Outcomes of 12 Weeks of Schroth and Asymmetric Spinal Stabilization Exercises on Cobb Angle, Angle of Trunk Rotation, and Quality of Life in Adolescent Boys with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized-controlled Trial

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

1 Department of Sport Sciences, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran

2 Department of Sports injury and biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and health, university of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

4 Department of Health & Sport Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sport Science & Health, University of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objectives: The available evidence on the efficiency of well-known Schroth's exercises (SE) for 
correcting adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is limited, especially in combination with the asymmetric 
spinal stabilization exercises (ASSE) method. Therefore, we hypothesized that, first, there is no 
difference in the efficiency of the combined exercises (SE+ASSE) and SE alone in improving Cobb 
angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), and quality of life (QoL) in AIS. Second, there is no difference in 
the efficiency of SE and no intervention on corresponding variables in treating AIS.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) consisted of 40 patients with mild AIS (10-18-year-old boys) 
divided into three groups: SE (n=15), SE+ASSE (n=15), and a waitlist control group (n=10). For 12 weeks (three 
days a week), both experimental groups performed SE, the combined group additionally received ASSE, and the 
control group received no intervention. The assessment included Cobb angle (photogrammetry), ATR (Adam’s test), 
and QoL (Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire).
Results: It was found that Cobb angle, ATR, and QoL improved significantly in the combined SE+ASSE group 
(Cobb=16.45° to 9.01°; ATR=4.93° to 1.33°) compared to the SE group (P<.001). In addition, the SE group showed 
significant amelioration in the mentioned variables (Cobb=15.09° to 9.77°; ATR=4.23° to 2.17°) compared to the 
control group (P<.001), whereas the control group remained almost unchanged.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the combination of SE and ASSE provided more benefits than SE 
alone, and the SE results were efficient compared to the no-intervention group regarding the correction of scoliosis 
and related problems. However, patients with moderate to severe scoliosis should also be investigated in longer 
treatment periods in future.
 Level of evidence: I

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 12, Issue 1
January 2024
Pages 26-35

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History

  • Receive Date: 24 April 2023
  • Revise Date: 17 November 2023
  • Accept Date: 02 November 2023

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