The preliminary results of physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercises on spine joint position sense in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: It has been observed that there are difficulties in maintaining spinal harmony in the absence of proprioceptive information, which has an important role in achieving postural control in scoliosis. One of the tests used to evaluate proprioceptive mechanisms is joint position reproduction. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of our study was to investigate the effect of physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercise (PSSE) on spine joint reposition (JR) sense. The second aim was to determine the effects of PSSE on the angle of trunk rotation (ATR), posture, and deformity perception in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (mean age 13.79 ± 1.82 years) were randomly allocated to two groups. "Schroth" exercises were applied to the PSSE group for 8 weeks (16 sessions). The control group was placed on the waiting list. Patients' JR error (dual inclinometer), ATR (scoliometer), posture parameters (PostureScreen Mobile, Posterior Trunk Asymmetry Index, and Anterior Trunk Asymmetry Index), and deformity perception (Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale [WRVAS]) were assessed at the first session and at the end of 8 weeks. RESULTS: The initial demographic characteristics, Cobb (thoracal: 19.41 ± 7.03 degrees; lumbar: 20.76 ± 7.24 degrees) and ATR (thoracal: 5.86 ± 3.98 degrees; lumbar: 5.66 ± 3.33 degrees) and clinical test parameters of the groups (JR, posture parameters, and WRVAS) were similar (P > .05). According to the findings, thoracal and lumbar JR error values (P < .05), ATR (P ≤ .001), posture parameters (P ≤ .001), and WRVAS (P = .048) were significantly improved in the PSSE group. Besides, when the groups were compared, a significant difference was found in favor of PSSE except for the deformity perception (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Schroth exercises have a positive contribution for improving JR sense of the spine, vertebral rotation, and posture.