Effect of age-related hyperkyphosis on open and closed-loop postural control in older adults

Why This Matters

Age-related hyperkyphosis is common in older adults and is often viewed as a postural issue. This study highlights a deeper concern: altered spinal alignment may impair neuromuscular control of balance, potentially increasing fall risk. Understanding how posture affects balance control can influence both assessment and treatment strategies in aging populations.

What the Research Found

This study compared postural control in older adults with hyperkyphosis versus controls using stabilogram diffusion analysis (SDA), which evaluates how the body maintains balance through open-loop (automatic) and closed-loop (corrective) control mechanisms.

Participants were tested under both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions to assess reliance on sensory input.

Key Findings:

  • Hyperkyphotic individuals demonstrated greater postural sway and instability across multiple measures
  • Evidence of impaired open-loop control, suggesting reduced automatic postural regulation
  • Increased reliance on closed-loop (feedback-dependent) mechanisms, indicating delayed corrective responses
  • Eye closure worsened balance in both groups, but impairments were more pronounced in hyperkyphotic individuals
  • Findings suggest delayed neuromuscular response and increased fall risk in this population

Clinical Takeaways

    • Recognize that hyperkyphosis may impair both automatic and corrective balance mechanisms
    • Be aware that postural changes can influence neuromuscular control—not just alignment
    • Consider that patients with hyperkyphosis may rely more on delayed feedback rather than efficient automatic balance control
    • Balance assessments should include both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions to detect underlying deficits

Where Collaborative Spine Care May Support This

Manual medicine and conservative spine care approaches may help improve spinal alignment, mobility, and proprioceptive input—factors that could influence postural control and reduce fall risk in older adults.

Reference

Hosseinabadi M, Salehi R, Azadinia F, Ghandhari H, Jalali M. Effect of age-related hyperkyphosis on open and closed-loop postural control in older adults. Scientific Reports. 2025.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-12002-w
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41006380/