Contribution of the multifidus muscle for control of upright posture in subjects with spina bifida occulta.
BACKGROUND
The multifidus muscle plays a role in controlling lumbosacral position and postural sway. One of its attachment sites is the exact site of spina bifida occulta (SBO).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of the muscle for postural control in SBO.


METHODS
Cross-sectional cohort.


METHODS
Eighty subjects with SBO (38 in minor; 42 in major) and controls.


METHODS
N/A.


METHODS
Subjects stood upright on a platform at 0 degrees and on an inclined surface (10 degrees and 20 degrees) with feet in plantarflexion/dorsiflexion, together with eyes open and closed. The platform system measured posture to obtain sway area and sway mean for statistics.


RESULTS
Upon sway area/mean, the group differences of major/minor SBO vs. control were all significant. Sway means of minor SBO were lower than those of major SBO at corresponding inclined degrees.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with SBO demonstrated increased sway as compared to controls.
Chang
Shin-Tsu
ST
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, Taiwan.
Ku
Chih-Hung
CH
Hsieh
Ming-Fu
MF
Chen
Liang-Cheng
LC
Chu
Heng-Yi
HY
Chang
Cheng-Chiang
CC
Tsai
Kao-Chung
KC
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult