Postural deviation patterns, trunk mobility restriction and spinal musculoskeletal dysfunctions in chronic gastritis

This study aimed to compare posture, trunk mobility, and spinal musculoskeletal dysfunctions between adults diagnosed with chronic gastritis and healthy individuals.

Cross-sectional observational study.

A total of 88 participants were included, divided into a gastritis group (GG = 41) and a comparison group (CG = 47). Posture and trunk mobility were assessed using computerized photogrammetry, while spinal musculoskeletal dysfunctions were evaluated using the tenderness, asymmetry, restriction of motion, and tissue texture change (TART) tool. Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated for the Student's t-test, and Phi coefficient (ϕ) and Cramér's V were used for Chi-square tests. Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons.

The GG showed a significantly higher percentage of left trunk deviation (68.3%; p = 0.005, ϕ = 0.153) and right trunk rotation (80.5%; p = 0.02, V = 0.300) compared to the CG. The GG also exhibited significantly reduced trunk flexion (mean difference = 8.79°, p = 0.013, d = 0.55) and left rotation (mean difference = 7.78°, p = 0.020, d = 0.50) compared to the CG. Additionally, the GG presented greater restrictions in passive mobility to the left for rotation and lateral glide, as well as asymmetry, pain, and increased muscle tension at multiple cervical and thoracic levels, particularly at C3, C4, T8, and T9 (ϕ ranging from 0.27 to 0.68), which remained significant after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.001).

The findings suggest that chronic gastritis is associated with compensatory postural adaptations, reduced trunk mobility, and spinal musculoskeletal dysfunctions. These results highlight the potential for visceral disturbances to contribute to biomechanical imbalances, likely due to the viscerosomatic reflex mechanism, reinforcing the need for integrative clinical approaches that address both gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems in the management of chronic gastritis.