Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Adding a local vibration system to a semirigid thoracolumbar orthosis may improve the effectiveness of the orthosis on muscle function in seniors with age-related hyperkyphosis. METHODS: This study was a parallel two-arm randomized controlled trial. Eighteen seniors with age-related hyperkyphosis were randomized into the conventional semi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis group (control group) or the conventional semi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis plus local vibration (intervention group); from June 10, 2023 to December 21, 2023. The outcomes included the thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), parameters of isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic trunk muscle function; the SF-36 questionnaire; the 2-min walk test (2 MW); the 10-m walk test (10 MW); and the timed up and go test (TUG). Dependent variables were compared between groups across three time points using mixed-model ANOVA. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA was applied for significant time interactions. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the TKA significantly improved (p = 0.001) in both groups and showed more reduction in the intervention group (p = 0.001). The average torque of the trunk isometric extensor (p = 0.005) and flexor (p = 0.027) significantly improved in both groups. The average power of the isotonic extensors (p = 0.018) and flexors (p = 0.024) improved significantly. Isokinetic work for extensors (p = 0.030), flexors (p = 0.021) and average power (p = 0.017) increased. CONCLUSION: TKA significantly improved after 6 weeks of intervention. This improvement was significantly more in the intervention group. Adding local vibration may improve the isotonic and isokinetic torques and time parameters but not the isometric parameters of the trunk muscles.