Impact of sensory reweighting strategies on postural control using the sensory organization test in older adults with and without fall risks.

BACKGROUND: The Sensory Organization Test (SOT), an integral part of computerized dynamic posturography, plays a crucial role in evaluating postural stability under various altered sensory conditions. Despite its importance, there have been noted inconsistencies in the results pertaining to equilibrium and sensory system evaluations. This study aimed to compare four sensory analysis scores and equilibrium indices between older adults with and without fall risks. METHODS: The study included 34 participants identified as being at risk of falls and 42 control subjects. To categorize individuals between the two groups, we performed area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. This classification was based on scores from the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) and the composite scores obtained from the SOT. In addition, we used the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) as well as the level of disability. RESULTS: The fall risk group demonstrated significantly higher TSK scores (39.39 ± 15.24 for control group vs. 54.65 ± 10.70 for fall risk group; t = -5.09, p = 0.001). The groups demonstrated a significant interaction on the equilibrium index (F = 4.59, p = 0.03), which was lower in the fall risk group in Condition 6 with a moving surface and surround and eyes open (t = 2.29, p = 0.01). The fall risk group demonstrated a higher somatosensory score (t = -1.73, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The fall risk group had a lower equilibrium index score in Condition six of the SOT, which was useful for identifying deficits in vestibular function to integrate sensory information under challenging conditions for postural adaptation. This strategy suggested that the fall risk group could compensate for their risk of falls by utilizing more effective somatosensory reweighting strategies compared with the control group.

Postural control and trunk stability on sway parameters in adults with and without chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Postural sway changes often reflect functional impairments in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). However, there is a gap in understanding how these individuals adapt their postural strategies to maintain stability. PURPOSE: This study investigated postural sway distance and velocity, utilizing the center of pressure (COP) and center of gravity (COG), between adults with and without LBP during repeated unilateral standing trials. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects with LBP and 39 control subjects participated in the study. Postural sway ranges, COP/COG sways, and sway velocities (computed by dividing path length by time in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions over 10 s) were analyzed across three unilateral standing trials. RESULTS: A significant group interaction in sway range difference was observed following repeated trials (F = 5.90, p = 0.02). For COG sway range, significant group interactions were demonstrated in both directions (F = 4.28, p = 0.04) and repeated trials (F = 5.79, p = 0.02). The LBP group demonstrated reduced ML sway velocities in the first (5.21 ± 2.43 for the control group, 4.16 ± 2.33 for the LBP group; t = 1.72, p = 0.04) and second (4.87 ± 2.62 for the control group, 3.79 ± 2.22 for the LBP group; t = 1.73, p = 0.04) trials. CONCLUSION: The LBP group demonstrated decreased ML sway velocities to enhance trunk stability in the initial two trials. The COG results emphasized the potential use of trunk strategies in augmenting postural stability and optimizing neuromuscular control during unilateral standing.

Normalized stability time analysis within the boundaries between adults with and without fear of falling.

BACKGROUND: The unilateral stance test, measured by the center of pressure (COP), has been widely used to identify balance deficits. However, there is a critical gap in understanding the specific COP thresholds on postural stability in adults with a fear of falling (FOF). AIMS: To investigate the normalized stability time, which was defined as the ratio of time spent within stability boundaries to the total test duration, under different visual conditions and specific thresholds between adults with and without FOF. METHODS: Twenty-one older adults with FOF and 22 control subjects completed the unilateral limb standing test in eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Normalized stability times were computed based on five pre-determined COP sway range thresholds: 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, and 30 mm. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined the diagnostic accuracy of FOF. There were significant differences in the effects of both visual conditions (F = 46.88, p = 0.001) and threshold settings (F = 119.38, p = 0.001) on stability time between groups. The FOF group significantly reduced normalized stability time at the 10 mm COP threshold under eyes-closed conditions (t = - 1.95, p = 0.03). DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the heightened sensitivity of the 10 mm COP threshold in identifying group variances in postural stability when eyes are closed. Moreover, the FOF group displayed a marked reduction in stability duration based on visual scenarios and normalized thresholds. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the need to account for both COP boundaries and visual conditions in adults with FOF. When assessing postural control during unilateral stances, clinicians must also give attention to non-visual cues.

