A study to investigate the effectiveness of stabilization training in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) found that stabilization exercises are more effective in reducing rotation deformity and pain than traditional exercises in the conservative rehabilitation of AIS. The improvements suggest that stabilization training should be added to AIS rehabilitation programs, according to the study’s authors.
Twenty-five subjects with AIS were randomly divided into two groups: the stabilization group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 13). The stabilization group received core stabilization in addition to traditional rehabilitation, and the control group received traditional rehabilitation for ten weeks. Assessments included Cobb’s angle on radiograph, apical vertebral rotation in Adam’s forward bend test, trunk asymmetry (Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index), cosmetic trunk deformity (Trunk Appearance Perception Scale), and quality of life (Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire).
Intergroup comparisons showed significantly greater improvements in the mean change in lumbar apical vertebral rotation degree and the pain domain of Scoliosis Research Society-22 in the stabilization group than those in the control group, according to the study’s authors. No significant differences were observed for other measurements between the groups; however, trends toward greater improvement were observed in the stabilization group. The study was published online before print on September 13 in Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
