The effect of soft tissues in measurement of thoracic kyphosis by flexible ruler

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of soft tissues in measuring thoracic kyphosis by flexible ruler through placement on the body and on X-Ray and also comparing the results with the Cobb method. The number ofsubjects formed 18 persons. The result of this study showed, high validity between measurements with a flexible curve on the body and on X-ray and the Cobb method, and also reported a high correlation between measurement with flexible curve on body and on X-Ray. The comparison of the three methods in terms of mean; there was no considerable difference between the result of flexible curve on body and on X-Ray and also between measurement with the flexible curve on X-Ray and Cobb method. According to the finding of this study, can be reported; the flexible curve has a high validity in compared with X-ray and soft tissues of the spine have no effect on the measurement by flexible ruler.