Compensatory latency time delays during consecutive perturbations in older adults with and without kinesiophobia.

BACKGROUND: Fear of movement has been related to lower limb activation patterns in older adults. However, insight into consecutive perturbations on stepping strategy while considering fall-related confidence is unknown. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there latency time delays following three consecutive slip perturbations between subjects with and without kinesiophobia when considering limb dominance and fall efficacy differences? METHODS: There were 15 older adults with kinesiophobia and 15 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control subjects. The subjects stood on the platform during three consecutive perturbations (250, 300, and 400 msec excursions), which were produced by a Bertec device. The subjects completed questionnaires to evaluate the psychological features of their fall-related fear (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia: TSK) as well as the modified fall efficacy scale (FES). The latency times (msec) measured the time it took for a subject to respond to a translation. RESULTS: Overall, the results of the FES demonstrated a moderate negative association with the TSK (r = -0.52, p = 0.004). There was a significant group difference for the FES (t = 2.78, p = 0.01). The FES demonstrated significant positive correlation coefficients (ranging from 0.40 to 0.51) and significant negative correlation coefficients (ranging from -0.41 to -0.61), except for the slow perturbations. The groups demonstrated a significant interaction on consecutive latency times and limb side (F = 5.84, p = 0.02). The latency time during the fast perturbations on the dominant limb (F = 5.53, p = 0.02) was significantly shorter in the kinesiophobia group. SIGNIFICANCE: The control group demonstrated confidence during fall-related activities, but the latency times were significantly different between groups when considering the dominant limb following repeated slip perturbations. The kinesiophobia group demonstrated shorter latency times on the dominant limb to protect against potential fall-risks from perturbations. The group interactions on limb side and consecutive perturbations need to be considered with fall-related confidence and improved standing balance in older adults with kinesiophobia.

Postural adaptations within normalized stability between older adults with and without chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Adaptations of dynamic balance performance are related to sway excursions in older adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). However, there is a lack of understanding on postural control within different thresholds of radius from the center of pressure (COP). PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the normalized stability based on the time-in-boundary (TIB) during repeated unilateral limb standing trials between subjects with and without chronic LBP. METHODS: There were 26 older adults with LBP and 39 control subjects who completed three trials of repeated unilateral limb standing on a force plat. RESULTS: The TIB based on the seven thresholds was analyzed, and the groups demonstrated a significant interaction on thresholds for TIB (F = 8.76, p = 0.01). The TIB was significantly different in the 10 mm (F = 4.01, p = 0.04), 15 mm (F = 5.21, p = 0.03), and 20 mm (F = 4.48, p = 0.04) radius of thresholds only in the second trial. However, there was no group difference on TIB at the first and third trials due to potential compensatory and/or adaptive reactions to avoid fall risks. CONCLUSION: The LBP group lacked postural stability within the thresholds less than a 20 mm radius at the second trial of unilateral standing. The significant group interaction with the thresholds indicates an adaptation strategy on sway thresholds. This postural reaction from repeated trials should be considered with sway excursion adjustments and fall prevention in older adults with LB.

Effectiveness of virtual reality-based balance and gait in older adults with fear of movement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) training and functional mobility in older adults with fear of movement. TYPE: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. METHODOLOGY: An electronic search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Medline, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and CINAHL. A data search from January 2015 to December 2022 and a manual electronic literature search were conducted to identify published RCTs. The effectiveness of VR-based balance training for balance and gait was evaluated in older adults with a fear of movement, which was measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES). Three reviewers independently performed the study selection, and the quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The reporting was based on the new Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Guidelines. SYNTHESIS: The search product produced 345 results, from which 23 full text articles were studied. Seven RCTs of good methodological quality, including 265 participants, were included in the review. Overall, the studies reported that VR had a significant improvement on the TUG (Cohen's d = -0.91 [-1.38; -0.44], p = 0.001), while the FES was not significantly different (Cohen's d = -0.54 [-1.80; 0.71] p = 0.40). The average for PEDro scores (6.14) was good, and the risk of bias revealed that more than one-third of the studies correctly described the random sequence generation and allocation concealment procedures. CONCLUSION: VR-based training is effective on balance or gait training based on the TUG; however, there were mixed results to improve FES scores following VR intervention. These inconsistent results might be limited due to variations in the studies, including heterogeneous training paradigms, sensitive outcome measures, small sample sizes, and short intervention durations, which limit the validity of our findings. Future investigations should compare different VR protocols to help establish better guidelines for clinicians.

