Effect of Kinesio Taping Combined With Schroth Therapy in Young Adults With Idiopathic Scoliosis

Comparison of Schroth Therapy and Kinesiotaping in Lower Back and Back Pain in Young Adults With Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Study

In this study, the effects of Kinesio Taping methods applied in combination with Schroth therapy on pain and functional capacity in young adults diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis will be evaluated.

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:

Group 1: Schroth therapy combined with Kinesio Taping

Group 2: Schroth therapy alone

Group 3: Schroth therapy combined with sham Kinesio Taping

Kinesio Taping will be applied for 4 weeks. The tape will remain in place for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 2-day rest period for the skin, and this cycle will be repeated throughout the intervention period.

Schroth therapy will be administered 3 times per week for 4 weeks.

Assessments will be conducted at baseline (Week 0), during treatment (Week 2), at the end of treatment (Week 4), and at follow-up (Week 8).

The primary outcome measures will be pain intensity assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and functional disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcome measures will include the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire and the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Scoliosis Idiopathic; Kinesio Taping
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Schroth Terapisi; Other: Kinesio Taping; Other: Sham Kinesio Taping

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Schroth therapy and the addition of Kinesio Taping on pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in young adults with idiopathic scoliosis who were diagnosed during adolescence and currently experience back pain.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal deformity of unknown origin that develops during adolescence, with a worldwide prevalence of 1-3%. The current clinical gold standard for diagnosing scoliosis is the measurement of the Cobb angle on standing posteroanterior radiographs. The Cobb angle determines the severity classification of AIS; a Cobb angle of ≥40° indicates a severe deformity that may require surgical intervention, whereas lower angles are typically managed with non-surgical treatment approaches.

Individuals aged 18-30 years are often described as having "young adult idiopathic scoliosis" (YAIS). Even if they received successful conservative treatment during adolescence, these individuals may present in adulthood with pain, progression of deformity, and cosmetic concerns. The development of symptoms in this age group increases the need for treatment, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions applied during this period is clinically meaningful.

The original Schroth exercises were developed in the early 20th century by Katharina Schroth. This exercise-based approach focuses on corrective breathing techniques and postural adjustments to address three-dimensional spinal deformities.

Kinesio Taping (KT) is a conservative treatment method that has gained popularity in recent years for managing musculoskeletal conditions and controlling pain. This technique was first described by Kenzo Kase.

Since an evidence-based treatment algorithm for managing back pain in patients with idiopathic scoliosis has not yet been clearly established, clinicians often select treatment methods based on preference. Common approaches include home exercise programs, physical therapy, pharmacological treatment (such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or opioid analgesics), back school programs, and spinal manipulation.

Both Schroth therapy and Kinesio Taping are non-invasive and conservative treatment methods commonly used in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

Although international studies have evaluated the effectiveness of Schroth therapy and Kinesio Taping separately, and some have explored combined applications, randomized controlled trials including a Schroth therapy group, a combined Schroth + Kinesio Taping group, and a sham taping control group in adult individuals are limited or absent in the national literature.

The distinguishing aspect of this study is the controlled and comparative evaluation of the combination of Schroth therapy and Kinesio Taping, rather than assessing each method in isolation. Additionally, the inclusion of a sham taping group allows consideration of potential placebo effects.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the evidence-based use of non-invasive treatment approaches in the management of idiopathic scoliosis

