Effects of a personalized exercise rehabilitation device on dynamic postural balance for scoliotic patients: A feasibility study

Abstract

Scoliosis, which is defined as a 3-dimensional spine deformity, may be caused by new-onset degenerative changes that occur well after skeletal maturity and exhibit an asymmetrical postural balance pattern more common to adult deformity than adolescent scoliosis. The aim of this study was to verify whether an exercise program using a personalized exercise rehabilitation device can influence the dynamic postural balance of scoliotic patients. The personalized exercise rehabilitation device was designed to increase the efficacy of 3D postural correction for different curve patterns. 20 subjects were instructed to perform the personalized exercise program that consists of axial elongation, derotation, deflexion, facilitation and stabilization. The results of this study showed that the differences in clinical variables associated with imbalanced posture between the convex and concave side decreased after performing the personalized exercise. Consequentially, a well-designed and manufactured exercise rehabilitation device could be helpful for improving postural balance. Furthermore, the paper suggests that specific exercises using a personalized exercise rehabilitation device can provide the most appropriate exercise therapy and positively correct the asymmetrical postural balance patterns for scoliotic patients.