Delayed response in rectus abdominis muscle following a step perturbation in subjects with and without recurrent low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Delayed trunk and lower limb muscle activation is associated with balance loss and fall injuries in subjects with recurrent low back pain (LBP). PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare differences in the onset of muscle contractions of the trunk and lower limb muscles following a treadmill-induced step perturbation between subjects with and without LBP. METHODS: Eighty-three right limb dominant individuals (43 subjects with LBP and 40 control subjects) were exposed to the perturbation (0.31 m/s velocity for 0.2 m). The electromyography (EMG) reaction times were analyzed during the first step following the perturbation. The EMG electrodes were placed on both sides of the trunk and lower limbs, including the rectus abdominis (RA), erector spinae (ES), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GA) muscles. RESULTS: The group x muscle interaction was statistically significant (F = 9.44, p = 0.003). The TA muscle activation was significantly delayed compared to the RA, ES, and GA. There was a significant interaction on side x muscle (F = 4.14, p = 0.04). The RA muscles were significantly delayed on the non-dominant (t = - 3.35, p = 0.001) and dominant (t = - 2.53, p = 0.01) sides in the LBP group. CONCLUSION: The LBP group demonstrated a delayed reaction time on the RA muscles, which indicated poor trunk control relative to the lower limbs. The delayed bilateral RA muscle might indicate possible coordination problems relative to the ES and lower limb muscles, which may lead to potential fall hazards.

Spontaneous Hematomyelia Associated with the Use of Non-vitamin K Antagonist.

Vitamin K antagonists have been frequently prescribed as anticoagulants with the potential side effect of spontaneous hematomyelia with a poor prognosis. However, to our knowledge, there has been no report of spontaneous hematomyelia combined with the use of a non-vitamin K antagonist. A 63-year-old man presented with left leg weakness, impaired sensation, and urinary retention while taking rivaroxaban (non-vitamin K antagonist) for 4 months for atrial fibrillation. Anticoagulant agents were discontinued. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was administered without surgical hematoma evacuation. Three months after the initial development of the hematomyelia, the symptoms improved to grade 5 for both lower extremities, and there was complete recovery in sensory and urinary functions. This might be the first description of a complete recovery of neurologic deficits without hematoma evacuation in spontaneous hematomyelia patients caused by non-vitamin K antagonist therapy.

The dynamic postural steadiness and stabilization time between older adults with and without recurrent low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Although postural control measures were reported to identify neuromuscular impairments, postural steadiness and stabilization time were not carefully investigated between subjects with and without recurrent low back pain (LBP). Research QuestionAre there group differences in the stabilization time, direction of sway, and dynamic postural steadiness index (DPSI) during one-leg standing? METHODS: Thirty-four control subjects and 29 subjects with recurrent LBP participated in the study. Each subject stood upright on a single leg with and without visual input. The outcomes were measured for standing duration (sec), direction of sway, and the DPSI, which included the vertical steadiness index (VSI). The VSI assesses fluctuations to standardize the vertical ground reaction forces on the force plate. RESULTS: The control group demonstrated significantly longer standing duration compared to the LBP group during the eyes-open condition (t = 3.55, p = 0.001). The LBP group demonstrated significantly faster stabilization time (t = 2.53, p = 0.01) in the sagittal plane. The DPSI demonstrated an excellent relationship with the VSI without visual input in the control group (r = 0.98, p = 0.001). The directions of sway demonstrated a significant interaction between groups (F = 9.29, p = 0.004). SIGNIFICANCE: Although standing duration in the eyes-open condition decreased in the LBP group, a faster stabilization time in the sagittal plane was evident compared to the control group to adapt postural stability. These results indicated that vertical dynamic steadiness with visual input might be important to enhance compensatory postural control.

