The efficacy of Schroth s 3-dimensional exercise therapy in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of 3-dimensional therapy in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.


METHODS
We carried out this study with 50 patients whose average age was 14.15 +/- 1.69 years at the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation School, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, from 1999 to 2004. We treated them as outpatients, 5 days a week, in a 4-hour program for the first 6 weeks. After that, they continued with the same program at home. We evaluated the Cobb angle, vital capacity and muscle strength of the patients before treatment, and after 6 weeks, 6 months and one year, and compared all the results.


RESULTS
The average Cobb angle, which was 26.1 degrees on average before treatment, was 23.45 degrees after 6 weeks, 19.25 degrees after 6 months and 17.85 degrees after one year (p<0.01). The vital capacities, which were on average 2795 ml before treatment, reached 2956 ml after 6 weeks, 3125 ml after 6 months and 3215 ml after one year (p<0.01). Similarly, according to the results of evaluations after 6 weeks, 6 months and one year, we observed an increase in muscle strength and recovery of the postural defects in all patients (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Schroth s technique positively influenced the Cobb angle, vital capacity, strength and postural defects in outpatient adolescents.
Otman
Saadet
S
Professor, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari 06100, Ankara, Turkey. sotman@hacettepe.edu.tr
Kose
Nezire
N
Yakut
Yavuz
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity