PHYSICAL THERAPY OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITH SEVERE THORACIC KYPHOSIS

Abstract

The studies were conducted in 30 children aged 13-14 years, including 18 boys and 12 girls undergoing rehabilitation treatment at the outpatient department of the Uzhhorod Children’s City Clinical Hospital.
The aim. To analyze and improve a comprehensive physical therapy program for school-age children with breast kyphosis in outpatient setting.
Materials and methods. To diagnose the condition of the spine in posture disorders the device "Scoliosiometer", which is registered in the State Register of Patents of Ukraine for utility models and inventions: patent № 40790, registered on 27.04.2009; patent No. 90057 dated 23.03.2010 was used. The device allows measuring the levels of the shoulder processes placement horizontally using a scale with a pointer in degrees, measuring the curvature of the spine in the front and sagittal planes.
Results. Comparison of mean indicators reflecting the posture status, namely the angle of deviation of the shoulder processes horizontally in degrees, the depth of the cervical lordosis and the depth of the lumbar lordosis in the experimental and control group revealed significant differences, indicating the presence of kyphotic posture. Assessing the dynamics of posture indicators during the course of the physical therapy program, we can state that the indicators that depend on asymmetrically increased muscle tone, namely the deviation of the levels of the shoulder processes horizontally in degrees, as well as the depth of the lumbar lordosis and lateral deformations of the thoracic department were corrected the best. After completion of the physical therapy program in children with kyphotic posture, there are likely changes in such indicators as a decrease of the shoulder processes deviation level both in degrees and in mm of the water column, a decrease in the depth of the cervical and lumbar lordosis.
Conclusions. Studies have shown that under the influence of a comprehensive program of physical therapy there is a positive dynamics of the posture indicators, namely the deviation of the shoulder processes levels horizontally in degrees, as well as the depth of lumbar lordosis, lateral curvature of the spine in the thoracic section. The device "Scoliosiometer" proposed by the author is effective in assessing of posture disorders and the results of their correction.