Respiratory physical therapy in kyphoscoliosis: a case report

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy of respiratory physical therapy in maintaining and/or improving lung volumes and capacities, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life of a 37 year-old patient with paralytic kyphoscoliosis (Cobb angle 100°) after 24 sessions of treatment. The protocol consisted of cervical and pectoral stretching exercises, breathing exercises, inspiratory muscle strengthening, debit inspiratory controlled exercise associated to incentive spirometry, and aerobic training associated to continuous positive airway pressure. Results show a reduction of lung volumes and capacities after the treatment. Maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure values increased, respectively, by 81.82% and 42.82%, showing improvement in inspiratory and expiratory muscles strength. In health-related quality of life, assessed by means of the SF-36 questionnaire, an increase of 23,8% was found in total score and scores improved in six out of the eight domains. The proposed treatment of respiratory physical therapy hence proved effective in improving respiratory muscle strength and the patient’s quality of life.