Scoliosis-specific Exercises for Mild Idiopathic Scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity in children and adolescents with an estimated prevalence of 3%. About one tenth of the children with scoliosis develop a deformity that requires treatment with brace or surgery with the current treatment protocol. In Sweden, mild scoliosis curves not requiring treatment, but at risk for progression during childhood, are only observed until skeletal maturity without active treatment. If progression occurs and treatment is required, standard treatment consists of bracing 20 hours or more per day. Scoliosis-specific exercises have been reported to be a possible treatment modality in terms of halting progression in mild scoliosis, but the findings are not generally accepted.

Inclusion Criteria: * Cobb 15-24 degrees * Skeletally immature, Sanders score of 4 or less and Risser \< 2. * No menarche for females * Aged 9-15 years * Apex of the primary curve at T7 or caudal Exclusion Criteria: * Non-idiopathic scoliosis (i.e. neuromuscular, syndromic or congenital scoliosis) * No previous surgical or brace treatment for scoliosis