Arash Khaledi - Department of Sport Sciences, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran
Hooman Minoonejad - Department of Sports injury and biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and health, university of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Hassan Daneshmandi - Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
Mahdieh Akoochakian - Department of Sport Sciences, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran
Mehdi Gheitasi - Department of Health & Sport Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sport Science & Health, University of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, Iran

Objectives: The available evidence on the efficiency of well-known Schroth's exercises (SE) for correcting adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is limited, especially in combination with the asymmetric spinal stabilization exercises (ASSE) method. Therefore, we hypothesized that, first, there is no difference in the efficiency of the combined exercises (SE+ASSE) and SE alone in improving Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), and quality of life (QoL) in AIS. Second, there is no difference in the efficiency of SE and no intervention on corresponding variables in treating AIS.Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) consisted of ۴۰ patients with mild AIS (۱۰-۱۸-year-old boys) divided into three groups: SE (n=۱۵), SE+ASSE (n=۱۵), and a waitlist control group (n=۱۰). For ۱۲ weeks (three days a week), both experimental groups performed SE, the combined group additionally received ASSE, and the control group received no intervention. The assessment included Cobb angle (photogrammetry), ATR (Adam’s test), and QoL (Scoliosis Research Society-۲۲ questionnaire).Results: It was found that Cobb angle, ATR, and QoL improved significantly in the combined SE+ASSE group (Cobb=۱۶.۴۵° to ۹.۰۱°; ATR=۴.۹۳° to ۱.۳۳°) compared to the SE group (P<.۰۰۱). In addition, the SE group showed significant amelioration in the mentioned variables (Cobb=۱۵.۰۹° to ۹.۷۷°; ATR=۴.۲۳° to ۲.۱۷°) compared to the control group (P<.۰۰۱), whereas the control group remained almost unchanged.Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the combination of SE and ASSE provided more benefits than SE alone, and the SE results were efficient compared to the no-intervention group regarding the correction of scoliosis and related problems. However, patients with moderate to severe scoliosis should also be investigated in longer treatment periods in future. Level of evidence: I

Cobb angle, Exercise therapy, Quality of life, Schroth, Scoliosis