Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) and Corrective Exercise for Adolescent Hyperkyphosis

Summary

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the additional benefits of Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) when combined with a corrective exercise program for adolescents with postural hyperkyphosis. Postural hyperkyphosis, defined as a thoracic kyphosis angle of 40 degrees or greater, often leads to physical misalignments and psychosocial issues such as decreased self-esteem and poor body image during adolescence. Participants will be randomly assigned to either Group A (Experimental) or Group B (Control) using a stratified block randomization method. Both groups will participate in a 12-week intervention consisting of supervised Schroth corrective exercises performed twice weekly. Group A will additionally receive one session per week of BBAT, a physiotherapy method focusing on movement quality, mental awareness, and the integration of physical and mental self-awareness through lying, sitting, standing, and walking exercises. Group B will receive Autogenic Training, a systematic relaxation technique, as an active control. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at the end of the 12-week program. The primary outcome measures include body awareness (Body Awareness Questionnaire), aesthetic perception of the spine (Kyphosis Specific Spinal Appearance Questionnaire), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and digital posture analysis (PostureScreen Mobile). Secondary outcomes involve clinical measurements of kyphosis (Flexicurve and Wall-Occiput Distance), dynamic and static balance (Y-Balance Test and Single-Leg Stance Test), thoracic joint position sense, health-related quality of life (SRS-30), and pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale). The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how mindfulness and movement awareness can enhance traditional physical rehabilitation for spinal postural disorders.

Conditions

• Hyperkyphosis, Adolescent

Interventions

OTHER

Corrective Exercise and Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT)

This is a behavioral, non-drug intervention combining Schroth corrective exercises with somatic awareness through Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT). Movements emphasize movement quality, postural alignment, and improved self-perception of the body. The approach supports individualized progression (targeting 4-6 on a perceived difficulty scale) and complements conventional physiotherapy for adolescent hyperkyphosis.

OTHER

Corrective Exercise and Autogenic Training

This is a non-drug corrective exercise program tailored for adolescents with postural hyperkyphosis, combined with Autogenic Training for relaxation. It includes spinal strengthening and Schroth-specific postural corrections performed twice weekly. Additionally, participants perform Autogenic Training focusing on breathing, cardiac regulation, and abdominal warmth to support mental well-being alongside physical rehabilitation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ayşe Zengin Alpözgen, Assoc Prof. · Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

10 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-29

Primary Completion

2027-05-29

Completion

2027-07-29

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations