Effectiveness of Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis in Mild Idiopathic Scoliosis
Condition: Scoliosis Idiopathic; Exercise; Quality of Life; Treatment
MeSH terms: Scoliosis
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      İdiopathic scoliosis is a three dimensional deformity with lateral deviation and rotation of
      the spine. In idiopathic scoliosis, scoliosis-specific exercises are utilized as a primary
      treatment for moderate curves and as a supportive measure alongside bracing for more severe
      curves. SEAS, which stands for Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis, refers to a
      treatment approach developed as a scientific exercise methodology for scoliosis. This
      approach aims to provide scoliosis-specific exercises and techniques to manage and
      potentially improve the condition. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of SEAS
      as a conservative treatment approach for mild AIS.
    

Detailed description: 
      Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) constitutes a multifaceted distortion involving
      three-dimensional structural curvature of the spine, accompanied by biomechanical alterations
      that advance gradually, exerting an adverse influence on the quality of life related to
      health in individuals ranging from 10 to 18 years of age. In idiopathic scoliosis, curvatures
      ranging from 10 to 25 degrees are categorized as mild, while curvatures between 25 and 45
      degrees are considered moderate, and those exceeding 45 degrees are classified as severe. For
      mild scoliosis, scoliosis specific exercises are the main treatment method. SEAS (Scientific
      Exercises Approach to Scoliosis), a specific type of scoliosis specific exercise program,
      focuses on using scientific principles to address the unique needs of individuals with
      scoliosis. It aims to improve posture, spinal alignment, and muscle balance through tailored
      exercises. SEAS exercises involve three-dimensional spinal correction and are designed to
      enhance neuromuscular control and proprioception in this corrective position. The available
      research regarding SEAS in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is somewhat limited both in
      terms of quantity and scope, underscoring the necessity for more comprehensive
      investigations. Drawing from the existing literature landscape and the identified gaps, our
      hypothesis centers on the notion that the incorporation of SEAS is poised to yield noteworthy
      enhancements across various dimensions of AIS. Consequently, the primary objective of this
      study was to assess the efficacy of SEAS training in ameliorating parameters such as Cobb
      angle, axial trunk rotation, bodily aesthetics, and health-related quality of life in
      individuals diagnosed with mild AIS. Patients in this study were treated using two different
      protocols based on a shared decision-making model. Patients and their families were informed
      about the pathology, history and progression risk of idiopathic scoliosis, as well as the
      exercise options and expected outcomes. Consequently, every patient along with their parents
      comprehensively grasped the significance of scoliosis-specific exercises in proactively
      rectifying and maintaining their spinal alignment throughout diverse functional activities.
      Patients who choose for exercise treatment underwent SEAS therapy, while those who declined
      or were unable to participate in outpatient exercise programs received standard care.
    

Intervention name(s): SEAS training; Standard Care
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Patients who opted to participate in the SEAS group underwent SEAS therapy. The SEAS therapy program initially comrised patient education and active self-correction. Subsequently, stabilization of active self correction was tried to be performed through various functional activities. These activities were selected from everyday life examples, with increasing levels of difficulty over time. With SEAS exercises, the activation of self-correction was aimed to be increased through various activities in sitting, standing and walking conditions, with the goal of correcting scoliosis in this way; Patients who declined or were unable to participate in outpatient exercise programs received standard care. Standard care included exercises for postural re-education, traditional strengthening and stretching exercises for one session, followed by observation for one year.
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: scoliosis; exercise therapy; quality of life; physical appearance