HyperkyphosisNCT07905014
Surface Electromyographic Analysis of Scapular Stabilizer Muscle in Postural Hyperkyphosis
A study testing Traditional Postural Exercises and Schroth-Based Corrective Exercises in people with Hyperkyphosis, run by Istinye University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Postural hyperkyphosis is characterized by an excessive thoracic kyphotic curvature and may alter scapular positioning, muscular balance, and upper extremity biomechanics. Scapular stabilizer muscles play an important role in maintaining postural alignment and ensuring efficient force transmission throughout the… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Hyperkyphosis
- What is being tested?
- Traditional Postural Exercises and Schroth-Based Corrective Exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 30 Oct 2026to 15 Feb 2027
- 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 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged between 18 and 35 years.
- Thoracic kyphosis angle between 45° and 60° on lateral radiographic assessment or a kyphosis index score of 13 or higher measured using the Flexicurve method.
Who cannot join
- Presence of congenital or rigid spinal deformities or structural abnormalities.
- History of major musculoskeletal surgery or trauma, particularly involving the spine.
- Receipt of physiotherapy interventions targeting the spinal region within the previous six months.
- Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m².
- Diagnosed hearing impairments.
- Difficulty understanding or following verbal instructions.
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- Presence of systemic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, infections, or malignancies.
- Presence of neurological disorders.
- Presence of active rheumatic diseases.
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
Kubra KARDES
Istanbul, 34010
Kubra Kardes, Asst.Prof, 05387115631, kubrakoce@gmail.com
Beyza Tanriogen, Res. Asst.
About this study
Official title: Surface Electromyographic Analysis of Scapular Stabilizer Muscle Activity During Schroth-Based Corrective and Conventional Postural Exercises in Individuals With Postural Hyperkyphosis
Postural hyperkyphosis is characterized by an excessive thoracic kyphotic curvature and may alter scapular positioning, muscular balance, and upper extremity biomechanics. Scapular stabilizer muscles play an important role in maintaining postural alignment and ensuring efficient force transmission throughout the kinetic chain. Exercise-based interventions, including conventional postural exercises and the Schroth method, are commonly used in the conservative management of postural hyperkyphosis. However, evidence directly comparing scapular stabilizer muscle activation during these exercise approaches remains limited.
The Schroth method is a three-dimensional corrective exercise approach incorporating active spinal elongation, postural correction, rotational breathing, and isometric muscle activation, whereas conventional postural exercises primarily focus on muscle strengthening, stretching, spinal mobility, and postural alignment.
Read more
The aim of this study is to compare the activation levels of scapular stabilizer muscles, including the serratus anterior, rhomboids, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius, during Schroth-based corrective exercises and conventional postural exercises in young adults with postural hyperkyphosis using surface electromyography. Isometric muscle strength of the same muscle groups will also be evaluated.
The study will focus on immediate muscle activation patterns during exercise performance rather than long-term treatment outcomes. The findings are expected to provide objective evidence regarding muscle recruitment patterns during different corrective exercise approaches and contribute to the development of more individualized and targeted exercise programs for individuals with postural hyperkyphosis.
- Conditions
- Hyperkyphosis
- Being tested
- Traditional Postural Exercises, Schroth-Based Corrective Exercises
- Keywords
- Scapular Muscle Activation, Surface Electromyography, Postural Hyperkyphosis
- Medical subject headings
- Kyphosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Traditional Postural ExercisesOther
The traditional postural exercise protocol consists of two prone exercises targeting the scapular stabilizer muscles: prone T and prone I exercises. During the prone T exercise, participants will lie in a prone position with their shoulders abducted to 9
Schroth-Based Corrective ExercisesOther
The Schroth-based corrective exercise protocol consists of two exercises: Kneeling Between Chairs and Standing in a Doorway.
During the Kneeling Between Chairs exercise, participants will maintain a kneeling position between two chairs, with their upper extremities supported on the chairs. Active axial elongation, postural correction, scapular stabilization, and rotational angular breathing will be performed according to Schroth principles.
During the Standing in a Doorway exercise, participants will stand in a doorway with their upper extremities positioned against the doorframe at shoulder level. Active axial elongation, scapular stabilization, thoracic expansion, and rotational angular breathing will be performed while maintaining the corrected posture.
