title: Yoga decreases kyphosis in senior women and men with adult-onset hyperkyphosis: results of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Gail A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Greendale
authors.forename: Mei-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Arun S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Karlamangla
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.forename: Sybil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: 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
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