Effectiveness of Different Approaches to Scoliosis-Specific Exercise Methods in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Narrative Review

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can have a significant negative impact on functional ability and quality of life of individuals, prompting considerable interest in its management. Over the recent decades, various approaches to physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercise (PSSE) have been proposed to provide therapeutic benefits for conservative scoliosis management. Schroth from Germany and Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS) from Italy are both well-established concepts and are widely used in clinical practice. Our review aims to examine the current evidence on the efficacy of the two techniques in the treatment of scoliosis severity and quality of life in individuals with AIS. A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases to identify studies assessing the effectiveness of the Schroth or SEAS interventions in AIS management in comparison with other approaches, as well as against each other. Twelve relevant studies that included Schroth or SEAS interventions were found. One study directly compared the effectiveness of the two techniques, eight studies evaluated Schroth's efficacy compared with other interventions or no treatment, and three studies assessed the efficacy of SEAS compared with conventional therapy. The evidence suggests that both techniques are effective in improving scoliosis severity and quality of life. However, due to limitations in the current evidence, including the narrative review approach, methodological weaknesses, and significant heterogeneity among studies, no definitive comparisons between the two methods can be made. Further research, particularly large-scale randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols, is necessary to clarify their relative effectiveness.