Modifiable factors affecting the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Chinese students: insights from a...

Prioritizing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) prevention over treatment is crucial, especially in countries like China where students are heavily focused on academics. Little research combines the educational characteristics of junior and senior high school students in China to explore factors contributing to AIS. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between performance indicators and potential AIS determine differences between junior and senior high school students.

We conducted a general investigation of potential AIS-related indicators in students attending a comprehensive school in the Yunnan Province. In total, 264 junior high school students and 501 senior high school students were surveyed. Both subjective and objective performance indicators as well as additional factors, such as extracurricular activities and schoolbag-related factors, were considered. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed, and all items pertaining to performance and other relevant factors were analyzed.

The proportion of senior high school students with a trunk rotation angle > 7° was higher than that of junior high school students (5.59% vs. 2.27%). Junior high school students were more affected by the weight of their schoolbags than senior high school students (35.98% vs. 27.74%). In contrast, senior high school students had more abnormal postures than junior high school students (28.03% vs. 38.32%). The frequency of extracurricular activities was significantly lower in senior high school students than in junior high school students, particularly among students with a trunk rotation angle of > 5° or > 7°. The questionnaire results indicated that the survey model was suitable. Significant correlations were found between schoolbag-related issues, growth-related concerns, abnormal posture, and abnormal lifestyle. Abnormal lifestyle was found to have a potential impact on abnormal sensations, whereas abnormal pain was influenced by abnormal posture, lifestyle, and sensation.

Our questionnaire captured the distinct attributes of junior and senior high school students in a Chinese province regarding potential Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Junior high school students are more affected by schoolbag weight, while senior high school students exhibit more abnormal postures. The frequency of extracurricular activities shows an inverse relationship with both heavy schoolbag weight and abnormal postures. Increasing the frequency of extracurricular activities and addressing abnormal habits may help prevent the onset of AIS in students experiencing high levels of academic stress.