Effect of specific exercises on the sagittal profile of scoliotic spines

Objective

To evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) correction effect, particularly in the sagittal plane, of Schroth exercises [1, 2] in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) by using a surface topography system.

Study design

A retrospective unselected series of fifty consecutive patients (48 females, age 15.7 years) diagnosed with IS, were measured with the formetric system [3] before and after an intensive course of rehabilitation. This system provides quantitative values to asses the spine in the frontal, sagittal and transversal planes. We have designed a specific scale based on objective data in order to define the vertebral column in the sagittal plane as harmonic (minimum score 0) or disharmonic (maximum score 20).

Results

During the course of treatment, trunk imbalance improved from 11.6 to 8.1 mm (p < 0.001), and lateral deviation in the frontal plane decreased from 14.1 to 11.3 mm (p < 0.005). Surface rotation also decreased, from 7.4 degrees to 6.6 degrees (p < 0.01). Although maximum and regional sagittal angles decreased, the harmonic score improved from 10.4 to 9.6 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Scoliotic patients tend to keep their sagittal regional angles close to normal values but showing a disharmonic configuration. Schroth exercises can correct the spine in 3D, reducing such a disharmony.