Children's motor skills and physical performance increase with age due to the development of neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory systems. Sensory impairment seen in children with hearing loss can cause balance and coordination disorders, as well as decreased muscle strength and respiratory functions. Anatomically, core stabilization is provided by the diaphragm, abdominal, hip, pelvic floor, and gluteal muscles. Training for these muscles is intended to improve strength, endurance, and neuromuscular control. This training can help to improve the control of intra-abdominal pressure, intersegmental control of the spine, and muscular control of trunk movement. It also helps in strengthening the respiratory muscles, especially the main inspiratory muscle, the diaphragm. In this study, the effects of core stabilization training on children with hearing impairments' thoracic mobility, functional ability, and trunk muscle endurance will be examined.
Children's motor skills and physical performance increase with age due to the development of neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory systems. Children with hearing loss can display impaired balance and coordination, as well as decreased muscle strength and respiratory functions. Thoracic mobility relates to the function of respiratory muscles that help expand and contract the ribcage. Exercise capacity, or functional capacity, refers to the individual's ability to perform submaximal activities that require the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and skeletal muscle systems to work together and be healthy. Chest wall expansion determines lung volume and functional capacity. A study in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease showed that lung function was positively associated with reduced chest wall expansion. Core stabilization is provided anatomically by the abdominal muscles in the front, the spinal and gluteal muscles in the back, the diaphragm above, and the pelvic floor and hip muscles below. Core (trunk) stabilization training is a training to increase strength, endurance, and neuromuscular control of the muscles mentioned above. Thus, intersegmental control of the spine, control of intra-abdominal pressure, and muscular control of trunk movement can be improved. It is also beneficial for strengthening the respiratory muscles, especially the diaphragm, which is the main inspiratory muscle. When the literature was examined, no studies were found that evaluated the effects of exercise on thoracic mobility (chest expansion) and functional capacity in hearing-impaired children. Our planned study is important because it is the first study to evaluate both chest expansion and functional capacity in hearing-impaired children and also because it is the first study to show the effect of the core stabilization exercise program on chest expansion and functional capacity in these children.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
26
Isometric exercises of the abdominal muscles in the supine, prone, and squatting positions; isotonic exercises in the supine, prone, squatting, and side-lying positions; isotonic exercises in coordination with the extremity movements in the supine, prone, and crawling positions; and trunk rotation exercises in the sitting position will be performed. The Swiss ball will be used for dynamic exercises. It will include isometric and isotonic exercises of the abdominal muscles. Exercises will start with 3 sets of 20 repetitions, gradually increase in intensity on static and dynamic surfaces, and progress towards difficulty. Each exercise will be performed in coordination with breathing control. Breathing control will be coordinated with every exercise.
Nuh Naci Yazgan University
Kayseri, Turkey (Türkiye)
Chest expansion
Chest wall expansion will be measured with a standard measuring tape at three different levels. While the child is in an upright position, with his feet shoulder-width apart and his arms relaxed at his side, measurements will be taken from three areas: at the axilla level (upper level), at the xiphoid level (middle level) and at the subcostal level (lower level). The physical therapist standing in front of the child will initially ask the child to breathe normally to determine the tidal volume, after placing the tape measure around the chest. The child will be asked to exhale maximally and then inhale maximally. The difference between the two scales (inhalation - exhalation) will be determined as thoracic expansion (chest expansion). Participants will be instructed to perform three maneuvers and the obtained values will be averaged and recorded. Data will be measured by the same physiotherapist to minimize possible errors due to heterogeneity.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the training
Functional capacity
The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a commonly used submaximal exercise test to assess functional capacity. This test, used to measure cardiovascular endurance, is a clinical indicator of functional capacity and helps measure the ability to perform activities of daily living. The 6MWT will be performed in accordance with The American Thoracic Society guidelines. The participant will be instructed to walk as fast as possible on a 30 m path for 6 minutes, but not to run. The child will sit in a chair close to the starting position and vital values (heart rate and respiratory rate) will be recorded before administering the test. At the end of the test, the distance walked for 6 minutes will be recorded as 6 minutes walking distance (6MWD). After completion of the test, heart rate, respiratory rate will be measured and the child will be asked about the maximum fatigue level after completing the test using the Borg scale.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the training
Trunk muscle endurance
Curl-up: Measures the muscle endurance of the abdominal muscles. The test begins in a supine position, with the lower extremities abducted at approximately shoulder width and the knees semiflexed. Static back endurance test: Measures the endurance of the back muscles. The test begins in a prone position, with the inguinal area at the end of the table and the pelvis, hips and knees extended flat on the table. Horizontal side bridging: Measures the endurance of the spinal stabilizer muscles. The test begins in a side-lying position with the lower extremities extended and the upper foot placed in front of the lower foot for support.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the training
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