Investigation of Static Balance Differences between Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis and Healthy Age-matched Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study

The aim of this study was to compare postural control between Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and healthy adolescents.

In this cross-sectional study, 20 AIS adolescents with a right thoracic curvature between 10 and 45 degrees and 20 healthy adolescents were matched to compare postural control. Postural control assessments included Center of Pressure (COP) range and COP velocity in the Anteroposterior (AP) and Mediolateral (ML) directions, and the COP sway area in the standing position with opened eyes and closed eyes by the force plate.

This study showed that the postural control variables in AIS adolescents and healthy adolescents in terms of COP range, COP velocity, and COP sway area in standing positions with open and closed eyes were significantly different with those of AIS adolescents being worse than those of healthy adolescents (all p<0.001). The interaction between Group and Condition (eyes open and eyes closed) was not significant for all variables (all p>0.05).

Differences in the postural control measures indicate postural instability in adolescents with AIS compared to healthy adolescents.