[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Schroth
exercise on the Cobb’s angle and vital capacity of patients with growing idiopathic
scoliosis, an operative indication. [Subjects] Five idiopathic scoliosis patients with a
Cobb’s angle of the thoracic vertebra of 40 degrees or higher and Risser sign stage 3 or
higher. [Methods] The Schroth exercise was applied 3 times a week for 12 weeks. We
measured the thoracic trunk inclination, Cobb’s angle, and vital capacity before and after
the exercise program. [Results] The thoracic trunk rotation angle decreased from 11.86 ±
3.32° to 4.90 ± 1.91° on average, the thoracic Cobb’s angle decreased from 42.40 ± 7.86°
to 26.0 ± 3.65° on average, and the vital capacity also increased from 2.83 ± 1.23° to
4.04° ± 1.67° on average. All these effects were significant. [Conclusion] The 12-week
Schroth exercise caused significant effects in the thoracic trunk inclination, Cobb’s
angle, and vital capacity. The conservative treatment method was found to be effective
even at a 40 degree or higher Cobb’s angle. In the future, universal exercise approach
methods and preventive training for the treatment of scoliosis should be developed
further.
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