Scapular stabilizer muscle activation will be continuously recorded using surface electromyography during the exercises.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence AB: Traditional-Schroth Sequence | Experimental | Participants allocated to this sequence will perform traditional postural exercises (prone T and prone I exercises) during the first session, followed by Schroth-based corrective exercises (Kneeling Between Chairs and Standing in a Doorway) during the second session, with a two-day interval between sessions. Scapular stabilizer muscle activation will be assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) during both exercise protocols. Receives: Other: Traditional Postural Exercises; Other: Schroth-Based Corrective Exercises |
| Sequence BA: Schroth-Traditional Sequence | Experimental | Participants allocated to this sequence will perform Schroth-based corrective exercises (Kneeling Between Chairs and Standing in a Doorway) during the first session, followed by traditional postural exercises (prone T and prone I exercises) during the second session, with a two-day interval between sessions. Scapular stabilizer muscle activation will be assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) during both exercise protocols. Receives: Other: Traditional Postural Exercises; Other: Schroth-Based Corrective Exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Scapular Stabilizer Muscle Activation
Scapular stabilizer muscle activation will be assessed bilaterally using wireless surface electromyography (sEMG) during Schroth-based corrective and conventional postural exercises. Muscle activation of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius will be recorded. EMG signals will be sampled at 1000-2000 Hz and band-pass filtered between 20-500 Hz. Root mean square (RMS) values obtained from the middle three seconds of the isometric holding phase will be normalized to each muscle's maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and expressed as a percentage of MVIC (%MVIC). Mean normalized muscle activation values across three sets will be used to compare the two exercise approaches.
Measured: 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Muscle Strength
Bilateral isometric muscle strength of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius will be assessed using a digital handheld dynamometer with the make-test technique. Each muscle will be evaluated through three maximal voluntary isometric contractions lasting five seconds each, with 30-second rest intervals between repetitions and one-minute rest intervals between muscles. The mean of the two highest measurements will be used for analysis. Higher values indicate greater isometric muscle strength.
Measured: 4 weeks
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle (Cobb Method)
Thoracic kyphosis angle will be assessed using the Cobb method on standing lateral thoracic radiographs. The angle between the superior endplate of the T1 vertebra and the inferior endplate of the T12 vertebra will be measured in degrees (°). All radiographic measurements will be performed by the same radiologist. Greater angular values indicate increased thoracic kyphosis.
Measured: 4 weeks
Kyphosis Index
Thoracic kyphosis will be assessed non-invasively using a flexible curve ruler (Flexicurve). With the participant standing upright, the ruler will be molded along the spinal curvature and transferred onto paper. The thoracic curvature length (L) and maximum kyphosis height (H) will be measured. The Kyphosis Index will be calculated using the formula: (H / L) × 100. Higher scores indicate greater thoracic curvature, and a score of 13 or higher will be considered indicative of hyperkyphosis.
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Oct 2026
- Study start30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HyperkyphosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istinye UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kubra Kardes, Istinye University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07905014
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/05
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 29 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Surface Electromyographic Analysis of Scapular Stabilizer Muscle Activity During Schroth-Based Corrective and Conventional Postural Exercises in Individuals With Postural Hyperkyphosis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07905014
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026/05
- Conditions
- Hyperkyphosis
- Keywords
- Scapular Muscle Activation, Surface Electromyography, Postural Hyperkyphosis
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 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.
Postural hyperkyphosis is characterized by an excessive thoracic kyphotic curvature and may alter scapular positioning, muscular balance, and upper extremity biomechanics. Scapular stabilizer muscles play an important role in maintaining postural alignment and ensuring efficient force transmission throughout the kinetic chain. Exercise-based interventions, including conventional postural exercises and the Schroth method, are commonly used in the conservative management of postural hyperkyphosis. However, evidence directly comparing scapular stabilizer muscle activation during these exercise approaches remains limited.
The Schroth method is a three-dimensional corrective exercise approach incorporating active spinal elongation, postural correction, rotational breathing, and isometric muscle activation, whereas conventional postural exercises primarily focus on muscle strengthening, stretching, spinal mobility, and postural alignment.
