Dysfunction of vestibular processing: a possible predictor of increase in magnitude of curvature in idiopathic scoliosis
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Abstract
Visual and vestibular processing was studied by ENG measurement of the vestibule-ocular reflex in thirty subjects, aged 9-16 years, with confirmed idiopathic scoliosis. Different aspects of vestibular nystagmus (elicited during and after constant velocity whole body rotation) were compared to the magnitude of curvature. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the durations of per and postrotary nystagmus were the most significant predictors of curvature, and the time constant was the second most significant predictor. Both time constant and duration of nystagmus were found to be inversely related to curvature. A re-test of eleven subjects six months later revealed no significant changes in vestibular processing, inspite of an increase in the magnitude of curvature. It is possible that in these subjects, dysfunction in vestibular processing preceeded the occurrance of the scoliotic curve.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University
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