Ankle reaction times with tray usage following a slip perturbation between subjects with and without chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal stepping strategies have been associated with handheld tasks in subjects with chronic low back pain (LBP). However, the dominant ankle reactions of subjects with LBP remain unclear following a perturbation during handheld tasks. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there differences in the reaction times of the ankle muscles during handheld tasks between subjects with and without LBP following a treadmill-induced slip perturbation? METHODS: Thirty-seven right limb dominant subjects with LBP and 37 subjects without LBP participated in the study. Each subject was introduced to a slip perturbation (1.37 m/sec velocity for 8.22 cm) with and without a handheld tray in random order. Subjects were allowed to recover by stepping forward for a 0.12 s duration while bilateral tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius (GA) muscle reaction times were measured by electromyography (EMG). RESULTS: The EMG results indicated that the groups demonstrated significant interactions on the limb sides and muscles (F = 4.86, p = 0.03). The dominant TA reaction time was significantly faster in the LBP group (t = 2.14, p = 0.03) while holding a tray. SIGNIFICANCE: The LBP group demonstrated faster reaction times on the dominant TA muscles during perturbations. Clinicians need to consider dominance-dependent compensatory ankle dorsiflexion strategies in LBP patients to help enhance dynamic balance and control.

The progression of the vertebral body bruise associated with a spinal fracture.

BACKGROUND: Advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have made it possible to find the vertebral body bruise (VBB), which was not found in computed tomography (CT) after trauma. There has been only one study with adult patients about whether traumatic VBB will cause a collapse of the vertebral body or not. The purpose is to elucidate the progression of VBB in non-osteoporotic adult patients and to identify the possible factors influencing the progression. METHOD: The VBB was defined on MRI as band-like or diffuse zones of high signal intensity on T2-weighted sequences without fracture of the cortex based on CT. The study population with traumatic VBB associated with non-osteoporotic spinal fracture was composed of 15 females and 21 males. The minimal follow-up period was 6 months. The ratio of anterior to posterior heights of the VBB, the ratio of anterior heights of the VBB to the average of those of cranial and caudal adjacent vertebral bodies, the anterior wedge angle of the VBB, and the focal angle around the VBB were compared between the initial and final visits. We evaluated the age of the patients, the C2 plumb line distance, the regional location of VBB, the etiology of VBB, and the treatment methods of the fractures as possible risk factors influencing the progression. RESULTS: There was no difference in the ratios and angles between the initial and final visits. The differences in the ratios and angles between the initial and final visits were not dependent on the possible risk factors. The anterior superior area is the most common in the distribution of VBB. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike compression fractures, the vertebral body with traumatic VBB found in adult patients with non-osteoporotic spinal fractures of AO classification A or B types did not develop collapse. In clinical practice, it is reasonable to diagnose it as a spinal fracture rather than a VBB if the collapse of a possible VBB occurs.

Asymmetrical thoracic-lumbar coordination during trunk rotation between adolescents with and without thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. PURPOSE: To compare thoracic-lumbar kinematic changes and coordination based on coupling angles (CAs) in two different directions of trunk rotation between adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and control subjects. Altered three-dimensional (3D) deviations are often apparent in AIS groups during functional activities, such as gait. However, there is a lack of consistent evidence on coordinated motions during different directions of trunk rotation. METHODS: This study included 14 AIS and 17 age-matched control subjects who were all right limb dominant. A motion capture system was utilized to analyze the spinal segment motions. The outcome measures included range of motion (ROM) at the first thoracic (T1), seventh thoracic (T7), and first lumbar (L1) spinous processes as well as the sacral tubercle (S1). The CAs compared in-phase (rotation from right to left) and anti-phase (rotation from left to right) trunk rotations. RESULTS: Although there was no significant association with the spinal segments in the control group, the Cobb angle demonstrated significant positive correlations with anti-phase at T7 and L1 as well as in-phase at L1. Regarding the CAs, the groups demonstrated a significant interaction with both phases (F = 4.7, p = 0.04). The AIS group demonstrated positive correlations with ROM during in-phase at L1 and anti-phase at T7 and L1. CONCLUSION: The coordination based on the CAs of the lumbar spine relative to the thoracic spine significantly decreased during left to right trunk rotation in the AIS group. These results indicated that the AIS group demonstrated directional dissociation toward the dominant side of lumbar rotation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Comparison of kinematic similarity index during gait between adults with and without nonspecific chronic neck pain.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with nonspecific chronic neck pain (NP) walk with a stiffer spine. However, there is a lack of understanding on kinematic similarities on the limbs during gait between individuals with and without NP. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there differences in gait parameters and the kinematic similarity index (SI) between individuals with and without NP? METHODS: Eighteen individuals with NP and 17 controls participated in this study. A three-dimensional motion capture system and two force plates were utilized to measure kinematic changes of the upper and lower limbs during gait. The gait parameters included cadence, speed, stride length, and step width. The SI calculations were compared based on the response vectors from the NP group and the prototype response vectors from the control participants. The SI values at 5% intervals of the entire gait cycle were compared between groups. RESULTS: Although the gait parameters were not significantly different between groups, the SI values of the control group were significantly higher than the NP group during gait (0.98 ± 0.02 vs. 0.95 ± 0.03), especially at the midstance (10-30 %) and swing (80-90 %) phases. Also, the standard deviation of the SI decreased in the control group when compared to the NP group (0.02 ± 0.01 vs. 0.04 ± 0.02). SIGNIFICANCE: The SI was a useful measure to differentiate similarities between groups in the gait cycle at specific phases. These results indicated that the NP group demonstrated a greater variation of walking patterns during the midstance and swing phases and displayed altered compensatory gait. Clinicians need to consider the similarities of the kinematic changes for the NP group to aid in detection of limb motion differences and the resulting gait dysfunction.

