Effects of Lumbar Stabilization Exercise on Postural Sway of Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis during Quiet Sitting

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on sitting balance of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. [Subjects] Eighteen patients with AIS, mean Cobb angle of 31.4°, participated in this study. [Methods] The Lumbar Trunk Muscle Endurance Test (LTMET) and the Balance Performance Monitor (BPM; SMS Healthcare, Harlow, UK.) were used to measure trunk endurance and postural sway before and after the lumbar stabilization exercise, which was performed for 40 minutes per day, 3 times per week for three weeks. [Results] Sitting balance was improved as determined by the anterior-posterior sway angle, right-left sway angle and sway area under the eyes opened and closed conditions. No correlation was found between sitting balance parameters and trunk flexor endurance after the lumbar stabilization exercise. [Conclusion] The results demonstrate that lumbar stabilization exercise effectively improves sitting balance, suggesting that lumbar stabilization exercise can be clinically used for patients with AIS to improve their postural control when seated.