The effects of core stabilization exercises on pulmonary function, functional capacity and peripheral muscle strength in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the core stabilization exercises on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and peripheral muscle strength in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: Thirty patients were included in the study. The patients were randomly allocated to either the training (TG) or the control (CG) group. Spirometry, respiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle strength and 6-min walk test (6MWT) was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of training. CG only received the traditional scoliosis exercises. CG was performed once a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist, other days of the week the patients continued their exercises as home exercises program for 8 weeks. TG received core stabilization exercises in addition to the traditional scoliosis exercises every day of the week for 8 weeks. TG was performed once a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist, other days of the week the patients continued their exercises as home exercises program. Both groups did exercises 1 set of 10 repetitions and once a day. Result: There were significant improvements in %FVC, %FEV1, MIP, MEP, 6MWT and peripheral muscle strength (p<0.05) in TG. There were also significant improvements in MIP, 6MWT and peripheral muscle strength (p<0.05) in CG. Improvements in MIP and MEP were significantly higher in TG compared to CG (p<0.05). Conclusion: Core stabilization exercises further improve MIP and MEP value compared to the traditional scoliosis exercises in children with AIS.