Gait in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Relationship between the curve type, magnitude, type of surgery and the locomotor function in adolescent females with scoliosis: A pre and post-operative assessment
IRAS ID
263573
Contact name
Nachiappan Chockalingam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
March 2018, IPR Approval Staffordshire Univeristy
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Title - Relationship between the curve type, magnitude, type of surgery and the locomotor function in adolescent females with scoliosis: A pre and post-operative assessment
Scoliosis or curvature of the spine is one of the major skeletal diseases in growing children where in the majority of patients the cause is unknown (idiopathic scoliosis). In some cases, there is a gradual worsening of the condition and the appearance of the trunk. Commonly the first indicators of the presence of the condition can include changes in the surface shape of the back, clothing not fitting properly, and hems hanging. After diagnosis, determining if there has been a change in the condition is through routine clinical visits and X-rays of the spine until growth is complete (usually from aged 16 in females and 18 in males). Most patients do not require further treatment, but a small proportion may require treatment including surgery to prevent further worsening and to improve appearance.
A new very low cost, non-invasive, inherently safe depth measuring camera (The Microsoft Kinect) has been launched commercially, that you may very well recognise as a games machine at home. With specially developed software, the camera may also be used to accurately quantify back shape of patients attending routine clinics. The results will be compared to offer a better understanding of the effect of the condition and any treatments on back shape symmetry with the goal of making further improvements in the quality of life of children diagnosed with scoliosis around the world.
Also, motion capture technology can accurately detail human movement, but little is known on how regions of the spine move while walking before and following surgery. If we can establish a relationship between curve characteristics and activities of daily living in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, we can contribute to the development of effective clinical management. We can also use the same technique to compare differences in walking and moving between patients that have had different types of surgery.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0165
Date of REC Opinion
2 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion