A secondary analysis of gait after a 4-week postural intervention for older adults with hyperkyphosis

Thoracic hyperkyphosis (HK), common in older adults, has been linked to impairments in physical function, mobility, balance, gait, and falls. Our pilot study used a novel 4-week manual therapy and exercise intervention for HK and showed improved posture and function. This secondary analysis aims to explore 1) the changes in gait parameters after a novel intervention for HK, 2) the correlations between posture and gait variables at baseline, and 3) pre- to post intervention.

This secondary analysis uses data from a quasi-experimental, single group pilot study. Participants with HK underwent pre- and post intervention measurements in posture, function, and unique to this secondary analysis, gait parametrics of velocity (V), step length (SL), double limb support (DLS), and step width (SW) using the GAITRite® electronic walkway. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post intervention gait parameters. Pearson correlation coefficients were utilized to investigate correlations between all variables at baseline and in pre- and post intervention change values.

Fourteen women and 8 men (aged 65.9 years ±9.2; range 52 - 90) completed 12 treatments (3 times/week for 4-weeks). Statistically significant improvement (p≤.001) occurred pre- to post for postural measures: height (M=0.73cm ±0.54), Kyphotic index (-2.41 ±2.96), Block (-1.17cm ±1.22), Acromion to table (ATT) (-1.85cm ±1.42), and 3 gait measures: V (M=0.087m/s ±0.09), SL (2.34cm ±2.55), and DLS (- 0.031sec ±0.04). SW improvement was not statistically significant. Block and ATT measures were moderately correlated with V, SL, SW (Block only), and DLS (ATT only) at baseline. Strong correlations were found among V, SL, and DLS at baseline and in pre- to post change scores, but no correlation between change scores of posture and gait.

This study shows that a clinically practical 4-week PT intervention may benefit older adults with HK by demonstrating improved posture and gait parameters. Further research is warranted.

This study was retrospectively registered on 16/09/2019 under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04114331.