Search Results (6)

Background/Objectives: Body posture is developmentally variable and individually diversified. As a chain of numerous unconditioned and conditioned reflexes, it is, in its essence, a psychomotor habit. The aim of the study was to create an original typology of body posture based on measurements using the Diers Formetric III 4D system. Methods: The research included 303 children aged 10–12. Results: Taking the ranges of standards for the angle of thoracic kyphosis (42–55°) and lumbar lordosis (33–47°) into account, it was shown that there are nine types of body posture. These are as follows: reduced kyphosis, reduced lordosis (K < 42°; L < 33°); reduced kyphosis, normal lordosis (K < 42°; 33° ≤ L ≤ 47°); reduced kyphosis, increased lordosis (K < 42°; L > 47°); normal kyphosis, reduced lordosis (42° ≤ K ≤ 55°; L < 33°); normal kyphosis, normal lordosis (42° ≤ K ≤ 55; 33° ≤ L ≤ 47°); normal kyphosis, increased lordosis (42° ≤ K ≤ 55°; L > 47°); increased kyphosis, reduced lordosis (K > 55°, L < 33°); increased kyphosis, normal lordosis (K > 55°; 33° ≤ L ≤ 47°); and increased kyphosis, increased lordosis (K > 55°; L > 47°). Conclusions: In the final evaluation of the Diers Formetric III 4D examination, the traditional division into round, concave, round-concave, and flat backs should be supplemented and expanded to include the nine posture types mentioned above. This will enable a more precise selection of corrective exercises, which will significantly improve their quality and effectiveness. Full article

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional axial deviation of the spine diagnosed in adolescence. Despite a long daily sitting duration, there are no studies on whether scoliosis can be positively influenced by sitting on a seat wedge. For the prospective study, 99 patients with AIS were measured with the DIERS formetric III 4D average, in a standing position, on a level seat and with three differently inclined seat wedges (3°, 6° and 9°). The rasterstereographic parameters ‘scoliosis angle’ and ‘lateral deviation RMS’ were analysed. The side (ipsilateral/contralateral) on which the optimal correcting wedge was located in relation to the lumbar/thoraco-lumbar convexity was investigated. It was found that the greatest possible correction of scoliosis occurred with a clustering in wedges with an elevation on the ipsilateral side of the convexity. This clustering was significantly different from a uniform distribution (p < 0.001; chi-square = 35.697 (scoliosis angle); chi-square = 54.727 (lateral deviation RMS)). It should be taken into account that the effect of lateral seat wedges differs for individual types of scoliosis and degrees of severity. The possibility of having a positive effect on scoliosis while sitting holds great potential, which is worth investigating in follow-up studies. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between sensory integration and balance deficits as well as scoliotic changes in young schoolgirls. The study comprised 54 girls aged 11 years with scoliotic changes. The Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance of the Biodex Balance System platform were used to analyze the deficits in sensory integration and balance. Scoliotic changes were assessed using the Diers Formetric III 4D optoelectronic method. In the present study, there was a significant relationship between sensory integration and balance deficits as well as spine curvature angle (°) (p = 0.01), vertebral surface rotation (°) (p = 0.03), pelvic tilt (°) (p = 0.02), and lateral deviation (mm) (p = 0.04). The integration of the sensory systems has a positive effect on the structure of the intended and controlled movement as well as body posture and the development of the spine. In the treatment of scoliotic changes, one should also consider exercises that improve sensory integration as well as position and balance reactions. Full article

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between idiopathic asymmetry in infants and body posture in children at an early school age. The study included 45 girls aged nine. The Diers Formetric III 4D device was used to assess body posture, which allows photogrammetric registration of the back surface using the raster stereography process. For the purposes of the re-search project, the examination was performed via DiCAM using the “Average measurement” mode. Despite physiotherapy, these children had more postural defects later on compared to the control group due to asymmetry. They mainly concerned pelvic skewness, scoliosis angle, deviation from the vertical line and lateral deviation, as well as surface rotation. Positive correlations were observed between direction of asymmetry and pelvic skewness (r = 0.40), and between the location of asymmetry and the location of curvature (r = 0.39). Significant negative correlations were also found between the age of treatment initiation and trunk length (r = −0.42). There was also a negative correlation between the number of physiotherapeutic appointments and deviation from the vertical line, which means that along with an increase in the number of physiotherapeutic visits, the value of deviation from the vertical line decreased (p = −0.40). For scoliosis angle, the most important predictor was the direction of asymmetry (p = 0.05). For the location of the curvature, the most important predictor was the direction of asymmetry (p = 0.04), as well as the number of physiotherapeutic appointments (p = 0.04). Additionally, regression analysis allowed us to show that the number of physiotherapeutic visits (p = 0.03) was the most important predictor of curvature direction. The applied physiotherapy probably contributed to the occurrence of a smaller number of postural defects in these children at a later age. Physiotherapy as a specific and targeted form of physical activity among infants with idiopathic asymmetry should play a very important role in the prevention of body posture defects. Full article

The objective of the present research was to assess the relationship between muscle tone of the erector spinae and the concave and convex sides of spinal curvature in low-grade scoliosis found among children. The study included 251 children, aged 7–8. Examination of the spine and body posture was carried out using the Diers Formetric III 4D optoelectronic method. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess erector spinae muscle tone. The trial was carried out using the 14-channel Noraxon TeleMyo DTS apparatus. The highest generalised tone (sEMG amplitude) of the erector spinae occurred in the case of scoliosis. The higher the angle of curvature, the greater the erector spinae muscle tone. Regardless of the position adopted during examination of the thoracic spine, greater erector spinae tone (sEMG amplitude) was exhibited on the convex side of the spinal curvature. However, in the area of the lumbar spine, greater tone (sEMG amplitude) of the erector spinae occurred on the curvature’s concave side. The exception was the test performed in a standing position, during which greater muscle tone was noted on the side of the convex curvature. In therapeutic practice, within the thoracic section, too tense erector spinae muscles should be stretched on the convex side of the scoliosis, while in the lumbar region, this should be performed on the concave side. However, each case of scoliosis requires individually tailored treatment. The current research has applicative value and does fill a research gap with regard to erector spinae muscle tone in young children experiencing low-grade scoliosis. The development of scoliosis is associated with asymmetry and an increase in erector spinae tone. The uneven distribution of its tone, occurring on both sides of the spine and in its various segments, causes destabilisation and its abnormal progression. Full article

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the angle of spinal curvature and surface electromyography (SEMG) amplitude of the erector spinae in young school-children. A total of 251 children aged 7–8 participated in the study. The analysis involved 103 (41%) children with scoliosis, 141 (56.17%) with scoliotic posture, and seven (3.0%) with normal posture. Body posture was evaluated using the Diers formetric III 4D optoelectronic method. Analysis of SEMG amplitude of the erector spinae was performed with the Noraxon TeleMyo DTS apparatus. A significant correlation was found between the angle of spinal curvature and the SEMG amplitude of the erector spinae. The most important and statistically significant predictor of the SEMG amplitude and scoliosis angle in the scoliosis group was the standing position, chest segment, right side. The largest generalized SEMG amplitude of the erector spinae occurred in both boys and girls with scoliosis. Impaired balance of muscle tension in the erector spinae can trigger a set of changes that create a clinical and anatomopathological image of spinal curvature. Full article