Posture Exercises in Ankylosing Spondylitis

This study will evaluate the effects of posture-focused exercises on spinal alignment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive a standard breathing exercise program. The intervention group will receive posture-focused exercises in addition to the standard breathing exercise program. The exercise program will last 8 weeks. Assessments will be performed at baseline and at the end of week 8. Spinal alignment will be evaluated using rasterstereographic analysis with the DIERS formetric 4D system. Clinical and functional outcomes will include disease activity, spinal mobility, functional status, quality of life, walking capacity, perceived exertion, and gait parameters.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 65 years * Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis according to the Modified New York criteria * No participation in a structured exercise or physical therapy program within the last 6 months * No change in medical treatment within the last 3 months * BASFI score between 2 and 6 * BASMI score between 2 and 6 * BASDAI score between 2 and 4 * Providing written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Acute flare or high disease activity * History of spinal surgery * Advanced hip osteoarthritis or history of hip arthroplasty * Neurological disorder that may affect gait, spinal alignment, or postural assessment * Severe cardiopulmonary disease that may prevent participation in the exercise program * Severe orthopedic, neurological, or systemic comorbidity that may prevent participation in the exercise program * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Inability to regularly attend assessment visits or the exercise program during the study period * Planning to participate in another structured physical therapy or exercise program during the study period * Being considered unsuitable for participation by the investigator for reasons related to participant safety or reliability of study outcomes