This original study was a feasibility study to determine the ability to recruit and to assess pilot data to determine the effects of a physical therapy intervention on physical function, gait, balance, posture, pulmonary function, and quality of life. Additionally the 30 day readmission, ER visits, and mortality was to be tracked. This study failed due to lack of recruitment. However, the aim to examine the effectiveness a physical therapy intervention was still used just in a broader population. The intervention and measures remained the same except for 30 day admission/mortality data.
The new aim was to examine the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise on posture, function, gait, pulmonary function, and quality of life in older community dwelling adults with hyperkyphosis or forward head posture. Kyphosis, osteoporosis, decreased trunk flexibility, and pain are considered potential causes of restrictive lung function. The physical therapy intervention targets both soft tissue and skeletal restrictions to improve mobility. The outcomes were chosen to examine not only the direct impact on posture but also the indirect impact on physical function including pulmonary status. Lastly, cognitive mapping was used to record the change in the perceptions of the participants as they improved.
