Evaluation of Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Static Balance Mechanisms in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using fNIRS

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> In this study, the role of oxyhemoglobin (HbO) in subregions of the prefrontal cortex during a static balance task under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions was investigated in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using functional near-infrared spectro...

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Main Authors: Esra Suzen, Kadriye Tombak, Buket Simsek, Omer Halil Colak, Sukru Ozen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Medicina
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/4/667
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author Esra Suzen
Kadriye Tombak
Buket Simsek
Omer Halil Colak
Sukru Ozen
author_facet Esra Suzen
Kadriye Tombak
Buket Simsek
Omer Halil Colak
Sukru Ozen
author_sort Esra Suzen
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background and Objectives:</i> In this study, the role of oxyhemoglobin (HbO) in subregions of the prefrontal cortex during a static balance task under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions was investigated in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a powerful neuroimaging tool that enables more natural and flexible measurement in the analysis of balance mechanisms and motor tasks. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Hemodynamic changes in the right and left dorsolateral cortex (DLPFC), frontopolar prefrontal cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex were analyzed in 16 healthy controls and 15 individuals with AIS. The statistical results were supported by HbO contrast maps. <i>Results:</i> Significant differences were found in the cortical activity patterns between the AIS and control groups. The AIS group had lower HbO concentrations than the control group in the eyes-closed condition and completely differed from the control group by showing more active HbO concentrations in the DLPFC regions than in the frontopolar regions. In the eyes-open condition, it was found that the maximum HbO value was reached in the frontopolar regions, and this value was weakened and observed throughout the left frontopolar region. Discriminative differences were also found in the orbitofrontal region in the eyes-closed static balance condition. <i>Conclusions:</i> The results obtained were evaluated and discussed in terms of postural balance compensation, differences in neural pathways, and the conscious balance mechanism. It was determined that the AIS group tended to utilize a conscious balance mechanism in the eyes-closed static balance condition and developed its own balance compensation mechanism in the eyes-open static balance condition. This study concludes that fNIRS is a powerful tool in the evaluation of balance and control mechanisms and can be used effectively in the evaluation of rehabilitation-oriented development in AIS.
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spelling doaj-art-2be92b32dc6c43a287bc694ced45e9352025-08-20T02:28:15ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-04-0161466710.3390/medicina61040667Evaluation of Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Static Balance Mechanisms in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using fNIRSEsra Suzen0Kadriye Tombak1Buket Simsek2Omer Halil Colak3Sukru Ozen4NeuroscienceLab, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07058, TurkeyDepartment of Physical Therapy, Vocational School of Health Services, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07058, TurkeyNeuroscienceLab, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07058, TurkeyNeuroscienceLab, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07058, TurkeyNeuroscienceLab, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07058, Turkey<i>Background and Objectives:</i> In this study, the role of oxyhemoglobin (HbO) in subregions of the prefrontal cortex during a static balance task under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions was investigated in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a powerful neuroimaging tool that enables more natural and flexible measurement in the analysis of balance mechanisms and motor tasks. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Hemodynamic changes in the right and left dorsolateral cortex (DLPFC), frontopolar prefrontal cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex were analyzed in 16 healthy controls and 15 individuals with AIS. The statistical results were supported by HbO contrast maps. <i>Results:</i> Significant differences were found in the cortical activity patterns between the AIS and control groups. The AIS group had lower HbO concentrations than the control group in the eyes-closed condition and completely differed from the control group by showing more active HbO concentrations in the DLPFC regions than in the frontopolar regions. In the eyes-open condition, it was found that the maximum HbO value was reached in the frontopolar regions, and this value was weakened and observed throughout the left frontopolar region. Discriminative differences were also found in the orbitofrontal region in the eyes-closed static balance condition. <i>Conclusions:</i> The results obtained were evaluated and discussed in terms of postural balance compensation, differences in neural pathways, and the conscious balance mechanism. It was determined that the AIS group tended to utilize a conscious balance mechanism in the eyes-closed static balance condition and developed its own balance compensation mechanism in the eyes-open static balance condition. This study concludes that fNIRS is a powerful tool in the evaluation of balance and control mechanisms and can be used effectively in the evaluation of rehabilitation-oriented development in AIS.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/4/667adolescent idiopathic scoliosisfunctional near-infrared spectroscopypostural controlbrain activationprefrontal cortex activityoxyhemoglobin
spellingShingle Esra Suzen
Kadriye Tombak
Buket Simsek
Omer Halil Colak
Sukru Ozen
Evaluation of Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Static Balance Mechanisms in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using fNIRS
Medicina
adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
functional near-infrared spectroscopy
postural control
brain activation
prefrontal cortex activity
oxyhemoglobin
title Evaluation of Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Static Balance Mechanisms in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using fNIRS
title_full Evaluation of Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Static Balance Mechanisms in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using fNIRS
title_fullStr Evaluation of Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Static Balance Mechanisms in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using fNIRS
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Static Balance Mechanisms in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using fNIRS
title_short Evaluation of Prefrontal Cortex Activation and Static Balance Mechanisms in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using fNIRS
title_sort evaluation of prefrontal cortex activation and static balance mechanisms in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using fnirs
topic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
functional near-infrared spectroscopy
postural control
brain activation
prefrontal cortex activity
oxyhemoglobin
url https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/4/667
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