ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Integrating psychological principles into physical therapy treatment may enhance patient outcomes. One intervention strategy from psychological perspectives that could be integrated in physical therapy practice is power posing. There is a lack of research on the effects of power posing on functional outcomes commonly used in physical therapy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of power posing on the timed up and go test score. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Subjects in the experimental group were instructed to stand with hands on their hips, elbows pointing out and feet approximately 1 foot apart for 20 s. Subjects in the control group were instructed to stand with hands and arms wrapping around the torso and feet together for 20 s. Timed up and go test was administered using an OmniVR Virtual Rehabilitation System before and after the postural intervention. RESULTS: The timed up and go test score changed by -0.17 s (SD 0.65) and -0.20 s (SD 0.43) for the experimental and control groups, respectively (p=0.87). CONCLUSIONS: The timed up and go test scores for both experimental and control groups improved slightly. However, the results did not show significant effects of power posing in the timed up and go test scores.
