Chiropractic Treatments for Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Narrative Review Based on SOSORT Outcome Criteria

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the current body of literature on chiropractic treatment of idiopathic scoliosis against the 2014 consensus paper of the Society on Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Non-Operative Management Committee for outcome reporting in nonoperative treatments. Methods: A search of the PubMed and Index to Chiropractic Literature databases for studies published from January 2000 through February 2016 detailing specific treatments and outcomes for idiopathic scoliosis was conducted. Results: A total of 27 studies that discussed chiropractic scoliosis treatments were identified. Of these, there were 15 case reports, 10 case series, 1 prospective cohort, and 1 randomized clinical trial. Of the 27 studies, only 2 described their outcomes as recommended in the 2014 SOSORT and SRS Non-Operative Management Committee consensus paper. Conclusion: The 2014 SOSORT and SRS Non-Operative Committee consensus paper details the format and types of outcomes they collectively believe are the most important and relevant to the patient. Among the chiropractic studies located in this review, 2 described outcomes consistent with how SOSORT recommends they be reported. Given that these consensus papers form the basis for nonoperative treatment recommendations and outcome reporting, future chiropractic studies should seek to report their outcomes as recommended by these papers. This will allow for better interprofessional collaboration and methodologic comparison. (J Chiropr Med 2017;16:64-71)

Benefits on pain and mental health of manual therapy for idiopathic scoliosis: A meta-analysis

“…The initial Risser stage is important for the research on patients with immature IS. For example, a stable Cobb angle from Risser 0 to Risser 3 may have better therapeutic benefits than a 6°curve correction during Risser 4 ( 13 ). Furthermore, the included studies did not report the number of patients with Cobb change of 6°or more, which was an improved standard in Cobb angles by the SOSORT and SRS.…”

“…Several studies have reported that mean changes in the Cobb angles are less than 6°before and after the intervention ( 22 , 28 , 32 ). In addition, a minimum of 5-year follow-up period for adults with IS was recommended by the SOSORT criteria ( 13 ). There is little evidence of long-term effects of manual therapy on the Cobb angles.…”

Manual therapy for idiopathic scoliosis

“…The previous reviews did not draw reliable conclusion on the effects of manual therapy in the management of IS because it cannot be reliably evaluated the relevant effects due to no enough eligible studies to conduct data synthesis in the meta-analysis. [ 16 – 19 ] In the last decade, however, several new RCTs were published. Therefore, the meta-analysis on the effects of manual therapy for IS could be performed to fill this evidence gap in our review.…”

“…The previous reviews did not draw reliable conclusion on the effects of manual therapy in the management of IS. [ 16 – 19 ] The effects of manual therapy in the management of IS cannot be reliably evaluated because there were no enough eligible studies to conduct data synthesis in the meta-analysis. Most relevant studies were observational case studies or small-scale clinical trials with poor methodology.…”