Postural imbalance in non-treated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at different periods of progression

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that imbalance in patients with a severe deformity of the spine is associated with an increase in the sensory integration disorder. This paper is a case comparison study. Patients were divided into three groups: able-bodied (n = 53), observation (n = 23), and pre-brace (n = 26) groups. Time domain parameters (sway area, position and displacement) and structural posturographic parameters [mean distance (MD) and mean peak (MP)] were calculated from the COP excursion using a force platform. A sensory integration disorder could be an important factor in the progression of the scoliotic curve. Significant differences were found in time domain between observation, pre-brace and able-bodied groups. The results for the structural posturographic parameters showed significant differences between the pre-brace and the able-bodied groups (P = 0.018 MD and P = 0.02 MP) demonstrating a perturbation in sensory integration system by an increase of imbalance. The absence of statistical difference between the observation and the pre-brace groups for the structural posturographic parameters indicates a perturbation of sensory integration system associated with curve progression. Our study has demonstrated that the pre-brace group is less stable than the able-bodied group. The severity of scoliosis in pre-brace scoliotic girls could be related to an increase in the sensory integration disorder.

Association of rs11190870 near LBX1 with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis susceptibility in a Han Chinese population

“…Disturbance of central nervous system may impair somatosensory function and motor adaptation which lead to asymmetry of neuromuscular condition causing AIS [30,31]. Correspondingly, functional studies in AIS subjects have shown abnormalities in the postural balance and somatosensory function [32][33][34][35]. Thus, it remains plausible that LBX1 may be involved in the etiology of scoliosis through somatosensory dysfunction [15].…”

Idiopathic scoliosis: relations between the Cobb angle and the dynamical strategies when sitting on a seesaw

“…The addition of additional masses faced the subject to a new issue which prevented him from performing the optimal strategy; such point explained the decreased correlation with the Cobb angle due to a less appropriate response [24]. While in the literature, the correlation between the Cobb angle and the postural parameters is controversial [1,10,21,26,29], in seated position, an high correlation between these parameters was found. Even if such discrepancy may be due to the chosen parameters, the position itself seemed to be more relevant.…”

“…The correlation between the Cobb angle and the postural parameters is controversial. In standing position, some authors showed an increase of the instability correlated to Cobb angle [1,26] while Shalstrand et al [27] did not show such correlation. During gait, the asymmetries computed between lower limbs are not correlated with Cobb angle [10,21,29].…”

Sensorimotor Integration in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients

“…Other studies have observed larger body sway area and CP displacement in AIS patients compared to their controls (Beaulieu et al, 2009;Byl et al, 1997). In the study by Beaulieu et al, AIS patients were divided into a pre-brace group (brace prescribed but not yet worn) and an observation group.…”