Effects of Telerehabilitation-based Motor Imagery and Exercise Combination in Individuals With Postural Kyphosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

Objective: Kyphosis is one of the most common postural problems. It is defined as a thoracic curvature that exceeds normal limits. The Cobb angle, also known as the kyphosis index, can be used to determine the degree of this curvature. Motor imagery (MI) is defined as visualising movement in the mind without actually moving. Studies have shown that similar brain regions are activated during motor imagery and actual movement.

regions are activated during motor imagery and actual movement. Most of the information about motor imagery training has been obtained from studies of stroke patients, and the physical effects of motor imagery training have been examined in these studies.

However, there has been no study in which motor imagery, which is mostly performed by neurological stroke groups or athletes, is used for treatment of postural disorders. In this context, this study aims to examine the effect of tele-rehabilitation-based motor imagery training on kyphotic angle, pain, depression and quality of life in individuals with posture disorders.

Materials and methods: Young adults with postural kyphosis who are studying at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Health Sciences will be included in the randomised controlled, single-blind, prospective study.

Participants will be randomly divided into two groups: an exercise group (Group 1) and an exercise + motor imagery group (Group 2).

The presence of kyphosis in participants will be evaluated by measuring the Flexruler kyphosis index and wall-occiput distance.

Posture will be evaluated using the New York Posture Analysis and pain using a visual pain scale. Depression will be assessed using the Beck Depression Scale.

assessment will be evaluated using the Beck Depression Scale; quality of life will be evaluated using the SRS-22; and motor imagery will be evaluated.

ability will be evaluated using the Turkish version of the Movement Visualisation Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3). SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) Sciences) statistical program (SPSS 21.0) will be used to analyse the obtained data, with p\<0.05 being significant.

Conditions

• Posture
• Kyphosis
• Muscle Cramps
• Thoracic Vertebrae

Interventions

OTHER

Home Exercise Group

In addition to the exercise program, Group 2 will receive motor imagery training. This will be carried out using the telerehabilitation method, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, and will be delivered twice a week for six weeks. A text containing posture exercises will be prepared by the physiotherapist for motor imagery training. The motor imagery text will be updated as the home exercise program is completed. The content of the motor imagery program will consist of 5 minutes of relaxation and 15 minutes of imagery training. Relaxation training will include relaxation and breathing exercises. After relaxation training, the patient will be asked to stand up with his eyes closed in a safe environment where he feels comfortable, and then a text containing posture exercises prepared by the physiotherapist for motor imagery will be read. The patient will be asked to perform the exercise by imagining it in his mind without moving his body.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-11-15

Primary Completion

2025-08-15

Completion

2025-08-15

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations