Immediate Effect On Balance After Correcting Postural Hyperkyphosis Of Thoracic Spine in Elderly Population Using Therapeutic Tape

6 Abstract: Changes in the alignment of posture is commonly noticed with ageing. One of the common postural changes is flexed posture or thoracic hyperkyphosis(prevalence is approximately 20-40% among community dwelling subjects aged ≥60 years).The precise etiology of flexed posture is still unknown, but it can be associated with musculoskeletal or neuromuscular impairments with or without low mineral density and degenerative alterations of the intervertebral discs. Increased thoracic kyphosis displaces the centre of mass (COM) anteriorly towards the limits of stability. This increases the chance of loss of balance (Horak et al, 1989).Loss of balance and body sway are the important risk factors for falls in the elderly. Alison M Greig et al, 2006 proved that postural taping is effective in correcting the hyperkyphosis of thoracic spine in osteoporotic women. However, there is lack of evidence of the effect of correction of hyperkyphosis of thoracic spine on balance using therapeutic tape, in elderly population. Hence, the following study is been undertaken to know the immediate effect of correction of hyperkyphosis of thoracic spine on balance in elderly population using therapeutic tape.