Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)AS-POSTURENCT07879157
Posture Exercises in Ankylosing Spondylitis
A study testing Standard Breathing Exercise Program and Posture-Focused Exercise Program in people with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), run by Mustafa Akça at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study will evaluate the effects of posture-focused exercises on spinal alignment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive a standard breathing exercise program. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
- What is being tested?
- Standard Breathing Exercise Program and Posture-Focused Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2026to 1 Jan 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis according to the Modified New York criteria
- No participation in a structured exercise or physical therapy program within the last 6 months
- No change in medical treatment within the last 3 months
- BASFI score between 2 and 6
- BASMI score between 2 and 6
- BASDAI score between 2 and 4
- Providing written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Acute flare or high disease activity
- History of spinal surgery
- Advanced hip osteoarthritis or history of hip arthroplasty
- Neurological disorder that may affect gait, spinal alignment, or postural assessment
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease that may prevent participation in the exercise program
- Severe orthopedic, neurological, or systemic comorbidity that may prevent participation in the exercise program
Show all 10Show fewer
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Inability to regularly attend assessment visits or the exercise program during the study period
- Planning to participate in another structured physical therapy or exercise program during the study period
- Being considered unsuitable for participation by the investigator for reasons related to participant safety or reliability of study outcomes
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Izmir, İzmir, 35100
Mustafa Akça, MD, Türkiye
Mustafa Akça, MD, +90 530 363 51 38, mustafa.akca@ege.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: Effects of Posture-Focused Exercises on Spinal Alignment in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Rasterstereographic Evaluation-Based Randomized Controlled Trial
This study will evaluate the effects of posture-focused exercises on spinal alignment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive a standard breathing exercise program. The intervention group will receive posture-focused exercises in addition to the standard breathing exercise program.
The exercise program will last 8 weeks. Assessments will be performed at baseline and at the end of week 8. Spinal alignment will be evaluated using rasterstereographic analysis with the DIERS formetric 4D system. Clinical and functional outcomes will include disease activity, spinal mobility, functional status, quality of life, walking capacity, perceived exertion, and gait parameters.
Read the detailed description
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Over time, it may lead to reduced spinal mobility, increased thoracic kyphosis, decreased lumbar lordosis, forward trunk inclination, impaired posture, balance problems, gait disturbances, reduced functional capacity, and decreased quality of life.
Exercise is an important component of rehabilitation in ankylosing spondylitis. However, the effects of posture-focused exercise programs on objective spinal alignment parameters have not been sufficiently investigated with standardized non-invasive methods.
This study is designed as a prospective, two-arm, randomized controlled, single-blind clinical trial. A total of 54 patients with ankylosing spondylitis will be included. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two groups. The control group will receive a standard breathing exercise program. The intervention group will receive posture-focused exercises in addition to the standard breathing exercise program.
The intervention period will last 8 weeks. Exercise sessions will be performed once weekly under supervision, and the remaining sessions will be continued as a home exercise program. Posture-focused exercises will include cervicothoracic postural realignment, thoracic mobilization, spinal extensor activation, scapular stabilization, lumbopelvic-core stabilization, and stretching exercises.
Participants will be evaluated at baseline and at the end of week 8. The primary outcome measures will be rasterstereographic spinal alignment parameters, including thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, trunk forward inclination angle, sagittal vertical alignment, and pelvic tilt. Secondary outcome measures will include BASDAI, BASMI, BASFI, ASQoL, the 6-Minute Walk Test, Borg Scale, and gait analysis parameters.
The aim of this study is to determine whether adding posture-focused exercises to a standard breathing exercise program provides additional benefit on spinal alignment and related clinical and functional outcomes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
- Conditions
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
- Being tested
- Standard Breathing Exercise Program, Posture-Focused Exercise Program
- Keywords
- Posture Exercise, Spinal Alignment, Rasterstereography, Breathing Exercise, Rehabilitation, Gait Analysis, Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Medical subject headings
- Spondylitis, Ankylosing
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Standard Breathing Exercise ProgramBehavioural
The standard breathing exercise program includes diaphragmatic breathing, controlled inspiration, and thoracic expansion exercises. The program will be performed for 8 weeks, once weekly under supervision and on the remaining days as a home exercise program.
