Quantitative photogrammetric analysis of the Klapp method for treating idiopathic scoliosis.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have proved that physical therapy techniques are efficient in the treatment of scoliosis.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the efficiency of the Klapp method for the treatment of scoliosis, through a quantitative analysis using computerized biophotogrammetry.


METHODS
Sixteen participants of a mean age of 15+/-2.61 yrs. with idiopathic scoliosis were treated using the Klapp method. To analyze the results from the treatment, they were all of photographed before and after the treatments, following a standardized photographic method. All of the photographs were analyzed quantitatively by the same examiner using the ALCimagem 2000 software. The statistical analyses were performed using the paired t-test with a significance level of 5%.


RESULTS
The treatments showed improvements in the angles which evaluated the symmetry of the shoulders, i.e. the acromioclavicular joint angle (AJ; p=0.00) and sternoclavicular joint angle (SJ; p=0.01). There were also improvements in the angle that evaluated the left Thales triangle (DeltaT; p=0.02). Regarding flexibility, there were improvements in the tibiotarsal angle (TTA; p=0.01) and in the hip joint angles (HJA; p=0.00). There were no changes in the vertebral curvatures and nor improvements in head positioning. Only the lumbar curvature, evaluated by the lumbar lordosis angle (LL; p=0.00), changed after the treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
The Klapp method was an efficient therapeutic technique for treating asymmetries of the trunk and improving its flexibility. However, it was not efficient for pelvic asymmetry modifications in head positioning, cervical lordosis or thoracic kyphosis.
Iunes
Denise H
DH
Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil. deniseiunes@yahoo.com.br
Cecílio
Maria B B
MB
Dozza
Marina A
MA
Almeida
Polyanna R
PR
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010780:Photogrammetry; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*