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

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Thoracic Kyphosis

• Registration Number: NCT07218614
• Lead Sponsor: New York Institute of Technology

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to determine if manual therapy can improve thoracic spinal posture and pulse oximetery in individuals who use e-cigarettes.

The main questions the study aims to answer are:

* Is there an immediate improvements in thoracic posture

* Is there immediate improvements in pulse oximetery Research will compare an experimental group and a control group to examine the effects.

Detailed Description

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.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Study Start: 2025-10-15
• Study First Submitted: 2025-10-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-10-16
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-10-16
• Study First Posted: 2025-10-20
• Last Update Posted: 2025-10-20
• Primary Completion: 2026-04-01
• Study Completion: 2026-05-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Angle of Thoracic Kyphosis	Immediately before and after each intervention	Measurement of the thoracic kyphosis will be made both pre and post treatment using excepted normative values (Cobb angle)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Oxygen Saturation	immediately before and after intervention	Percentage of oxygen found in the peripheral circulation using a pulse oximeter

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

NYIT; 🇺🇸 Old Westbury, New York, United States