Efficacy of a Three-dimensionally Corrective Exercise Therapy for Scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is one of the most prevalent spinal deformity that may progress sharply during growth. It is recommended that the physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises should be the first step to treat idiopathic scoliosis to prevent/limit progression of the deformity. Three-dimensionally corrective exercise for scoliosis is based the theory of physiotherapeutic scoliosis specific exercises, which focuses on 3-dimension self-correction and consists of two parts:1)outpatient treatment including stretching, three-dimensional self-correction, balance and stability training, combined with manual fascia relaxation therapy, and and breathing training; 2)family rehabilitation: combines self-correcting gymnastics with daily posture management, etc., forming the individual exercise approach for each patient. Nevertheless, the evidence concerning three-dimensionally corrective exercise for scoliosis is inadequate. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the effect of three-dimensionally corrective exercise intervention on the change of Cobb angle, trunk rotation, sagittal profile, lung function, exercise endurance and health related quality-of-life, compared to conventional exercise therapy for patients with mild and moderate AIS. Informed consent will be obtained from each patient and one of their parents prior to inclusion. Eligible subjects will be divided into two groups(experimental group or control group) according to their wishes. Subjects in experimental group will perform three-dimensionally corrective exercise for scoliosis (moderate patients combined with a brace) and those in the control group will receive conventional exercise therapy (moderate patients combined with a brace). Blinded assessments at baseline and immediately post 12-month intervention will include radiographic measurement, trunk rotation, sagittal profile, lung function, exercise endurance and health related quality-of-life.