A corrective functional exercise program for postural thoracic kyphosis in teenagers: study protocol for a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: In this report, we describe our protocol for testing the hypothesis that a comprehensive corrective training program for teenagers could effectively treat postural thoracic kyphosis, which is a common problem in this age group. Methods/Design: This was a prospective, single-center, randomized, controlled, open-label trial completed at the China Institute of Sport Science in Beijing, China. Eighty teenagers were enrolled and randomized into two groups (n = 40/group). The participants completed one of two training programs: 1) a comprehensive training program aimed at functional correction of posture that targeted active range of motion, proprioception, and strength of the muscles acting on the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae (test group) or 2) a standard strength-training program (control group). The two training programs were designed to be equal in intensity and each consisted of two 20-minute sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks. All participants underwent non-invasive testing using Spinal Mouse® while standing upright, and with their trunks in flexion and extension, before, and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the final training session. Outcome measures were assessed before training and 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the last training session. The primary outcome was thoracic kyphosis angle. Secondary outcomes included lumbar lordosis, sacral inclination angle, thoracic inclination angle, range of motion of the spine, posture, and the incidence of adverse events. Discussion: Successful treatment of postural thoracic kyphosis would improve the health of affected teenagers. Trial registration: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ) (registration number: ChiCTR-INR-16008860). Ethics: This trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing, China and performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Informed consent: Training content and process was fully exposed to all the participants, and signed informed consent was obtained from each participant.