title: Effect of a spinal brace on postural control in different sensory conditions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the positive effects of spinal braces on postural stability, they may constrain movement, resulting in poor balance control in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Therefore, assessment of postural dynamics may aid in designing new less-constraining braces.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The effects of a spinal brace on postural stability and Cobb angle were investigated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen pediatric patients (10 females, three males) with AIS were recruited to participate in the study. Cobb angle was assessed by X-ray analyses, and postural stability was tested by computerized dynamic posturography in braced and unbraced conditions. A polyethylene underarm corrective spinal brace was fabricated for the subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thoracic and lumbar curvature decreased to 18.88 ± 11.73° and 17.70 ± 10.58°, respectively, after bracing (p < 0.05). Lower equilibrium scores were observed in the "eyes closed" condition and higher scores in the "eyes closed with a swaying support" condition; higher composite equilibrium scores were also observed for the sensory organization test (p < 0.05) in the braced condition. Lower scores were observed for the "toes-up adaptation test" in the braced condition (p < 0.05). In the braced condition, the reaction time was slower in the right-backward direction and movement velocity was higher in the right-front direction on the limits of stability test (p < 0.05). Furthermore, lower on-axis velocity during forward/backward dynamic balance control was observed in the braced condition (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wearing a spinal brace improved postural stability in terms of increased proprioception, equilibrium performance, and rhythmic movement ability in patients with AIS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: gozde.gur@hacettepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Gozde
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gur
authors.affiliation: Gata Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Burcu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dilek
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cigdem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ayhan
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuzeylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Simsek
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozgen
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aras
authors.affiliation: Department of Audiology, Voice and Speech Disorders, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Songul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aksoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yakut
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001915:Braces; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception; D011930:Reaction Time; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Brace; Cobb angle; Postural stability; Proprioception