The effect of ORTO® thoracic lumbosacral orthosis on neurophysiological parameters, muscle strength and posture in children

Abstract

Objective of the work was to produce a comprehensive evaluation of the motor system, spine muscles and posture as effected by orthoses. Material and methods 28 children with scoliosis posture (mean age of 10 ± 0.4 years). Bilateral diagnostic transcranial magnet stimulation of m. abductor hallucis was performed for all the patients to assess latency and amplitude of evoked motor potential, voluntary activity of thoracolumbar muscles (m. latissimus dorsi) recorded at three locations with surface electromyography (EMG) evaluating mean amplitude and frequency of turns of interference pattern and posture in coronal and sagittal planes using optical topography assessing deviations of the spinal axis from the central line, kyphosis and lordosis angles. The studies were carried out prior to the usage of ORTO® orthosis and in 1 to 2 days on completion within 2 weeks during 8 hours daily. Results All children of the second series showed shorter latency in segmental MEPs, increased amplitude, increased amplitude of interference curve and low frequency, less deviations of the spinal axis from the central line, lordosis and kyphosis angles. Conclusions Pediatric application of ORTO® thoracic lumbosacral orthosis to improve posture showed no statistically significant decline in functional activity of the spinal muscles during 2 weeks. The usage of the brace resulted in a typical response in all the cases including better motor nerve conduction at periphery, increase in functional motor neuron activity, i.e. enhancement of neuroplasticity.