Acute Training Effect Assessment in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) involves three-dimensional spinal deformity and asymmetric paraspinal muscle activation. Scoliosis-specific, self-corrective exercises are widely used in conservative care, but their immediate neuromuscular and postural effects after a single guided session remain insufficiently characterized.

This prospective pre-post study will enroll adolescents with radiographically confirmed AIS for one clinic visit. After eligibility confirmation and consent/assent, participants will complete baseline assessments, perform a standardized, therapist-guided self-controlled, self-corrective exercise tailored to curve pattern, and then repeat the same assessments immediately afterward. The protocol emphasizes axial elongation, active self-correction delivered within a brief supervised session.

The primary purpose is to quantify immediate changes in spinal alignment and paraspinal muscle activity to explore potential mechanisms of action and inform refinement of rehabilitation strategies for AIS. Feasibility and tolerability will be monitored during the single visit. No additional imaging is required beyond existing clinical records. Findings will be disseminated through scientific channels to guide future conservative management and hypothesis generation for subsequent controlled trials.

Inclusion criteria

• adolescent males and females with AIS
• being aged 11 to 19 years

Exclusion criteria

• having a nonidopathic etiology of scoliosis
• history of spinal surgery; spine trauma (e.g., fracture or motor vehicle accident)
• metal implants (e.g., pacemaker)
• not capable of understanding and completing our motor tasks
• experiencing severe dermatological conditions or have open wounds at electrode placement sites.