title: Evaluation of a respiratory rehabilitation program in children with scoliosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thoracic scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine associated with restrictive lung defects, manifested by a decrease in respiratory function tests. We undertook this study to evaluate the effect of a respiratory rehabilitation program over lung function in children with scoliosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a prospective and deliberate intervention study including 25 consecutive patients, aged 6 to 18 years, diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis. The respiratory rehabilitation program was structured into two phases: institutional and private residence. Statistical analysis was carried out using descriptive parameters and paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Spearman correlation was used to measure intensity of association among variables. Statistical significance was considered when p <0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Idiopathic scoliosis was present in 52% of patients, with right dorsal curvature in 72%. Cobb angle average was 50.6° ± 29.7°. Most importantly, we found a negative correlation between this angle on left curvature and lung function. Initially, the main respiratory symptoms were dyspnea with poor effort tolerance in 52%. After treatment, 88% of patients were asymptomatic and only 4% presented poor effort tolerance. Oxygen saturation and forced vital capacity percentage had a significant increment after the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respiratory rehabilitation has a positive effect on increasing pulmonary function of children with scoliosis.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Rehabilitación Pulmonar, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, México, DF, Mexico. asolache@inr.gob.mx
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Solache-Carranco
authors.forename: María Guadalupe
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Bringas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D017253:Neurofibromatoses / Q000150:complications; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D011859:Radiography; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D012139:Respiratory Therapy Department, Hospital; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity