Acute Effects of Self-Correction on Spine Deviation and Balance in Adolescent Girls with Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional deformity of spine and trunk with a higher incidence in girls. AIS alters and reduces postural control and balance. Self-correction movement (SCM) is a well-known non-invasive approach to ameliorate spine curve in AIS subjects.

Study design and Participants: We conducted an observational study. A total of 38 girls with AIS were recruited from the Orthopedics Department of the “Città di Pavia” —University Hospital of Pavia during the weekly physiotherapy routine session. The inclusion criteria were the age between 12 to 17 years old, the ability to perform self-elongation exercises and the scoliotic curve with a Cobb angle lower than 40 °.

Procedures: All the measurements were assessed in the afternoon (4–5: 00 or 5–6: 00 pm) in the same clinical setting; specifically, in a room in a clinical context with a constant temperature of 21 ° C. The clinical setting is shown in Figure 2. Participants stood barefoot on the stabilometric platform, in a quiet erect stance, with the uncovered back facing the Spine 3D that was positioned at 110 cm from the subjects.