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.
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.