Effectiveness of Physical Therapy to Address Complications of Poor Posture due to Physical Inactivity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

[Purpose] To examine evidence supporting the effectiveness of physical therapy for complications of poor posture due to physical inactivity. [Methods] Relevant research papers available in a literature database were systematically searched for, and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. [Results] Among 415 papers identified by entering searching phrases and adding options, 30 and 11 were adopted for qualitative and quantitative analyses, respectively. A systematic review of these papers clarified that physical therapy had been reported to be effective in terms of body functions/structure, symptoms, and abilities in a relatively large number of studies. On the other hand, meta-analysis revealed that motor training to improve spinal stability/postural control and interventions to manage pain in each body part by promoting activity had been ineffective. [Conclusion] Only a limited number of papers were quantitatively analyzable, but the results of qualitative analysis suggest the possibility of physical therapy improving complications of physical inactivity-associated poor posture. To establish evidence for this, further high-quality studies are required.