Background & Aims:  Scoliosis is linked with asymmetrical compression loads induced by trunk muscles and external loads. The objective of this study was to measure the electrical activity of bilateral erector spinae muscles during the rest in the standing, sitting and lying positions.

Materials & Methods: Ten patients with double curvature (right thoracic and left lumbar) scoliosis and 12 healthy girls participated in this study. The activity of ES muscles at 6th, 10th thoracic and 3rd lumbar vertebral levels was recorded bilaterally in the standing, sitting and lying positions and was presented as percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction

Results: The total muscle activity between the groups was not significant different (P>0.05). In healthy subject, the activity of left and right muscles was similar in all positions (P>0.05). In scoliosis subjects, the muscles activity of the concave side was higher than that of the convex side at 10th thoracic vertebral in the sitting position and at 6th thoracic vertebral in the lying position (P<0.5).

Conclusion: In scoliosis patients, the muscle activity of the concave side was higher at 10th and 6th thoracic vertebral levels during sitting and lying positions respectively. Since the asymmetrical activity was observed only in some of the positions, it does not seem to be inherent characteristic of the scoliotic spine and is due to mechanical condition of the body.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2016: 27(7): 628 ISSN: 1027-3727