The Effect of Postural Correction On Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Summary

The main aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of postural correctional exercises and interventions on the severity of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as the quality of life of patients afflicated with this disease. The main questions this study aims to answer is:

1. Do postural correctional exercises reduce the symptoms of GERD?
2. Do postural correctional exercises improve the quality of life of individuals afflicted with GERD?

The experimental group in this study will undergo real postural correctional exercises whereas the control group will undergo sham postural correctional interventions and then the two groups will be compared post-treatment based on GERD severity of symptoms as well as quality of life of the patients afflicted with GERD.

Conditions

• Gastro Esophageal Reflux
• Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease

Interventions

OTHER

Spinal Strengthening Exercises

Individuals in the experimental group will carry out 3 sets of 10 repetitions or what is tolerated within a Borg scale intensity of 4-5 with 70-80% of perceived exertion with appropriately picked elastic bands. The exercises include: Shoulder horizontal abduction; Shoulder elevation; Back Extensions over a plinth; Shoulder extension exercises; One arm and opposite leg lifts from quadruped; and finally bilateral arm lifts with upper thoracic extension from prone (superman exercise).

OTHER

Thoracic Spine Stretching

Participants will be instructed to do two exercises: Firstly, to lay supine with and hinge the thoracic spine over a roller placed in a way that would ensure the patient is forward lying and not completely supine. The participant will be instructed to maintain hinging until a stretch or pressure feeling is felt in the midback and hold this position for 3 sets of 30 seconds. Secondly, the patient was asked to be in a seated position, clasp the hands together and behind the head while arching backward over the chair and looking up. This exercise will be done for 3 sets of 20-30 repetitions with a slight hold time at the end of the movement. All interventions will be carried out for 45 minute sessions 3 times per week.

OTHER

Thoracic Spine Mobilization

The patient will be seated with both hands clasped at shoulder level. An experienced and blinded therapist standing homolateral to the patient supports the clasped hands with one arm while placing the other hand was placed at different thoracic regions until the thoracolumbar junction. Specifically, the dorsal aspect of the index finger and pad of the thumb were used to create a fixation point at the junction. Following that, gentle extension-directed glides (postero-anterior) will be done by the therapist for 3 sets of 10 repetitions or until tolerated by the patient.

OTHER

Sham Postural Correction

comprised an hour of social interaction with similar participants where a blinded therapist will provide educational tips for dealing with kyphosis along with educational reading material for each participant.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-09-01

Primary Completion

2024-12-25

Completion

2025-09-01

Countries

• Lebanon

Study Locations