Manual threapy in rounded shoulder posture: A scoping review

Background: Rounded shoulder posture (RSP) is a common postural impairment characterized by increased thoracic kyphosis and forward shoulder displacement. Manual therapy has been increasingly used as an intervention to correct rounded shoulder posture; however, the scope, type, and effectiveness of these interventions remain unclear. This study aimed to provide evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of manual therapy for rounded shoulder posture and to identify research gaps for future investigation. Methodology: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, PEDro, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering the period from 2015 to 2025. A total of 898 articles were reviewed and screened based on the predefined inclusion criteria. Ten articles were included in this review. The primary findings were classified into categories such as intervention protocols, outcome measures utilized, targeted muscle, and conclusions drawn by the respective studies. Results: The study found a variety of manual treatment approaches employed to correct rounded shoulder posture. Although the available data are variable and lack highly qualified research to prove effectiveness and direct therapeutic practice, more research using established procedures is required. Conclusion: Manual therapy shows potential benefits, but the variability in protocols and assessment approaches limits definitive conclusions.