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CompletedNCT06500806Updated Aug 6, 2024

Impact of Long-Term Schroth Exercises on Scoliosis Severity and Quality of Life in Braced AIS Individuals

An interventional study of Scroth and brace and Brace in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, sponsored by International Hellenic University. Completed at 1 site in Greece. Open to participants aged 10 Years to 17 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-08-06.

Sponsored by International Hellenic University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 1 year 6 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jan 2023, registered Jul 2024).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
80
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
10 Years to 17 Years
Sex
All
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Study summary

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) affects individuals aged 10 to 18, leading to spinal deformity and vertebral rotation. The Schroth exercise method, combined with brace usage, has shown promise in reducing the Cobb angle and preventing further deformity. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a 12-month supervised Schroth exercise program on scoliosis severity and quality of life in adolescents with AIS. Eighty adolescents, aged 10 to 17, were divided into two groups: one group received Schroth exercises along with bracing, while the control group used only a brace. Measurements included the Cobb angle, Angle Trunk Rotation (ATR), and quality of life using the SRS-22 questionnaire, assessed at the start, after 12 months, and 18 months. Analysis used Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA), with p \< 0.05 as the significance level. We expect that the addition of Schroth exercises to a 12-month bracing program will significantly improve scoliosis severity and quality of life.

Read the detailed description

Background: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) affects individuals aged 10 to 18 and is characterized by spinal deformity in the frontal plane, three-dimensional distortion of the spine, and vertebral rotation. Exercises based on the Schroth method, along with the use of a brace, have been shown to reduce the Cobb angle and may prevent further spinal deformity.

Objective: This clinical study aims to investigate the impact of a 12-month supervised Schroth exercise program on the severity of scoliosis and the quality of life in adolescents diagnosed with AIS.

Method: In this study, 80 adolescents aged 10 to 17 with AIS who are prescribed a brace are divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group participates in a supervised Schroth exercise regimen three times weekly for a year, in addition to wearing a brace. The control group uses only the brace. Measurements include the Cobb angle of the main curve, the sum of the curves via Surgimap 2.3.2.1 software, the Angle Trunk Rotation (ATR) with a scoliometer, and quality of life assessed through the SRS-22 questionnaire. These assessments are conducted at the start, after one year (12th month), and six months post-intervention (18th month). The data are analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA), with statistical significance set at p \< 0.05.

Expected Results: Previous studies indicate that Schroth exercises can reduce the Cobb angle and ATR in adolescents with AIS and slow the progression of spinal deformity. However, few studies have investigated the effects of Schroth exercises for periods longer than six months. It is anticipated that incorporating Schroth exercises into a 12-month brace treatment program will significantly improve both the severity of scoliosis and the quality of life for the participants.

02

Conditions studied

  • Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

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Keywords

  • Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
  • Schroth exercises
  • Conservative treatment
  • Physiotherapy
03

In context

Scoliosis

594 studies on the registry are indexed under Scoliosis; 139 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 80 is above the median of 44 across 344 interventional studies indexed under Scoliosis.

Browse Scoliosis studies →

Lead sponsor

International Hellenic University is the lead sponsor of 18 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
10 Years to 17 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)
  • Aged 10 to 17 years, inclusive of both genders
  • Cobb angle between 10° and 45°
  • Risser grade between 0 and 3
  • Prescribed a scoliosis brace
  • Written consent from their legal guardian for participation
  • Ability to attend Schroth exercise sessions for one year

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any contraindication for exercise
  • Scheduled surgery for scoliosis treatment
  • Diagnosed intellectual disabilities (e.g., intellectual disability, autism)
  • Diagnosed neurological or rheumatic conditions
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Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
80 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Scroth and brace Group

    Participants allocated to this group will receive bracing and Schroth exercises for 12 months

    Other: Scroth and brace

  • Active comparator
    Brace group

    Participants in this group will follow brace treatment.

    Device: Brace

Interventions

  • OtherScroth and brace

    Participants in this group will wear a brace and follow a 12-month Schroth exercise program three times a week. Sessions will be supervised by a physiotherapist and last 60 minutes, using equipment like foam blocks, exercise balls, and rods. Exercise intensity will gradually increase based on progress. The individualized Schroth exercises will aim to correct spinal deformity and include elongation, rotational correction, stretches, strengthening, and breathing exercises. These exercises will help patients maintain proper posture in daily activities and will be adapted to each participant's abilities, with varying difficulty and positions.

  • DeviceBrace

    Participants in this group will follow only the brace treatment

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in Cobb ankle

    An independent orthopedic physician will measure the Cobb angle using Surgimap 2.3.2.1 software. For each assessment, participants will undergo a radiological examination with a full spinal X-ray taken from an anteroposterior view while standing. The study will evaluate the Cobb angle of the primary curvature (the largest curve) as well as the total sum of the Cobb angles of all identified curves.

    Time frame: Pre-treatment, months: 12, 18

  2. Changes in maximum Ankle Trunk Rotation

    The ATR (Angle of Trunk Rotation) will be measured using a scoliometer. For the ATR measurement, each participant will stand with their feet together in an upright position and perform a forward bend (Adam's forward bend test) until their back is parallel to the ground. The scoliometer will then be placed vertically along the spine at the level where the rib hump appears. In this study, the maximum ATR (ATR maximum) will be recorded.

    Time frame: Pre-treatment, months: 12, 18

  3. Changes in quality of life with SRS - 22 questionnaire

    Participants' quality of life will be evaluated using the Scoliosis Research Society 22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. The SRS-22 is the standard tool for assessing the quality of life in individuals with scoliosis, comprising 22 questions across five categories: functionality (5 questions), pain (5 questions), self-image (5 questions), mental health (5 questions), and treatment satisfaction (2 questions). Responses are rated on a Likert scale from 1 to 5. The overall score is determined by averaging the subcategory scores, ranging from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), with higher scores indicating better quality of life. This study will use the Greek version of the questionnaire. The total SRS-22 score will be used to measure the quality of life. The Greek version has been shown to have high reliability and validity compared to the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36).

    Time frame: Pre-treatment, months: 12, 18

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Study locations

1 site
  • Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences International Hellenic University
    Thessaloníki, Sindos Thessaloníki 57 400, Greece
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References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 6, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06500806
Lead sponsor
International Hellenic University
Responsible party
Dimitrios Lytras (Dimitrios Lytras, Principal Investigator, Senior Lecturer of Physiotherapy, International Hellenic University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 15, 2024
Start date
Jan 2, 2023
Primary completion
Jul 28, 2024
Completion
Jul 28, 2024
Last update
Aug 6, 2024

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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