Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2013 , Vol 16, Issue 3
THE EFFECT OF POSTURE SUPPORT CORSET ON BALANCE, QUALITY OF LIFE, DORSAL KYPHOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH KYPHOSIS DUE TO OSTEOPOROSIS
Mehtap GÜNDOĞDU1, Sema ÖNCEL2, Ebru ŞAHİN2, Meltem BAYDAR3, Banu DİLEK4
1Karadeniz EreÄŸli Devlet Hastanesi, Fizik Tedavi KliniÄŸi, ZONGULDAK
2Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı İZMİR
3Özel Klinik A Tıp Merkezi, Fizik Tedavi Kliniği SAMSUN
4Dicle Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı DİYARBAKIR
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of posture support corset (kypho-orthosis) on balance, quality of life, and dorsal kyphosis angle in patients with kyphosis due to osteoporosis.

Materials and Method: Twenty-nine patients were randomized into two groups. One group (n=14) was given the conventional osteoporosis exercises, and the other group (n=15) was given the kypho-orthosis in addition to these exercises. Kyphosis angle and height were measured. Evaluations were done by Kinesthetic Ability Trainer device, single foot balance test, Timed Up & Go Test, Berg Balance Scale, Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis at baseline, and after one and three months.

Results: In both groups, a significant improvement was found after treatment in terms of values measured by Timed Up & Go Test, Berg Balance Scale, right and left foot balance test, the physical and mental functional dimensions of quality of life and dorsal kyphosis angle. A significant difference was found in height at three months in the corset group.

Conclusion: Using kypho-orthosis does not provide additional benefit to the exercise program on balance, dorsal kyphosis angle and the quality of life; but it contributes to height increase by providing the patients with a more vertical posture. Keywords : Osteoporosis; Kyphosis; Orthotic Device; Postural Balance; Quality of Life