title: Siting stability in skeletally mature patients with scoliosis and myelomeningocele.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of sitting stability in skeletally mature patients on their quality of life and general physical function. We also aimed to assess the relationship between sitting balance and the severity of scoliosis or other disorders of individuals with myelomeningocoele.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prospective study enrolled 19 patients with a mean age of 21.4 years (min. 13 years). Patients treated operatively for spinal deformity were excluded from the study. Different aspects of the quality of life were assessed with several questionnaires serving to measure overall quality of life, general physical function, self-perception and self-motivation as well as dysfunction related to spine deformity. Walking ability was assessed according to the Hoffer classification and the level of motor neuron injury was evaluated with the International Myelodysplasia Study Protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis showed that sitting stability assessed by examiners or parents positively correlated with overall quality of life, general physical function, pelvic obliquity measured by Osebold method, and the level of motor spine dysfunction. It was not related to self-perception and self-motivation of patients. There was no statistical correlation between sitting balance and the Cobb angle, walking ability, presence of pressure sores and age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The value of the Cobb angle is not a good indicator of sitting balance in patients with scoliosis and myelomeningocoele. Stabile sitting is related to better overall quality of life and physical function.
authors.affiliation: Transfiguration of Jesus Hospital, Warsaw.
authors.forename: Bartłomiej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bartnicki
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Synder
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kujawa
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stańczak
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sibiński
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult