Influence of Lateral Sitting Wedges on the Rasterstereographically Measured Scoliosis Angle in Patients Aged 10–18 Years with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional axial deviation of the spine diagnosed in adolescence. Despite a long daily sitting duration, there are no studies on whether scoliosis can be positively influenced by sitting on a seat wedge. For the prospective study, 99 patients with AIS were measured with the DIERS formetric III 4D average, in a standing position, on a level seat and with three differently inclined seat wedges (3°, 6° and 9°). The rasterstereographic parameters ‘scoliosis angle’ and ‘lateral deviation RMS’ were analysed. The side (ipsilateral/contralateral) on which the optimal correcting wedge was located in relation to the lumbar/thoraco-lumbar convexity was investigated. It was found that the greatest possible correction of scoliosis occurred with a clustering in wedges with an elevation on the ipsilateral side of the convexity. This clustering was significantly different from a uniform distribution (p < 0.001; chi-square = 35.697 (scoliosis angle); chi-square = 54.727 (lateral deviation RMS)). It should be taken into account that the effect of lateral seat wedges differs for individual types of scoliosis and degrees of severity. The possibility of having a positive effect on scoliosis while sitting holds great potential, which is worth investigating in follow-up studies.