Comparison of two periods of Schroth exercises for improving postural stability indices and Cobb angle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis present postural instability when compared with healthy subjects. Although Schroth exercises therapy (SET) is broadly utilized, its effect on postural stability is still not clear. OBJECTIVES: To compare the two treatment periods of the SET for improving the postural stability indices and Cobb angle, and to examine the correlation between the Cobb angle and stability indices in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: Twenty girls aged 10–16 years with AIS (study group) and 20 age-matched girls without AIS (control group) were examined. The Biodex Balance System was used to evaluate the overall stability index (OSI), anteroposterior index (APSI), and mediolateral stability index (MLSI) in the study group before SET and one and three months after the therapy. A plain X-ray was used to measure the Cobb angle before and three months after SET. Stability indices and Cobb angle were measured only once for the control group. RESULTS: One-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that the three-month duration of SET was the most effective for improving OSI, APSI, and MLSI (p< 0.001). The significant proximities of OSI, APSI, and MLSI to the normal values post three months of SET were 29.65%, 24.07, and 20% respectively. The MLSI was robust and correlated with the Cobb angle (r= 0.85) three months post intervention. CONCLUSION: Stability indices and Cobb angles were highly improved after three months of SET compared to one month among AIS patients. The MLSI is the most substantial index correlated with the Cobb angle.

A scoping review of the different types of exercise programs proposed for the improvement of postural balance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis

“…Radwan, Ibrahim, and Mahmoud also demonstrated the effects of Schroth's exercise for three months on OSI, APSI, and MLSI in patients with AIS [2]. The OSI decreased significantly with each measurement (baseline, one-month and three-months post-intervention).…”

“…Exercise approaches have also been used to improve postural balance and stability in AIS patients. A previous study by Radwan et al demonstrated that scoliosis exercise improved postural stability and Cobb angle in the AIS group compared with the control group [2]. AIS patients who are known to have a posteriorly shifted COP position on the sagittal plane, also have a greater postural instability than typically developed adolescents [30].…”

“…All rights reserved. abnormal sagittal curvature of the spine with a Cobb angle > 10 • [1][2][3]. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is the most common type of scoliosis, is a progressive disease that occurs in children aged 10-16 years [1,3,4].…”

“…Scoliosis treatment options can be divided into surgical or conservative treatments, with the choice depending on the patient's age, risk of disease progression, type of deformity, and quality of life [11,24]. Among, conservative therapies, interventions such as brace, casting, specific scoliosis exercise, and core stabilization exercises have been used to alleviate pain, prevent curvature progression in AIS, and improve quality of life [2,11]. In particular, therapeutic and specific exercises for scoliosis, such as Schroth exercise, pilates, and tai chi, could assist in the stabilization of curves, correct spinal alignment, and increase muscle strength and endurance [2,[25][26][27].…”

“…Among, conservative therapies, interventions such as brace, casting, specific scoliosis exercise, and core stabilization exercises have been used to alleviate pain, prevent curvature progression in AIS, and improve quality of life [2,11]. In particular, therapeutic and specific exercises for scoliosis, such as Schroth exercise, pilates, and tai chi, could assist in the stabilization of curves, correct spinal alignment, and increase muscle strength and endurance [2,[25][26][27]. Exercises are commonly used alone or incorporated with a brace that facilitates self-correction of posture and improves self-awareness of general body alignment [1,28,29].…”