Abstract

Background. Thoracic kyphosis is one of the manifestations of post-menopausal spinal osteoporosis so it is preferable to prevent incidence of kyphosis related to estrogen deficiency especially for premenopausal whose kyphosis start to be developed. Purpose. The aim of this study was to detect the effect of cold and ultrasonic therapy on postural kyphosis with middle back pain in pre and post-menopausal women. Materials and Methods. Sixty non-osteoporotic pre and post-menopausal women between the ages of 40 and 60 years, assigned randomly into 3 groups equal in numbers; each group consisted of 10 pre and 10 post-menopausal women; Group (A) received physiotherapy program followed by cold therapy, Group (B) received ultrasonic therapy followed by physiotherapy program, and Group (C) received ultrasonic then the physiotherapy program followed by cold therapy. The three groups followed the same physiotherapy program in form of strengthening, stretching and postural reeducation, three sessions per week for three months. The kyphotic index and pain were assessed by flexicurve ruler and visual analogue scale (VAS) respectively pre- and post-interventions. Results. Within the three groups (A, B & C) the kyphotic index and pain showed significant decrease (P < 0.0001) post treatment in both pre- and post-menopausal conditions, while they showed clinical improvement and non-significant difference (P > 0.05) when compared pre to post-menopause conditions in the pre- and post-treatment. The clinical improvement in the kyphotic index in group (A), (B) & (C) at pre as well as post-menopausal conditions were equal [(↓8.44% & ↓7.1%), (↓7.7% &↓8.12%) & (↓9.68% &↓11.08%)] and VAS were [ (↓32%&↓35%), (↓40% & 30%) & (↓37.55%, ↓31.57%)] respectively post treatment. Conclusion. Adding cold and ultrasound therapy to physiotherapy program have a clinical impact in reducing kyphosis and pain in pre- and post-menopausal women.

Key words:

cold, ultrasonic, menopause, kyphosis, flexicurve ruler