Incidence of curvature progression in idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with scoliosis in-patient rehabilitation (SIR): an age- and sex-matched controlled study

Abstract

The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that physiotherapy-based intervention can reduce incidence of progression in children with IS. Two independent patient groups matched by age and sex at diagnosis were analysed using the outcome parameter, incidence of progression (> or =5 degrees ). One group was untreated and the other received scoliosis in-patient rehabilitation (SIR). Incidence of progression in groups of untreated patients ranged from 1.5-fold (71.2% vs 46.7%) to 2.9-fold (55.8% vs 19.2%) higher than in groups of patients treated with SIR, even when SIR-treated groups included patients with more severe curvatures. Statistically, the differences were highly significant. Efforts to test the hypothesis that physical therapies addressing postural imbalance can be used effectively in the treatment of IS have been limited. The results of this study are consistent with the possibility that a supervized programme of exercise-based therapies can reduce incidence of progression in children with IS.

Efficacy of exercise therapy for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a review of the literature

“…Weiss et al [18,27] reported on two independent patient groups with AIS matched by age and sex and measured the incidence of curve progression (C5°). The treatment group (115 patients) underwent a 4-6 week scoliosis in-patient rehabilitation (SIR) programme followed by at home daily exercises to maintain postural balance and the control group (107 patients) had no treatment.…”

“…None of the studies used standard functional outcome scores. Varied radiographic and clinical parameters were used with only 7 out of 12 studies reporting on changes in the Cobb angle [18,20,25,29,33,34,36]. However, the exact method used to measure the Cobb angle was not described and a nonstandardised method was used in one study [36].…”

“…Previous literature reviews [9,10,14] have included several papers published earlier by the authors of these reviews [5,12,13,[15][16][17][18], clearly indicating the need for a more varied source of data incorporating different population groups. The current study is an un-biased review of literature on the effectiveness of exercise therapy in AIS, and has been performed by independent reviewers not affiliated in any way to rehabilitation centres or exercise therapy treatments.…”

“…It is interesting to note that the senior author of this review was also an author in 2 out of 8 [12,13] additional papers reviewed. Another review from the Asklepios Katharina Schroth Spinal Deformities Rehabilitation Centre in Germany [14] found evidence to support physiotherapy and rehabilitation programmes in AIS and included several papers published earlier by the authors of this review [5,[15][16][17][18].…”

No effect of osteopathic treatment on trunk morphology and spine flexibility in young women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

“…However, bracing as the cornerstone of this strategy remains controversial, as its effect is limited by non-compliance and potential negative psychosocial effects [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Intensive scoliosis-specific rehabilitation regimens might alter the curve's natural history, but these programmes are timeconsuming and lack evidence regarding their effectiveness [10][11][12]. Therefore, patients will often abandon these traditional approaches in favour of so-called ''holistic'' approaches, which are allegedly less harmful and more efficient alternatives.…”