Yoga decreases kyphosis in senior women and men with adult-onset hyperkyphosis: results of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether a specifically designed yoga intervention can reduce hyperkyphosis.


METHODS
A 6-month, two-group, randomized, controlled, single-masked trial.


METHODS
Community research unit.


METHODS
One hundred eighteen women and men aged 60 and older with a kyphosis angle of 40 degrees or greater. Major exclusions were serious medical comorbidity, use of assistive device, inability to hear or see adequately for participation, and inability to pass a physical safety screen.


METHODS
The active treatment group attended hour-long yoga classes 3 days per week for 24 weeks. The control group attended a monthly luncheon and seminar and received mailings.


METHODS
Primary outcomes were change (baseline to 6 months) in Debrunner kyphometer-assessed kyphosis angle, standing height, timed chair stands, functional reach, and walking speed. Secondary outcomes were change in kyphosis index, flexicurve kyphosis angle, Rancho Bernardo Blocks posture assessment, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).


RESULTS
Compared with control participants, participants randomized to yoga experienced a 4.4% improvement in flexicurve kyphosis angle (P=.006) and a 5% improvement in kyphosis index (P=.004). The intervention did not result in statistically significant improvement in Debrunner kyphometer angle, measured physical performance, or self-assessed HRQOL (each P>.1).


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in flexicurve kyphosis angle in the yoga treatment group shows that hyperkyphosis is remediable, a critical first step in the pathway to treating or preventing this condition. Larger, more-definitive studies of yoga or other interventions for hyperkyphosis should be considered. Targeting individuals with more-malleable spines and using longitudinally precise measures of kyphosis could strengthen the treatment effect.
Greendale
Gail A
GA
Division of Geriatrics, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. ggreenda@mednet.ucla.edu
Huang
Mei-Hua
MH
Karlamangla
Arun S
AS
Seeger
Leanne
L
Crawford
Sybil
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015013:Yoga
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1989 Jun;14(6):580-3
2749372
Ann Epidemiol. 1993 Jan;3(1):71-7
8287159
Age Ageing. 1983 Aug;12(3):225-33
6624608
Ann Hum Biol. 1976 Mar;3(2):173-9
1275439
Ann Hum Biol. 1974 Jul;1(3):327-37
4419577
Osteoporos Int. 2002 Jan;13(1):89-96
11883411
J Gerontol. 1994 Mar;49(2):M85-94
8126356
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1997 Jun;45(6):682-7
9180660
J Gerontol. 1992 May;47(3):M93-8
1573190
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1994 Oct;42(10):1050-5
7930328
J Bone Miner Res. 1993 Jul;8(7):817-22
8352064
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1998 Jul;53(4):M295-300
18314569
Osteoporos Int. 1996;6(2):160-5
8704356
Osteoporos Int. 2003 Dec;14(12):1007-12
14557854
J Bone Miner Res. 1994 Sep;9(9):1467-76
7817832
Am J Public Health. 2002 Oct;92(10):1611-4
12356608
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006 Aug 1;31(17):1983-2001
16924218
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1980 May;134(5):979-83
6768276
Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Mar;83(3):177-86
15043351
Osteoporos Int. 1993 May;3(3):113-9
8481586
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1999 Mar;47(3):269-76
10078887
Am Rev Respir Dis. 1990 Jan;141(1):68-71
2297189
Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1996 Sep-Oct;75(5):370-4
8873705
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1997 Dec;45(12):1479-86
9400558
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1958 Feb;40-B(1):132-44
13513662
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1960 Feb;42-B:40-59
13854527
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1995 Jan;50A(1):M28-34
7814786
Health Econ. 1993 Oct;2(3):217-27
8275167
Radiology. 1985 Jul;156(1):3-14
3923556
Stat Methods Med Res. 2002 Aug;11(4):303-16
12197298
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2007 Feb;88(2):192-9
17270517
Mayo Clin Proc. 1994 Nov;69(11):1054-9
7967758
Appl Ergon. 1989 Dec;20(4):299-300
15676749
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005 May;60(5):633-7
15972617
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1998 Sep 15;23(18):1978-85
9779531
Am J Med. 1985 Jan;78(1):77-81
3966492
Spine J. 2004 Jul-Aug;4(4):413-7
15246302
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1986 Sep;(210):235-42
3757369
Osteoporos Int. 2005 Mar;16(3):273-9
15235766
J Rheumatol. 2004 Apr;31(4):747-52
15088302
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Oct;52(10):1662-7
15450042
J Bone Miner Res. 2006 Mar;21(3):419-23
16491290
Radiology. 1988 Feb;166(2):497-500
3336728
Arch Intern Med. 1996 Feb 26;156(4):418-24
8607727
Am J Phys Med. 1987 Oct;66(5):219-27
3434624
Mov Disord. 2006 Dec;21(12):2101-5
16991140
J Bone Miner Res. 1996 Jul;11(7):1010-8
8797123