Evaluation of pulmonary ventilation in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis : the effect of the three dimensional (3D) schroth rotational breathing exercises

Details

Supervisors

Paul, Stéphanie ; Mahaudens, Philippe

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master et finalité

Abstract

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treatments, including the ‘Schroth Method’, are developed to improve scoliosis curve, apical vertebral rotation (AVR), vital capacity and muscle strength. Past survey’s results showed reduced lung volume on concave side of AIS thoracic spine. This essay aims to study the possibility to increase ventilation in the impaired lung according to the ‘Schroth Method’ and examine if this could be correlated to vertebrae derotation and thoracic corrections. Patient sample: Fifteen AIS females. Method: This was a non-RCT study design comparing lung’s percentage ventilation changes over time computed by the Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), in 3 sessions : rest breathing (M1), maximal breathing (M2), Schroth exercise (M3). Results: M2 to M1 comparison: significant decreased percentage is noted in the posterior thorax, right lung, convex areas of the trunk (CvAT). Percentage increased in the anterior thorax. When x̄ M3, x̄ M2 and x̄ M1 are compared: x̄ M3 > x̄ M1 in the anterior thorax and the concave areas of the trunk (CcAT), x̄ M3 < x̄ M1 in the dorsal right lung and CvAT. No significant difference between x̄ M3 and x̄ M2. Correlation was found between ventilation and AVR in CcAT and CvAT during M2, in the ventral right thorax during M3. Conclusion: Both M2 and M3 exercises lead to asymmetrical ventilation with a probably distinction between a pathologic breathing pattern in M2 and a therapeutic breathing pattern in M3.