Neuromuscular control of upright posture in adolescents with and without idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of scoliosis, affecting approximately 2 to 3% of the adolescent population. As the name suggests, the aetiology (cause) of this spine disorder is unknown. Between the ages of 10-18 years, the spine curvature can appear and progress quickly, particularly during pubertal growth spurts. For some, if the scoliosis becomes severe, this results in extensive surgical fusion being required to correct and stabilise the spine and prevent further deterioration in adulthood. There is very little good quality data, which interrogates the neuromotor muscular control of people with AIS, and no studies which consider both neuromotor control and back muscle volume and quality in AIS. This project will offer new insight into the relationships between i) bony vertebrae deformation and scoliosis curve severity, ii)  spine muscle volume and quality, and iii) neuromotor control of posture and spine movements in adolescents with and without AIS.

Data is collected at the Laboratory for Motor Control and Pain Research, led by A/Prof Kylie Tucker, at the University of Queensland, St Lucia. The work will contribute to the PhD studies of Ms Phoebe Ng and Ms Phoebe Duncombe.

Two groups are being investigated: Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and adolescents with healthy straight spines.

Data collection sessions take approximately 3 hours and involves a lab testing session (electromyography/EMG, ultrasound) and an MRI at the UQ Centre of Advanced Imaging.