Valutazione dell’efficacia dell’inserimento di esercizi di equlibrio nel trattamento dei pazienti pediatrici con scoliosi

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a condition charac-terized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, leading to body asymmetry, and compromised postural balance. Pediatric patients with AIS often experi-ence difficulties in maintaining stability and postural control, negatively af-fecting their daily activities and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of integrating balance exercises into the rehabilitative treatment of pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: The study was conducted on seven patients aged between 9 and 18 years, treated with a 12-week physiotherapy protocol at the Regina Margherita Hospital in Turin. Balance assessments were performed using the Berg Balance Scale, the Community Balance and Mobility Scale, and the Khymeia system, with measurements taken before and after the interven-tion. RESULTS: The results showed significant improvements in the patients' bal-ance and mobility capabilities, particularly regarding postural control and lim-its of stability. Specifically, the Community Balance and Mobility Scale demonstrated an average improvement of 14.67%, while the Khymeia sys-tem revealed progress in controlling the center of pressure and overall pos-tural stability. However, the Berg Balance Scale recorded a "ceiling effect," limiting its ability to detect further improvements. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of balance exercises into rehabilitative programs for pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis proved effective in enhancing postural stability and overall functionality. Further studies are needed to confirm and optimize the effectiveness of these therapeutic proto-cols in the long term. INTRODUCTION: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a condition charac-terized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, leading to body asymmetry, and compromised postural balance. Pediatric patients with AIS often experi-ence difficulties in maintaining stability and postural control, negatively af-fecting their daily activities and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of integrating balance exercises into the rehabilitative treatment of pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: The study was conducted on seven patients aged between 9 and 18 years, treated with a 12-week physiotherapy protocol at the Regina Margherita Hospital in Turin. Balance assessments were performed using the Berg Balance Scale, the Community Balance and Mobility Scale, and the Khymeia system, with measurements taken before and after the interven-tion. RESULTS: The results showed significant improvements in the patients' bal-ance and mobility capabilities, particularly regarding postural control and lim-its of stability. Specifically, the Community Balance and Mobility Scale demonstrated an average improvement of 14.67%, while the Khymeia sys-tem revealed progress in controlling the center of pressure and overall pos-tural stability. However, the Berg Balance Scale recorded a "ceiling effect," limiting its ability to detect further improvements. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of balance exercises into rehabilitative programs for pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis proved effective in enhancing postural stability and overall functionality. Further studies are needed to confirm and optimize the effectiveness of these therapeutic proto-cols in the long term.

INTRODUZIONE: La scoliosi idiopatica adolescenziale (SIA) è una patologia che provoca una curvatura anomala della colonna vertebrale, con conse-guente asimmetria del corpo e compromissione dell’equilibrio posturale. I pazienti pediatrici affetti da SIA spesso presentano difficoltà nel manteni-mento della stabilità e nel controllo posturale, fattori che influenzano negati-vamente le loro attività quotidiane e la qualità della vita. OBIETTIVO: Valutare l’efficacia dell’integrazione di esercizi di equilibrio nel trattamento riabilitativo di pazienti pediatrici con scoliosi idiopatica. METODI: Lo studio è stato condotto su sette pazienti di età compresa tra 9 e 18 anni, trattati con un protocollo fisioterapico di 12 settimane presso l'O-spedale Regina Margherita di Torino. Le valutazioni dell'equilibrio sono state effettuate utilizzando la Berg Balance Scale, la Community Balance and Mo-bility Scale e il sistema Khymeia, con misurazioni pre e post-intervento. RISULTATI: I risultati hanno evidenziato miglioramenti significativi nelle ca-pacità di equilibrio e mobilità dei pazienti, specialmente in termini di controllo posturale e limiti di stabilità. In particolare, la Community Balance and Mobi-lity Scale ha mostrato un miglioramento medio del 14,67%, mentre il sistema Khymeia ha rivelato progressi nel controllo del centro di pressione e nella stabilità posturale. Tuttavia, la Berg Balance Scale ha registrato un effetto soffitto, limitando la rilevazione di ulteriori miglioramenti. CONCLUSIONI: L'integrazione di esercizi di equilibrio nei programmi riabili-tativi per pazienti pediatrici con scoliosi idiopatica si è dimostrata efficace nel migliorare la stabilità posturale e la capacità funzionale. Ulteriori studi sono necessari per confermare e ottimizzare l'efficacia di questi protocolli terapeu-tici a lungo termine.