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. 2025 Mar;22(1):264-275.
doi: 10.14245/ns.2448938.469. Epub 2025 Mar 31.

Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Si-Jia Li  1   2 , Qing Yue  1   2 , Qian-Jin Liu  1   2 , Yan-Hua Liang  1   2 , Tian-Tian Zhou  1   2 , Xiao-Song Li  2 , Tian-Yang Feng  2 , Tong Zhang  1   2
Affiliations

Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Si-Jia Li et al. Neurospine. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.

Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.

Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.

Keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Balance function; Core muscles; Teenager.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors have nothing to disclose.

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