{"title":"Pelvic Floor Muscle Activity in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.","authors":"Busra Ilica Genc, Selda Basar, Deniz Oke","doi":"10.1002/pri.70297","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Pelvic floor muscle activity (PFMA) in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate PFMA in patients with AIS without urinary incontinence (UI) and to compare these findings with those of age- and sex-matched healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study evaluated 15 adolescents diagnosed with AIS who did not present with UI, along with 9 healthy controls. Both groups underwent assessments that included quality of life (QoL) assessment using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and the objective measurement of Cobb angles via anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, axial trunk rotation (ATR) via a scoliometer, and PFMA via surface electromyography. Comparisons of QoL scores and objective measurement results between the patient and control groups were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, while correlations among these parameters were analysed using Spearman's correlation coefficient.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Lower physical health (p = 0.017) and total QoL scores (p = 0.037) were observed in the patient group compared with controls. The PFMA scores during the work phase were lower in patients compared with controls (work mean, p = 0.002; maximum voluntary contraction [%MVC], p = 0.005). The work mean score of PFMA negatively correlated with thoracic Cobb angle (r = -0.558, p = 0.020) and ATR (r = -0.569, p = 0.004), and the %MVC score of PFMA negatively correlated with ATR (r = -0.437, p = 0.033). There was no significant correlation between sagittal plane curvatures and PFMA or QoL.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>PFMA was reduced in adolescents with AIS compared with healthy controls. Exploratory analyses suggested negative associations between PFMA and scoliosis severity, particularly thoracic Cobb angle and ATR. These findings suggest a potential relationship between scoliosis-related spinal deformity, trunk asymmetry, and PFMA. Therefore, PFM function may be considered in the comprehensive evaluation and rehabilitation of adolescents with AIS, although confirmation in larger studies is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":47243,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Research International","volume":"31 3","pages":"e70297"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13401622/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Physiotherapy Research International","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.70297","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and purpose: Pelvic floor muscle activity (PFMA) in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate PFMA in patients with AIS without urinary incontinence (UI) and to compare these findings with those of age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 15 adolescents diagnosed with AIS who did not present with UI, along with 9 healthy controls. Both groups underwent assessments that included quality of life (QoL) assessment using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and the objective measurement of Cobb angles via anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, axial trunk rotation (ATR) via a scoliometer, and PFMA via surface electromyography. Comparisons of QoL scores and objective measurement results between the patient and control groups were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, while correlations among these parameters were analysed using Spearman's correlation coefficient.
Results: Lower physical health (p = 0.017) and total QoL scores (p = 0.037) were observed in the patient group compared with controls. The PFMA scores during the work phase were lower in patients compared with controls (work mean, p = 0.002; maximum voluntary contraction [%MVC], p = 0.005). The work mean score of PFMA negatively correlated with thoracic Cobb angle (r = -0.558, p = 0.020) and ATR (r = -0.569, p = 0.004), and the %MVC score of PFMA negatively correlated with ATR (r = -0.437, p = 0.033). There was no significant correlation between sagittal plane curvatures and PFMA or QoL.
Discussion: PFMA was reduced in adolescents with AIS compared with healthy controls. Exploratory analyses suggested negative associations between PFMA and scoliosis severity, particularly thoracic Cobb angle and ATR. These findings suggest a potential relationship between scoliosis-related spinal deformity, trunk asymmetry, and PFMA. Therefore, PFM function may be considered in the comprehensive evaluation and rehabilitation of adolescents with AIS, although confirmation in larger studies is warranted.
期刊介绍:
Physiotherapy Research International is an international peer reviewed journal dedicated to the exchange of knowledge that is directly relevant to specialist areas of physiotherapy theory, practice, and research. Our aim is to promote a high level of scholarship and build on the current evidence base to inform the advancement of the physiotherapy profession. We publish original research on a wide range of topics e.g. Primary research testing new physiotherapy treatments; methodological research; measurement and outcome research and qualitative research of interest to researchers, clinicians and educators. Further, we aim to publish high quality papers that represent the range of cultures and settings where physiotherapy services are delivered. We attract a wide readership from physiotherapists and others working in diverse clinical and academic settings. We aim to promote an international debate amongst the profession about current best evidence based practice. Papers are directed primarily towards the physiotherapy profession, but can be relevant to a wide range of professional groups. The growth of interdisciplinary research is also key to our aims and scope, and we encourage relevant submissions from other professional groups. The journal actively encourages submissions which utilise a breadth of different methodologies and research designs to facilitate addressing key questions related to the physiotherapy practice. PRI seeks to encourage good quality topical debates on a range of relevant issues and promote critical reflection on decision making and implementation of physiotherapy interventions.