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 51
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Şevval Çakmakcı Alkayış, MD; Phone Number: +905556455465; Email: sevvalcakmakci@outlook.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Ozge G İlleez, MD; Phone Number: +905326255684; Email: ozgeilleez@hotmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34752
      • Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
      • Principal Investigator: Şevval Çakmakcı Alkayış, MD
      • Sub-Investigator: Özge G İlleez, MD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals aged between 18 and 30 years.
• Radiologically confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis.
• Cobb angle between 10° and 30° and considered candidates for conservative treatment.
• Risser stage 5.
• History of low back or back pain within the last 3 months (defined as NRS ≥ 4).
• No acute orthopedic or neurological condition that would prevent participation in physical exercise interventions.
• Willingness to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent.
• Ability to attend treatment sessions regularly throughout the study period.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of non-structural (functional) scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, or neuromuscular scoliosis.
• History of previous spinal surgery.
• Participation in scoliosis-specific exercise therapy within the last 6 months.
• Presence of open wounds, dermatological conditions, or allergy to taping materials.
• History of psychiatric disorders or neurological diseases.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Schroth Therapy + Kinesio Taping; Participants in this group will receive Schroth therapy three times per week for 4 weeks combined with Kinesio Taping. The tape will be applied for 5 consecutive days followed by a 2-day rest period, and this cycle will be repeated for 4 weeks.	Other: Schroth Terapisi; Schroth therapy is a scoliosis-specific exercise program designed to address three-dimensional spinal deformities. The intervention includes individualized corrective exercises, rotational angular breathing techniques, postural alignment training, trunk muscle stabilization, and muscular symmetry exercises. Sessions will be supervised by a certified physiotherapist three times per week for 4 weeks.; Other: Kinesio Taping; Kinesio Taping will be applied using elastic therapeutic tape with corrective tension techniques targeting spinal alignment and paraspinal muscle facilitation. The tape will remain in place for 5 consecutive days followed by a 2-day rest period. This cycle will be repeated throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Active Comparator: Schroth Therapy Alone; Participants in this group will receive Schroth therapy three times per week for 4 weeks without any taping intervention.	Other: Schroth Terapisi; Schroth therapy is a scoliosis-specific exercise program designed to address three-dimensional spinal deformities. The intervention includes individualized corrective exercises, rotational angular breathing techniques, postural alignment training, trunk muscle stabilization, and muscular symmetry exercises. Sessions will be supervised by a certified physiotherapist three times per week for 4 weeks.
Sham Comparator: Schroth Therapy + Sham Kinesio Taping; Participants in this group will receive Schroth therapy three times per week for 4 weeks combined with sham Kinesio Taping. The sham tape will be applied without therapeutic tension and following a non-corrective technique. The application schedule will be identical to the experimental taping group (5 days on, 2 days off for 4 weeks).	Other: Schroth Terapisi; Schroth therapy is a scoliosis-specific exercise program designed to address three-dimensional spinal deformities. The intervention includes individualized corrective exercises, rotational angular breathing techniques, postural alignment training, trunk muscle stabilization, and muscular symmetry exercises. Sessions will be supervised by a certified physiotherapist three times per week for 4 weeks.; Other: Sham Kinesio Taping; Sham Kinesio Taping will be applied using elastic therapeutic tape without therapeutic tension and without corrective technique. The tape will be placed in a non-corrective manner that does not aim to influence spinal alignment or muscle facilitation. The application schedule will be identical to the experimental taping group (5 days on, 2 days off for 4 weeks) to maintain participant blinding.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Pain Intensity (NRS)	Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Changes in pain intensity will be evaluated across all assessment time points during the study	Baseline (Week 0), Week 2, Week 4, and Week 8
Change in Functional Disability (ODI)	Functional disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a validated questionnaire designed to measure disability related to low back pain. The ODI consists of 10 items evaluating daily living activities, with higher scores indicating greater disability. Changes in functional disability will be evaluated across the specified assessment time points.	Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Scoliosis-Specific Quality of Life (SRS-22)	Quality of life will be assessed using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire, a scoliosis-specific, validated instrument that evaluates function/activity, pain, self-image, mental health, and satisfaction with management. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life. Changes in SRS-22 scores will be evaluated across the specified assessment time points.	Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8
Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC)	Global perceived improvement will be assessed using the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale, a patient-reported outcome measure evaluating overall change in condition following treatment. The PGIC is a 7-point scale ranging from "very much worse" to "very much improved."	Week 2, Week 4, and Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 17, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 17, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 2, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 26, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Kinesio taping; Scoliosis idiopathic; Schroth therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: KNS-SCHRT

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No