Correlation between clinical condition of scoliosis and perception of one’s body image by girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to evaluate the subjective impression of trunk deformity in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to compare the results of the Trunk Appearance Perception Scale (TAPS) with the Cobb angle, extra-school physical activity, and scoliosis occurrence in the family.MethodsOverall, 26 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (mean age, 13.5 ± 2.3 years; 100% women) and no prior surgical treatment were included. Each patient completed TAPS and underwent a complete radiographic study of the spine (Cobb angle). Additionally, questions were asked on participation in extracurricular physical activity (yes/no) and scoliosis in the family (parents, siblings – yes/no). A correlation analysis between all variables was performed with chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficient.ResultsThe average TAPS score was 3.4. The patients most often assessed their body deformity between 3 and 4. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between TAPS and the Cobb angle (<i>r</i> = –0.7). Nonsignificant correlation was found between TAPS and extra-school physical activity and scoliosis occurrence in the family.ConclusionsBigger angles of spinal curvature were accompanied by lower values of subjective impression of body posture, determined by TAPS. Patients noticed the distorted posture caused by scoliosis and were aware of changes in their silhouette. We did not find the impact of participation in extra-school physical activity or the occurrence of scoliosis in the family on own body image perception.