Scoliosis-Specific Exercises on Physical Fitness Parameters

November 28, 2025 updated by: Tuğçe Yavuz, Istinye University

The Effects of Scoliosis-Specific Corrective Exercises on Physical Fitness Parameters in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by a three-dimensional spinal deformity, affecting approximately 2-4% of adolescents worldwide and occurring more frequently in girls. Beyond spinal curvature, Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis can negatively influence physical fitness, muscular strength, respiratory function, postural control, and participation in daily activities. These factors may reduce overall functional capacity and quality of life.

Scoliosis-specific corrective exercises, including approaches such as Schroth and The Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis, have been shown to improve postural symmetry, slow curve progression, and enhance respiratory and psychosocial outcomes. However, the effects of these exercises on physical fitness parameters-such as muscle strength, flexibility, motor performance, and cardiorespiratory endurance-remain insufficiently studied.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of scoliosis-specific corrective exercises on physical fitness parameters in adolescents diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Measures of strength, flexibility, motor performance, and cardiorespiratory endurance will be assessed before and after the intervention. Findings from this study are expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based conservative treatment protocols focusing not only on curve progression but also on functional capacity and overall fitness in adolescents with scoliosis.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

40

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 Contact

Study Locations

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
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis confirmed by an orthopedic specialist
  • Cobb angle between 10° and 45° on standing anteroposterior radiograph
  • Age between 10 and 19 years
  • No prior history of scoliosis-specific exercise treatment
  • Ability to participate regularly in the exercise program -Voluntary willingness to participate in the study -

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of mental, rheumatologic, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, or pulmonary disorders
  • Pain or orthopedic conditions that prevent participation in exercise
  • Visual and/or hearing impairments affecting communication or assessment
  • History of spinal surgery, spinal tumor, or related interventions
  • Any medical condition for which exercise is contraindicated
  • Communication difficulties that limit participation

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: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Scoliosis-Specific Corrective Exercise Group
Participants in this group will receive an individualized scoliosis-specific corrective exercise program based on the Schroth classification. The program focuses on three-dimensional spinal correction and stabilization. Each participant will attend supervised sessions delivered by a Schroth-certified physiotherapist for 45-60 minutes, twice per week, for a total of 16 sessions over 8 weeks. Home exercises will also be prescribed and monitored for adherence.
Behavioral: Scoliosis-Specific Corrective Exercise Program
An individualized scoliosis-specific corrective exercise program based on the Schroth method, delivered by a certified physiotherapist twice per week for 8 weeks.
Active Comparator: Postural Education Control Group
Postural education and basic corrective exercise elements performed at home 2 times per week for 8 weeks.
Behavioral: Postural Education and Basic Corrective Exercises
Postural education and basic corrective exercise elements to be performed at home twice per week for 8 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Muscle Strength
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Muscle strength of the quadriceps, middle deltoid, and handgrip will be assessed using a handheld dynamometer. The change in strength from baseline to 8 weeks will be analyzed.
8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Aerobic Capacity
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Aerobic capacity will be assessed using the Six Minute Walk Test. The 6 Minute Walk Test is a sub-maximal exercise test used to assess aerobic capacity and endurance. The distance covered over a time of 6 minutes is used as the outcome by which to compare changes in performance capacity. The total meter of completed laps will be recorded, and the change from baseline to 8 weeks will be analyzed.
8 weeks
Sit and Reach Test
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Flexibility of the lower extremity and trunk will be assessed with the Sit-and-Reach Test. Scores will be recorded in centimeters, and changes from baseline to 8 weeks will be evaluated.
8 weeks
Shoulder Mobility Test
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Upper extremity flexibility will be assessed using the Shoulder Mobility Test. The distance between fingertips will be recorded as positive or negative values. Changes between baseline and 8 weeks will be analyzed.
8 weeks
Y-Balance Test
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Dynamic balance performance will be measured using the Y-Balance Test in three directions (anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral). Reach distances will be normalized to leg length. Change from baseline to 8 weeks will be evaluated.
8 weeks
Body mass index
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Body mass index will be calculated to assess general adiposity. Body mass index will be computed as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). Participants will be classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) Body mass index categories.
8 weeks
waist circumference
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Waist circumference will be measured to evaluate central (abdominal) adiposity. Measurements will be taken using a non-elastic tape measure placed horizontally at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the iliac crest. Participants will stand upright with feet shoulder-width apart and arms relaxed. The measurement will be recorded at the end of a normal expiration to the nearest 0.1 cm.
8 weeks
Hip Circumference waist circumference
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Hip circumference will be measured to assess gluteofemoral adiposity. A non-elastic tape measure will be placed horizontally around the widest part of the buttocks, ensuring the tape remains parallel to the floor. Participants will stand in a relaxed position, and the measurement will be recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm without compressing the skin.
8 weeks
Neck Circumference
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Neck circumference will be measured as an indicator of upper-body adiposity. Using a flexible, non-stretch tape, the circumference will be taken at the level just below the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple) while the participant stands upright and looks straight ahead. The tape will be positioned perpendicular to the long axis of the neck, and measurements will be recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm.
8 weeks
Waist-Hip Ratio waist circumference
Time Frame: 8 weeks
The waist-hip ratio will be calculated as an index of body fat distribution. Waist-Hip Ratio will be computed by dividing waist circumference (cm) by hip circumference (cm). Higher Waist-Hip Ratio values will indicate greater central fat accumulation and will be associated with increased cardiometabolic risk.
8 weeks
Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale
Time Frame: 8 weeks
self-perception of spinal deformity will be measured using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale. Scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater perceived deformity. Change over 8 weeks will be analyzed.
8 weeks
Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire Score
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Quality of life will be assessed using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire, which measures function, pain, self-image, mental health, and satisfaction. The total score of the SRS-22 ranges from 22 to 110, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Total scores will be compared between baseline and 8 weeks.
8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Istinye University

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)

November 19, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 18, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 18, 2025

First Posted (Estimated)

November 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

December 5, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 28, 2025

Last Verified

November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 25-119

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

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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