title: The influence of thermoplastic thoraco lumbo sacral orthoses on standing balance in subjects with idiopathic scoliosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic scoliosis patients have postural equilibrium problems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess postural control in subjects with idiopathic scoliosis following a 4-month intervention in an unbraced position.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight healthy girls and eight girls with idiopathic scoliosis took part. A Kistler force platform was used with a frequency of 100 Hz for recording data. The center of pressure was recorded in different positions out of brace for scoliosis and healthy subjects. Test conditions were single limb and double limb stance, with eyes open and closed, and foam and rigid surfaces.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data reflected a weak balance of idiopathic scoliosis subjects compared to healthy subjects. After 1 and 4 months of wearing the brace, center of pressure and center of gravity sway increased in the majority of the tests, although there were no significant differences in any of the test conditions (p > 0.05). While the center of pressure sway in medio-lateral direction decreased after 4 months of wearing a brace, in other variables center of pressure and center of gravity sway increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Idiopathic scoliosis patients have weak balance in comparison to healthy subjects. In addition, following a period of 4 months of wearing a brace, balance parameters in the scoliosis subjects did not improve. The results show that we need more follow-up of orthoses wearing in idiopathic scoliosis subjects and suggest more studies at least 1-year follow-up to identify the efficiency of brace wear on balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Scoliosis can alter postural stability and balance performance during quiet standing. Spinal deformity can alter a subject's ability to compensate for postural changes and cause gait deviations. This study investigated balance differences between the healthy and idiopathic scoliosis patients and the results of thoraco lumbo sacral orthosis brace wear. It might provide some new insight into the conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis patients for clinicians and researchers.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Center of Red Crescent Society of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Minoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khanal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran m.arazpour@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mokhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arazpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahramizadeh
authors.affiliation: Loghman Hakim hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samadian
authors.affiliation: IHSCR, Faculty of Health & Social Care, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hutchins
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Reza Vahab
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Kashani
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mardani
authors.affiliation: Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein Vahid
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Tari
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aboutorabi
authors.affiliation: Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.affiliation: Tarbiat Moallem University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Heidar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001915:Braces; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011126:Polypropylenes; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012447:Sacrum; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes
keywords: Spinal orthoses; balance; idiopathic scoliosis