Posture and mobility of the upper body quadrant and pulmonary function in COPD: an exploratory study

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Physiotherapy
• Biomechanical Analysis

Background:

• Limited evidence exists on the interplay between pulmonary function, posture, and upper body mobility in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• Understanding these relationships is crucial for comprehensive patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the association between postural alignment and upper quadrant mobility with pulmonary function in COPD patients.
• To compare these variables between individuals with COPD and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen COPD patients and 15 healthy controls underwent spirometry for pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC) assessment.
• Digital photography and measurement tools assessed head, thoracic spine, and shoulder alignment and mobility, including Pectoralis minor muscle (PmM) length and thoracic excursion.
• Linear regression analyses identified relationships between postural/mobility variables and pulmonary function.

Main Results:

• COPD patients exhibited a more pronounced forward head posture and greater head mobility, alongside reduced shoulder flexion range compared to controls.
• Pectoralis minor muscle length and maximal head protraction predicted FEV1 in COPD patients.
• Upper thoracic spine mobility and thoracic kyphosis also predicted FVC, indicating significant associations with pulmonary function.

Conclusions:

• Impaired pulmonary function in COPD is linked to adaptive changes in muscle length and upper body mobility.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and clinical utility of these findings for COPD management.