Effect of Thoracic Hyperkyphosis on Dynamic Balance, Pelvic Tilt, and Dorsal Pain: A cross-sectional Study

Alshahawy, Nourhan Nashaat Saad; Hassan, Karima Abdelaty; Mahmoud, Nesreen Fawzy; Abdelnaeem, Ahmed Omar

doi:10.21608/ejptr.2025.406106.1048

Effect of Thoracic Hyperkyphosis on Dynamic Balance, Pelvic Tilt, and Dorsal Pain: A cross-sectional Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Cross-sectional studies

Authors

¹ Physical Therapy for musculoskeletal disorders cairo university

² orthopedic department, faculty of physical therapy, cairo university

³ Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery Cairo University

10.21608/ejptr.2025.406106.1048

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of thoracic hyperkyphosis (THK) on dynamic balance, pelvic tilt, and thoracic back pain in individuals with THK compared to age-matched controls.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 45 individuals diagnosed with THK and 45 age-matched healthy controls with a normal kyphotic angle (20-40 degrees). Participants were aged 20-45 years, of both sexes, and had a BMI between 20 and 30 Kg/m². The kyphosis angle was measured using two bubble inclinometers; pelvic tilt was assessed with a digital pelvic inclinometer (DPI); dynamic balance was evaluated using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT); and pain intensity was measured via a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: No significant difference in pelvic tilt was observed between participants with THK and control groups (p > 0.05). Dynamic balance was significantly impaired in multiple directions for both limbs in the THK group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed non-significant associations between kyphosis angle, pelvic tilt, dynamic balance, and thoracic back pain. However, moderate negative correlations were found between pain intensity and dynamic balance (SEBT) in certain directions (e.g., right medial excursion: r=-0.399, p= 0.007; left posteromedial excursion: r = -0.352, p = 0.018). Conclusion: The findings highlight the impact of thoracic hyperkyphosis on dynamic balance while pointing to pain as a key factor influencing balance deficits. These results underscore the importance of targeted rehabilitation to improve functional stability in individuals with THK.

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