This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of a 6-week group-based Schroth exercise program on body symmetry, trunk rotation angle (ATR), segmental spinal movement control, body structure and function, activity and participation in AIS and to examine whether the effects can be maintained after 6 weeks after cessation of treatment.
The study was a pretest-posttest single group design with a total of 9 adolescents with AIS aged 12 to 18 years recruited. Participants were grouped according to their scoliosis types and received a 6-week group-based Schroth exercise program, consisting of two 1-hour sessions per week. Outcomes were examined before treatment, at the end of treatment, and 6 weeks after treatment completion. Outcomes examined included the assessment of body symmetry using posture grid wall chart, ATR using inclinometer, segmental spinal movement control using modified pressure biofeedback device while performing segmental spinal movement maneuvers, as well as body structure and function, and activity and participation using WHO ICF-CY AIS checklist.
Participants showed significant improvements in body symmetry and ATR after a 6-week group-based Schroth exercise program and the effects were maintained at 6 weeks after treatment completion. After the Schroth exercise intervention, significant reductions in the deviations from preset target pressure value and significant increases in the percentage of time within the ranges of target pressure were observed while performing segmental spinal movement maneuvers, indicating improved movement control ability in the neck, thoracic, and lumbar spine segments. Besides, most of the effects on segmental spinal movement control were maintained at 6 weeks after treatment completion. Furthermore, the performance of adolescents with AIS on segmental spinal movement maneuvers (the deviations from preset target pressure value and the percentage of time within the ranges of target pressure) were getting closer to adolescents without AIS after treatment. Compliance of participants was very high and most adolescents with AIS indicated that attending group classes made them feel less strange and less lonely.
Six-week group-based Schroth exercise is effective in improving body symmetry, spinal alignment and segmental movement control, as well as activity and participation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and most of these effects can be maintained for at least 6 weeks after treatment.
Group-based treatment may be considered as a promising intervention approach in clinical settings for AIS.
Group Schroth exercise
Effect
