Effectiveness of Rehabilitation With Technology-Based Systems in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

August 3, 2026 updated by: hande tunc

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of technology-based exercises on treatment success in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Within the scope of the study, twenty five patients with AIS will be randomly allocated to two groups. The control group will apply a program with conventional approaches consisting of a combination of structured three-dimensional scoliosis exercises, core stabilization and balance exercises. Patients in the intervention group will perform structured three-dimensional scoliosis exercises, core stabilization and balance exercises similarly to the control group. However, patients in the intervention group will perform core stabilization and balance exercises with virtual reality games for twenty-four weeks. Patients' Cobb angle, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (balance), Posterior Trunk Asymmetry Index (POTSI) (cosmetic), Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS)(cosmetic), System Usability Scale (system usability) and Physical Activity Participation Motivation Scale (PAPMS) (motivation) parameters will be assess at the beginning of treatment, third and six month.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional structural deformity in growing children, not associated with a cause, in which lateral deviation of the spine over 10° is accompanied by rotation. The magnitude of the Cobb angle is used to classify the severity of scoliosis. In immature AIS cases, if the Cobb angle is between 25°-40°, bracing and exercise therapy is applied. Exercise in AIS is performed to reduce clinical symptoms, improve cosmetics and prevent curve progression. Corrective exercises based on sensorimotor and kinesthetic principles include self-correction in front of a mirror, three-dimensional breathing techniques and home exercise programs.

Virtual reality applications (VRA) are three-dimensional computer simulations that give the individual the feeling of "being anywhere" and provide various information (light, sound and others) to the sensory organs. VRS is based on motor learning principles. The possibility of repetitive movements and computer feedback results in positive changes at the cortical level. In addition, the virtual environment increases the motivation of the individual and ensures active participation in the treatment.

A review of the literature reveals that there are very limited studies on technology-based applications or virtual reality in scoliosis rehabilitation. To the best of our knowledge, it has been observed that there is no long-term rehabilitation protocol applied on the basis of rehabilitative game therapy in AIS rehabilitation.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

25

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Istanbul Medipol University
      • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Gaziosmanpasa Training and Reserach Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Being diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis,
  • Female participants aged between 10 and 14 years,
  • Being the Cobb angle between 25-40 degrees,
  • Being using three dimensional brace,
  • Being immature (Risser 0-2 or Sanders 1-4 phase)
  • Regular follow-ups (0-3-6 months)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of previous spinal surgery,
  • Progression resulting in the necessity of surgery,
  • Participation in any exercise therapy program,
  • Playing sports at a professional level,
  • Cardiac and respiratory dysfunction and/or concomitant systemic disease,
  • Health (mental, orthopedic) problems that prevent exercise

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Rehabilitative Game Based Exercise Group
The Rehabilitative Game-Based Exercise group will perform the structured three-dimensional scoliosis exercise with conventional methods similar to the control group. Differently, technology-based systems (BeCure Systems) will be used in the implementation of core stabilization and balance exercises. Patients will be asked to perform their exercises as a home exercise program on the remaining days (home exercise program 3 days a week for the first 12 weeks, 4 days a week after week 12).
Structured scoliosis exercises will be prescribed by the physiotherapist according to the severity of the curvature and cosmetics of the patients and will be applied to the patients with a conventional approach. In a one-session period, 5-minute warm-up and cool-down periods, 20 minutes of scoliosis exercises, 10 minutes of core stabilization exercises, and 10 minutes of balance training will be applied in the clinical setting. Home exercises will be performing with the SmartPose system differently from the control group. The SmartPose system is a special software system that enables the user to perform movements with a tablet or phone without the need for any sensors.
Active Comparator: Control Group:
The control group will perform the structured three-dimensional scoliosis exercise, core stabilization, and balance exercise with conventional methods at the clinic and home setting for twenty-four weeks. One clinic-based and one online supervised session per week, each lasting 45-55 minutes, together with a home exercise program performed three days per week for 24 weeks. Patients will be asked to perform their exercises as a home exercise program on the remaining days (home exercise program 3 days a week for the first 12 weeks, 4 days a week after week 12).
Structured scoliosis exercises will be prescribed by the physiotherapist according to the severity of the curvature and cosmetics of the individuals. In a one session period, 5-minute warm-up and cool-down periods, 20 minutes of scoliosis exercises, 10 minutes of core stabilization exercises and 10 minutes of balance training will be applied. The exercises will start from an easy level and the level of difficulty will be gradually increased. The assessments will be evaluated in three stages: at the beginning of treatment, at the third month of treatment and at the end of treatment (sixth month).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cobb Angle
Time Frame: At the beginning of the study and sixth month of the study
In the treatment of scoliosis, the Cobb angle is considered the most important outcome for the evaluation of treatment efficacy. The Cobb angle is measured from anteroposterior graphs taken during standing. Measurements will be taken by a blinded assessor via SurgiMap web application to eliminate individual errors. Measurements will be made from radiographs taken at the beginning and sixth month of treatment because of the radiation exposure.
At the beginning of the study and sixth month of the study
Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index (POTSI)
Time Frame: At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
POTSI is a method that makes it possible to evaluate the trunk asymmetry of an individual with AIS from the posterior and objectively scores the cosmetic effect. It is based on certain calculations performed on a posterior photograph of the individual. The score calculated in POTSI analysis consists of the sum of 6 indices. In order to prevent possible calculation errors and standardize the measurements, the cases will be evaluated with a mobile application named POTSIApp.
At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
Walter Reed Visuel Assessment Scale (WRVAS)
Time Frame: At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
WRVAS is a scale that scores the severity of curvature by focusing on the person's perception of posture. It is divided into 7 parameters including body curvature, rib prominence, lumbar prominence, head-rib-pelvis positional relationship, head-pelvis relationship, shoulder level and scapula rotation. A high score means that the perceived deformity is high.
At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The Physical Activity Participation Motivation Scale (PAPMS)
Time Frame: At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
The Physical Activity Participation Motivation Scale (PAPMS) is a Likert-type scale used to assess the motivation levels of individuals for physical activity. The scale consists of 3 sub-dimensions (individual reasons, environmental reasons and lack of reason dimension) and a total of 16 questions in 5-point Likert type. High values are associated with high motivation level.
At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
The System Usability Scale (SUS)
Time Frame: At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a scale used to evaluate usability. It is a 10-item Likert-type scale that can be used individually and allows general usability evaluation. High scores on the scale indicate that systems are usable.
At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
Angle of Trunk Rotation
Time Frame: At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
The scoliometer is a specially designed inclinometer that is easy to use, inexpensive, reliable and practical for the clinical assessment of scoliosis. inexpensive, reliable and practical for the clinical assessment of scoliosis. Inside the scoliometer is a metal sphere that moves in the water bed and higher degrees indicates increased degree of body rotation. In the forward bending position, the scoliometer is placed vertically on the axial axis of the spine perpendicular to the spinous process of the vertebra and measured
At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
Single Leg Balance Test
Time Frame: At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study
One foot is lifted so that it does not touch the support leg, eyes are open at the beginning. The eyes are fixed in the direction of the head, the patient is asked to close his/her eyes and is expected to maintain his/her balance for 30 seconds. If the lifted leg touches the support leg, if the foot touches the floor, if there is bouncing or jumping, or if anything in the environment is touched for support, a balance disorder is considered.
At the beginning of the study, third month and sixth month of the study

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

October 14, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

May 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 16, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 16, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

June 21, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 3, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • E-10840098-202.3.02-3224

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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