[Effect of asymmetric respiratory exercise therapy on respiratory system function; evaluation using spirometric examination in children with idiopathic scoliosis]

Abstract

Current work presents the results of spirometric examinations in 124 children aged 5 to 16 years (mean age 12.1 years) suffering from idiopathic scoliosis. Children were treated according to asymmetric respiratory exercises method applied in period of 24 days. Healthy children living in Upper Silesia industrial region were the control group. Examined scoliotic group was characterized by generally mild lung function impairment, although the values of spirometric indexes tended to deplete with time of duration and severity of the scoliosis. Especially the tendency of the forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) decrease was apparent, as well as maximal expiratory flows MEF50 and MEF25, in conjunction with Cobb angle increase. Slight but evident increase of forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1 was observed as a result of rehabilitation utilizing asymmetric respiratory exercises method.