Bioelectric Activity of the Paravertebral Muscles in 1st Degree Scolioses

The objective of this study was to determine the bioelectric activity of the spinal muscles on both sides of the primary curvature, both statically (in a habitual posture) and dynamically (in an active attempt to correct the curvature). The study comprised two groups: one group of 110 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 (mean age 11.5 ± 3.0) with clinical symptoms of scoliosis (as per Cobb) and a control group of 30 children and adolescents (mean age 11.8 ± 2.6), with no symptoms of scoliosis. The analysis of biopotentials employed a four-channel electromyograph “Medicor MG-440” with analogue output, connected to a computer with relevant software. The whole was part of an “EMG-LAB” system, used for analyzing integrated electromyograms. In habitual posture a greater involvement of the muscles on the convex side of the curvature was observed. During active correction, the differences between the biopotentials of the spinal muscles on the right and left side of the curvature were observed to decrease.