Myotonometric, Static Plantar Pressure, and Stabilometric Assessment in Children and Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Study Protocol

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a 3D structural deformity of the spine that can cause decreased spinal movement, paraspinal muscle weakness, or chronic pain. Our study aims to evaluate biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the paravertebral muscles in adolescents with idiopathic S-type scoliosis, static plantar pressure, and stabilometry at the beginning of a physical exercise program and after 3 months. The myotonometry performed by using MyotonPro will determine five parameters (frequency, stiffness, logarithmic decrement, stress relaxation time, and ratio of relaxation time to deformation time). Measurements will be taken at the level of the left/right middle trapezius, left/right lower trapezius, left/right latissimus dorsi, and left/right lumbar erector muscles. Static pressure assessment and stabilometry (length described by the center of pressure, confidence area, and speed described by the center of pressure) will be determined by a PoData device in different testing positions (eyes open, eyes closed, head rotated to the right/left, head tilted to the right/left, and head in hyperextension). We expect to record a difference between the muscles on the concave side and the convex side in terms of myotonometric parameters, as well as differences between the initial and 3-month assessment. We predict an improvement in stabilometric parameters after the 3-month physical exercise program.