Analysis of the Structure of the Torso in the Frontal Plane in Girls with Rett Syndrome Taking into Account Their Functional Status.

BACKGROUND: Rett syndrome is a rare developmental disorder with a genetic background, and scoliosis is one of its many complications. The aim of the present study was to assess the structure of the torso in the frontal plane in RTT. It was assumed that asymmetry of the structure of the torso in the frontal plane would be smaller in girls who are able to maintain a vertical body position. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 14 girls previously diagnosed with RTT aged between 3 and 15 years, who were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 comprised 5 girls who were not able to maintain a vertical position. Group 2 comprised 9 girls who were able to maintain a vertical position. Body mass and weight were measured with an electronic scales and a height measuring device. The Body Mass Index was calculated. Photogrammetry was used to assess the structure of the torso in the frontal plane. The study results were subjected to a statistical analysis involving the calculation of the arithmetic mean (x), standard deviation (sd), coefficient of variation (v%) and significance of differences (p). RESULTS: Left-sided asymmetries were most common in both groups. All angles and linear values were higher in Group 1. 80% of the subjects in Group 1 demonstrated significant asymmetry of the pelvic tilt angle (PTA). There were no statistically significant differences between Group 1 and 2 regarding all study indices. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The study demonstrated that asymmetry of the torso in the frontal plane was common in the girls with RTT. 2. Torso asymmetry was more pronounced in girls with a poorer functional status. 3. Analysis of BMI values demonstrated a poor nutritional status of the girls.

Influence of neurophysiological hippotherapy on the transference of the centre of gravity among children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to present the influence of neurophysiological hippotherapy on the transference of the centre of gravity (COG) among children with cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 19 children aged 4-13 years suffering from CP who demonstrated an asymmetric (A/P) model of compensation. Body balance was studied with the Cosmogamma Balance Platform. An examination on this platform was performed before and after a session of neurophysiological hippotherapy. In order to compare the correlations and differences between the examinations, the results were analysed using Student's T-test for dependent samples at p ≤ 0.05 as the level of statistical significance and descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: The mean value of the body's centre of gravity in the frontal plane (COG X) was 18.33 (mm) during the first examination, changing by 21.84 (mm) after neurophysiological hippotherapy towards deloading of the antigravity lower limb (p ≤ 0.0001). The other stabilographic parameters increased; however, only the change in average speed of antero - posterior COG oscillation was statistically significant (p = 0.0354). CONCLUSION: 1. One session of neurophysiological hippotherapy induced statistically significant changes in the position of the centre of gravity in the body in the frontal plane and the average speed of COG oscillation in the sagittal plane among CP children demonstrating an asymmetric model of compensation (A/P).