Enhancing quality of life during outpatient physical rehabilitation for 6-7-year-old children with impaired postural status

Abstract

Scientific literature underscores a significant prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in children, often stemming from hereditary connective tissue dysplasia, detrimentally impacting their quality of life. Consequently, developing effective physical rehabilitation methods for children becomes imperative. This study aims to assess various components of quality of life among children with hereditary connective tissue disorders and musculoskeletal complications during the outpatient phase of physical rehabilitation. Material & methods. The research project was carried out on the basis of medical institutions in the city of Barnaul (Russia) from 2014 to 2023. The quality of life was assessed in 60 children aged 6-7, having connective tissue disorders and complications from the musculoskeletal system and their parents using the Pediatric Quality of Life inventory PedsQL questionnaire. Quality of life testing was performed at the research beginning, in 1 and 3 years after the start of rehabilitation. After 10 years, the condition of the posture and muscular system of the observed children was assessed. Generally accepted rehabilitation measures were performed for patients of the main group (n=30) and the comparison group (n=30). In addition to traditional wellness activities, the main group included course theoretical and practical classes at the organized school «Posture Correction» for parents and their children. Practical classes included teaching children and parent’s physical exercises on the wall bars ("Swedish wall"), orthopedic ball, breaststroke swimming, wearing a corset, following a calcium-containing diet and a balanced vitamin composition of food. Results. In the course of follow-up after 1 and 3 years, the number of complications in the main group of patients statistically significantly decreased, the quality of life in children and parents improved, p <0.05. During the control after 10 years, physiological posture and the normal status of the trunk muscles were determined in all patients in the main group, which was confirmed by the electroneuromyographic examination method. In patients and parents of the comparison group, the quality of life did not change in dynamics, muscle weakness at the level of the thoracic spine, myofascial pain syndrome was noted. Conclusions. Significant positive results of physical rehabilitation of children with connective tissue dysplasia and the musculoskeletal system complications have been obtained when using means and methods of physical culture in rehabilitation on the basis of the established school of "Posture Correction". The proven technique can be used for children’s rehabilitation at the outpatient stage of recovery.