Effects of the Schroth exercise on the Cobb’s angle and vital capacity of patients with idiopathic scoliosis that is an operative indication

Abstract

[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.

H-reflex changes in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: a randomized clinical trial

“…Exercises were effective in the treatment of patients with AIS. Exercise was applied 3 times a week for 12 weeks was found to be effective even at a 40-degree or higher Cobb’s angle 32 ) . Core stabilization training in addition to traditional exercises was effective in the correction of vertebral rotation and reduction of pain in AIS 33 ) .…”

Effect of physical therapy scoliosis specific exercises using breathing pattern on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

“…However, the previous studies did not confirm the trunk rotation or the scalability of the thorax as the exercises progressed. Kim, Hwangbo10 ) also reported a reduction in trunk rotation angle of approximately 58%, from 11.86° to 4.9° and an increase in the breathing volume of about 42%, from 2.83 to 4.04. In the present study, the trunk rotation angle had decreased by about 75% in the upper thorax and about 33% in the lower thorax.…”

Trunk rotation due to persistence of primitive reflexes in early school-age children

“…2,12 There are also many studies about the effectiveness of various kinds of scoliosis treatment. [13][14][15][16][17] Our work contributes to the discussion of what the causes of IS may be. The present study shows that one of the causes of trunk rotation may lie in neurodevelopmental disturbances.…”