Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on spine joint position sense in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A case report

Abstract

Introduction. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), described as a complex three-dimensional spinal deformity, is thought to affect neurophysiological processes that result in a loss of proprioceptive input. The main purpose of this case study is to investigate the effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on spine joint reposition (JR) sense in a 20-year-old with AIS. Methods/ Case Description. The subject was a 20-year-old college student with moderate dextrothoracic and levolumbar scoliosis. She has structural scoliosis-related impaired posture, as evidenced by findings of impaired JR sensation in all directions, postural deviations, and patient-reported deformity perception using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale. She was seen 4 times a week for 3 weeks. Results: The most recent radiographs analyzed by a radiologist revealed that the curvature of the thoracic spine had decreased from 38° to 32° and the curvature of the lumbar spine had decreased from 26° to 24°. There were also improvements noted in JR sensation, postural deviation, and deformity perception. Discussion: Incorporation of PNF in the patient’s plan of care may have positively contributed to improvement in JR sense of the spine, postural symmetry, and deformity perception. Future studies should examine the other components of proprioception, the effect of PNF in subjects with greater or more severe curvature, and information on joint position perception in healthy subjects.