To measure the effectiveness of the use of a corset, first we want to identify individuals with poor posture. We need a reliable diagnostic method to do so, the risk groups are often Kyphosis individuals.
First of all you have to determine individuals with poor posture clinically by using the test of Adams, extension test and traction test in order to exclude structural spinal deformities like
Thank you for your answer, just is not enough to use the Adams forward bend test, I think. I do not know the photo programs. Symmetrigraf There are studies that use the postural analysis. What do you think symmetrigraf to use?
Try the Index of kyphosis measurement using a flexicurve ruler, quick, reliable, validated against radiographs. You can find tool description and references at http://geriatrictoolkit.missouri.edu
Postural assessment should include different tests to look after the more functional or early signs of bad postures, that are always accompagnied with thight muscles and nerves in the lower body. The effect of early and too much sitting in slumped and sloughed postions hinderes normal development of posture and functionality ( walking and loading patterns) . It is the CNS that is deprived of the needed amount of extension to be congruent in growth with the skeleton. Besides thorough clinical examination in diferent postures ( standing, sitting, supine) we use in our clinic now the Surface Topography scan ( Diers GmbH) to get digital data of the things you see for statistics.
For the different postural deviations of the childrens spine , all due to a lack of extension ( sedentary lifestyle) we use the TLI brace technique as was invented in Arnhem as the most direct way to get correction. The effect of the TLI corset is visible immediately if further extension of the spine occurs automaticaaly and the thightness of hamstrings lessens or disappears. Also the presentation of a double convex seat to correct posture during sitting on internet is the first step to get children out of the deforming lifestyle they have nowadays and prevent further degeneration.. Good luck, Piet
This won't be a direct answer to your question, but nevertheless might be of importance:
There may be subjects that are physically so out of balance that only external support or internal support (operation) may provide some relief.
However there is a major group of subjects that have some postural misalignment that can be corrected by exercise of physical training. Providing these subjects with corsets may in the long run provide a negative result. Due to the corset, muscle activitiy will diminish, leaving the subject dependent on the corset. I assume this is not your aim.
Therefore I wonder whether it would not be more constructive to find out the functional causes of the misalignment?