Head-neck position sense according to curve type and its effecting factors in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

This study was planned to investigate the head- neck position sense and its effecting factors such as age, range of motion (ROM), neutral head position (NHP), angle of trunk rotation (ATR), curve magnitude, radiologic factors, neck pain and quality of life in subjects diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The study included 94 subjects between 10-16 years. Subjects' curve types were determined as thoracic, lumbar and double major curve according to the classification created by Ponsetti. The Cervical Relocation Test (CRT) defined by Revel was used to evaluate the head and neck position sense. All subjects were evaluated in terms of demographic characteristics (age and gender), ROM, NHP, ATR, curve magnitude (Cobb angle), radiological factors (T1 slope, clavicle angle, neck tilt and head shift), neck pain and quality of life. In our study, there were significant differences between the groups in terms of ATR, scoliosis severity (Cobb angle), T1 slope and clavicle angle (p<0.05), but there were no significant difference in terms of age, ROM, cervical joint position sense, NHP, other radiological parameters (neck tilt and head shift), neck pain and quality of life parameters (p>0.05). Head- neck position sense was found to be associated with NHP, head shift and mental health parameters (p<0.05). According to our results in subjects with AIS, it can be said that head and neck position is not affected by curve type but NHP, head shift and mental health parameters. Long-term follow-up studies should be planned to evaluate the head- neck position sense with minimal curvature or trunk rotation. Key words: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, curve type, cervical region, position sense, cervical relocation test.