Association between lung function, thoracoabdominal mobility and posture in cystic fibrosis: pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Deterioration of lung function is the main cause of mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF), so it is essential to study different related factors. Objective: To assess the association of pulmonary function with thoracoabdominal mobility and postural alignment in individuals with CF. Method: A cross-sectional study was performed in individuals with CF (8-17 years). Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. Thoracoabdominal mobility and postural alignment were evaluated by photogrammetry using the Postural Assessment Software (PAS/Sapo). Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The following spirometric variables showed a decrease compared to predicted values: FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF and FEF25-75%. Postural assessment showed alterations in head horizontal alignment (HHA; 2.71 ± 2.23o), acromion horizontal alignment (AHA; 1.33 ± 1.35o), anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) horizontal alignment (ASISHA; 1.11 ± 0.89o), angle between acromia and ASIS (AAASIS; 0.89 ± 0.39o), scapula horizontal asymmetry - T3 (SHAT3; 16.95 ± 12.03%), and asymmetry of the projection of the center of gravity within the base of support in the frontal (11.45 ± 8.10%) and sagittal (48.98 ± 18.55%) planes. A strong positive correlation was found between pulmonary function and thoracoabdominal mobility in the variables anteroposterior mobility of the upper chest (APMUC) and FVC (r = 0.818, p = 0.024), APMUC and FEV1 (r = 0.874, p = 0.010), and APMUC and FEF25-75% (r = 0.797, p = 0.032). A strong negative correlation was detected between FEV1/FVC and AHA (r = -0.761, p = 0.047). Conclusion: Our study showed in CF a reduction in pulmonary function, strong positive correlation between APMUC and pulmonary function, high prevalence of kyphoscoliosis and strong negative correlation between AHA and pulmonary function.

Aerobic exercise capacity, cough strength, posture, and depression in primary ciliary dyskinesia

“…The patients' thoracoabdominal mobility decreased in the present study. Pereira Pinto et al hypothesized in their pilot study that worsening of pulmonary function may cause deteriorated posture and reduced thoracoabdominal mobility in children with CF 39 . In our study, decreased thoracoabdominal mobility may be explained by deteriorated respiratory functions in PCD patients.…”

“…42 Low body weight and bone mineralization, increased dyspnea and cough frequency, decreased peripheral muscle strength and pulmonary function, and shortening of the accessory respiratory muscles may contribute to postural abnormalities in patients with PCD. 39,43 In the current study, patients with PCD had higher depression scores than healthy peers. However, no participants exceeded the cut-off values.…”

“…Lopes et al showed that children with persistent asthma had higher protraction of the head and shoulder 42 . Low body weight and bone mineralization, increased dyspnea and cough frequency, decreased peripheral muscle strength and pulmonary function, and shortening of the accessory respiratory muscles may contribute to postural abnormalities in patients with PCD 39,43 …”