Effects of Schroth Therapy on Cobb Angle and Trunk Rotation in Children and Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity diagnosed during growth and commonly managed through conservative rehabilitation strategies. Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises, including the Schroth method, aim to improve postural alignment, trunk symmetry, and neuromuscular control. This pilot study explored changes in spinal curvature, trunk rotation, and selected anthropometric parameters following a six-month supervised Schroth programme in participants with idiopathic scoliosis. This prospective single-group pilot pre-post study included 15 participants aged 9 to 22 years with idiopathic scoliosis who attended a supervised Schroth programme between January and June 2025 in Târgu Mureș, Romania. One participant was excluded because of incomplete radiographic data, resulting in a final sample of 14 participants. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after the intervention. Outcomes included thoracic and thoracolumbar Cobb angles, thoracic and lumbar trunk rotation measured with a scoliometer, standing height, sitting height, and Risser sign. The mean thoracic Cobb angle decreased from 17.64° to 15.07°, with a small effect size, Cohen’s d = 0.19. The mean thoracolumbar Cobb angle decreased from 28.93° to 23.21°, with a moderate effect size, Cohen’s d = 0.54. Thoracic and lumbar trunk rotation also decreased, with small effect sizes, Cohen’s d = 0.29 and d = 0.34, respectively. None of the observed changes reached statistical significance. In this small pilot sample, six months of supervised Schroth therapy were associated with non-significant within-participant reductions in Cobb angle and trunk rotation. These preliminary findings support the relevance of Schroth-based interventions within conservative pediatric rehabilitation and warrant further investigation in adequately powered controlled studies.