Posture-Focused Exercise ProgramBehavioural
The posture-focused exercise program includes cervicothoracic postural realignment, thoracic mobilization, spinal extensor activation, scapular stabilization, lumbopelvic-core stabilization, and stretching exercises. The program will be performed in addition to the standard breathing exercise program for 8 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Breathing Exercise Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group will receive a standard breathing exercise program for 8 weeks. The program will include diaphragmatic breathing, controlled inspiration, and thoracic expansion exercises. Exercises will be performed once weekly under supervision and continued as a home exercise program on the remaining days. Receives: Behavioral: Standard Breathing Exercise Program |
| Posture-Focused Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive posture-focused exercises in addition to the standard breathing exercise program for 8 weeks. The posture-focused exercise program will include cervicothoracic postural realignment, thoracic mobilization, spinal extensor activation, scapular stabilization, lumbopelvic-core stabilization, and stretching exercises. Receives: Behavioral: Standard Breathing Exercise Program; Behavioral: Posture-Focused Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Thoracic Kyphosis Angle
Thoracic kyphosis angle will be measured in degrees using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Lumbar Lordosis Angle
Lumbar lordosis angle will be measured in degrees using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Trunk Forward Inclination Angle
Trunk forward inclination angle will be measured in degrees using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Sagittal Vertical Alignment
Sagittal vertical alignment will be assessed using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Pelvic Tilt
Pelvic tilt will be measured in degrees using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Secondary outcomes (11)
Change in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index Score
Disease activity will be assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating higher disease activity. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index Score
Spinal mobility will be assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating worse spinal mobility. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index Score
Functional status will be assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating worse functional status. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Score
Quality of life will be assessed using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 18, with higher scores indicating worse quality of life. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in 6-Minute Walk Test Distance
Functional exercise capacity will be assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test. The total walking distance will be recorded in meters. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Borg Scale Score
Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Borg Scale. The score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating higher perceived exertion. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Walking Speed
Walking speed will be assessed during gait analysis and recorded in meters per second. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Cadence
Cadence will be assessed during gait analysis and recorded as steps per minute. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Step Length
Step length will be assessed during gait analysis and recorded in centimeters. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Stride Length
Stride length will be assessed during gait analysis and recorded in centimeters. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Double Support Time
Double support time will be assessed during gait analysis and recorded as a percentage of the gait cycle. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Oct 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Nov 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jan 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel groups: a standard breathing exercise group and a posture-focused exercise plus breathing exercise group.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mustafa Akça
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Mustafa Akça, Ege University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07879157
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AS-2026
- Other IDs
- 26-AKD-304
- Acronym
- AS-POSTURE
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to privacy and confidentiality considerations. Study data will be analyzed and reported in aggregate form without identifying individual participants.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Posture-Focused Exercises on Spinal Alignment in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Rasterstereographic Evaluation-Based Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07879157
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AS-POSTURE / AS-2026
- Conditions
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
- Keywords
- Posture Exercise, Spinal Alignment, Rasterstereography, Breathing Exercise, Rehabilitation, Gait Analysis, Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Mustafa AkçaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Nov 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jan 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will evaluate the effects of posture-focused exercises on spinal alignment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive a standard breathing exercise program. The intervention group will receive posture-focused exercises in addition to the standard breathing exercise program.
The exercise program will last 8 weeks. Assessments will be performed at baseline and at the end of week 8. Spinal alignment will be evaluated using rasterstereographic analysis with the DIERS formetric 4D system. Clinical and functional outcomes will include disease activity, spinal mobility, functional status, quality of life, walking capacity, perceived exertion, and gait parameters.
Detailed description
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Over time, it may lead to reduced spinal mobility, increased thoracic kyphosis, decreased lumbar lordosis, forward trunk inclination, impaired posture, balance problems, gait disturbances, reduced functional capacity, and decreased quality of life.
Exercise is an important component of rehabilitation in ankylosing spondylitis. However, the effects of posture-focused exercise programs on objective spinal alignment parameters have not been sufficiently investigated with standardized non-invasive methods.
