Kinesio taping as a method of spinal deformity correction in children with the preclinical stage of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis
Objective: to study the efficacy of kinesio taping in the early stages of spinal deformity in children. Materials and methods: 54 children, both males and female, mean age 8,9±1,5 years, with the deformation of the spine in one and two planes were examined. Depending on the of the spine deformity type, verified with orthopedic examination and computer optical topography, three comparison groups were determined. All children were performed surface electromyography of paravertebral muscles and computer stabilography. All patients, in addition to a standard complex treatment, received kinesio taping in the area of the rectifier torso in the lumbar spine and the middle gluteal muscle. The first group consisted of 18 patients (7 girls and 11 boys) with isolated changes of the spine in the sagittal plane: increased thoracic kyphosis with unchanged or flattened lumbar lordosis. The second group included 25 patients (9 girls and 16 boys) with a decreased thoracic kyphosis and unmodified or in-depth lumbar lordosis. The third group included 11 patients (6 girls and 5 boys) with signs of spinal deformity is similar to that of the second group, but who also had signs of rotation of the shoulder or pelvic girdle. Patients of the control group (8 people) with a similar deformity of the spine received only standard treatment without kinesio taping. Results: improvements in stabilography parameters and computer optical topography parameters was identified in all three intervention groups: in girls with reduced thoracic kyphosis and in boys and with increased thoracic kyphosis; and the decrease of intensity of torsion of the spine. In the control group significant changes in the studied indicators have been not identified. Conclusions: kinesio taping in children with spinal deformity in the preclinical stage of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis leads to the stabilization of the center of mass of the body and activates the proprioception system. Kinesio taping is effective in correction of spinal deformities associated with flattening of the thoracic kyphosis in girls and deepening of thoracic kyphosis in boys. Kinesio taping decreases of the degree of torsion of the spine mainly in boys with deformation of the spine in the horizontal plane.