Effect Of Thoracic Spine Manipulation on Pulmonary Function Tests in Asymptomatic Postural Kyphosis

Abstract

Background: Postural Kyphosis is a common flexible deformity of spinal curvature which is not associated with any underlying bony abnormality. Purpose: This study examined the effect of thoracic spine manipulation on pulmonary function tests in Asymptomatic postural kyphosis. Methods: Thirty-four subjects with postural kyphosis aged 20 to 30 years, both sexes, had a thoracic kyphotic angle between 40 and 60 degrees. They were randomly allocated into two equally matched groups (A and B). Group A received thoracic spinal manipulation plus traditional physiotherapy program (core stability exercises and postural correction), 3 times/week for 6 weeks, manipulation delivered once weekly. Group B received only the traditional physiotherapy program for 3 times/week for 6 weeks. The following tests were conducted twice: once prior to treatment and once after, kyphotic index (KI), axillary chest expansion, 4th rib chest expansion, Xiphoid chest expansion, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory Volume at 1st second (FEV1), FVC/FEV1 ratio and estimated maximal oxygen consumption. Results: The findings revealed that thoracic manipulation was successful to decrease KI and increase axillary chest expansion, FVC and FEV1 of group A compared to that of group B (p < 0.05). On the other hand, no significant differences were observed between groups in 4th rib chest expansion, xiphoid chest expansion, FVC/FEV1, and VO2 max between groups after intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exercise regimens that involve thoracic manipulation for asymptomatic postural kyphosis was more beneficial than traditional intervention alone in terms of pulmonary capacity.