• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2013

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacies of thoracic self-mobilization and strengthening exercise in young adults with thoracic hyperkyphosis. Methods: The subjects were 30 young adults (11 males, 19 females) with thoracic hyperkyphosis. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: thoracic self-mobilization, thoracic strengthening exercise, and control group. The thoracic self-mobilization group performed active dynamic exercises, which included thoracic extension and rotation in supine and standing positions. The strengthening exercise group performed resistance exercises involving the back extensor muscle, with an elastic band and dumbbells. The outcome measures were the thoracic kyphosis angle and forward head posture (craniovertebral angle [CVA] and cranial rotation angle [CRA]). Results: Compared with the baseline values, the thoracic kyphosis angle had decreased while the CVA had increased in both training groups (p<.05), but the CRA was significantly decreased in only the strengthening exercise group. Thoracic self mobilization reduced kyphosis and improved CVA, while thoracic strengthening exercise reduced kyphosis and improved CVA and CRA. Conclusion: This study suggests a promising exercise intervention that can improve posture in young adults with thoracic hyperkyphosis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Background: In previous studies, changes in postural alignment were found when the slope was changed during walking. Downhill walking straightens the trunk by shifting the line of gravity backward. Objects: This study investigated the effect of the downhill treadmill walking exercise (DTWE) on thoracic angle and thoracic erector spinae (TES) activation in subjects with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with thoracic kyphosis were recruited for this study. All the subjects performed the DTWE for 30 minutes. A surface EMG and 3D motion capture system were used to measure TES activation and thoracic angle before and after the DTWE. Paired t-tests were used to confirm the effect of the DTWE (p<.05). Results: Both the thoracic angle and TES activation had significantly increased after the DTWE compared to the baseline (p<.05). An increase in the thoracic angle indicates a decrease in kyphosis. Conclusion: The DTWE is effective for thoracic kyphosis patients as it decreases their kyphotic posture and increases the TES activation. Future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of the DTWE.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2022

Background: A spinal extension and intensive rehabilitation program reduced the symptoms and pain of kyphosis, and improved function. Objects: This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of a spine extension device on the degree of thoracic kyphosis and extension angles, confirm reduction of the kyphosis angle and an increase in flexibility. Methods: Thirteen adults were enrolled in the experiment, using the spine extension device, which was set to passively extend the spine. The angle between the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra and the spinous process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra was measured by dual inclinometer before and after using the spine extension device. Results: In the static posture, the thoracic kyphosis decreased after using the spine extension device in the thoracic extension posture, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05); thoracic extension angle increased with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the thoracic kyphosis angle and thoracic extension angle of the subjects before and after using spine extension device was compared and analyzed, which proved that the spine extension device can effectively improve the mobility of spinal extension.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2020

Objective: The purposes of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic values of abdominal muscles thickness and sterno-costal angle as the quantitative diagnostic indicators for young adults with rounded shoulders. Design: A observational, cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included thirty-three male participants in order to examine the relationship among thoracic kyphosis, sternocostal angle, and abdominal muscle thickness. We used ultrasound imaging to measure the muscle thickness, two gravity-dependent inclinometers to measure the kyphosis angle, and Image J to measure the sterno-costal angle. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of thoracic kyphosis angle and muscle thickness of the external oblique (EO) on the right side (r=0.931), and on the left side (r=0.432), and the transverse abdominis (TrA) (r=0.649). There was also a significant negative correlation between the thoracic kyphosis angle and the sterno-costal angle at the right side (r=-0.942) and at the left side (r=-0.860). There was a significant positive relationship with muscle thickness of the EO and TrA on the right side with the thoracic kyphosis angle, and was significant negative relationship with the sterno-costal angle on both sides. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that the thoracic kyphosis angle is related to muscle thickness of the EO and TrA on the dominant side and the sterno-costal angle. We also suggest that future studies are needed to determine how strengthening the abdominal muscles may contribute to preventing excessive thoracic kyphosis in young adults.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1513-1516
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of upper thoracic mobilization on cervical alignment in stroke patients with forward head posture. The subject's of this study were two stroke patients with forward head posture and a cervical curve angle (four-line Cobb's method; FLCM) less than $40^{\circ}$. The intervention, central posterior-anterior (PA) mobilization, was applied to the T1-T4 vertebrae (upper thoracic spine) following the Maitland concept. This mobilization was applied three times per week for four weeks. In the results, the cervical curve angle (FLCM) increased for both subject 1 and 2. However, Jochumsen method score was decreased in subject 1, while it was increased in subject 2. These results demonstrate that upper thoracic mobilization had the positive effect on the cervical curve angle but not on Jochumsen method score. These findings suggest that PA mobilization on the upper thoracic spine could correct cervical curve angle measured by FLMC in stroke patients with FHP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises on craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles in patients with rotator cuff injury. METHODS: This study enrolled 19 patients with rotator cuff injury, and ten and nine of the patients were randomly placed in abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercise groups, respectively. After pain treatment in each group, breathing exercise was conducted thrice a week for four weeks. The patients were recorded by using a digital camera and Image J (version 1.46, National Institutes of Health, USA), an angle measurement program, was used to analyze changes in the craniovertebral angle, cranial rotation angle, and sagittal shoulder posture. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the craniovertebral angle were found in both the abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercise groups (p<.05). A significant difference in cranial rotation angle was found in the thoracic expansion exercise group only (p<.05). No statistically significant differences in sagittal shoulder posture were found in both groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Although abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises did not effectively change sagittal shoulder posture, the exercises were effective in improving craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles. Therefore, abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises are suggested as effective exercise programs for forward head posture.

• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2005

Two hundreds of female aged 19 years old and up were recruited to evaluate the postural changes and bilateral variation of asymmetry over age. To find out the differences among the age group, subjects were classified into 5 groups, early young age(19-29), late young age(30-39), early middle age(40-49), late middle age(50-59), and old age(60-). 35 body measurements were taken by the 3-D body scanner which allowed us to take measurements which cannot be measured using traditional methods, including the shape of a cross section, slice area surface are, and volume. Bilateral variations were observed as a function of age; Depth of scapular point level, scapular point to center back, and blade angle. Postural change of anterior cervical angle, upper anterior thoracic angle, upper posterior thoracic angle, posterior cervical angle, and center back/center front ratio were also exhibited. In each measurements, subjects were classified into normal, and abnormal group. Percentiles of abnormal in shoulder line angle, blade angle, neck point $\∼$ acromial point $\∼$ scapular point, posterior cervical angle, and upper posterior thoracic angle were increased over age group. The upper body of lateral view was classified into 3 types of posture based on the previous research; straight, erect(leaning back), and stooped(bent forward). The percentiles of subjects who have straight postures were decreased as a function of age, but those of stooped postures were increased. Subjects who have erect postures did not so. The stooped posture group shows the big cervical fossa angle, anterior cervical angle, posterior cervical angle, upper posterior thoracic angle, and the small upper anterior thoracic angle comparing to the straight and erect posture group. These results could be apply for clothing construction reflecting the changes in back, shoulder, neck, and the bilateral asymmetry according to the target age group.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of thoracic mobilization (TM) on the angle of thoracic kyphosis, and static and dynamic balances by application period. The subjects of this study were 18 adult males and females (${\geq}20years\; old$) who had the angle of thoracic kyphosis equal to or higher than $40^{\circ}$. A pre-test was conducted for all subjects and TM was carried out. Data were collected before the intervention, 3 weeks after the intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention. It was measured three times per measurement and mean values were used for the analysis. The results of this study showed that the angle of thoracic kyphosis significantly (P<.05) decreased after applying TM. However, the migration area ($mm^2$) of the center of pressure (COP) in the static balance did not vary significantly. In the case of the dynamic balance, when eyes were open, the migration area ($mm^2$) of the COP significantly (P<.05) decreased after 3 weeks. When eyes were open, the migration area ($mm^2$) of the COP significantly (P<.05) decreased after 3 weeks and 6 weeks. Therefore, an intervention for improving the human body alignment and balance should be applied for a long-term, rather than a short-term, in order to be effective.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1201-1205
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• 2017

The purpose of this case study was to investigate the effects of thoracic mobilization and manipulation on a patient with upper thoracic pain. The subject had been complaining of upper thoracic pain for the last 4 months. On the X-ray, T3 and T4 spinous process were located on the left side of the vertical axis. First, transverse mobilization was applied from left to right at the T3-T4 and then thoracic manipulation was performed. The intervention methods of mobilization and manipulation were based on the concept of Maitland manual therapy. The subject underwent a total of 20 sessions (five times per week for four weeks). The thoracic pain and vertebral rotation angle were measured to examine the effect of the intervention. The thoracic pain score decreased (from 4.0 to 1.5) and the angle of thoracic vertebral rotation decreased (from $70{\underline{\circ}}$ to $4.0{\underline{\circ}}$). These results suggest that applied mobilization and manipulation in patients with a primary complaint of thoracic pain decreasing the thoracic pain and vertebral rotation angle.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2015

Objectives : This study is planned to classify correlation between thoracic kyphosis angle and prevalence of cervical intervertebral disc. Methods : We Measured the thoracic kyphosis angel of the 110 men and 179 women patients with neck pain in 00 Korean Medicine Hospital. We use Cobb's angle method and Thoracic cage dimension method for measuring the thoracic kyphosis. And We use Magentic Resonance Imaging(MRI) for classifying the patient who has cervical intervertebral disc or not. Results : 1. There was statistical difference on the thoracic cage dimension with gender(P<0.001), while there was no statistical difference on Cobb's angle with gender(P=0.882). 2. Age and thoracic cage dimension(r=0.383) is statistically more correlative than age and cobb's angle(r=-0.59). Conclusions : 1. Thoracic cage dimension and gender, Thoracic cage dimension and age were statistically concerned on patient who has neck pain, while Cobb's angle had no statistical correlation with age and gender. 2. There was no statistical difference on the Cobb's angle and Thoracic cage Dimension between patient who has one or more cervical disc herniation(Protrusion disc, Extrusion disc) segment and patient who didn't have cervical disc herniation(Protrusion disc, Extrusion disc) segment.