Short-term effects of physical therapy in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A series of case studies

Abstract

Idiopathic scoliosis of the adolescent patient is one of the most common spinal deformities. Current studies on the effectiveness of conservative treatment do not provide sufficient data to confirm its validity, although the available literature proposes a multitude of nonsurgical treatments. Fifteen case studies were observed in a short period of conservative treatment based on the Schroth method combined with the Chêneau brace in order to highlight if stopping the progression of the disease or correcting the Cobb angle can be achieved during a growth period. The Cobb angle was measured at the beginning on the most recent X-ray, and after a period of six months, on a new X-ray. Thus, it was observed the short-term effect of therapeutic protocol. The physiotherapy programme consisted of five Schroth-based exercises, two muscle strength and endurance exercises and one auxiliary manual technique. Frequency was established at six times per week: three times in the rehabilitation clinic under the supervision of a Schroth physiotherapist and three times the patient applied the therapy at home, where each session lasted approximately 60 minutes. Limitations observed in the implementation of the programme were the level of involvement of the patient, the measurement of Cobb angle and the period of the year in which the programme was applied. Following these case studies, we believe that the benefits of this approach can create a basis for a guideline of conservative treatment, but further studies should be done with a higher number of people and with control and placebo groups.