Volume 32 / Number 57 / 2026
EARLY POSTURAL SCREENING AND A KINDERGARTEN-BASED PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH KYPHOTIC ATTITUDE: A PILOT IMPLEMENTATION STUDY
Dorina IANC, Nadim AL-ZUBI, Mihai ILLE, Catalina GONCZE, Doina TRANGA, Petra LOX, Anca Maria SABAU
Keywords
Preschool children, kyphotic attitude, postural screening, pediatric physiotherapy, early intervention, preventive rehabilitation.
Abstract
Background: Postural deviations frequently develop during early childhood and may adversely affect musculoskeletal development if not identified and managed promptly. However, evidence regarding kindergarten-based physiotherapy programs in preschool children remains limited. This study aimed (1) to determine the prevalence of kyphotic attitude among preschool children attending kindergarten and (2) to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary within-group changes associated with a structured kindergarten-based physiotherapy program. Methods and materials: This was a single-arm, non-randomized, uncontrolled pilot feasibility and implementation study. Forty preschool children from two kindergarten classes underwent baseline anthropometric, postural, body composition, and functional assessments to determine the prevalence of kyphotic attitude. Subsequently, 17 children from one kindergarten class, selected on the basis of organizational feasibility rather than postural status, participated in a seven-month physiotherapy program integrated into the regular kindergarten schedule. Body composition was assessed using a multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer (InBody®), while postural alignment was evaluated using the Michelangelo Posture Analysis System and Global Postural System (GPS) software. Pre- and post-intervention outcomes in the intervention class were compared using paired statistical tests, and effect sizes were estimated as exploratory measures of change. Results: Kyphotic attitude was identified in 23 of the 40 screened children (57.5%). In the intervention class, the number of children presenting kyphotic attitude decreased from 10 (58.8%) to 2 (11.8%) after the seven-month program. Quantitative postural measures showed favorable numerical changes in shoulder girdle and pelvic alignment, but these changes did not reach statistical significance. Skeletal muscle mass increased, whereas body fat mass and percentage body fat showed small numerical reductions; these body-composition changes were also not statistically significant. Conclusions: Systematic postural screening may facilitate the early identification of postural deviations in preschool children. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that integrating a structured physiotherapy program into the kindergarten routine is feasible. Because the study was small, non-randomized, and uncontrolled, the observed within-group changes should not be interpreted as evidence of efficacy and require confirmation in adequately powered controlled trials.
For citation: Ianc, D., Al-Zubi, N., Ille, M., Goncze, C., Tranga, D., Lox, P., Sabau, A.M. (2026). Early Postural Screening and a Kindergarten-Based Physiotherapy Program for Preschool Children with Kyphotic Attitude: A Pilot Implementation Study. Romanian Journal of Physical Therapy. 32(57),58-69.
https://www.doi.org/10.61215/RJPT.2026.32.57.58