title: Spinal postural training: Comparison of the postural and mobility effects of electrotherapy, exercise, biofeedback trainer in addition to postural education in university students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spinal posture and mobility are significant for protecting spine. The aim was to compare effects of different postural training interventions on spinal posture and mobility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-six university students (ages: 18–25 years) were allocated into Electrical Stimulation (ES) (n = 24), Exercise (n = 24), Biofeedback Posture Trainer (Backtone) (n = 24), and Postural Education (n = 24, Controls) groups. All the groups got postural education. The interventions were carried out 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Spinal Mouse device (Idiag, Fehraltorf, Switzerland) was used to detect thoracic and lumbar curvatures and mobility (degrees) in standing and sitting positions. Paired Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA, and pairwise post-hoc tests were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ES decreased thoracic curvature, the exercise decreased thoracic and lumbar curvature and increased thoracic mobility in standing position between pre-post training (p < 0.05). Exercise and Backtone improved thoracic curvature in sitting (p <0.05). In Exercise Group, thoracic curvature decreased compared to Backtone and Education Groups, and thoracic mobility increased compared to all groups (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exercise was effective and superior in improving thoracic and lumbar curves, and mobility among university students. ES decreased thoracic curve. Biofeedback posture trainer improved sitting posture.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized controlled trial, Level 1.
authors: Şeyda Toprak
authors: ŞT
authors: Çelenay
authors: Derya Özer
authors: DÖ
authors: Kaya
authors: Anıl
authors: A
authors: Özüdoğru
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult