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ABSTRACT:
Background/Objective: To determine the various effects of exercising with the application of kinesio-tape on the Cobb angle, muscle tone, and stiffness in the upper trapezius in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods/Statistical analysis: This study contained fourteen subjects (7 females, 7 males) with a Cobb angle greater than 10°. Assessment of the pre- and post-intervention measurements were conducted using the paired t-test. The Cobb angle was measured using the Formetric device and upper trapezius muscle tone and stiffness were measured using a Myoton®PRO device. Findings: Cobb angle (p < 0.02) significantly decreased after the intervention. The muscle tone in the upper trapezius decreased from 18.00 to 12.84 and muscle stiffness significantly decreased from 306.30 to 259.10. Improvements/Applications: Strengthening exercises with taping(SET) significantly decreased the Cobb angle. Furthermore, muscle tone and stiffness of the upper trapezius decreased after the intervention.
KEYWORDS: Cobb angle, taping, strengthening exercise, muscle tone, muscle stiffness.
1. INTRODUCTION:
Scoliosis, a three-dimensional spinal disorder, is characterized by a vertebral angle on the coronal plane greater than 10°. It is among the most common medical conditions that affect our youth, with 0.47% to 5.2% of the population diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis1. The exact etiology of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown but is considered to be multifactorial and includes genetic predisposition, imbalanced front and back vertebral growth, connective tissue abnormalities, abnormal muscle contraction mechanisms, and neurology2. Several studies have investigated the efficacy of conservative treatment for idiopathic scoliosis patients. Suggested treatments include swimming, home exercise, chiropractic medicine, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, Pilates, yoga, drug use, and spinal manipulation.
However, an evidence-based treatment algorithm has not yet been developed3. Exercises prescribed for scoliosis consist of various programs that are performed for therapeutic purposes with a focus on mechanically changing the muscle tissue and other soft tissues along the spine. It is also suggested that exercise influences the way in which the nervous system affects spinal movement4. The overarching goal of exercise therapy is to reduce the progression of scoliosis and avoid reliance braces. Furthermore, exercising not only improves breath capacity but also stabilizes and reduces the size of the spinal curvature that results from chest deformity. It has also been reported that through exercise, incidence of surgery can be reduced5. Although there is evidence...