By InvitationNot Applicable

Effect of a 16-Week Physiotherapeutic Corrective Exercise Program on Spinal Deformities in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Kosovo68 participantsStarted 2026-01-12

Plain-language summary

Brief Summary Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that may progress during adolescence and lead to postural asymmetry, spinal rotation, pelvic imbalance, reduced spinal mobility, and decreased quality of life. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week structured physiotherapeutic corrective exercise program compared with standard physiotherapy care in adolescents with mild to moderate AIS (Cobb angle 10°-40°). Participants aged 10-18 years will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group using stratified block randomization based on age and baseline Cobb angle. The study will be conducted under the responsibility of the University of Prishtina- Faculty of Medicine and the University Clinical Center of Kosovo, with academic collaboration from Alma Mater Europaea. The experimental group will receive a structured physiotherapeutic corrective exercise program including core stabilization, stretching, spinal self-correction, and pelvic correction exercises. The control group will receive standard physiotherapy exercises used in routine clinical practice. Both groups will undergo supervised physiotherapy sessions three times per week for 16 weeks, with additional prescribed home exercises. Primary outcomes include individual spinal alignment parameters assessed using the DIERS Formetric 3D/4D system, including lateral deviation angle and vertebral rotation. Secondary outcomes include additional postural alignment parameters, spinal mobility measured using an inclinometer, and health-related quality of life assessed using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Revised (SRS-22r) questionnaire. Assessments will be performed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. Each outcome parameter will be analyzed separately to evaluate changes over time and differences between groups. The study will provide evidence on whether a structured corrective physiotherapy program offers superior outcomes compared with standard physiotherapy care in adolescents with AIS.

Who can participate

Age range

10 Years – 18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. * Diagnosis of mild to moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with a Cobb angle between 10° and 40°. * Referred for physiotherapy treatment at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic. * Ability to participate in a 16-week exercise program. * Written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian and assent from the participant. * Agreement not to receive additional scoliosis-specific treatment during the study period. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-idiopathic scoliosis (congenital, neuromuscular, or syndromic scoliosis). * Cervicothoracic scoliosis. * Previous scoliosis surgery. * Brace treatment during the study period. * Previous scoliosis-specific physiotherapy during the study period. * Neurological disorders affecting posture or gait. * Congenital or structural spinal abnormalities. * Lower extremity neuromuscular disorders. * Leg length discrepancy. * Cardiovascular or respiratory conditions contraindicating exercise. * Inability to participate in the intervention or complete outcome assessments.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in lateral spinal deviation

Timeframe: Week 16

Change in vertebral rotation

Timeframe: Week 16

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07736456

SponsorAlma Mater Europaea - Slovenia

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-05-12

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent trials