The Efficacy of Different Exercises on Mild to Moderate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Cheng Peng; Daxin Li; Tianxiao Guo; Shuairan Li; Yonghui Chen; Li Zhao; Jing Mi

doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002389

The Efficacy of Different Exercises on Mild to Moderate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2023 Dec 13. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002389. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Cheng Peng¹, Daxin Li², Tianxiao Guo³, Shuairan Li³, Yonghui Chen³, Li Zhao⁴, Jing Mi

Affiliations

¹ China Athletics College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China; ORCID: 0009 0007 8775 8162.
² Physical Education College, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
³ School of Competitive Sports, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.
⁴ Sport Science School, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.

PMID: 38113028
DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002389

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of different exercise interventions on patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and provide evidence-based exercise prescriptions for this population.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), VIP, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform were searched until January 2023. The data were pooled and a meta-analysis was conducted.

Results: A total of 19 studies were conducted with 778 participants. The Schroth exercises group (MD = -3.48, 95% CI [-4.73, -2.23], P < 0.00001) and strength training group (MD = -3.43, 95% CI [-4.06, -2.80], P < 0.00001) had better recovery of the Cobb angle than the other groups. The Cobb angle rehabilitation effect was good in the time of less than 60 minutes group. Additionally, there was no significant difference found between the different intervention periods groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Schroth exercise and strength training significantly improved Cobb angle of AIS patients; Exercising for less than 60 minutes is effective for Cobb angle rehabilitation, but prolonging exercise time cannot improve training effectiveness; 12 weeks of exercise significantly improved Cobb angle, but prolonged training periods did not have a significant impact.