Face-to-Face Vs. Telerehabilitation for Thoracic Hyperkyphosis in Children: a Clinical Trial

Medipol University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Kyphosis Thoracic; Hyperkyphosis

Treatments: Behavioral: Telerehabilitation Program; Behavioral: Face-to-Face Rehabilitation Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06730269

İMU-SEDAGOZENER-004

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the effectiveness of face-to-face versus telerehabilitation programs for children aged 9-12 with thoracic hyperkyphosis, a condition caused by poor posture that leads to excessive forward curvature of the spine. Twenty children participated in a six-week corrective exercise program, either in person or through an online platform. Both approaches significantly improved spinal posture, back muscle strength, and pain levels, with no notable differences in outcomes between the two methods. The findings suggest that telerehabilitation is as effective as face-to-face rehabilitation, offering a flexible option for managing thoracic hyperkyphosis in children.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 9 to 12 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Children aged 9-12 years.
• Diagnosed with thoracic hyperkyphosis (Thoracic Kyphosis Angle > 40 degrees).
• Able to participate in a 6-week rehabilitation program (face-to-face or telerehabilitation).

Exclusion criteria

• Children with congenital spinal malformations.
• Children with mental health issues that could interfere with participation or compliance in the study.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Face-to-Face Rehabilitation Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm received a thoracic corrective exercise program in person, consisting of four exercises targeting back extensor muscles. The exercises were performed three times a week for six weeks under the supervision of a trained therapist.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Face-to-Face Rehabilitation Program

Telerehabilitation Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm followed the same thoracic corrective exercise program, but the sessions were delivered online through the Fiziu platform. Exercises were performed three times a week for six weeks with remote guidance and monitoring.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Telerehabilitation Program