This study is designed as a prospective, two-arm, randomized controlled, single-blind clinical trial. A total of 54 patients with ankylosing spondylitis will be included. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two groups. The control group will receive a standard breathing exercise program. The intervention group will receive posture-focused exercises in addition to the standard breathing exercise program.
The intervention period will last 8 weeks. Exercise sessions will be performed once weekly under supervision, and the remaining sessions will be continued as a home exercise program. Posture-focused exercises will include cervicothoracic postural realignment, thoracic mobilization, spinal extensor activation, scapular stabilization, lumbopelvic-core stabilization, and stretching exercises.
Participants will be evaluated at baseline and at the end of week 8. The primary outcome measures will be rasterstereographic spinal alignment parameters, including thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, trunk forward inclination angle, sagittal vertical alignment, and pelvic tilt. Secondary outcome measures will include BASDAI, BASMI, BASFI, ASQoL, the 6-Minute Walk Test, Borg Scale, and gait analysis parameters.
The aim of this study is to determine whether adding posture-focused exercises to a standard breathing exercise program provides additional benefit on spinal alignment and related clinical and functional outcomes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel groups: a standard breathing exercise group and a posture-focused exercise plus breathing exercise group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Breathing Exercise Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Standard Breathing Exercise ProgramParticipants in this group will receive a standard breathing exercise program for 8 weeks. The program will include diaphragmatic breathing, controlled inspiration, and thoracic expansion exercises. Exercises will be performed once weekly under supervision and continued as a home exercise program on the remaining days. |
| Posture-Focused Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Standard Breathing Exercise Program, Behavioral: Posture-Focused Exercise ProgramParticipants in this group will receive posture-focused exercises in addition to the standard breathing exercise program for 8 weeks. The posture-focused exercise program will include cervicothoracic postural realignment, thoracic mobilization, spinal extensor activation, scapular stabilization, lumbopelvic-core stabilization, and stretching exercises. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis according to the Modified New York criteria
- No participation in a structured exercise or physical therapy program within the last 6 months
- No change in medical treatment within the last 3 months
- BASFI score between 2 and 6
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Acute flare or high disease activity
- History of spinal surgery
- Advanced hip osteoarthritis or history of hip arthroplasty
- Neurological disorder that may affect gait, spinal alignment, or postural assessment
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease that may prevent participation in the exercise program
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Breathing Exercise ProgramThe standard breathing exercise program includes diaphragmatic breathing, controlled inspiration, and thoracic expansion exercises. The program will be performed for 8 weeks, once weekly under supervision and on the remaining days as a home exercise program. | Behavioural | Posture-Focused Exercise Group, Standard Breathing Exercise Group |
| Posture-Focused Exercise ProgramThe posture-focused exercise program includes cervicothoracic postural realignment, thoracic mobilization, spinal extensor activation, scapular stabilization, lumbopelvic-core stabilization, and stretching exercises. The program will be performed in addition to the standard breathing exercise program for 8 weeks. | Behavioural | Posture-Focused Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Thoracic Kyphosis Angle
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Thoracic kyphosis angle will be measured in degrees using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Change in Lumbar Lordosis Angle
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Lumbar lordosis angle will be measured in degrees using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Change in Trunk Forward Inclination Angle
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Trunk forward inclination angle will be measured in degrees using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Change in Sagittal Vertical Alignment
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Sagittal vertical alignment will be assessed using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
Change in Pelvic Tilt
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Pelvic tilt will be measured in degrees using the DIERS formetric 4D rasterstereography system. The change from baseline to week 8 will be analyzed.
11 secondary outcomes
Change in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index Score
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index Score
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index Score
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Score
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in 6-Minute Walk Test Distance
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Borg Scale Score
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Walking Speed
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Cadence
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Step Length
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Stride Length
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Double Support Time
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to privacy and confidentiality considerations. Study data will be analyzed and reported in aggregate form without identifying individual participants.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Standard Breathing Exercise Program and Posture-Focused Exercise Program in people with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), run by Mustafa Akça at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mustafa Akça, MD (+90 530 363 51 38, mustafa.akca@ege.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Thoracic Kyphosis Angle (time frame: Baseline and week 8). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Oct 2026.