Spinal postural training: Comparison of the postural and mobility effects of electrotherapy,exercise,biofeedback trainer in addition to postural education in university students

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Spinal posture and mobility are significant for protecting spine. The aim was to compare effects of different postural training interventions on spinal posture and mobility.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

Ninety-six university students (ages: 18–25 years) were allocated into Electrical Stimulation (ES) ( $\mathit{n}=24$ ), Exercise ( $\mathit{n}=24$ ), Biofeedback Posture Trainer (Backtone) ( $\mathit{n}=24$ ), and Postural Education ( $\mathit{n}=24$ , Controls) groups. All the groups got postural education. The interventions were carried out 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Spinal Mouse® device (Idiag, Fehraltorf, Switzerland) was used to detect thoracic and lumbar curvatures and mobility (degrees) in standing and sitting positions. Paired Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA, and pairwise post-hoc tests were used.

RESULTS:

ES decreased thoracic curvature, the exercise decreased thoracic and lumbar curvature and increased thoracic mobility in standing position between pre-post training ( $\mathit{p}\mathrm{<}0.05$ ). Exercise and Backtone improved thoracic curvature in sitting ( $\mathit{p}\mathrm{<}0.05$ ). In Exercise Group, thoracic curvature decreased compared to Backtone and Education Groups, and thoracic mobility increased compared to all groups ( $\mathit{p}\mathrm{<}0.05$ ).

CONCLUSIONS:

The exercise was effective and superior in improving thoracic and lumbar curves, and mobility among university students. ES decreased thoracic curve. Biofeedback posture trainer improved sitting posture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

A prospective randomized controlled trial, Level 1.