Examining relationships of the anterior pelvic tilt angle with the anterior-posterior curvatures and elongation of the spine.

PURPOSE: A pelvic tilt may lead to body posture disturbances. The aim of the study was to determine relationships between the anterior pelvic tilt angle and the curvature and mobility of lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis. METHODS: The angles of anterior pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and spinal elongation were measured with the use of Posturometr-S device. The posturometric measurements were carried out with the pointing stick of the device moving along spinous processes (from C7 to L5) and marking the selected anthropometric points. RESULTS: In the studied group of boys, the angles in a free-standing position and the thoracic kyphosis angle during elongation were significantly greater than the corresponding lordosis angles. In all measured variables the range of measured angles was characteristically wide. The greatest individual differences were found in the lumbar lordosis angles. All the boys featured a significant increase in body height during linear elongation. The measurements of angles at baseline and during elongations of lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis in a standing position in the entire study group revealed that the anterior pelvic tilt had no significant impact on lumbar lordosis in a free-standing posture and its elongation. In the case of thoracic kyphosis, the correlation was statistically significant, although it was not strong. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior pelvic tilt angle is correlated with the subject's age, body mass, body height and the size of thoracic kyphosis.

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 Hippotherapy on Body Balance in the Sitting Position Among Children with Cerebral Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrally palsied children demonstrated limited independence while performing various activities of daily living, which is due to disorders of postural control. The best solution to improve postural control is the use of therapies that simultaneously focus on the sense of balance and motor skills. Such possibilities for patients with cerebral palsy are offered, for example, by hippotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of hippotherapy on body balance in the sitting position among children with cerebral palsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled thirty-nine children aged 6-12 years with GMFCS level 1 or 2 spastic diplegia or spastic hemiplegia. The participants were divided into an intervention group (n=19) and a control group (n=20). Children from the intervention group attended 30 minutes of hippotherapy once weekly for 12 consecutive weeks. The Sitting Assessment Scale (SAS) was used to assess the patients' posture and balance. RESULTS: Some children improved their posture and balance during the study. Generally, control of trunk and head position and function of arms were getting better, while footwork was the weakest. CONCLUSION: Hippotherapy has positive effects on the position and function of individual parts of the body, thus making it possible for cerebrally palsied children to improve posture and the ability to maintain balance in the sitting position.

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).

The influence of corrective exercises in a water environment on the shape of the antero-posterior curves of the spine and on the functional status of the locomotor system in children with Io scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: There has been a growing interest in studies examining the importance of the aquatic environment in non-invasive treatment of scoliosis. The water environment is an important element in the correction of body posture abnormalities. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of corrective exercises in a water environment on the shape of the antero-posterior curves of the spine and on the functional status of the locomotor system of children with Io scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 94 children aged 8-13 years with Cobb Io scoliosis. Computer-aided photogrammetry was used to analyse the shape of the antero-posterior curves of the spine. The functional evaluation of the children's musculoskeletal system involved several functional tests: the Dega wall test, Thomas test, Lasegue test, and Kraus-Weber test. The tests were carried out twice: before a 6-month programme of corrective exercises in a water environment, and immediately on completion of the rehabilitation programme. The programme included swimming and corrective exercises in water. RESULTS: A statistical analysis of the dimensions of the anterio-posterior curves of the spine revealed a significant increase in the total length of the spine and the length of thoracic kyphosis. Besides, the bending angle of the trunk, the angle of thoracic kyphosis and the angle of lumbar lordosis were reduced. The analysis also showed an increase in the bending angle of the upper spine. Shoulder mobility also increased significantly following the programme of corrective aquatic exercises. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The programme of corrective exercises had an influence on the length and angle of thoracic kyphosis. 2. The muscle strength of the lower part of the erector spinae also increased, as did shoulder mobility measured by the Dega test.