An Accelerated Modular-Orthogonal Ni-Catalyzed Methodology to Symmetric and Nonsymmetric Constitutional Isomeric AB2 to AB9 Dendrons Exhibiting Unprecedented Self-Organizing Principles.

Five libraries of natural and synthetic phenolic acids containing five AB3, ten constitutional isomeric AB2, one AB4, and one AB5 were previously synthesized and reported by our laboratory in 5 to 11 steps. They were employed to construct seven libraries of self-assembling dendrons, by divergent generational, deconstruction, and combined approaches, enabling the discovery of a diversity of supramolecular assemblies including Frank-Kasper phases, soft quasicrystals, and complex helical organizations, some undergoing deracemization in the crystal state. However, higher substitution patterns within a single dendron were not accessible. Here we report three libraries consisting of 30 symmetric and nonsymmetric constitutional isomeric phenolic acids with unprecedented sequenced patterns, including two AB2, three AB3, eight AB4, five AB5, six AB6, three AB7, two AB8, and one AB9 synthesized by accelerated modular-orthogonal Ni-catalyzed borylation and cross-coupling. A single etherification step with 4-(n-dodecyloxy)benzyl chloride transformed all these phenolic acids, of interest also for other applications, into self-assembling dendrons. Despite this synthetic simplicity, they led to a diversity of unprecedented self-organizing principles: lamellar structures of interest for biological membrane mimics, helical columnar assemblies from rigid-solid angle dendrons forming Tobacco Mosaic Virus-like assemblies, columnar organizations from adaptable-solid angle dendrons forming disordered micellar-like nonhelical columns, columns from supramolecular spheres, five body-centered cubic phases displaying supramolecular orientational memory, rarely encountered in previous libraries forming predominantly Frank-Kasper phases, and two Frank-Kasper phases. Lessons from these self-organizing principles, discovered within a single generation of self-assembling dendrons, may help elaborate design principles for complex helical and nonhelical organizations of synthetic and biological matter.

The reaction times and symmetry indices in the bilateral trunk and limb muscles in control subjects and subjects with low back pain that persisted two months or longer.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the reaction times and symmetry index (SI) of the bilateral trunk and limb muscles between control subjects and subjects with low back pain (LBP) that persisted for two months or longer. METHODS: Fifty-seven right limb dominant subjects (31 healthy control subjects and 26 subjects with LBP) participated in this study. The subjects were exposed to a slip perturbation (0.24 m/sec velocity for 1.20 cm), which caused them to move forward for 0.10 s in standing while holding a tray. The electromyography (EMG) electrodes were placed on the bilateral erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), rectus femoris, hamstring, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, biceps brachii (BB), and triceps brachii muscles. The reaction times were analyzed, and the SI was used to compare the bilateral trunk and limb muscles for the degree of asymmetry between groups. RESULTS: The ES reaction time was significantly delayed in the control group (0.33 ± 0.22 vs. 0.22 ± 0.17; t = 2.25, p = 0.03). The SI of reaction times was significantly different on the RA (t = -2.28, p = 0.03), ES (t = -2.36, p = 0.04), and BB (t = -2.15, p = 0.04) muscles between groups. CONCLUSION: The delayed non-dominant ES reaction time might indicate a freedom of pain recurrence in the control group. Although the asymmetry increased on the RA and BB muscles in the LBP group, it decreased on the ES muscle. The asymmetries on the trunk and BB muscles were evident in the LBP group. The asymmetrical reactions in the arm-trunk muscles need to be considered for rehabilitation strategies.

