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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis | Research

The role of the paraspinal muscles in the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis based on surface electromyography and radiographic analysis

Authors: Yinchuan He, Hongtao Dong, Ming Lei, Jianan Liu, Hongru Xie, Zepei Zhang, Jun Pang, Mengyue Jin, Jian Wang, Ziming Geng, Jing’an Zhang, Gang Li, Qilong Yang, Lin Meng, Jun Miao

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Patients with idiopathic scoliosis commonly present with an imbalance of the paraspinal muscles. However, it is unclear whether this muscle imbalance is an underlying cause or a result of idiopathic scoliosis. This study aimed to investigate the role of paraspinal muscles in the development of idiopathic scoliosis based on surface electromyography (sEMG) and radiographic analyses.

Methods

This was a single-center prospective study of 27 patients with single-curve idiopathic scoliosis. Posteroanterior whole-spine radiographs and sEMG activity of the erector spinae muscles were obtained for all patients in the habitual standing position (HSP), relaxed prone position (RPP), and prone extension position (PEP). The Cobb angle, symmetrical index (SI) of the sEMG activity (convex/concave), and correlation between the two factors were analyzed.

Results

In the total cohort, the mean Cobb angle in the HSP was significantly greater than the mean Cobb angle in the RPP (RPP-Cobb) (p < 0.001), whereas the mean Cobb angle in the PEP (PEP-Cobb) did not differ from the RPP-Cobb. Thirteen patients had a PEP-Cobb that was significantly smaller than their RPP-Cobb (p = 0.007), while 14 patients had a PEP-Cobb that was significantly larger than their RPP-Cobb (p < 0.001). In the total cohort and two subgroups, the SI of sEMG activity at the apex vertebra (AVSI) in the PEP was significantly greater than 1, revealing significant asymmetry, and was also significantly larger than the AVSI in the RPP. In the RPP, the AVSI was close to 1 in the total cohort and two subgroups, revealing no significant asymmetry.

Conclusion

The coronal Cobb angle and the SI of paraspinal muscle activity in AIS patients vary with posture changes. Asymmetrical sEMG activity of the paraspinal muscles may be not an inherent feature of AIS patients, but is evident in the challenging tasks. The potential significance of asymmetric paraspinal muscle activity need to be explored in further research.
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Metadata
Title
The role of the paraspinal muscles in the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis based on surface electromyography and radiographic analysis
Authors
Yinchuan He
Hongtao Dong
Ming Lei
Jianan Liu
Hongru Xie
Zepei Zhang
Jun Pang
Mengyue Jin
Jian Wang
Ziming Geng
Jing’an Zhang
Gang Li
Qilong Yang
Lin Meng
Jun Miao
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07329-w

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