The Impact of Core Stabilization Exercise Therapy on Perception of Verticality in Adoescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

Accurate perception of verticality is important in maintenance of upright posture and gait. It is believed that abnormal postural sway present in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) may be related to their perception of body orientation in space. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of core stabilization exercises on perception of verticality which is represented by subjective visual vertical (SVV), subjective postural vertical (SPV) and subjective haptic vertical (SHV) in patients with AIS. METHODS: Twelve female subjects with AIS were included in this study. Mean age was 14,5±1,7 years. The average Cobb angle of the major curve was 28±13° for thoracic and 24±7° for lumbar regions (range: 10°-54°). According to the King-Moe classification, Type I curve was evident in three patients, Type II in seven, Type III in one and Type IV in four. The SVV, SPV and SHV tests were assessed by seating subjects in a chair and instructing them to adjust laser line projections in the directions of vertical, horizontal and at the angles of 30°, 45°, and 60° in a dark room before and after training. The performance, expressed as the deviation from each line (measured in degrees), was calculated by the examiner. Training consists of core stabilization exercises and active self-correction performed two times per week for twelve weeks. RESULTS: In SVV test, accuracy of perception of horizontal, vertical, 30° right, 60° right was improved after treatment (p<0.05). Also in SPV test, better values seemed in vertical, 30° left and 60° left after treatment (p<0.05). In SHP, 45° left was improved (p<0.05). We found no significant difference in other subtests (p>0,05). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that perception of verticality in AIS can be improved with core stabilization exercise therapy.