Effect of Two Types of Soft and Semi-Rigid Orthoses With Exercise Therapy on Kyphosis Angle, Walking Ability, and Energy Consumption in Elderly People With Hyperkyphosis Publisher



Khojasteh H ; Khojasteh K ; Daryabor A ; Farshchi F
Source: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics Published:2026

Abstract

ABSTRACT – Introduction – Hyperkyphosis in the elderly may lead to decreased balance and respiratory capacity, increased energy consumption, and falling. There is little evidence comparing types of orthoses along with exercise therapy on walking ability and energy consumption in hyperkyphosis. The aim of this study was to assess effects of two types of soft and semirigid orthoses, combined with exercise therapy, on kyphosis angle, walking ability, and energy consumption in elderly people with hyperkyphosis. Patients and methods – In this randomized clinical trial, 39 individuals aged 60–80 years with thoracic hyperkyphosis were randomly assigned to one of three groups, each consisting of 13, including semirigid orthosis with exercise therapy, only exercise therapy, and soft orthosis with exercise therapy. Walking efficiency by elderly mobility scale, walking speed by 10-meter walk test, distance traveled by 2-minute walk test, kyphosis angle by kyphometer, and energy consumption by physiological cost index were measured before interventions and after eight-week use of interventions. Results – After an 8-week intervention compared to preintervention, there was an improvement in kyphosis angle (P < 0.001), distance traveled (P = 0.007), activity heart rate (P = 0.005), and energy consumption (P = 0.005) in semirigid orthosis group with exercise therapy. Additionally, there was an improvement in kyphosis angle (P < 0.001) and walking efficiency (P = 0.008) in soft orthosis group with exercise therapy, and a decrease in kyphosis angle (P = 0.002) was observed in exercise therapy group alone. Comparison between groups, two orthotic groups with exercise therapy showed a more significant decrease in kyphosis angle reduction compared to exercise therapy alone (P < 0.001), but not significant difference between two orthotic groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions – The use of semirigid and soft orthoses, combined with exercise therapy, can help reduce the kyphosis angle compared to the exercise therapy alone. While the results did not show a significant difference between groups in walking ability and energy consumption, both soft and semirigid orthoses, along with exercise therapy, may improve these outcomes in elderly people with hyperkyphosis. © 2026 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins