Physical Therapy Korea
eISSN 2287-982X
QR Code
eISSN 2287-982X
Article
Article Tools
Share this article on :
Starts or metrics
Article
Original Article
Split Viewer
Phys. Ther. Korea 2024; 31(3): 198-204
Published online December 20, 2024
https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2024.31.3.198
© Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy
The Effect of Scapula Supporting Pillow on Pulmonary Function and Postural Changes in Individuals With Thoracic Kyphosis
Woosuk Lim1,2 
, PT, BPT, Ilyoung Moon3 , PT, PhD, Wookyung Sung4 , PT, MSc, Chung-hwi Yi5 , PT, PhD
1Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Seonam General Hospital, Seoul, 3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju, 4Department of Physical Therapy, Gangnam YK Hospital, Seoul, 5Department of Physical Therapy, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea
Correspondence to: Chung-hwi Yi
E-mail: pteagle@yonsei.ac.kr
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2554-8083
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Background: The widespread use of smartphones and personal computers has contributed to a rise in thoracic kyphosis, a condition characterized by excessive outward curvature of the upper back. This condition can lead to reduced lung function, poor posture, and decreased spinal angles, all of which can cause reductions in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Furthermore, these issues are often associated with scapular protraction and anterior tilting.
Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of using a scapular support pillow in people with thoracic kyphosis, as well as determine the changes in respiratory capacity and postural alignment.
Methods: Forty-one participants (25 males and 16 females) with thoracic kyphosis (Cobb angle > 40°) were included in the study. Their respiratory function (FVC, FEV1) and body posture (spinal angle, chest expansion, acromion-to-the-wall index) were measured before and after using the scapular support pillow for approximately 30 minutes. FVC, FEV1, spinal angle, chest expansion, and acromion-to-the-wall index were analyzed using paired-t test. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The results demonstrated significant improvements in all measured parameters. Both respiratory function and posture-related metrics showed notable increases after using the scapular support pillow.
Conclusion: The use of a scapular support pillow can effectively improve respiratory function and postural alignment in patients with thoracic kyphosis. Our research makes a meaningful contribution by proposing an effortless and convenient treatment option for individuals with thoracic kyphosis.
Keywords: Ergonomics, Kyphosis, Musculoskeletal abnormalities, Respiratory function test, Scapula supporting pillow
PDF
Standard view
Export citation
Share Article
Original Article
Phys. Ther. Korea 2024; 31(3): 198-204
Published online December 20, 2024 https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2024.31.3.198
Copyright © Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy.
The Effect of Scapula Supporting Pillow on Pulmonary Function and Postural Changes in Individuals With Thoracic Kyphosis
Woosuk Lim1,2 , PT, BPT, Ilyoung Moon3 , PT, PhD, Wookyung Sung4 , PT, MSc, Chung-hwi Yi5 , PT, PhD
1Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Seonam General Hospital, Seoul, 3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju, 4Department of Physical Therapy, Gangnam YK Hospital, Seoul, 5Department of Physical Therapy, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea
Correspondence to:Chung-hwi Yi
E-mail: pteagle@yonsei.ac.kr
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2554-8083
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background: The widespread use of smartphones and personal computers has contributed to a rise in thoracic kyphosis, a condition characterized by excessive outward curvature of the upper back. This condition can lead to reduced lung function, poor posture, and decreased spinal angles, all of which can cause reductions in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Furthermore, these issues are often associated with scapular protraction and anterior tilting.
Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of using a scapular support pillow in people with thoracic kyphosis, as well as determine the changes in respiratory capacity and postural alignment.
Methods: Forty-one participants (25 males and 16 females) with thoracic kyphosis (Cobb angle > 40°) were included in the study. Their respiratory function (FVC, FEV1) and body posture (spinal angle, chest expansion, acromion-to-the-wall index) were measured before and after using the scapular support pillow for approximately 30 minutes. FVC, FEV1, spinal angle, chest expansion, and acromion-to-the-wall index were analyzed using paired-t test. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The results demonstrated significant improvements in all measured parameters. Both respiratory function and posture-related metrics showed notable increases after using the scapular support pillow.
Conclusion: The use of a scapular support pillow can effectively improve respiratory function and postural alignment in patients with thoracic kyphosis. Our research makes a meaningful contribution by proposing an effortless and convenient treatment option for individuals with thoracic kyphosis.
Keywords: Ergonomics, Kyphosis, Musculoskeletal abnormalities, Respiratory function test, Scapula supporting pillow
Fig 1.
Download
Fig 2.
Download
Fig 3.
Download
Fig 4.
Download
-
Table 1 . General characteristics of the study participants (N = 41).
Variable Value Sex (male/female) 25/16 Age (y) 47.3 ± 14.7 Height (cm) 168.1 ± 8.0 Weight (kg) 68.2 ± 10.2 Body mass index (kg/m2) 24.1 ± 2.8 Values are presented as number or mean ± standard deviation..
-
Table 2 . Measurements of respiratory function before and after using the scapular support pillow.
Before After t p-value FVC (L) 3.19 ± 1.13 3.60 ± 1.17 –9.471 < 0.001 FEV1 (L) 2.31 ± 0.97 2.87 ± 0.99 –10.949 < 0.001 FEV1/FVC (%) 0.72 ± 0.11 0.80 ± 0.04 –5.665 < 0.001 Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. FVC, forced vital capacity; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second..
-
Table 3 . Measurements of posture before and after using the scapular support pillow.
Before After t p-value Spinal angle (°) 43.22 ± 2.67 38.73 ± 3.74 –14.691 < 0.001 Chest expansion (cm) 2.49 ± 1.07 4.49 ± 1.56 12.246 < 0.001 AWI (cm) 9.97 ± 1.25 8.43 ± 1.64 10.714 < 0.001 Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. AWI, acromion-wall index..