A case-control study on physical activity of teenagers with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

Abstract Background Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis affects 2-3% of all teenagers. It is one of the most common chronic conditions in this age group, but studies on the physical activity (PA) of AIS patients are scarce. The available trials report conflicting findings when comparing the PA of children with AIS to healthy controls. Considering its possible role in the development of AIS and the potential benefits of PA, the topic should be further researched. This study aims to investigate the subject by comparing the physical activity of children with AIS to a group of healthy peers. Methods The study included 80 teenagers (aged 11-18 years) with AIS and 65 healthy age and gender-matched controls from Varna, Bulgaria. Data was collected after receiving informed consent from the parents. Children with chronic conditions (except AIS) were excluded. Information on AIS was taken from the available medical documentation. Data on PA during the last 7 days was collected via a standardized physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (PAQ-A). PAQ-A results vary from 1 (lowest PA) to 5 (highest PA). PAQ-A=2.75 has been found to correspond to the minimum recommended by WHO for this age group - 60mins of daily moderate to vigorous PA. Results None of the participants with AIS reported reduced PA due to impaired or restricted physical functions. The majority of children (78.8%) had mild scoliotic curvatures (Cobb angle 10°-20°). The mean PAQ-A score in AIS cases was 2.59 compared to 2.88 in controls. There was a statistically significant difference in PAQ-A score between the two groups (t = 2.722, p < 0.001). 59% of AIS had a PAQ-A score under 2.75, indicating that they do not meet the minimum PA recommendation by WHO, compared to 31% of the control group. Conclusions Patients with AIS have significantly lower PA than their healthy peers. The majority of children with AIS do not meet the minimum PA recommendations by the WHO. Key messages Our study reveals that children with AIS and mild curvatures have lower PA than their healthy peers despite not reporting impaired or restricted physical functions. Future prospective studies should investigate whether PA plays a role in the etiology of AIS.