut (Faktiske)

9. november 2026

Siste oppdatering sendt inn som oppfylte QC-kriteriene

4. november 2026

Sist bekreftet

1. oktober 2026

Mer informasjon

Begreper knyttet til denne studien

Andre studie-ID-numre

  • CEEI26_865
  • CEEI26_865 (Annen identifikator: CardenalHU)

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