Investigation of factors affecting cortical changes in idiopathic scoliosis

In the study, to evaluate the cortical activation in the contralateral hemisphere during motor task according to the curve pattern in individuals with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) and to compare the results with healthy individuals. In addition, to determine possible factors (trunk muscle endurance, time-distance characteristics of gait, static-dynamic balance, perception of cosmetic deformity, quality of life) that may be associated with functional changes in the cortex in individuals with IS. A total of fifteen female individuals with IS (15.4±0.68 years) who underwent stratified randomization according to curve pattern, age, and cobb angle, and 5 healthy female individuals (14.6±0.8 years) in a similar age group were included. Individuals with IS were divided into 3 groups according to the curve pattern: primary thoracic (PT Group), primary lumbar (PL group), and double curve (DC group). Cortical activations of all individuals in the contralateral hemisphere during motor task were evaluated bilaterally with FMRI. Scoliosis characteristics, spinal coronal parameters, axial trunk rotation, trunk muscle endurance, time-distance characteristics of gait, static-dynamic balance, cosmetic deformity perception and quality of life results were recorded. As a result of the evaluation, it was found that cortical activation in the contralateral hemisphere during a motor task was similar to that of healthy individuals, regardless of the curve pattern in individuals with scoliosis. Regardless of the curve pattern, trunk flexor and extensor muscle endurance was significantly reduced in IS compared to healthy individuals (p=0.008), left stride length was significantly reduced in the DC group compared to healthy individuals (p=0.008), in the PT group significantly decreased the duration of stance on the left foot compared to other curve patern and healthy individuals (p=0.008), the amount of displacement from dynamic balance parameters was higher in IS compared to healthy individuals (p=0.008), cosmetic deformity perception and quality of life did not change according to the curve pattern (p=0.109, p=0.574, respectively). As a result of the study, it was determined that there was no change in motor task cortical signals in individuals with IS compared to healthy individuals, and cortical activation did not differ according to the curve pattern.