title: Comparison of manual therapy and exercise therapy for postural hyperkyphosis: A randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of a manual therapy and an exercise therapy program in improving postural hyperkyphosis among young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six women between the ages of 18 to 30 years with thoracic kyphosis diagnosed by flexicurve ruler were randomly assigned to either an exercise therapy or a manual therapy group. The exercise therapy program focused on stretching and strengthening exercises in 15 sessions over 5 weeks. The manual therapy group received 15 sessions of manual techniques including massage, mobilization, muscle energy and myofascial release. Kyphosis angle and back extensor muscle strength were measured with a motion analysis system and a dynamometer at the baseline and after treatment. The data were analyzed with paired and independent t-tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, the angle of thoracic kyphosis was smaller and back extensor muscle strength was significantly greater in both the exercise and manual therapy groups (p < 0.001). We found no significant differences between groups in the changes in kyphosis angle or muscle strength after treatment (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Manual therapy was as effective as exercise therapy in reducing kyphosis angle and increasing back extensor muscle strength in young women with postural hyperkyphosis.
authors: a Center for Human Motion Science Research, Department of Physiotherapy , School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.
authors: Fahimeh
authors: F
authors: Kamali
authors: a Center for Human Motion Science Research, Department of Physiotherapy , School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.
authors: Sara Abolahrari
authors: SA
authors: Shirazi
authors: b Student Research Committee , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.
authors: Samaneh
authors: S
authors: Ebrahimi
authors: b Student Research Committee , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Mirshamsi
authors: a Center for Human Motion Science Research, Department of Physiotherapy , School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Ghanbari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D064131:Back Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D011187:Posture; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Exercise therapy; hyperkyphosis; manual therapy; motion analysis system