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CompletedNCT06988046Updated May 23, 2025

Innovative Orthosis in Hyperkyphosis

An interventional study of Cover spine orthosis (CSO) and Semi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis in Postural Kyphosis and Hyperkyphosis, sponsored by Istanbul Medipol University Hospital. Completed at 1 site in Turkey. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-23.

Sponsored by Istanbul Medipol University Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 3 years 4 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jan 2022, registered May 2025).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
34
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Where this study stands

Counted across the records on this site · 2026-11-12

Among 35 studies in Kyphosis with a site in Turkey — 9 open to participants now, 10 under way, none of them phase 3. Kyphosis · Turkey.

Enrollment
17th of 21
34 · median 40
Started
2022
with 2 others
No phase
21 of 35
7 open now
Registered
21st of 35
by date
Lead sponsor
2 of 35
Istanbul Medipol University Hospital

Among the 35 studies in Kyphosis with a site in Turkey, this one is the 17th largest by enrollment of the 21 interventional ones that give a count, is one of 3 that started in 2022, is one of 21 with no phase, and was the 21st registered.

Kyphosis

132 studies on the registry are indexed under Kyphosis; 31 are open to participants now.

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Open to participants now

9 of the 35 studies in Kyphosis with a site in Turkey are open now. Recruiting first, the newest first:

4 more — sign in →

All 9 open studies →

A study can be open while its sites in Turkey have not opened yet or have stopped. Only those recruiting at a site in Turkey →

Who these studies take

Of the 20 Kyphosis studies recruiting now, 7 (35%) set no upper age limit and 12 (60%) stop at 75 or younger; 7 take children under 18; 1 take healthy volunteers.

This study: 20 Years to 60 Years · all sexes · healthy volunteers too.

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02

Study summary

Thoracic hyperkyphosis is a common postural deformity; however, the optimal treatment strategy has yet to be clearly defined. This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of an innovative three-dimensional printed Cover Spine Orthosis (CSO) in managing thoracic hyperkyphosis. Specifically, the study compared the effects of the CSO on kyphosis angle, quality of life (QoL), and user satisfaction with those of a semi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis (SRTLO) that has established efficacy in the literature.

Read the detailed description

Postural kyphosis is associated with various clinical symptoms, including fatigue, pain, weakness of the back extensor muscles, depressive mood, and a reduction in quality of life (QoL). Previous research has consistently shown that spinal deformities negatively impact overall health, particularly diminishing individuals' QoL. Although conservative approaches are commonly recommended for managing postural kyphosis, a universally accepted treatment protocol has not yet been established. Current evidence suggests that interventions such as exercise, kinesio-taping, and orthotic use may be effective in decreasing the thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA). Among these, orthotic interventions have been widely employed to correct posture and reduce TKA. While various orthosis designs have been studied, and some have demonstrated significant outcomes, there is still no consensus on the most effective orthotic treatment. In light of existing literature and advancements in biomechanics and design technologies, a novel three-dimensional (3D) orthosis was developed to address these gaps. This study aimed primarily to assess the effectiveness of a custom-designed, 3D-printed Cover Spine Orthosis (CSO) in reducing TKA in individuals with postural kyphosis, in comparison to a semi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis (SRTLO) previously validated in the literature. A secondary objective was to evaluate and compare the effects of both orthoses on quality of life and user satisfaction

03

Conditions studied

  • Postural Kyphosis
  • Hyperkyphosis

Browse trials for

Keywords

  • Thoracic hyperkyphosis
  • postural kyphosis
  • three-dimensional orthosis
  • thoracic kyphosis angle
04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals of both sexes (male and female)
  • Aged between 20 and 60 years
  • Presence of thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA) ≥ 40°

