
Resources
Our Frequently Asked Questions
What credible information is available on scoliosis?
What are the “International guidelines for scoliosis management”?
Research
What are the different scoliosis schools and their approaches?
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PSSE- A comprehensive review of seven major schools, Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders, volume 11, Article number: 20 (2016)2016 https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13013-016-0076-9
What is the evidence for each school?
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“Rehabilitation schools for scoliosis” thematic series: describing the methods and results. Scoliosis 2010, 5:27
https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-7161-5-27
What is the “Schroth Method”?
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Three-dimensional treatment for scoliosis. A physiotherapeutic method to improve deformities of the spine. Palo Alto, CA, The Martindale Press 2007
https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-7161-6-17
What is an EOS Scan, and is it safe?
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The EOS™ imaging system and its uses in daily orthopaedic practice, Int Orthop. 2012 Jul; 36(7): 1325–1331.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3385897/
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A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of EOS 2D/3D X-ray imaging system, Eur Spine J. 2013 Feb; 22(2): 296–304.
What is involved in the assessment of scoliosis?
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Radiographic assessment, trunk deformity and back asymmetry. Physiotherapy theory and practice 2011, 27 (1):7-25. doi:10.3109/09593985.2010.503990
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21198403/
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Validity and Reliability Testing of the Scoliometer® Physical Therapy, 1990; 70 (2):108–117,
https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/70/2/108/2728658
How do you re - assess outcomes for scoliosis?
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The reliability and concurrent validity of the Scoliosis research society – 22 patient questionnaire for Idiopathic Scoliosis. Spine 2003 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12544958/
Is joint hyper-mobility linked to scoliosis?

What is the evidence for exercise in managing scoliosis for children & teens?
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Physical exercises in treatment of adolescent idiopathic Scoliosis:
updated systematic review. Physiotherapy theory and practice 2011, 27 (1): 80-114 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21198407/
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The efficacy of three-dimensional Schroth exercises in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomised controlled clinical trial. Clin Rehabil. 2016 Feb;30(2):181-90.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25780260/
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The effect of Schroth exercises added to the standard of care on the quality of life and muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis-an assessor and statistician blinded randomized controlled trial:
"SOSORT 2015 Award Winner” https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13013-015-0048-5
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SEAS exercises reduce spinal deformity and improve quality of life in subjects with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Results of a randomised controlled trial, Eur Spine J. 2014 Jun;23(6):1204-14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24682356/
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Conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis according to FITS concept: presentation of the method and preliminary, short term radiological and clinical results based on SOSORT and SRS criteria Scoliosis volume 6, Article number: 25 (2011) https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-7161-6-25
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Scoliosis intensive out-patient rehabilitation based on Rigo-Concept, Studies Health Tech&Info, 135, 208-227
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18401092/
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Effects of Specific Exercise Therapy on Adolescent Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis- A Prospective Controlled Cohort Study, SPINE:
August 1, 2020 - Volume 45 - Issue 15 - p 1039-1046 https://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Fulltext/2020/08010/Effects_of_Specific_Exercise_Therapy_on_Adolescent.10.aspx
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Physical exercises in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis at risk of brace treatment – SOSORT consensus paper 2005 https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-7161-1-6
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Effect of conservative management on the prevalence of surgery in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Pediatr Rehabil 2003, 6(3-4):209-214.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14713587/
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Does postural stability differ between adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and typically developed?
https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13013-018-0163-1
Bracing
What evidence exists for exercises during bracing in children/teens?
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Effectiveness of Schroth exercises during bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: results from a preliminary study—SOSORT Award 2017: Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders volume 12, Article number: 32 (2017)Winner https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13013-017-0139-6
What evidence is there for exercises during brace weaning?
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Specific exercises performed in the period of brace weaning can avoid loss of correction in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients: Winner of SOSORT's 2008 Award for Best Clinical Paper Scoliosis 2009 Apr 7;4:8. doi: 10.1186/1748-7161-4-8 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19351395/
Is bracing effective in teens?
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Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis. N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1512-1521 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1307337#t=article
Is bracing effective in adults?
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Non - specific chronic low back pain in patients with scoliosis—an overview of the literature on patients undergoing brace treatment. J Phys Ther Sci. 2019 Nov; 31(11): 960–964.
What is the evidence for exercise in managing scoliosis for adults?
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Scoliosis - Specific exercises can reduce the progression of severe curves in adult idiopathic scoliosis: a long-term cohort study Scoliosis. 2015; 10: 20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4537533/
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Effect of Outpatient Schroth Exercises on Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Curves in Adult Scoliosis Patients. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.68183
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Scoliosis conservative management for pain management in adults. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Aug; 28(8): 2404–2407. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5011608/
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Rehabilitation in adult spinal deformity. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Sep; 66(3): 231–243.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7557622/
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The role of physical therapy and rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disease: a systematic review; J Neurosurg Spine 26:694–704, 2017 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28291412/

Our projects
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Prowse A, Aslaksen B, Kierkegaard M, Furness J, Gerdhem P, Abbott A. Reliability & Validity in the Measurement of Postural Asymmetry in Three Anatomical Planes for patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. World J Orthopedics,
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Jan 2017
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doi: 10.5312/wjo.v8.i1.68 - The purpose of this study is to assess the reliability and validity of the Baseline Scoliometer in the assessment of three-dimensional postural asymmetry in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
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Prowse A, Pope R, Gerdhem P & Abbott A (2015) Reliability and validity of inexpensive and easily administered anthropometric clinical evaluation methods of postural asymmetry measurement in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review. Eur Spine J,
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April 2015
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doi10.1007/s00586-015-3961-7 - The purpose of this review was to review the current literature in the assessment of postural asymmetry in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using manual anthropometric measures.
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CONTRAIS: CONservative TReatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: a randomised controlled trial protocol,BMC Musculoskelet Disord.5;14:261.
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Sept 2013 - present
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doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-261- The purpose of this study is to improve the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of conservative treatments for preventing curve progression in idiopathic scoliosis.
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Pre & Post Rehab Evidence
Is there evidence for pre-hab in children/teens?
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Effect of a preoperative protocol of aerobic physical therapy on the quality of life of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomized clinical study. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2014 Jun; 43(6):E112-6.
Is there evidence for post-operative rehabilitation in children/teens?
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Rehabilitation of scoliosis patients with pain after surgery. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2002;88:250-3. PMID: 1545604
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15456044/
Is there evidence for post-operative rehabilitation in adults?
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The role of physical therapy and rehabilitation after lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disease: a systematic review; J Neurosurg Spine 26:694–704, 2017
What outcomes can I expect after surgery?
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The effect of spinal fusion on the long-term outcome of idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Br, 2001 Nov;83(8):11336. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11764426/
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What are the timeframes for return to school and sport after surgery?