Dataset Information

Posture and mobility of the upper body quadrant and pulmonary function in COPD: an exploratory study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is limited evidence regarding interactions between pulmonary (dys)function, posture, and mobility of the upper body quadrant in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives

This exploratory study aimed to investigate whether postural alignment and mobility of the upper quadrant are related to changes in pulmonary function and compare such variables between patients with COPD and healthy individuals.

Method

Fifteen patients with COPD (67.93±9.71yrs) and 15 healthy controls (66.80±7.47yrs) participated. Pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC) was assessed with spirometry. Alignment and mobility of the head, thoracic spine, and shoulder were assessed using digital photographs. Pectoralis minor muscle (PmM) length and thoracic excursion were assessed with a measuring tape. Groups were compared and linear regression analyses were used to assess potential relationships between postural and mobility variables and pulmonary function.

Results

Patients with COPD were more likely to have a forward head position at maximal protraction (28.81±7.30º vs. 35.91±8.56º, p=0.02) and overall mobility of the head (21.81±10.42º vs. 13.40±7.84º, p=0.02) and a smaller range of shoulder flexion (136.71±11.91º vs. 149.08±11.58º, p=0.01) than controls. Patients' non-dominant PmM length and maximal head protraction were predictors of FEV1 (r2adjusted=0.34). These variables, together with the upper thoracic spine at maximal flexion and thoracic kyphosis at maximal extension, were predictors of FVC (r2adjusted=0.68).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that impaired pulmonary function is associated with muscle length and mobility adaptations. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and clinical value of these relationships.

SUBMITTER: Morais N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5015673 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Posture and mobility of the upper body quadrant and pulmonary function in COPD: an exploratory study.

Morais Nuno N Cruz Joana J Marques Alda A

Brazilian journal of physical therapy 20160408 4

<h4>Background</h4>There is limited evidence regarding interactions between pulmonary (dys)function, posture, and mobility of the upper body quadrant in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).<h4>Objectives</h4>This exploratory study aimed to investigate whether postural alignment and mobility of the upper quadrant are related to changes in pulmonary function and compare such variables between patients with COPD and healthy individuals.<h4>Method</h4>Fifteen patients with COP ...[more]

PMID: 27556391

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Temporary occlusal changes and their influence on the upper body statics are still controversially discussed. Furthermore, concrete statements on whether age- or gender-specific differences in neurophysiological reactions exist are missing. Therefore, it is the aim of this study to evaluate the immediate effects of a symmetrical occlusion blocking on the upper body posture. These effects shall be investigated for both genders and for a larger age range. METHODS:In this study, 800 (407f/393?m) subjects volunteered aged from 21 to 60?years. Both genders were divided into four age groups according to decades. The three-dimensional upper body posture was measured by using the rasterstereography (ABW-Bodymapper). The habitual static posture was measured in two dental occlusion conditions (a) in rest position and (b) symmetrical blocking in the bicuspid region by cotton rolls. RESULTS:A significant reduction of the trunk length (0.72?mm; p?<? 0.001), an increase of the lumbar (0.30°; p?<? 0.001) and the thoracic bending angle (0.14°; p?=?0.001), a reduction of the spinal forward decline (0.16°; p?<? 0.001) and a reduction of the scapular distance (0.36?mm; p?=?0.001) was found. Gender-specific reactions can only be recorded in scapular distance, in that regard men reduce this distance while over all age groups women did not show a significant change. DISCUSSION:Slight gender- and age-independent reactions due to a symmetric occlusion blockade are shown: A gender independent reaction of the spinal related variables in the sagittal plane (thoracic and lumbar flexion angle, trunk length, spinal forward decline). In addition, a gender specific change of the shoulder blade distance could be observed, where men reduced the distance while female did not show a change. However, since these reactions are of a minimum amount, it can be concluded that neurophysiological compensation mechanisms work equally well regardless of age and sex, and the upper body posture of healthy people changes only very slightly due to a temporarily symmetrical altered bite position.

Dataset Information

Posture and mobility of the upper body quadrant and pulmonary function in COPD: an exploratory study.

Background

Objectives

Method

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Posture and mobility of the upper body quadrant and pulmonary function in COPD: an exploratory study.

Similar Datasets

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