Is self-image, in reference to the gravitational vertical, altered in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? A multicenter,...

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is associated with perturbation of orthostatic postural control. In humans, orthostatic postural control is organized around the gravitational vertical (GV). Perception of the GV involves a bottom-up process (central integration of multisensorial information) and a top-down process that uses cognitive mechanisms relying on body image. This study hypothesized that AIS would be associated with an erroneous central representation of verticality. The objective was to demonstrate an altered top-down process of sense of verticality in AIS.

This multicenter, single-blind, case-control study evaluated 63 adolescent girls with AIS divided into two groups (major AIS (n = 31) and minor AIS (n = 32)) and 30 matched non-scoliotic adolescents. Participants scored their perception of trunk appearance in an upright position using a pictographic scale. The outcome measure was the difference between perception score and real trunk deformity.

Participants with major AIS presented with misperception of their trunk appearance in an upright position when compared with those with minor AIS or controls.

Adolescents with major AIS underestimate their trunk deformity in an upright position. This suggests an altered representation of body image, affecting top-down control of sense of verticality.