Background: Thoracic kyphosis is a condition characterized by an excessive curvature of the thoracic spine, often leading to decreased trunk range of motion and various health complications. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a rolling corrector on trunk range of motion (ROM) and thoracic kyphosis angle in individuals with thoracic kyphosis. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty participants with a thoracic kyphosis angle of 40 degrees or more were randomly assigned to either the rolling corrector group (RCG) or the control group (CG). The RCG used the rolling corrector for 30 minutes per session, five times a week for two weeks, while the CG received no intervention. Trunk ROM and thoracic kyphosis angle were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The RCG showed significant improvements in trunk flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM, as well as in the thoracic kyphosis angle, in within-group comparisons (P<.05). The CG did not exhibit significant changes in any of these variables (P<.05). Significant differences between the RCG and CG were observed in trunk ROM and thoracic kyphosis angle (P<.05). Conclusion: The rolling corrector was effective in improving trunk ROM and reducing the thoracic kyphosis angle in individuals with thoracic kyphosis. These findings suggest that the rolling corrector may be a beneficial intervention for managing thoracic kyphosis.

Background: In previous studies, changes in postural alignment were found when the slope was changed during walking. Downhill walking straightens the trunk by shifting the line of gravity backward. Objects: This study investigated the effect of the downhill treadmill walking exercise (DTWE) on thoracic angle and thoracic erector spinae (TES) activation in subjects with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with thoracic kyphosis were recruited for this study. All the subjects performed the DTWE for 30 minutes. A surface EMG and 3D motion capture system were used to measure TES activation and thoracic angle before and after the DTWE. Paired t-tests were used to confirm the effect of the DTWE (p<.05). Results: Both the thoracic angle and TES activation had significantly increased after the DTWE compared to the baseline (p<.05). An increase in the thoracic angle indicates a decrease in kyphosis. Conclusion: The DTWE is effective for thoracic kyphosis patients as it decreases their kyphotic posture and increases the TES activation. Future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of the DTWE.