Investigating Proprioceptive Impairment in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) (SCOLIO-PROPRIO)
This study aims to understand a condition called scoliosis, where a person's spine curves sideways. Specifically, it's looking at teenagers with severe scoliosis to see if they have difficulty with their body awareness – called proprioception. Researchers want to know if these issues are connected to certain changes in the brain's movement control center, or if they are related to differences in the muscles along the spine. Participants will have one extra brain scan (MRI) that isn't part of their usual care before surgery. The findings could help us better understand why scoliosis happens and lead to new ways to support young people with the condition.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research wants to find out more about why some teenagers get a curved spine, a condition known as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). While we don't fully understand what causes it, one idea is that there might be problems with how the body senses its position in space, a skill called proprioception. Think of proprioception as your body's internal GPS – it helps you know where your arms, legs, and body are without looking.
The study will compare teenagers with severe scoliosis to healthy teenagers. They will use special brain scans, called MRIs, to look at the 'movement control center' of the brain. They want to see if there are any differences in these brain areas in teenagers with scoliosis, and if these differences might be linked to problems with body awareness. They also want to explore if uneven muscles on either side of the spine might play a role in body awareness issues. By understanding these connections, researchers hope to get closer to knowing what causes scoliosis.
Learning more about these links could be really important. If we can show that problems with brain networks and body awareness are connected to scoliosis, it might open the door for new types of physical therapies or exercises to help teenagers manage their condition. The goal is to provide new insights that could eventually lead to better care and support for young people with scoliosis.
Key takeaways
- Researchers are studying teenagers with severe scoliosis.
- They want to see if problems with body awareness (proprioception) are linked to changes in the brain.
- The study involves one extra brain MRI scan before surgery.
- Comparing brain scans of teenagers with scoliosis to healthy ones.
- The findings could help develop better treatments for scoliosis in the future.
- Participation is for teenagers aged 10-18 who are having scoliosis surgery.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for teenagers aged 10 to 18 who have been diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and are planned to have surgery to correct their spine. You shouldn't have any other known brain or nerve conditions to take part.
If you're a teenager considering joining, your parents or guardians would also need to agree. It's important that you and your parents can understand the information about the study, which will be in French.
There are certain reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if you have certain medical implants (like a pacemaker) that aren't safe for an MRI scan, or if you're pregnant. Also, if you get very anxious in small spaces (claustrophobia), the MRI might be difficult. You also need to be willing to be told if the MRI scan shows anything unusual, even if it's not related to your scoliosis.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 10 and 18 years old?
- Have you been diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
- Are you scheduled for spinal fusion surgery (correction of your spine)?
- Are you free of any other known brain or nerve conditions?
- Can you or your parents understand information given in French?
- Do you have any metal implants that wouldn't be safe in an MRI scanner?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, you will have one extra brain scan (MRI) before your scoliosis surgery. This MRI is not part of your usual hospital checks. The scan will be done in a special machine that takes detailed pictures of your brain. On the day after your surgery, you'll also be asked to complete some questionnaires. The researchers will also use information from your regular medical records. We don't have information about how long the MRI or questionnaires will take, or the total duration of your participation in the study, but it will involve these two main activities around your surgery time.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de MarseilleVerified postcodeMarseille, France
Common questions
What is 'proprioception'?
Proprioception is your body's sense of where it is in space. It helps you know the position of your body parts without having to look at them.
What is an MRI scan?
An MRI scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body, in this case, your brain.
Will taking part in this study change my scoliosis treatment?
No, taking part in this study will not change the standard medical care you receive for your scoliosis.
How long will the study participation take?
The study involves one extra MRI scan before your surgery and completing questionnaires after your surgery. The exact time for each of these isn't specified, but it's a short-term involvement around your surgery date.
Is the MRI safe?
Yes, MRI scans are generally very safe. You will be carefully checked for anything that would make an MRI unsafe for you, like certain metal implants.
How to find out more
KAVOUNOUDIAS
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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