Lateralization Direction, Strength, and Consistency in Juvenile and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Case Control Pilot Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis that functional laterality features are associated with scoliosis incidence. The study included 59 patients with radiologically confirmed idiopathic scoliosis (mean age 13 years, 41 girls and 18 boys) and 55 controls (mean age 10.5 years, 38 girls and 17 boys). Side dominance was determined by the Lateral Preference Inventory. Direction, strength, and consistency of lateral dominance was obtained. Continuous data were compared by Student’s t-test or U Mann-Whitney test where appropriate. Categorical data were compared by chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test. Groups were significantly different in terms of age (p < 0.001) and dependent variables: height (p < 0.001) and weight (p < 0.001). Lateralization analysis showed some trends, but the results obtained were not statistically significant. Statistical significance of lateralization direction are respectively: for hand (p = 0.364); leg (p = 0.277); eye (p = 0.804); ear (p = 0.938); number of right/left sided participants p = 0.492; p = 0.274; p = 0.387; p = 0.839, and right/mixed/left sided participants p = 0.930; p = 0.233; p = 0.691; p = 0.804. For laterality consistency depending on definition used, p = 0.105; p = 0.108; p = 0.380. The relationship between scoliosis and laterality is not a simple causal relationship and needs further investigation.

Exploring the Association Between Trunk Asymmetry and Dominance Preference

“…However, it must be noted that the spine is influenced by multifaceted mechanical factors. Lateral trunk shifts can precipitate spinal deviation, suggesting that handedness and dominance patterns could contribute to such shifts (25). Persistent postures that favor the dominant side may promote trunk imbalance, potentially leading to asymmetries that require clinical attention to prevent the progression into conditions like scoliosis (26,27).…”

School Scoliosis Screening: The Influence of Dominant Limbs and Gender

“…Most studies conducted to examine the laterality of trunk asymmetry and side dominance have focused on diagnosed adolescents with AIS and on the region that is more prevalent in the spine rather than the side of the spine [11][12][13][14][15]20,21]. However, Arienti et al (2019) [14] found that right-side dominance was associated with a prevalence of 0.43%, 1.01% and 0.87% for right thoracic, right thoracolumbar and left lumbar curves, respectively.…”

“…Laterality in children and adolescents has also been also examined to indicate a significant association of scoliosis-related attributes (curve pattern and convexity) with the direction of hand preference, the strength of the asymmetry direction or side preference consistency [11][12][13][14][15]. Yang and Li (2011) developed a theory with a three-dimensional spring Adolescents 2024, 4 63 model and a hypothesis for the mechanism of left-right handedness.…”

“…Several studies have examined the different parameters that may influence laterality, such as handedness, footedness, earedness and eyedness. However, studies conducted to examine the laterality of trunk asymmetry and side dominance have focused on diagnosed adolescents with AIS and on region prevalence in the spine rather than the side of the spine [11][12][13][14][15]20,21]. Arienti et al (2019) [14] found that right-side dominance is associated with a low prevalence, whereas left dominance is associated with a high prevalence for right thoracic, right thoracolumbar and left lumbar curves [14].…”