Altered head orientation patterns in children with idiopathic scoliosis in conditions with sensory conflict
P. N. Eijgelaar, F. H. Wapstra, E. Otten, A. G. Veldhuizen
November 2014, Volume 23, Issue 12, pp 2626 - 2634 Original Article Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-014-3508-3
First Online: 17 August 2014
Purpose
Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is the most common spinal deformity in adolescents. Defective postural equilibrium may be a contributing factor. The information of the three sensory systems combined enables the formation of a central representation of head position and body posture. Comparison of head angles of girls with and without scoliosis may result in a difference in head orientation.
Methods
25 girls with IS and 16 girls without scoliosis (NS) between the age of 10–16 years stand in a special constructed box on a roll-tilting platform (tilt −14° to +14°).
Results
NS and IS subjects behave quite similarly if there is no sensory conflict, but if there is conflict, the differences between the two groups are greater, especially within the 13- to 14-year-old category.
Conclusions
The differences between groups for different age categories suggest that the process of development of sensory integration for estimation of verticality appears to be different for girls with scoliosis.
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