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The prevalence of postural kyphosis continues to rise across all demographics because of inactive
lifestyles and extended screen time usage which has established itself as a major musculoskeletal
issue. The current solutions including static braces and feedback-only wearables, fail to provide
adaptability and comfort with active correction features. This restricts their ability to achieve longterm success and user adherence. The research introduces a new wearable air-driven posture
correction device which combines real-time sensing with pneumatic actuation to treat flexible
thoracic kyphosis.
The proposed wearable tech device focuses on posture correction by integrating multiple features
into one compact device. The system includes an MPU-6050 inertial measurement unit which
tracks the user’s trunk in real time in six degrees of freedom. A microcontroller processes this data
and determines if changes to posture exceed a calibrated angular threshold. If so, the system
triggers a pneumatic actuation module within an orthopedic vest that has been altered for this
purpose. This module includes butyl rubber chambers which are constrained but designed to inflate
and mechanically stress the upper back by simulating the action of scapular retractor muscles. To
measure the corrective force, force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) are placed where the actuators and
the body interface. A closed-loop control system dynamically adaptive and responsive to real time
conditions with sensor fusion guarantees timely action and feedback.
The prototype was tested by means of both objective and subjective methods, with a full-scale
experimental protocol involving 24 healthy participants. Data collected in this study included realtime pitch angle vs actuator force, and subjective user feedback through standardized ergonomic
surveys such as the Borg CR10 scale, Corlett & Bishop discomfort map, and the System Usability
Scale (SUS). Results indicate that the system successfully minimized thoracic pitch deviation
while maintaining safe tactile force levels, achieving average corrective pressures of 7–12 kPa,
resulting in notable postural enhancement. The system reliably attained enhancements in posture,
surpassing 85% in 22 out of 24 participants.
This work contributes a fully automated, textile-integrated pneumatic solution for posture
correction, combining real-time sensing, adaptive actuation, and ergonomic design. The proposed
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system offers a replicable framework for intelligent musculoskeletal rehabilitation wearables and
lays the groundwork for future closed-loop personalization strategies in postural health
technologies.