Dance-Based Exercise in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

June 25, 2026 updated by: Meltem Kaya, Atlas University

Effects of Dance-Based Exercises on Physical Fitness, Body Image, and Quality of Life in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of dance-based exercises on physical fitness, body image, and quality of life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Twenty-four participants aged 10-18 years with a Cobb angle between 10° and 30° will be randomly assigned to either a dance-based exercise group or a control group. Both groups will perform conventional scoliosis exercises, while the intervention group will additionally receive dance-based exercise sessions for six weeks. Outcome measures will include body image, scoliosis-related quality of life, physical fitness, flexibility, trunk rotation, and enjoyment of physical activity.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity associated with physical and psychosocial impairments. Although conventional exercise programs are beneficial, maintaining long-term adherence may be challenging in adolescents. Dance-based exercise programs offer a potentially enjoyable and motivating alternative.

This prospective randomized controlled study will include 24 adolescents with AIS aged 10-18 years. Participants will be randomly allocated into an intervention group and a control group (12 participants per group). Both groups will perform conventional scoliosis exercises, while the intervention group will additionally participate in dance-based exercise sessions for six weeks.

Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after six weeks. Primary outcomes will include body image and health-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes will include physical fitness, flexibility, trunk rotation, and enjoyment of physical activity.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

24

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

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:

  • Age between 10 and 18 years
  • Diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
  • Cobb angle between 10° and 30°
  • No previous dance training
  • Not participating regularly in another exercise program

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous scoliosis surgery
  • Neuromuscular or congenital scoliosis
  • Neurological, orthopedic, psychiatric, cardiovascular, or pulmonary disorders -preventing exercise 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: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Dance-Based Exercise Group
Participants will perform conventional scoliosis exercises and additional dance-based exercises for six weeks.
Other: Dance-Based Exercise Program
Participants will receive dance-based exercise sessions for 6 weeks (one face-to-face and one online session per week) in addition to conventional scoliosis exercises.
Other: Conventional Scoliosis Exercise Program
Participants will perform only conventional scoliosis exercises for six weeks.
Active Comparator: Conventional Scoliosis Exercise Program
Participants will perform conventional scoliosis exercises during the 6-week study period.
Other: Conventional Scoliosis Exercise Program
Participants will perform only conventional scoliosis exercises for six weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Flexibility-Forward Bending Test
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Spinal flexibility will be assessed using the Forward Bending Test. Participants will bend forward from a standing position with the knees fully extended and attempt to reach toward the floor. The distance between the tip of the middle finger and the floor will be measured in centimeters. Lower values indicate greater trunk and posterior chain flexibility.
Baseline and 6 weeks
Flexibility-Lateral Flexion Test
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Trunk lateral flexibility will be assessed using the Lateral Flexion Test. Participants will perform maximal lateral trunk flexion to each side while standing with the knees extended. The distance reached by the tip of the middle finger along the lateral aspect of the thigh will be measured in centimeters. Higher values indicate greater lateral trunk flexibility.
Baseline and 6 Weeks
Core Muscle Endurance-Trunk Flexion Test
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
The endurance of the trunk flexor muscles will be assessed using the Trunk Flexion Test. Participants will maintain the standardized trunk flexion position for as long as possible. Performance will be recorded as endurance time in seconds. Higher values indicate greater trunk flexor muscle endurance.
Baseline and 6 weeks
Core Muscle Endurance-Lateral Bridge Test
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Lateral core muscle endurance will be assessed using the Lateral Bridge Test. Participants will maintain the side bridge position for as long as possible. Endurance time will be recorded in seconds, with higher values indicating better lateral trunk muscle endurance.
Baseline and 6 Weeks
Core Muscle Endurance - Prone Bridge Test
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Global core muscle endurance will be assessed using the Prone Bridge Test. Participants will maintain the prone bridge (plank) position for as long as possible. Performance will be recorded as endurance time in seconds. Higher values indicate greater global core muscle endurance.
Baseline and 6 Weeks
Core Muscle Endurance- Modified Biering-Sorensen Test
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
The endurance of the trunk extensor muscles will be assessed using the Modified Biering-Sørensen Test. Participants will maintain the standardized horizontal trunk position for as long as possible. Performance will be recorded as endurance time in seconds. Higher values indicate greater trunk extensor muscle endurance.
Baseline and 6 Weeks
Functional Exercise Capacity
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
6 Minute Walk Test
Baseline and 6 Weeks
Dynamic Balance
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Y Balance
Baseline and 6 Weeks
Trunk Rotation
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Thoracic and Lumbar Rotation Measurements
Baseline and 6 Weeks
Body Image-Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Perceived trunk deformity will be assessed using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS). The WRVAS is a patient-reported outcome measure consisting of seven items evaluating the perceived severity of spinal deformity through standardized illustrations. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, yielding a total score ranging from 7 to 35. Higher scores indicate greater perceived spinal deformity.
Baseline and 6 Weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Health-Related Quality of Life-Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire (SRS-22). The questionnaire consists of 22 items evaluating five domains: function/activity, pain, self-image, mental health, and satisfaction with management. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale. The total (or mean) score will be calculated, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.
Baseline and 6 Weeks
Enjoyment of Physical Activity
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale
Baseline and 6 Weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Atlas University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Meltem Kaya, Assoc. Prof., Atlas 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 24, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 31, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

June 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 25, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 25, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • AtlasUmkaya06

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

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.

Clinical Trials on Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent

Clinical Trials on Dance-Based Exercise Program

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Indonesia

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

3
Subscribe