Six-Month Therapeutic Program and Trunk Rotation in Girls Aged 8-11

Wioleta Chwalewska65 enrolled

Overview

The primary assumption of this study is to evaluate the impact of individual and group corrective therapy on changes in body posture in the transverse plane in girls aged 8-11 years diagnosed with posture disorders. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of a 6-month intervention consisting of individual physiotherapy conducted in accordance with the principles of the Functional Individual Therapy of Scoliosis (FITS) method and group corrective exercises, compared with observation only. The study will enable a detailed analysis of changes in the angle of trunk rotation and selected parameters of spinal rotation in the transverse plane in children participating in the intervention. The results obtained may contribute to the evaluation of the clinical usefulness of individual and group physiotherapy programs in the correction of posture disorders and in the early prevention of scoliosis in the pediatric population.

The study was conducted in a population of girls aged 8-11 years identified through a school-based screening program for posture disorders. Following the informed consent procedures, 66 girls meeting all eligibility criteria were enrolled in the intervention phase. Participants were assigned to one of three groups: 1. an individual therapy group undergoing physiotherapy in accordance with the principles of Functional Individual Therapy of Scoliosis (FITS), 2. a group therapy group participating in group corrective exercises, and 3. a control group remaining under observation without therapeutic intervention. Posture assessment was performed before and after a 6-month intervention period. The angle of trunk rotation was measured using a scoliometer. A three-dimensional, non-invasive assessment of body posture and spinal alignment in the transverse plane was conducted using the DIERS Formetric 4D system. The evaluated parameters included trunk surface rotation, vertebral rotation, and selected rotational parameters of the thoracic and lumbar spine segments. The individual FITS therapy was conducted according to standardized methodological principles and was tailored to the specific postural characteristics of each participant. Group corrective exercises were performed according to an established corrective exercise program appropriate for children with posture disorders. The observation group did not participate in any structured therapeutic intervention during the study period. After completion of the 6-month intervention, all baseline measurements were repeated under identical conditions. The collected data allowed for the evaluation of changes in posture parameters within and between groups, enabling an assessment of the effectiveness of individual and group physiotherapy interventions in improving posture disorders and supporting early scoliosis prevention in children.

Interventions

Indywidual Therapy: FITS methodDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The group underwent individual therapy in accordance with the FITS method, adapted to the functional abilities of the patients. The group underwent physiotherapy sessions (once a week, 45 minutes each) and performed home exercises (5 times a week, 30 minutes each) for 6 months.

Group corrective gymnasticsDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The group participated in corrective gymnastics classes, conducted in accordance with generally accepted principles of physical activity and the Guide for Preventive and Corrective Exercises, The group underwent physiotherapy sessions (once a week, 45 minutes each) and performed home exercises (5 times a week, 30 minutes each) for 6 months.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 8 YearsMax age: 11 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * female gender * age 8-11 years * before or up to six months after the onset of the first menstruation * ATR 3-6 degrees * no diagnosed orthopaedic, neurological or viral diseases * written consent of parents and/or legal guardians to participate in the project Exclusion Criteria: * ATR below 3 and/or above 6 degrees * visible structural abnormalities * neurological, neuromuscular or cardiovascular diseases * congenital defects * scoliosis * Scheuermann's disease * diagnosed anatomical leg length discrepancy of less than 2.5 cm * poor psychophysical condition * elevated body temperature * back or lower limb surgery * spina bifida * intellectual disability * genetic conditions * lack of written consent for testing.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Angle of Trunk Rotation (ATR)

Angle of trunk rotation measured in degrees using a scoliometer during Adam's forward bend test.

Time frame: 6 month

Surface Rotation Parameters (DIERS Formetric 3D)

surface rotation assessed using the DIERS Formetric 3D system, including surface rotation (degrees), root mean square of back surface rotation (degrees), and maximum vertebral rotation (degrees) in the thoracic (Th1-Th4, Th5-Th12) and lumbar (L1-L5) spine segments.

Time frame: 6 months