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of spinal surgery or traumatic injury
  • Received physiotherapy treatment within the last six months
  • Diagnosed with congenital spinal deformities or scoliosis
  • Presence of acute musculoskeletal injury
  • Inability to tolerate or adapt to orthotic application
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
34 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Cover spine orthosis group (CSO)

    he Cover Spine Orthosis (CSO) is a novel therapeutic device specifically engineered to address excessive thoracic curvature in individuals diagnosed with hyperkyphosis. Utilizing three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, the orthosis is produced from thermoplastic polyurethane, a material known for its flexibility and durability. The CSO incorporates two primary corrective components positioned anteriorly and posteriorly. The anterior section functions to stabilize the thoracic region from the front, while the posterior section delivers a corrective force from the back, targeting spinal alignment. To ensure a secure and adaptive fit, elastic webbing with Velcro and loop fasteners is integrated on both sides of the shoulder and trunk. These connectors link the anterior and posterior components, maintaining optimal suspension of the orthosis on the user's body. Furthermore, the design features a broad contact area, which enhances postural control by distributing mechanical forces more

    Device: Cover spine orthosis (CSO)

  • Active comparator
    Semi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis group (SRTLO)

    The control group was fitted with a semi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis (SRTLO), a device whose clinical efficacy has been previously validated. This orthosis includes paraspinal support bars, bilateral shoulder straps, and a Velcro-based fastening system. The paraspinal bars function to limit spinal flexion, thereby promoting an extended spinal posture. The shoulder straps are passed anteriorly over the shoulders, routed posteriorly through the axillary regions, crossed to the opposite side, and brought back to the front. Once appropriate tension is applied, the straps are secured using Velcro fasteners. Final stabilization is accomplished by anterior traction on the thoracic section straps to ensure optimal corrective force distribution.

    Device: Semi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis

Interventions

  • DeviceCover spine orthosis (CSO)

    The participants included in the study were asked to use the orthoses given as a result of randomization for four weeks, excluding the time they were asleep (average 12 h per day).

  • DeviceSemi-rigid thoracolumbar orthosis

    The participants included in the study were asked to use the orthoses given as a result of randomization for four weeks, excluding the time they were asleep (average 12 h per day).

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA)

    Thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA) was assessed using a flexicurve, a flexible, plastic-coated metal ruler that conforms to the curvature of the spine. For measurement, the flexicurve was molded along the thoracic spine between the C7 and T12 vertebrae while the participant maintained an upright posture. Once the curve was shaped, its outline was transferred onto paper for further analysis. The kyphosis index was calculated by measuring the height of the apex of the curve (B) and dividing it by the total horizontal length of the thoracic curve (X), then multiplying the result by 100: (B/X) × 100. Additionally, the flexicurve angle (θ) was derived by constructing a triangle from the traced curve and measuring the angle formed by lines drawn perpendicular to its sides.

    Time frame: 3 minutes

Secondary outcomes

  1. Quality of life (QoL)

    Participant quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. This instrument comprises 22 items divided into five distinct domains: pain, self-image, spinal function, mental health, and satisfaction with treatment. Each item is scored on a 5-point likert scale ranging from 1 (least favorable) to 5 (most favorable). Higher total and subscale scores reflect better perceived quality of life, whereas lower scores indicate reduced well-being.

    Time frame: 3 minutes

  2. User satisfaction

    User satisfaction was measured using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0 (QUEST 2.0), a validated instrument designed to assess satisfaction with assistive technologies. The questionnaire consists of 12 items divided into two subdomains: device-related (8 items) and service-related (4 items). These items evaluate features such as size, weight, usability, comfort, and overall effectiveness. Responses are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (not satisfied at all) to 5 (very satisfied), with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction with the device or service.

    Time frame: 2 minutes

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Istanbul Medipol University Prosthetics-Orthotics Research Center (POMER)
    Istanbul, Kavacık 34815, Turkey
08

References and documents

Related links

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Ran from Jan 2022 to primary completion in Nov 2022, 10 months.

Of 56 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Kyphosis, half reached primary completion within 9 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 30. This study's 10 months is above that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 58 studies reached it within 9 months; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 30.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
May 16, 2025
First posted
May 23, 2025
StartActual
Jan 10, 2022
Primary completionActual
Nov 30, 2022
CompletionActual
Nov 30, 2022
Last update
May 23, 2025
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 23, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06988046
Responsible party
sena ozdemir (PhD, PT, Istanbul Medipol University Hospital) — Principal investigator
First posted
May 23, 2025
Start date
Jan 10, 2022
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2022
Completion
Nov 30, 2022
Last update
May 23, 2025

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Dec 2021. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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