The aim of this study is to compare the activation levels of scapular stabilizer muscles, including the serratus anterior, rhomboids, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius, during Schroth-based corrective exercises and conventional postural exercises in young adults with postural hyperkyphosis using surface electromyography. Isometric muscle strength of the same muscle groups will also be evaluated.
The study will focus on immediate muscle activation patterns during exercise performance rather than long-term treatment outcomes. The findings are expected to provide objective evidence regarding muscle recruitment patterns during different corrective exercise approaches and contribute to the development of more individualized and targeted exercise programs for individuals with postural hyperkyphosis.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence AB: Traditional-Schroth Sequence | Experimental | Other: Traditional Postural Exercises, Other: Schroth-Based Corrective ExercisesParticipants allocated to this sequence will perform traditional postural exercises (prone T and prone I exercises) during the first session, followed by Schroth-based corrective exercises (Kneeling Between Chairs and Standing in a Doorway) during the second session, with a two-day interval between sessions. Scapular stabilizer muscle activation will be assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) during both exercise protocols. |
| Sequence BA: Schroth-Traditional Sequence | Experimental | Other: Traditional Postural Exercises, Other: Schroth-Based Corrective ExercisesParticipants allocated to this sequence will perform Schroth-based corrective exercises (Kneeling Between Chairs and Standing in a Doorway) during the first session, followed by traditional postural exercises (prone T and prone I exercises) during the second session, with a two-day interval between sessions. Scapular stabilizer muscle activation will be assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) during both exercise protocols. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Aged between 18 and 35 years.
- Thoracic kyphosis angle between 45° and 60° on lateral radiographic assessment or a kyphosis index score of 13 or higher measured using the Flexicurve method.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Presence of congenital or rigid spinal deformities or structural abnormalities.
- History of major musculoskeletal surgery or trauma, particularly involving the spine.
- Receipt of physiotherapy interventions targeting the spinal region within the previous six months.
- Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m².
- Diagnosed hearing impairments.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Postural ExercisesThe traditional postural exercise protocol consists of two prone exercises targeting the scapular stabilizer muscles: prone T and prone I exercises. During the prone T exercise, participants will lie in a prone position with their shoulders abducted to 9 | Other | Sequence AB: Traditional-Schroth Sequence, Sequence BA: Schroth-Traditional Sequence |
| Schroth-Based Corrective ExercisesThe Schroth-based corrective exercise protocol consists of two exercises: Kneeling Between Chairs and Standing in a Doorway. During the Kneeling Between Chairs exercise, participants will maintain a kneeling position between two chairs, with their upper extremities supported on the chairs. Active axial elongation, postural correction, scapular stabilization, and rotational angular breathing will be performed according to Schroth principles. During the Standing in a Doorway exercise, participants will stand in a doorway with their upper extremities positioned against the doorframe at shoulder level. Active axial elongation, scapular stabilization, thoracic expansion, and rotational angular breathing will be performed while maintaining the corrected posture. Scapular stabilizer muscle activation will be continuously recorded using surface electromyography during the exercises. | Other | Sequence AB: Traditional-Schroth Sequence, Sequence BA: Schroth-Traditional Sequence |
Primary outcome
Scapular Stabilizer Muscle Activation
Time frame: 4 weeks
Scapular stabilizer muscle activation will be assessed bilaterally using wireless surface electromyography (sEMG) during Schroth-based corrective and conventional postural exercises. Muscle activation of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius will be recorded. EMG signals will be sampled at 1000-2000 Hz and band-pass filtered between 20-500 Hz. Root mean square (RMS) values obtained from the middle three seconds of the isometric holding phase will be normalized to each muscle's maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and expressed as a percentage of MVIC (%MVIC). Mean normalized muscle activation values across three sets will be used to compare the two exercise approaches.
3 secondary outcomes
Muscle Strength
Time frame: 4 weeks
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle (Cobb Method)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Kyphosis Index
Time frame: 4 weeks
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 29 Oct 2026.
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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 Traditional Postural Exercises and Schroth-Based Corrective Exercises in people with Hyperkyphosis, run by Istinye University 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 2 inclusion and 9 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 29 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 Kubra Kardes, Asst. Prof. (05387115631, kubrakoce@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Scapular Stabilizer Muscle Activation (time frame: 4 weeks). 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 29 Oct 2026.