Proprioceptive and vestibular contributions to balance control in subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a cross-sectional clinical study

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a multifactorial spinal deformity, often associated with impaired balance. While postural control depends significantly on sensorimotor integration, the specific roles of proprioceptive and vestibular inputs in AIS are not fully understood....

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

No actionable change for audiology or vestibular practice directly — findings are relevant to physiotherapists and spine specialists, though vestibular assessment may warrant consideration when managing adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis who report balance problems.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Clarifying vestibular contributions to postural dysfunction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis may encourage cross-disciplinary referral pathways involving audiologists and vestibular specialists.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Cross-sectional study examining how proprioception and vestibular function interact to control balance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
02Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is associated with impaired postural control, but the sensory mechanism is not fully understood.
03Vestibular contributions to balance deficits in this population are quantified, relevant to vestibular specialists.
04Cross-sectional design limits causal inference about scoliosis and sensory dysfunction.
05Published in the Journal of Spine Surgery (2026).

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis have impaired postural control compared to peers.

studysupported

Both proprioceptive and vestibular systems contribute to balance deficits in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42996622
DOI: 10.21037/jss-2026-0196.
Journal: Journal of Spine Surgery
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 3
Population: Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis
Intervention: Assessment of proprioceptive and vestibular contributions to balance
Comparator: Healthy control adolescents (assumed from cross-sectional clinical study design)

Primary outcomes

Proprioceptive contribution to balance control; Vestibular contribution to balance control

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