Alterations of postural sway in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Purpose: This study was aimed to compare the postural sway parameters on stabilometer between patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and healthy adolescents. Material and methods: Twenty (age between 10-18) patients (17 girls; 3 boys) who were referred to Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology in Hacettepe University and twenty-eight healthy adolescents in the same age group (18 girls; 10 boys) were included in the study. Postural sway in dominant, nondominant, front and back sides during three conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, and monitor closed) were measured by using a Stabilometer. Results: The mean Cobb angle was 36.4 +/- 16 degrees in patients with AIS. Although there was no statistically significant difference, balance index score was higher in patients with AIS compared to healthy adolescents during eyes open condition. There was no statistical difference between groups (p>0.05) with the exception of significantly different scores during eyes closed trial of stabilometer on dominant side and monitor closed trial on back side (p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference in balance index scores during eyes opened, eyes closed, and monitor closed conditions in patients with AIS and healthy controls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with AIS may develop postural behaviour adaptation due to their postural deviations to compensate postural oscillations. We suggest assessment in postural sway alterations in patients with AIS to understand the mechanism of postural instability during screening process. Further research and comparison with healthy controls is needed to understand the mechanisms of postural behaviour of AIS patients during static and dynamic postural assessments.