The Effect of Scoliosis Angle on Center of Gravity Sway

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of idiopathic scoliosis on the human body by comparing the postural balance of adolescents with and without idiopathic scoliosis, to provide basic data for the optimal desirable growth and development of adolescents. [Subjects] The subjects were 128 adolescents diagnosed with scoliosis on X-ray by orthopedists. The subjects were divided into a 10 to 19 degree group, 20 to 29 degree group, and 30 degree and over group according to the degree of scoliosis. For comparison, 15 normal adolescents without orthopedic injury within the last 6 months were selected as a control group. [Methods] As measurement tools, DK2 525R (Dongkang Medical: Korea) was used to measure the Cobb angle and a multifunktional traininggeraete device (MFT, Germany) was used to measure balance. One-way variance of analysis was conducted in order to examine differences among the four groups in left and right balance, forward and backward balance, and overall postural balance, and when there were differences, they were compared in detail using Duncan’s post-hoc test. [Results] The results of scoliosis angle and body mass index (BMI) showed significant differences between the normal group (NG) and the scoliosis groups (GI, G II, G III), but there were no significant differences among the scoliosis groups. The scoliosis groups showed a significantly lower BMI than that of the normal group. In addition, the results of the left/right and the front/rear balance abilities showed significant differences between the normal group and the scoliosis groups. Furthermore, the results of whole body balance ability were showed significant differences between the normal group and the scoliosis groups.