An interventional study of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy and Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), Spinal Curvature Abnormalities and Kyphosis, sponsored by Nie danning. Completed at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 13 Years to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-19.
Sponsored by Nie danning · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) combined with spiral muscle chain training in improving spinal function and posture in adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with spinal curvature abnormalities.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does exercise-based intervention improve trunk inclination angle, kyphotic angle, and body balance parameters in adolescents with spinal curvature abnormalities?
Researchers will compare a PNF therapy group, a spiral muscle chain training group, and a combined PNF plus spiral muscle chain training group to assess differences in trunk inclination angle, kyphotic angle, and spinal mobility outcomes. Body mass index, fat-to-muscle ratio, and other body-composition-related indicators will be analyzed as exploratory post hoc outcomes.
Participants will:
Be assigned to one of three intervention groups: PNF therapy alone, spiral muscle chain training alone, or combined PNF plus spiral muscle chain training.
Participate in supervised exercise training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks.
Undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments, including body composition testing, and electronic spinal measurements.
Participants will:
Be assigned to one of three intervention groups: PNF therapy alone, spiral muscle chain training alone, or combined PNF plus spiral muscle chain training.
Participate in supervised exercise training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks.
Undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments, including body composition testing, and electronic spinal measurements.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants receive proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks. The PNF protocol includes resisted scapular-pelvic patterns, cervical flexion/extension, trunk chopping/lifting patterns, bilateral upper-limb patterns, and bridge exercises (per PNF schedule).
Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy
Participants receive spiral stabilizing muscle chain (SPS) training as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks. The SPS program follows the SPS training schedule (Training 1A-6A, 7C-10C, and stretching component), with planned repetitions/sets and practice time as listed in the protocol schedule.
Behavioral: Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training
Participants receive a combined program consisting of PNF therapy plus SPS spiral muscle chain training as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.
Behavioral: Combined Exercise Therapy
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy is used as an exercise-based intervention to address abnormal spinal curvature in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The PNF program includes resisted scapular-pelvic patterns, cervical flexion and extension, trunk diagonal patterns (chopping and lifting), bilateral upper-limb diagonal patterns, and bridge exercises. Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.
Also known as: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Spiral muscle chain (SPS) training is applied as an exercise-based intervention aimed at improving spinal alignment, postural control, and neuromuscular coordination in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The SPS program consists of spiral stabilization exercises performed with elastic resistance, body positioning control, and stretching components according to a standardized training protocol. Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.
Also known as: Spiral Stabilization Training
The combined intervention integrates proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy and spiral muscle chain (SPS) training as a comprehensive exercise program for children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Participants perform both PNF and SPS exercise components within each training cycle to target spinal alignment, muscle endurance, and neuromuscular activation. Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.
Change in Trunk Tilt Angle (ATI)
Trunk tilt angle (Angle of Trunk Rotation, ATI) measured using an electronic spine assessment device to evaluate changes in spinal asymmetry and trunk alignment.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in Kyphotic Angle (KA)
Kyphotic angle will be measured using an electronic spinal assessment device to evaluate changes in sagittal spinal curvature.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in Body Balance Parameters
Body balance parameters assessed by electronic spine measurement, including head lateral deviation, shoulder asymmetry, and pelvic tilt.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body mass index will be calculated from measured height and weight to evaluate changes in body composition and growth-related physical characteristics after the 12-week exercise intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in Fat-to-Muscle Ratio (FMR)
Fat-to-muscle ratio will be derived from body composition testing to evaluate changes in the relative distribution of fat mass and muscle mass after the 12-week exercise intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in Spinal Mobility
Spinal mobility assessed by electronic spine measurement, including lateral flexion, flexion-extension, and rotational range of motion.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because the study involves minors, and the data include sensitive health information related to spinal posture and neuromuscular function. According to the approved ethics protocol, strict measures are required to protect participants' privacy and confidentiality. Although all data are de-identified, sharing IPD may still pose a potential risk of re-identification. Therefore, IPD will not be made publicly available in order to ensure compliance with ethical requirements and data protection regulations.
This study is completed, as verified in May 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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