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

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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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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Manon S. Allard and Jelémis Soulacroupe, who helped collect and process the clinical data. Financial support was given in part by the Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada.

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Correspondence to Marlene Beaulieu.

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Beaulieu, M., Toulotte, C., Gatto, L. et al. Postural imbalance in non-treated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at different periods of progression. Eur Spine J 18, 38–44 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-008-0831-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-008-0831-6

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