Immediate effects of thoracic postural correction taping on sensorimotor and respiratory functions in healthy office workers with forward head posture- a randomized controlled trial

Background: Forward head posture can create problems with sensory motor functions, breathing pattern, and thoracic kyphosis. Thoracic taping is a procedure that provides mechanical correction to reduce the load on the spine and the muscles. There is a lack of evidence that assesses the immediate effect of the postural correction on sensorimotor functions and respiratory functions in office workers. Methods: A Randomized Controlled Trial among Healthy Males and Females in the age group of 25–50 years, with jobs that involve prolonged sitting hours on the desk or in front of a Visual Display Unit (VDA) and Subjects with Forward Head Posture. The subjects were then randomly allocated into two groups. Group A was taped using a rigid tape and Group B with Placebo taping. The outcomes of taping were assessed using joint position error, BESS Score, Thoracic Kyphosis Angle and MARM. Results: The experimental group showed significant decrease in BESS score, thoracic kyphosis, Joint Position Error and MARM Balance (p < 0.05) when compared with the control group. In both the study groups, there has been some decline in BESS Score and MARM Balance after corresponding treatment (p < 0.05) for except Thoracic Kyphosis and Joint Position Error in the control group (p > 0.05). These parameters were significantly higher in the Thoracic Postural correction taping group. Conclusion: Thoracic Correction Taping can be an effective method in improving the somatosensory functions, Thoracic Kyphosis angle, and breathing pattern.