Gender difference of hip-ankle compensations following a novel trip perturbation in young adults.

BACKGROUND: Women have an increased likelihood of sustaining a fall-related injury compared to men; however, little is known about fall prevention strategies between genders. The purpose of this study was to compare the gender differences in lower limb reactions and three-dimensional recovery patterns following a treadmill-induced trip perturbation. METHODS: Seventy-six participants who are right limb dominant enrolled in the study, which included 41 females (26.15 [9.92] years old) and 35 males (27.11 [9.15] years old). The outcome measures included a three-dimensional (3D) range of motion (ROM) analysis on the bilateral hip, knee, and ankle joints following the trip perturbation at a 0.89 m/s velocity for 0.12 m. This induced trip caused subjects to walk forward for a 0.26 s duration. FINDINGS: The female group demonstrated significantly increased frontal plane ROM in the right hip (t = 2.71, p = 0.01) and left ankle (t = 2.16, p = 0.03) as well as increased sagittal plane ROM in the right (t = 2.07, p = 0.04) and left (t = 2.36, p = 0.02) ankles. There was a significant gender interaction on 3D body region (F = 6.84, p = 0.01) following the perturbation. INTERPRETATION: There was a 3D gender difference on the lower limbs for balance control. The female group demonstrated increased sagittal motion in both ankles following a trip perturbation. In addition, their ROM increased on the dominant hip and non-dominant ankle in the frontal plane, which was compensated by step width for standing stability. Clinicians might want to consider the implications of gender differences on lower limb reaction patterns to help patients avoid potential injuries/falls.

Correction to: Trunk Reaction Time and Kinematic Changes Following Slip Perturbations in Subjects with Recurrent Low Back Pain.

This erratum is to correct the results section on page 490.

Lumbar spine coordination during axial trunk rotation in adolescents with and without right thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex deformity that often leads to loss of coordination and dynamic posture. However, there is a lack of understanding on inter-segmental coordination in AIS. The purpose of this study was to compare spinal range of motion (ROM), as well as the relations to coupling angles (CA) in the spinal region during trunk rotation, between AIS and control subjects. There were 14 subjects with right thoracic AIS and 18 control subjects who participated in the study. All subjects were asked to perform five repeated axial trunk rotations in standing while holding a bar. The outcome measures included ROM at the first thoracic spinous process (T1), the seventh thoracic spinous process (T7), the twelfth thoracic spinous process (T12), and the first sacrum spinous tubercle (S1) by the motion capture system. The CA in each spinal region (trunk, lumbar spine, and lower and upper thoraces) were analyzed while considering age and body mass index (BMI). The Cobb angle demonstrated positive moderate relationships with ROM at T7 (r = 0.62, p = 0.04) and the CA in the upper thorax (r = 0.69, p = 0.02) in the AIS group. There was no CA difference at the spinous processes between groups; however, the lumbar spine ROM significantly decreased in the AIS group (t = 2.40, p = 0.02). The BMI demonstrated moderate relationships on the lumbar spine (r = -0.67, p = 0.02) in the AIS group and the lower thorax (r = 0.59, p = 0.01) in the control group. The lumbar spine was significantly dissociated in the AIS group during trunk rotation, although the Cobb angle demonstrated positive relationships with ROM at T7. Collectively, the inter-segmental CA indicated that the AIS group compensated more independently to the right thoracic convexity. MINI ABSTRACT: The coordinated trunk rotations in the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) group were compared with the control subjects. The lumbar spine motion was dissociated with the thorax in the AIS group and was negatively correlated with body mass index. Clinicians need to consider thorax convexity and dissociated lumbar motion for compensatory and rehabilitation strategies.