ABSTRACT
Objective:
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal deformity that can cause cardiorespiratory dysfunction, contributing to decreases in tolerance for aerobic exercise (TAE) and in functionality. The objective is to assess the TAE and lung capacity of patients who underwent corrective AIS surgery in the pre- (PRE) and postoperative (POST) periods.
Methods:
Sixty individuals, PRE (n=30, age: 18.5±2.4 years) and POST (n=30, age: 24.5±4.5 years), participated in the study. The forced vital capacity (FVC), the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio, as well as the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure were verified. The TAE was assessed by the distance travelled in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), together with blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and peripheral oxygen saturation measured at the beginning and at the end of the test.
Results:
A mild restrictive pattern in lung function and reduced expiratory muscle strength were observed in both groups, but with no difference between the PRE and POST groups. No difference was found between the PRE (534±67.1 m) and POST (541± 69.5 m) groups for the distance travelled in the 6MWT, though both were below the predicted percentage (82.8±10.0% and 84.8±10.9%, respectively). Hemodynamic and respiratory changes caused by the 6MWT were observed, except for the peripheral oxygen saturation.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that even after surgical correction, patients with AIS continue to have low TAE. Level of evidence III; Therapeutics Study - Investigation of Treatment Results / Case-control study.
Keywords:
Scoliosis; Exercise Tolerance; Respiratory Function Tests; 6-Minute Walk Test
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The black bar represents the preoperative group (Pre). The gray bar represents the postoperative group (Post). 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Values described as mean and standard deviation. No differences were found between the groups.
Black squares represent the preoperative group (Pre). White squares represent the postoperative group (Post). Values expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Heart rate (HR). Systolic blood pressure (SBP). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Respiratory rate (RR). Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2). Variables measured before starting the 6MWT (Initial). Variables measured right after completion of the 6MWT (Final). * Significant difference between the Initial and Final moments (p < 0.001). No differences were observed between the groups.