The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for scoliosis

Abstract

Background: Scoliosis is a disease that affects all age groups and alters the three-dimensional deviation of the spinal axis. It is diagnosed when Cobb angle presents over 10 degrees and the reasons include aging, traumatic injuries, unknown origin, and disorders of congenital, neurological, musculoskeletal, and connective tissue. Scoliosis treatments are divided into surgical and conservative options. Surgery can correct the curved spine but has associated risks and economic burden. Conservative treatments, particularly bracing, prevent the progression of scoliosis, but still remains potential ingredient of curvation and patients poor compliance. Recent studies reported that various types of acupuncture can improve the curvation and the associated pain. However, there has been no systematic review on this issue. Therefore, this study will review the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture on scoliosis. Methods: Searching randomized controlled trials about the use of acupuncture for scoliosis will be performed using multiple electronic databases, manual search, and contact to authors e-mail if needed. We will select studies by the pre-defined criteria and summarize the data on study participants, interventions, control groups, outcome measurement, adverse events, and risk of bias. The primary outcome will be the Cobb angle, which is objective, and the secondary outcomes are associated with patient-centered indices (pain, functional status, and quality of life), which are subjective and adverse events. We will use Review Manager software (Version 5.3; Copenhagen; The Nordic Cochrane Center, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014) to perform a meta-analysis and Cochrane Collaboration “risk of bias” tools to assess the risk of bias. Results: Our study will investigate the clinical evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture on scoliosis. Conclusion: Our study will be informative to scoliosis patients, clinicians, policy makers, and researchers working with conservative management for scoliosis.

Analysis of Scoliosis-related Medical Services in South Korea Between 2010 and 2018

“…[36][37][38] However, there are concerns about the lack of high-quality studies examining acupuncture's effectiveness on scoliosis. 39,40 Although cupping therapy is effective in reducing overall low back pain, 38,41,42 high-quality studies on cupping therapy for scoliosis are scarce. Multiple studies have confirmed Chuna therapy or combining Chuna therapy with a different therapy is effective in reducing Cobb angle.…”

“…Regarding KM, some studies have reported acupuncture therapy is significantly effective on scoliosis 36–38 . However, there are concerns about the lack of high-quality studies examining acupuncture's effectiveness on scoliosis 39,40 . Although cupping therapy is effective in reducing overall low back pain, 38,41,42 high-quality studies on cupping therapy for scoliosis are scarce.…”

The effect of an exercise intervention on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a network meta-analysis

“…Meanwhile, the role played by exercise interventions in the treatment of scoliosis is becoming more and more important. Exercise intervention measures for AIS include yoga [ 26 , 27 ], pilates [ 28 ], sling exercise [ 29 ], PSSE [ 30 – 32 ], core strength training [ 33 – 37 ], massage [ 39 ], acupuncture [ 40 ], etc. However, there is no empirical comparative study on which of these interventions have the most significant effect.…”

A survey of the clinical practice followed by Korean medicine doctors for scoliosis: Preliminary data for clinical practice guidelines

“…Despite persistent efforts, the existing treatments still have limitations including surgical risks, poor compliance, and negative effects. [5] Therefore, several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been published to reasonably align the treatment with new scientific evidence, provide the latest knowledge, and reflect clinical practices. Among these, the International Scientific Society on Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) published the first guidelines in 2006 [6] and the third guidelines in 2018; [7] these are the most representative in terms of their use and credibility.…”

“…[4] However, the symptoms are similar regardless of the classification and include pain, leg length discrepancy, impaired posture, gait imperfections, and psychological problems, resulting in lower health-related quality of life (QOL). [5] The treatment includes surgical and conservative methods to prevent disease progression and manage the symptoms.…”