Effects of Schroth method physiotherapy on active range of motion of the spine

Abstract

One of the most common spinal deformities of the adolescent is idiopathic scoliosis. Even though the literature proposes a large number of nonsurgical treatments, existing studies for conservative treatment provide insufficient data to validate it. Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises reflect the concept of conservative intervention recognised by the International Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) as effective in this medical condition. Among these exercises, the Schroth method suggests promising outcomes related to the effectiveness of stopping the disease progression and correcting the spinal deformity. An important criterion used is the active range of motion of the spine. Objective methods are required to assess this parameter, given that palpation and mobilisation are too subjective to produce accurate data or to be reproduced. Thus, many authors choose the fingertip-to-floor test to assess the active mobility of the spine. In the present paper, 15 case studies were monitored, and the conservative treatment programme consisted of individualised Schroth-based exercises for the specific functional diagnostic of this method. The programme was performed 3 times per week in the clinic and 3 times per week at the patient’s home. The assessment involved performing the fingertip-to-floor test in the sagittal and frontal planes at the beginning of the therapy and 6 months later. The research results show that Schroth therapy can improve the active range of motion of the spine.