Objective: Postural stability organizes body orientation in the upright stance and daily activities. Postural stability is affected by the trunk asymmetry and deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The aim of this study was to compare mild and moderate curves in terms of postural stability in patients with AIS.

Material and Methods: Thirty subjects, with right thoracic and left lumbar scoliosis, and in the age range of 13 - 15 years, were included in the study. Fifteen subjects had mild curves (10-20º of Cobb) while the other fifteen had moderate curves (21-45º of Cobb). Postural stability was tested with the Computerized Dynamic Posturography Somatosensorial Organization Test. Inter-group comparisons were performed with Mann-Whitney U test statistics.

Results: Thoracic curve magnitude was 13.46 ± 1.98º and lumbar curve magnitude was 11.8 ± 6.18º for the mild group. For the moderate group, thoracic curve magnitude was 30.6 ± 10.0º and lumbar curve magnitude was 28.1 ± 7.6º. Higher scores were observed in the “eyes open, swayed vision” and “eyes open, swayed vision and swayed support” conditions for the moderate group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for other test conditions between the groups.conclusion: This study demonstrated that patients with moderate curves had better equilibrium reactions and postural stability adaptations when compared to patients with mild curves in AIS

Keywords: Adolescent, Postural balance, Scoliosis