Monitoring changes in the shape of the spine in children with postural disorders

Abstract

BackgroundDue to numerous complications of an abnormal shape of the spine, it is extremely important to systematically monitor its shape. Precise and routine method of measurement enables comparison of the scores obtained over time and possible early intervention in order to avoid complications.The aim of the work is to present the pattern for monitoring changes in the shape of the spine in children with postural deformities.MethodsThe study group (n = 211) consisted of the patients with diagnosed shape of the spine deformity, who underwent a four-month therapy, supervised by a physiotherapist. The control group (n = 101) were the children with no shape of spine deformity.The children in the study group underwent a three-dimensional computer analysis of the shape of the spine. The DIERS test was performed in both groups (study and control). In the study group it was performed four times. It involved the measurement of seven parameters enabling a complete assessment of body posture.ResultsStatistically significant scores of the Friedman test for imbalance, pelvic tilt, kyphosis angle, lordosis angle, and lateral deviation were observed. Therefore, a series of post-hoc analyzes were performed using Dunn-Bonferroni tests. It was observed that changes in individual parameters analyzed in the authors' study come up at a different pace.ConclusionsDetailed monitoring of the parameters describing the position of the spine makes it possible to control the course of the treatment process of patients with disorders of the position of the spine. The dynamics of changes taking place within the spine position varies for the individual parameters analyzed.