Background & Aims
Thoracic spine plays an important role in neuromuscular performance and balance (1). Taping and exercise interventions of thoracic region to stimulate and posture correction may have positive effects for tissue, neuromuscular performance, and overall balance (2,3). This study aimed to compare the effects of exercise intervention to taping applied for thoracic spine for tissue temperature, neuromuscular performance (upper extremity reaction time, flexibility, back extensor endurance), and balance.
Methods
Fifteen asymptomatic university students (7 males, 8 females; age: 20.60±1.18 years) were included. Taping and exercise interventions applied in a crossover protocol to the participants. For taping elastic adhesive taping (Kinesio-tape®) was applied to scapular region to correct posture. For exercises, scapular retraction and external rotation with bands were administered to stimulate thoracic spine. Assessments were conducted before (BA) and 20 minutes after the application (AA). Thermal imaging for tissue temperature, “Test You Brain Pro” (Krakow, Poland) for upper extremity reaction time, back scratch test for flexibility, Sorenson test for back endurance, Balance System (TecnoBody, Prokin 252, Italy) for balance were used.
Results
No significant differences were observed within and between groups for tissue temperature. Taping group showed improvement in reaction time for the non-dominant side and bilateral (BA:19.79±2.34 sec; AA:18.92±2.05 sec; p=0.038; BA:19.15±1.77 sec; AA:18.03±1.52 sec; p<0.001). In the exercise group improvements were observed for the dominant side (BA:20.00±1.43 sec; AA:18.61±2.10 sec; p=0.007), non-dominant side (BA:19.47±1.36 sec; AA:17.94±1.89 sec; p=0.001), and bilateral (BA:18.45±1.36 sec; AA:17.41±1.79 sec; p<0.001) reaction times. Flexibility improved on the non-dominant side in the exercise group (BA:-2.7±7.59 cm; AA:-0.87±5.89 cm; p=0.023). Back extensor endurance increased after taping (BA:115.44±70.41 sec; AA:154.45±62.03 sec; p=0.011), no significant differences were observed between groups (p=0.503; p=0.876; p=0.872; p=0.473). A significant change was observed in total balance score in taping group (p=0.004). However, no difference was found between the groups (p=0.539).
Conclusions
Both taping and exercise demonstrated efficacy in improving reaction time and total balance score. Exercise improved flexibility and reaction time on the dominant side, while taping showed positive effects on endurance and overall balance. This study suggests that both interventions can be valuable immediate improvement of neuromuscular performance.
References
1- Prat-Luri A, de Los Rios-Calonge J, Moreno-Navarro P, Manresa-Rocamora A, Vera-Garcia FJ, Barbado D. Effect of Trunk-Focused Exercises on Pain, Disability, Quality of Life, and Trunk Physical Fitness in Low Back Pain and How Potential Effect Modifiers Modulate Their Effects: A Systematic Review With Meta-analyses. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023 Feb;53(2):64-93. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2023.11091. Epub 2023 Jan 16. PMID: 36645193.
2- Heneghan NR, Lokhaug SM, Tyros I, Longvastøl S, Rushton A. Clinical reasoning framework for thoracic spine exercise prescription in sport: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020 Mar 29;6(1):e000713. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000713. PMID: 32341799; PMCID: PMC7173996.
3- Feng Q, Wang M, Zhang Y, Zhou Y. The effect of a corrective functional exercise program on postural thoracic kyphosis in teenagers: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2018 Jan;32(1):48-56. doi: 10.1177/0269215517714591. Epub 2017 Jun 14. PMID: 28610442.
Presenting Author
Faruk Tanik
Poster Authors
Topics
- Treatment/Management: Pharmacology: Psychological and Rehabilitative Therapies