Kinesio Taping in Young Adults With Thoracic Hyperkyphosis

Thoracic hyperkyphosis is a postural disorder characterized by excessive thoracic curvature exceeding 40°, which may negatively affect proprioception, postural alignment, and muscle mechanical properties. Kinesiology taping (KT) has been proposed as a non-invasive intervention to improve postural control and proprioceptive feedback through cutaneous mechanoreceptor stimulation. However, evidence regarding its immediate effects on thoracic proprioception and muscle mechanical properties in young adults with thoracic hyperkyphosis remains limited. This sham-controlled randomized clinical trial aims to investigate the immediate effects of kinesiology taping on thoracic joint position sense, postural alignment, and muscle mechanical properties in young adults with thoracic hyperkyphosis. Muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity will be assessed using MyotonPRO, alongside measurements of thoracic proprioception and postural alignment. The study will compare kinesiology taping with sham taping to determine whether kinesiology taping produces greater immediate improvements in these outcomes. The findings are expected to provide further evidence regarding the short-term sensorimotor and biomechanical effects of kinesiology taping in individuals with thoracic hyperkyphosis.