Effects of Schroth exercises combined with orthotic treatment on balance control in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the possible effects of three dimensional Schroth exercises combined with brace treatment on balance control in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: Total of 20 volunteers participated in the study. Participants divided equally into two groups as a study group (patients with AIS) and an age-matched healthy control group that comprised of 10 participants each. Conservative treatment protocol consisted of brace treatment and Schroth exercises. The individuals in the study group wore full time rigid braces (Modified-Cheneau) 23 hours per day and performed individually designed Schroth exercises. The exercise treatment comprised 3 sessions per week with duration of 90 minutes each and a total of 18 sessions. Postural control parameters were assessed in four conditions which described as eyes opened firm, eyes opened foam, eyes closed firm and eyes closed foam, using a computerized force platform at baseline, 6th and 18th weeks. Results: There were significant differences between groups in centre of gravity sway velocity in eyes closed foam condition and composite centre of gravity sway velocity values at baseline (p<0.05). Additionally study group demonstrated significant improvement in eyes open foam condition between 6th – 18th weeks and 1st – 18th week assessments (p<0.05). Moreover, changes in percentage of limit of stability (LOS) values indicated significant difference only between 6th – 18th week assessments (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results emphasized that Schroth exercises combined with brace treatment may provide significant improvement in certain components of postural control