Clinical Changes in Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis After One Year of Schroth Treatment.

INTRODUCTION

Surface topography (ST) enables objective clinical evaluation of posture and monitoring of patients with spinal column deformities. The advantage of surface topography is reflected in the absence of radiation, which enables unlimited monitoring of changes on the body without risking the patient's health. In addition to the numerous advantages of ST, a limitation is the inability to precisely identify the Cobb angle.

AIM: The aim of this research is to determine the effect of one-year Schroth treatment on the participants diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis using surface topography and scoliometry.

METHODS

Thirty subjects aged 10 to 18 with a diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis, diagnosed by orthopedic specialists, participated in the research. The parameters that were monitored to determine the treatment effects were scoliometry and topographic parameters in all three planes. The surface topography was analyzed on a 3D Morfoscan device (Sensor Medica). The treatment plan and program included one year of exercises according to the Schroth method under the supervision of a certified Schroth therapist three times per week for one hour and twice per week at home.

RESULTS

The research included 26 girls (86.67%) and 4 boys (13.33%). The average age of the participants was 14.20±1.94 years. The average value of the Cobb angle was 39.27±15.51°. The Schroth braces were worn by 27 subjects, an average of 19.27±1.61 hours per day. A statistically significant difference was found in scoliometry values before and after therapy (t=7.75, t=8.24, t=6.63 and t=7.18 respectively; p<0.05), as well as in coronal balance values (t = 5.1; p<0.05), sagittal balance (t=2.65; p<0.05) and rotation in the thoracic and lumbar segments (t=4.95 and t=3.9 respectively; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The research results demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in all monitored clinical parameters in patients with idiopathic scoliosis after the treatment, which confirms the effectiveness of Schroth therapy in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.