Can Mobilizations Applied to the Thoracic Spine Improve Oxygen Saturation Levels and Thoracic Kyphosis in E-Cigarette Smokers?

All participants will be recruited from flyers posted throughout the NYIT Long Island campus. The participants will be screened for inclusion using set criteria by the PI.

In this crossover design study, participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention experimental group or sham control group. The intervention group will received a thoracic extension mobilization to the mid-thoracic spine for a duration of 60 seconds and this will be repeated for a total of three times. The sham group will received a light, non-therapeutic touch to both scapulae which will be applied for three minutes. Both interventions will be performed in a seated position. Measurements of thoracic kyphosis and oxygen saturation will be taken before and after each procedure using inclinometers and a pulse oximeter, respectively.

After a washout period of one week, the participants will be return and receive the other form of intervention that they did no receive in in the first week. All procedures and outcomes will be performed as noted above.

Inclusion criteria

Current e-cigarette user Accentuated thoracic kyphosis (Cobb angle >20 degrees) Age range: at least 18 years old Good overall health

Exclusion criteria

History of respiratory disease Recent vertebral fractures Recent spinal surgery Vertebral instability Congenital or acquired thoracic cage deformities Prolonged steroid use Osteoporosis/osteoporosis Inability to provide informed consent