Effect of Exercises on Diaphragmatic Excursion in Postmenopausal Kyphotic Women

Effect of Exercises on Diaphragmatic Excursion in Postmenopausal Kyphotic Women

the present study examined the effect of different types of exercises for improving the age-related hyperkyphotic curve of postmenopausal women and also examined how it affects diaphragmatic excursion and respiratory function. Increasing the respiratory functions for elderly will act as a preventive method against nowadays chest diseases.

The study was conducted to examine the effect of exercises on diaphragmatic excursion in postmenopausal kyphotic women.

Design of study:

A prospective, randomized, single-blind, pre-post-test, controlled trial. The study followed the Guidelines of Declaration of Helsinki on the conduct of human research. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board at Faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University before study commencement (no.P.T,REC/012/003800).

This study was carried on forty postmenopausal women clinically diagnosed with thoracic kyphosis. They selected randomly from the outpatient clinic of El Kaser El-Einy University Hospital, Cairo University. Their ages ranged from 50-60 years.

Randomization of sample selection was achieved using closed envelop way. Classification of the sample by simple random way into two groups equal in number, twenty for each group by using forty closed envelop, each twenty envelop contained a name of a group from the two groups (Group A) or (Group B) and asking each woman to choose one envelop from them, each woman attended to the group according the name of the group written in her envelop.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All postmenopausal women suffering from thoracic kyphosis.
2. Their thoracic kyphosis (Cobb's) angles were more than 45 degrees.
3. Their age ranged from 50-60 years old.
4. Their BMI were >25 and <30 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. All patients with comorbidities such as cardiac disease and chest diseases as pulmonary fibrosis.
2. Patients with previous trauma to the spine, pelvis and lower limbs.
3. Patients with a previous history of spinal surgery (such as spinal fusion surgery, vertebroplasty, or kyphoplasty).
4. Patients with congenital spinal deformities and scoliosis.
5. Patients with a history of spinal tumors, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis and other spondyloarthritis.
6. The patients received medications that might affect the neuromuscular functions at least three months before or during the study course.
7. Patients suffered from mental or psychological disorders.
8. Patients suffered from inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatic.