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NCT Number: NCT07739082

Effect of Virtual Reality in Adolescents With Thoracic Hyperkyphosis

The study aims to:

1. Investigate the effect of virtual reality on kyphotic angle in adolescents with thoracic hyperkyphosis. 2. Investigate the effect of virtual reality on quality of life in adolescents with thoracic hyperkyphosis. 3. Investigate the effect of virtual reality on the enjoyment level in adolescents with thoracic hyperkyphosis.

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Key information

Conditions

Adolescent Postural Kyphosis Thoracic Kyphosis

Age range

13 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

out-patient clinic, faculty of physical therapy, Cairo university

Cairo, Egypt

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Yassen Motamed Abd Elwahab, physical therapist

CONTACT

[email protected]

01119322806

About this study

The adolescent period is marked by rapid physical changes that increase vulnerability to poor posture, potentially leading to chronic pain and spinal deformities in adulthood. High prevalence rates of incorrect posture (65%) necessitate early diagnosis and intervention, including suitable treatment and rehabilitation programs. Traditional physiotherapy techniques often struggle with adolescent engagement, prompting exploration of VR-based exercise therapy, which has demonstrated improved user adherence and effectiveness in addressing postural disorders. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of VR training on the kyphotic angle in adolescents with thoracic hyperkyphosis, presenting a novel therapeutic strategy that enhances adherence among those resistant to conventional methods.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Participants must meet all the following conditions:

  • Adolescents with a kyphosis angle >40°.
  • Aged 13 to 18 years.
  • Normal body mass index range

Exclusion criteria

Participants who met one of the following criteria will be excluded:

  • Adolescents who cannot understand or follow instructions.
  • Congenital spinal deformities.
  • Developmental disorders.
  • Adolescent athletes.
  • Neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary diseases.
  • Vision or hearing impairments.
  • Medical conditions hindering physical activity

Treatment and study plan

Comprehensive Corrective Exercise Program

Other

treatment will last for 40-50 minutes, 3 days a week for 12 weeks

Exercises will include:

  • Chin tuck
  • Stretching of neck extensor muscles
  • Stretching of pectoral muscle groups in standing and supine positions
  • T, Y, W and I exercises in a prone position.
  • Postural perception training (PPT)
  • Thoracic self-mobilization

Virtual reality-based posture training

Device

Meta Quest 3 is an Mixed Reality headset providing augmented reality and virtual reality capabilities, allowing users to engage in both physical and virtual environments. Participants will play the "Totally Basketball" game, which promotes upper body engagement and postural correction through movements focusing on cervical retraction, scapular stabilization, and thoracic extension. The virtual reality sessions will last 20 minutes, scheduled after 30 to 45 minutes of conventional exercises, three times a week for eight weeks. Each session includes an introduction to the headset, a safety briefing, supervised trials, and active gameplay aimed at addressing thoracic hyperkyphosis with physiotherapist oversight to ensure safety and proper technique.

Primary outcomes

  1. assessment of Kyphotic Angle

    Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks

    Kyphotic angle assessment using a bubble inclinometer involves the following steps: firstly, zero the inclinometer on a vertical wall. Next, identify the spinous processes of C7, T1, T12, and L1. Place the cephalic foot of the inclinometer on the C7 spinous process, then repeat for the lower thoracic spine with the caudal foot on T12. The kyphosis angle is calculated by adding the angles from both inclinometer placements.

Secondary outcomes

  1. assessment of Quality of Life

    Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks

    The questionnaire will be administered twice: at baseline and post-intervention, with participants receiving a printed Arabic copy and instructions for completion. The Arabic Kidscreen-27 includes 27 items across five dimensions: physical health (5 items), psychological health (7 items), autonomy and parents (7 items), peers and social support (4 items), and school and environment (4 items). Responses use a five-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life. Completion is estimated to take 10-15 minutes.

  2. assessment of Participant Enjoyment

    Time frame: At baseline and after 12 weeks

    Participant enjoyment assessment using a 7-point Likert scale:

    A 7-point Likert scale will be administered in person, immediately following each virtual reality session. The patient will rate his enjoyment level according to the following:

    How enjoyable do you find the session?

    1=very enjoyable, 2=slightly enjoyable, 3=enjoyable, 4=neutral, 5=unenjoyable, 6= slightly unenjoyable, and 7= very unenjoyable

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Yassen Motamed Abd Elwahab, physical therapist

CONTACT

[email protected]

01119322806

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Virtual Reality on Kyphotic Angle and Quality of Life in Adolescents With Thoracic Hyperkyphosis

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 31, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 31, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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