Abstract
Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional deformity of spine and trunk with a higher incidence in girls. AIS alters and reduces postural control and balance. Self-correction movement (SCM) is a well-known non-invasive approach to ameliorate spine curve in AIS subjects. We aimed to evaluate the effects of SCM on the spine and on the balance of adolescents with AIS with a new non-invasive instrumentation. Methods: A total of 38 girls with AIS were recruited. To evaluate the acute effects of SCM and the oscillations of center of pressure (COP), we used LiDAR technology combined with a stabilometric platform to evaluate both changes in spinal curves and balance at the same time. Two tests were carried out simultaneously using the two instruments: before the execution of SCM, in the spontaneously assumed position of each subject (SP) and after the execution of SCM, during the achieved position (SC). Sway area, COP medio-lateral and antero-posterior directions, eccentricity of the ellipse and vertebral lateral deviation were recorded. The two conditions were compared with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: In general, all measures showed lower values in SC condition (p < 0.05), except the variation along the Y axis. Conclusions: Thanks to objective measured data, the therapists observed real-time changes during the performance of SCM, appreciating its efficacy on curve correction.
Highlights
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is defined as a three-dimensional deformity of spine and trunk with a predominance of sideways deviation on the other movement planes and with higher incidence in girls than in boys [1]
Our results are in line with Dupuis et al that found that Self-correction movement (SCM) improve spine alignment reducing scoliotic curve amplitude [35] and, as recently verified [14], we report that SCM is able to ameliorate the balance control and the treatment of AIS without an invasive approach
Our results indicate that the EE index is significantly better in SC than in SP, highlighting the role of the SCM in postural control and the balance of adolescents with AIS
Summary
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is defined as a three-dimensional deformity of spine and trunk with a predominance of sideways deviation on the other movement planes and with higher incidence in girls than in boys [1]. An early onset of AIS is crucial as a predictor of the prognosis aggravation and to fully meet the primary goal of specific treatments: reduction in progression and improvement of health-related quality of life in adulthood [2,3] To this point, there are different strategies to manage AIS, whereas the most widespread and preferred approach is based on specific physiotherapy exercises able to limit the progression of the curve [4,5] with non-invasive procedures. SCM is performed in three planes: in the frontal plane the correction is performed through the shift of the convexity curve towards the concavity zone, in the horizontals through localized de-rotation of the scoliotic vertebrae and, in the sagittal plane reaching the physiological dorsal kyphosis These analytic exercises need the assistance of a physiotherapist to provide the correct cues, to increase body perception and, in turn, autonomy during SCM within gym practice or daily-living activities [7,8]. Conclusions: Thanks to objective measured data, the therapists observed real-time changes during the performance of SCM, appreciating its efficacy on curve correction
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