Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise for Patients Undergoing Arthrodesis Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

After spinal surgery, diaphragmatic breathing exercise can be a low-cost and extremely safe intervention that can be introduced for pain management. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing exercise in the management of pain in the postoperative care in patients undergoing spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common orthopedic condition with a prevalence of 2-3% in children aged from 10 to 16 years. It is a developmental deformity that affects both physical and psychological domains, interfering with self-esteem and mental well-being. Diagnosis is made within the first 18 years of life; in some cases, instrumented arthrodesis surgery is required, performed within the age of 25. Corrective surgery for scoliosis can be a stressful intervention for patients and their caregivers. Postoperative pain is the major concern for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Significant postoperative pain also adversely affects other outcomes by hindering the healing process and delaying rehabilitation with loss of movement and walking. After arthrodesis the pain reported by the patients is significant. Various strategies have been explored for acute pain management in patients undergoing surgery for scoliosis, with a focus on the first days post surgery. The link between breathing, lumbar spine function and pain perception is an aspect that has always been studied. The diaphragm plays an important role in spinal control and in the management of pain perception. Dysfunction of the diaphragm can lead to alterations in the biomechanics of the lumbar spine, with less proprioceptive abilities, less spinal mobility and reduced the spinal column's functionality of the tissues. Diaphragmatic rehabilitation techniques produce significant and clinically relevant improvements in the treatment of pathologies of the spine and especially in the management of painful symptoms. A systematic review highlights how pain is able to influence the flow, frequency and volume of the respiratory act. At the same time, a regulation of breathing can be an useful tool in the control of painful symptoms. After spinal surgery, diaphragmatic breathing exercise can be a low-cost and extremely safe tool that can be introduced for the control of painful symptoms. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing exercise in the management of pain in the postoperative phase in patients undergoing arthrodesis surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.