The Effectiveness of soft brace with pneumatic muscles on posture alignment for subjects with postural kyphosis: pilot study

Abstract

Kyphosis refers to an abnormal increase in the forward curvature of the spine. Among the various types of kyphosis, postural kyphosis, also known as postural roundback, is the most prevalent. The condition arises from poor posture habits, such as slouching, leaning back in chairs and carrying heavy school bags, established during childhood, gradually weakening the muscles and soft tissues of the back. Over time, postural kyphosis can progress, resulting in a chronic deformity and persistent back pain. It typically becomes evident during adolescence, particularly in females. These effects can significantly impact the quality of life for individuals afflicted by the condition, both during their adolescent years and into adulthood. Among the treatment options available, bracing is frequently employed to prevent the progression of the deformity and facilitate correction. The Milwaukee brace, in particular, has been proven as an effective brace for subjects with postural kyphosis. However, one of the challenges associated with its use is wearer discomfort, which can contribute to reduced compliance and treatment efficacy. In this study, a soft textile brace with lightweight pneumatic paddings specifically designed for correcting the posture of individuals with postural kyphosis was developed. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this new brace, subjects with the condition was recruited to participate in a wear trial. During the trial, head and shoulder posture were assessed including coronal head tilt angle, coronal shoulder angle, sagittal head tilt angle, craniovertebral angle and sagittal shoulder angle. The results revealed significant improvements in sagittal shoulder angle, the subjects wearing the pneumatic padding brace, compared to those without any bracing. These findings suggest that the newly developed brace holds promise for effectively managing postural kyphosis, as it demonstrated positive effects on improving rounded shoulder. By providing more comfort and potentially improving compliance, this brace offers a potential solution to enhance the overall treatment experience for individuals with postural kyphosis.

Keywords: Postural Kyphosis, Roundback, Soft Textile Brace, Pneumatic Muscle, Posture Correction, Rounded Shoulder

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005186