Does physiotherapy applied in conjunction with compression brace treatment in patients with pectus carinatum have efficacy? A preliminary randomized-controlled study
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In brief
In brief
Randomized controlled trial of 30 male adolescents demonstrates that adding structured physiotherapy to compression brace treatment for pectus carinatum yields superior outcomes compared to bracing alone, with significant improvements in chest protrusion measurements, posture, psychological quality of life, and patient satisfaction.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
Non-invasive treatment of pectus carinatum (PC) deformity includes the use of a compression brace and exercises. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of a physiotherapy protocol applied as adjunct to compression brace treatment in patients with PC.
Methods
The study included 30 male patients between 11 and 18 years of age. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: a brace treatment only group (Group 1) and a brace and physiotherapy group (Group 2). Patient demographics and disease-related properties, protrusion measurements, postural evaluations, deformity perceptions, life quality, and treatment satisfaction were evaluated.
Results
Although both groups showed improvements based on external chest measurements related to PC protrusion following treatment (p < 0.001), Group 2 had more benefit from the treatment (effect size > 0.36) and displayed greater improvement in maximum protrusion degree and lateral length values (p < 0.05). Additionally, we found that patient perception of deformity, posture, psychological life quality, and treatment satisfaction scores were significantly better in Group 2 (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Owing to the satisfaction and additional benefits observed in the physiotherapy group, we think that a proper cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal exercise program should be applied concurrently with brace treatment for patients with PC deformity. Nevertheless, long-term outcomes need to be clarified in future studies.