Spine-strengthening exercise and posture training for >6 months reduced kyphosis in older adults compared to those in a control group, a recent study found. The randomized controlled trial results suggest that a targeted kyphosis-specific exercise program may be an effective treatment option for older adults with hyperkyphosis. Researchers recruited adults ≥60 years with kyphosis ≥40° and enrolled 99 participants (71 women, 28 men, mean age 70.6 ± 0.6 years, with baseline Cobb angle 57.4 ± 12.5°). The intervention included group spine-strengthening exercise and postural training, delivered by a physical therapist, 1 hour, 3 times weekly for 6 months. Controls received 4 group health education meetings. They found:

• There was a −3.0° between-group difference in change in Cobb angle, favoring the intervention and approximating the magnitude of change from an incident vertebral fracture.
• Kyphometer-measured kyphosis and SRS-30 self-esteem showed favorable between-group differences in change, with no group differences in physical function or additional health-related quality of life outcomes.