One-year longitudinal study on spinal kyphosis and respiratory function in community-dwelling older Japanese adults who require long-term care or support

[Purpose] To clarify the effects of longitudinal changes in older adults by evaluating the relationship between changes in spinal kyphosis and respiratory function over time in patients with certified need of care in the long-term care insurance system. [Participants and Methods] We included 57 older adults (28 males and 29 females) aged ≥65 years who were identified as requiring long-term care or support. The participants were community-dwelling individuals undergoing ambulatory rehabilitation. We assessed the longitudinal changes in spinal kyphosis index, respiratory function and muscle strength, and body composition over 1 year. [Results] The spinal kyphosis index was 10.5 at the first measurement and 14.6 at 1 year after the first measurement, showing a significant increase. We did not detect any significant differences in respiratory function and muscle strength, or body composition. [Conclusion] This 1 year longitudinal comparison suggests that the spinal kyphosis indexes were high, and the respiratory function and trunk muscle mass remained unchanged. Therefore, the relationships were negligible.