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NCT Number: NCT07779070

Supervised vs. Home Schroth Exercise in AIS

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of supervised Schroth exercises versus a home-based exercise program in adolescents with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).

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Key information

Conditions

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

Age range

10 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Silivri Devlet Hastanesi, Fizik Tedavi Ünitesi

Siliviri, Istanbul, 34570, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Mehmet Emin Durbulu

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 506 146 4064

About this study

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that develops in children aged 10-18, affecting approximately 0.47% to 12% of this population. If left untreated, curves between 10° and 45° may progress, leading to pain, breathing difficulties, postural problems, and reduced quality of life. Although bracing and surgery are traditional options, they have limitations. Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE), particularly the Schroth method, are increasingly recommended as a first-line conservative treatment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (idiopathic etiology)
  • Age between 10 and 18 years
  • Cobb angle between 10° and 45°
  • Able to participate in a 5-day/week exercise program (supervised or home-based)
  • Patient and parent/guardian provide written informed consent
  • Sufficient cooperation to comply with the study protocol and complete assessments

Exclusion criteria

  • Non-idiopathic scoliosis (neuromuscular, congenital, functional, etc.)
  • Prior or planned spinal surgery
  • Neurological, rheumatological, metabolic, or cardiopulmonary disease that would interfere with participation
  • Brace treatment within the last 6 months or planned during the study
  • Regular scoliosis-specific exercise (more than 2 days/week) within the last 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Supervised Schroth Exercise

Other

60-minute Schroth exercise sessions, 5 days/week for 12 weeks, delivered under one-on-one physiotherapist supervision. Includes 3D auto-correction, rotational breathing, postural stabilization, and curve-specific exercises (shoulder counter-pull, muscle cylinder, side-lying, sailing, prominent hip, Schroth walking)

Home-Based Schroth Exercise

Other

Same 60-minute Schroth exercise program, 5 days/week for 12 weeks, performed at home without direct physiotherapist supervision. Participants receive initial instruction and an individualized exercise booklet.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Cobb Angle

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 months post-intervention

    Change in the primary curve Cobb angle measured on standing posteroanterior full-spine radiographs, assessed at baseline and 3 months post-intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Trunk Rotation Angle (ATR)

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in angle of trunk rotation measured using a scoliometer during the Adam's Forward Bend Test.

  2. Change in Thoracic Kyphosis

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in thoracic kyphosis angle measured using an inclinometer at T1-T2 and T12-L1 levels.

  3. Change in Lumbar Lordosis

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in lumbar lordosis angle measured using an inclinometer at T12-L1 and S2-S3 levels.

  4. Respiratory Function assessed by Spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75%)

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Respiratory function will be assessed using a spirometry device. The following parameters will be recorded and analyzed: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), and Forced Expiratory Flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%).

  5. Change in Pain Level

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in musculoskeletal pain/discomfort assessed using the Turkish-validated Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (T-CMDQ) [19]. The questionnaire evaluates discomfort in 18 body regions over the past week across three dimensions: frequency, severity, and functional impact on daily activities. A risk score is calculated for each body region by multiplying these three parameters. For bilaterally assessed regions, the higher of the two side-specific scores is used in the analysis. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes.

  6. Change in Quality of Life

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks

    Change in health-related quality of life assessed using the Turkish-validated Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of five domains: function, pain, self-image, mental health, and treatment satisfaction. Each item is scored from 1 (worst) to 5 (best); domain and total scores range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate better outcomes. The treatment satisfaction domain will be assessed only at 12 weeks; other domains assessed at both baseline and 12 weeks.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Mesut Arslan, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 553 674 5226

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bitlis Eren University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effectiveness of Supervised vs. Home-Based Schroth Exercises in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 21, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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