Physical Therapy Exercises in Hyperkyphosis
Condition: Hyperkyphosis
MeSH terms: Kyphosis
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This proposal is a single center preliminary prospective cohort trial that evaluates patients
      with hyperkyphosis. Participants will receive physical therapy exercises and be followed for
      the above outcome measures over time. The treatment arm will receive training in one-time
      training in kyphosis-specific exercises.

      It is hypothesized that participants receive physical therapy exercises will demonstrate
      improved outcome measures over time. Also, it is hypothesized that participants who receive
      kyphosis-specific exercises will demonstrate significantly improved perceived quality-of-life
      and significantly reduced pain, compared to participants who receive generalized back
      exercises after 6 months.

      Also, it is hypothesized that a kyphosis-specific SAQ will demonstrate satisfactory
      test-retest reliability and concurrent validity.
    

Detailed description: 
      A total of 50 patients will be recruited for this study. 28 patients will be recruited for
      both groups, or 14 participants per group. Patients will be randomized by an independent
      research assistant who will draw the group number from a hat. We assume less than 15%
      attrition, which results in 12 participants per group.

      Patients in both groups will ideally be followed after 6 months, unless the patient's
      treating orthopaedic surgeon schedules them for a visit up until 12 months later.

      Group 1(Kyphosis-specific exercise Group): Patients will receive a one-time treatment
      consisting of kyphosis-specific exercises that promote depressing the thoracic convexity.

      Group 2 (Generalized exercise group): Patients will receive a one-time treatment consisting
      of core strengthening, hamstring stretching, and generalized back extension exercises.

      Patients in each group will be asked to perform these exercises at home about 10 minutes a
      day, 3 times a week.

      Each patient will be given access to a software application though PT PAL on their smart
      phone (or computer). Patients will be asked to use the app whenever they perform their
      exercises throughout the 6 month period. Patients must turn off the app after 15 minutes for
      the app to count the exercise session as complete. Each physical therapist participating in
      the study will have administrator access to monitor exercise adherence for their respective
      patients at any time as a tool to maximize exercise adherence.

      Each patient will also be asked about their pain intensity on a monthly basis through a
      secure database (REDCap).

      5. Study Procedures: Group 1 or 2

      Month 0 (40 minutes):

        -  X-ray of back [standard of care]

        -  Picture of back [research]

        -  Physical therapy program [research]

        -  Two surveys on how kyphosis affects the patient [research]

        -  Physical examination [research]

      Week 2 (10 minutes):

        -  Two surveys at home on how kyphosis affects the patient [research]

      Months 1-5 (2 minutes)

      • Monthly survey at home regarding your back pain [research]

      Month 6-12 (40 minutes):

        -  X-ray of back [standard of care]

        -  Picture of back [research]

        -  Two surveys on how kyphosis affects the patient [research]

        -  Physical examination [research]

      These x-rays will not need to be ordered as a study procedure.

      5a. Sub-Study: Aim 2 Kyphosis-Specific SAQ (K-SAQ) The secondary aim of this study is to
      assess the psychometric properties of a kyphosis-specific SAQ and evaluate the test-retest
      reliability and concurrent validity of this kyphosis-specific SAQ.

      The original study design included enrolling a total of 28 patients, all of whom would
      receive and complete the SRS-22 and the kyphosis-specific SAQ at baseline, two weeks, and
      6-12 month follow-up.

      At the conclusion of initial enrollment, 21 patients had been enrolled and six (6) were lost
      to follow-up. Of the 21 total patients, 15 completed Aim 1 of this study, not all of which
      completed Aim 2.

      During analysis, we found statistical significance for the test-retest reliability and
      concurrent validity of the K-SAQ, but due to weak enrollment and completion of the
      questionnaires at baseline and two weeks, we are enrolling more patients for Aim 2 of the
      original study design and will end enrollment for Aim 2 at the conclusion of 25 completed
      responses of the K-SAQ and SRS-22 for both baseline and 2-week follow-up.

      We will increase enrollment from 28 patients to 50 patients.

      Patients in this sub-group must be diagnosed with hyperkyphosis, have a Cobb angle of at
      least 50°, and be 8-21 years old. Exclusion criteria includes: scoliosis greater than 25°,
      current brace wear, and previous spine surgery. Specific treatment is not a part of this
      sub-group.

      Patients enrolled in the Kyphosis-specific SAQ Sub-group of the PPKS Registry (STU
      032011-130) will be included within this sub-group for data analysis.

      6. Criteria for Inclusion of Subjects: Patients with a diagnosis of hyperkyphosis meeting the
      following inclusion criteria will be eligible to participate: ages 10 to 18 years, Cobb
      angles at least 50°, and pain >2 on the VAS during the past week.

      7. Criteria for Exclusion of Subjects:

      Patients will be excluded according to the following exclusion criteria:

      scoliosis greater than 25°, conditions preventing understanding and compliance with an
      exercise schedule, current brace wear, previous spine surgery, inability to commit to at
      least 15 minutes of exercises for 3 days a week, and pain <2 on the VAS during the past week.

      8. Sources of Research Material: Baseline participant characteristics will include age, sex,
      ethnicity, Risser sign, height, weight, BMI, curve magnitude of a lateral radiograph, and
      location of the kyphosis apex. The lateral radiograph information will be obtained from
      Synapse, a radiology information system at TSRH.

      Exercise adherence will be recorded including the length of exercise sessions and total
      duration of PT until the patient is discharged to a HEP. HEP adherence will be calculated as
      the percentage of prescribed exercises completed from baseline to 6 months.

      9. Recruitment Methods and Consenting Process: Patients will be screened by the
      investigators, participating physical therapists, or research coordinator to determine
      whether inclusion criteria is met. If the patient is eligible for this trial, the patient
      will be offered enrollment to the patient and caregiver. Appropriate patient assent and
      caregiver consent to participate in the trial will be obtained per IRB protocol. The patient
      will then choose to be in either the treatment or observation group.

      10. Potential Risks: Identifiable risk associated with participation in this study would be a
      potential loss of confidentiality and tired or sore muscles from the exercises.
    

Intervention name(s): exercise
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): physical therapy exercises
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment