Analysis of the prevalence of asymmetry and muscle tone disorders in the first year of life among youth with idiopathic scoliosis: A retrospective case-control study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Stȩpień, Agnieszka^{a; *} | Maślanko, Katarzyna^b | Rekowski, Witold^a | Fabian, Krzysztof^c | Tuz, Jacek^d | Graff, Krzysztof^e

Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland | [b] ORTHOS Functional Rehabilitation Centre, Warsaw, Poland | [c] Regional Children Hospital, Jastrzȩbie Zdrój, Poland | [d] Physiotherapy Practice Jacek Tuz Certified McKenzie Clinic, Tychy, Poland | [e] The Children Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Agnieszka Stȩpień, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, Department of Rehabilitation, Marymoncka 34, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland. E-mail: orthosas@wp.pl.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Not much is known about developmental motor disorders in the first year of life of children diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the occurrence of asymmetry or muscle tone disorders in the first year of life in adolescents with IS and their healthy counterparts. METHODS: The parents of adolescents with IS and without scoliosis completed a survey on the occurrence of asymmetry, abnormal muscle tone, and physiotherapy in their children in the first year of life. Pearson’s chi square test and Cramer’s coefficient were used. RESULTS: The final analysis included 527 surveys completed by parents of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (150) and without scoliosis (377). A significantly higher frequency of asymmetry (p= 0.001) and muscle tone disorders (p= 0.001) was noted in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. The results also revealed a significant association between scoliosis and asymmetry (p= 0.001), as well as muscle tone (p= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Developmental asymmetry or improper muscle tone in the first year of life could be considered a potential factor in the development of scoliosis; however, this hypothesis should be confirmed in future studies. Infants diagnosed with developmental disorders require systematic observation.

Keywords: Idiopathic scoliosis, motor disorders, infant, asymmetry, muscle tone, physiotherapy

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-171075

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 5, pp. 1003-1011, 2022