Effects of 12 weeks postural training con core stability, flexibility and balance in people with idiopathic scoliosis

Aim: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in one of the most complex spine deformity related to many postural and neuromuscular disease. Actually, scoliosis specific exercise is the primary conservative treatment for mild and moderate curves, in conjunction with braces for serious cases. Despite exercise-based therapy has a large diffusion, confusion still exist about kind of training and many different techniques are currently suggested ( Mezieres, Souchard, Sohier, Schrot, Klapp, Seas). The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of 12 weeks training time using SEAS method (Scientific Exercises Approach for Scoliosis) on core stability, balance and flexibility in subjects with AIS. Methods: Thirty four people with diagnosis of AIS were recruited for this study (24 females and 10 males, age between 11 and 17 years).They trained for 12 weeks, 2 times per week, 45 minutes per session following SEAS principles (active spine correction, body stabilization and flexibility). Balance Error Score System (BESS) in 3 different conditions (eyes open - EO, closed – EC, unstable - PAD), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), McGill modified (MG), Sahrmann Test (SAHR), Sit and Reach (SR) and Adam Test (ADAM) were used to asses balance, core stability and flexibility pre and post training. Results: MG significantly improved for prone (p<0.01), quadruped (p<0.01) and right side position (p<0.05) and SAHR mean score increased from 0.7 to 2,5 (p<0.01); BESS improved in 1 leg EC and PAD positions (p<0.01) and EC tandem position (p<0.05), SEBT scores significantly increased for all directions (p<0.03) with exception of anterior right; SR final score improved from 2 to 4 cm (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that SEAS method could be an efficient kind of training to improve postural control and mobility in people with AIS. The spine condition and neuromuscular system could be positively influenced when balance, core stability and flexibility are properly trained. References: Romano M., Minozzi S., Zaina F., Bettany Saltikov J. , Chockalingam N. ,Kotwicki T., Hennes A. , Negrini S.(2013) Exercise for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a cochrane systematic review. Spine vol. 38, (14) :883–893