The influence of thoracolumbosacral orthoses on standing balance in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a pilot study

Abstract

Background and aim: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of thoracolumbosacral orthoses (TLSOs) on antero-posterior (AP) sway, medio-lateral (ML) sway and displacement of the center of pressure (COP) during a longitudinal study in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: Eight females aged between 12 and 14.5 years participated in this study. Evaluations were performed prior to the TLSO intervention as a baseline condition, after 1 month, and after 4 months of orthosis use by assessing balance when standing statically on different surfaces. Results: When standing on both lower limbs on a solid surface there were significant differences in ML sway with the eyes both open and closed, and also in A/P sway but only when standing on a solid surface with the eyes open and also when standing on a foam surface with the eyes closed with TLSO use. When standing on the dominant leg, ML sway significantly improved, but AP sway only improved with a foam base surface with the eyes open. Conclusion: This study demonstrated positive effects of wearing a TLSO in improving quiet standing balance and standing on the dominant lower extremity in subjects with AIS after 4 months of brace use.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Due to a change in body shape such as that caused by scoliosis, human posture changes and spinal deformities affect the position of the center of support, and thus balance ability may change.

• AIS subjects have poor standing stability compared to a healthy matched control group.

• Brace wearing had positive effect in improving quiet standing balance and standing on the dominant lower extremity in subjects with AIS undergoing brace treatment after 4 months of TLSO use.

• Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
• spinal orthosis
• standing balance

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.