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. 2009 Jan;18(1):38-44.
doi: 10.1007/s00586-008-0831-6. Epub 2008 Dec 6.

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

Marlene Beaulieu  1 , Claire Toulotte, Laura Gatto, Charles-H Rivard, Normand Teasdale, Martin Simoneau, Paul Allard
Affiliations

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

Marlene Beaulieu et al. Eur Spine J. 2009 Jan.

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.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Excursion of the COP a for an able-bodied subject and b a scoliotic girl
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean COP position in the a antero-posterior and b medio-lateral directions for the able-bodied, the observation and pre-brace groups. Asterisks denote significant differences for P < 0.05
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Sway area for the able-bodied, the observation and pre-brace groups. Asterisk denote significant differences for P < 0.05
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Sum of the COP displacements in the a COPAP and b COPML between for the able-bodied, the observation and pre-brace groups. Asterisks denote significant differences for P < 0.05
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Mean distance of the COP between the able-bodied, the observation and pre-brace groups. Asterisk denote significant differences for P < 0.05
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Mean peak of the COP between the able-bodied, the observation and pre-brace groups. Asterisk denote significant differences for P < 0.05
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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