The Reliability and Relationships Between Thoracic Kyphosis, Postural Stiffness and Thoracic Rotation in Young Subjects

젊은 성인의 흉추후만지수 및 자세 경직도와 흉추회전각 간의 상관성과 신뢰도

Background: The purposes of this study were to: 1) investigate the relation between thoracic kyphosis, postural stiffness and thoracic rotation and 2) the intra-rater reliability of the measurement methods for thoracic kyphosis and rotation angle. Methods: Thirty-nine young adults (13 males, 26 females) participated in the study. Thoracic kyphosis was measured using a Flexicurve while standing in their usual relaxed posture and then in their maximally erector posture. Index of kyphosis (IK) measures taken in the relaxed and maximally erect positions were used to estimate postural stiffness. Thoracic rotation range of motion (ROM) was measured using universal goniometer and inclinometer in two positions. The association between the magnitude of the IK and thoracic stiffness and thoracic rotation ROM was also examined. Reliability was determined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: When measured from the mean relaxed IK (${\pm}SD$) was 7.42 (${\pm}1.47$) and mean erect IK was 4.92 (${\pm}1.63$) and mean IK ratio was 1.66 (${\pm}.65$). The relaxed IK was significantly correlated with the range of motion thoracic rotation in two positions (r=.503~580, p<.01). Conclusion: Thoracic kyphosis in relaxed position was associated with the range of motion thoracic rotation. Thoracic kyphosis measurement with the Flexicurve and range of motion 2 techniques of thoracic rotation showed good reliablity and may be a useful measurement tool in clinical practice.