Effectiveness of pressure biofeedback / pbu (pressure biofeedback unit) in the process of learning of self-correction in patients with scoliosis: a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: The self-correction or active correction on all levels, in the treatment of scoliosis, is now a key tool with, or without, brace treatment [1]. The primary difficulty that the patient found is to understand which muscles to activate, and how to do it to achieve significant changes in the spine, since each patient adopts a personal strategy, hardly ever fair and efficient. Aim(s): The aim of this study is to verify the usefulness of the BPU to facilitate the learning processes of the Self-Correction, in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, in free or brace treatment. Through a BPU, each patient can be facilitated, by learning a right activation of the deep muscles of the spine [2], the clinician can also objectify the course of treatment. Method(s): We enrolled 10 patients (5 for the experimental group, and 5 for control group) with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, treated for up to 4 individual sessions of 40 minutes, according to a Self-correction of the scoliotic curve learning approach. Inclusion criteria: - Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis - Cobb degrees range between 15 degree and 30 degree - Patients with, or without, brace treatment The control group, mean age 12.4 years, Risser 2.6 and degrees Cobb 14.8 degree, was driven to the learning of Self-correction in the traditional way (verbal approach and passive movement) while with the experimental group, mean age 13.2 years, Risser 3 and degrees Cobb 15.2, we introduced using of the BPU to obtain the vertebral derotation [3]. Patients were subjected to analysis of posture with Formetric in 1' seated (at rest) and 2', 3' and 4' session (position of Self-correction), to evaluate the timing, and the ability to learn. Result(s): The experimental group used an average of 96 minutes (2.4 sessions) to learn Self-correction, unlike the control group, which required 120 minutes (3 sessions). Conclusion(s): The results of this pilot study define the usefulness of further research in this field, through an RCT of appropriate size.