The impact of scoliosis bracing combined with physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) on trunk muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis has previously been unknown.
ScoliCare Head of Education and Research, Rose Marchese, Senior Scoliosis Clinician, Dr. Juan Du Plessis, Dr. Tamara Pooke and CEO Dr. Jeb McAviney completed a retrospective study of trunk muscle endurance of 33 adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis patients who received ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance® treatment. The paper was published in The Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2024.
The paper can be accessed here: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/3/653
Understanding the Study:
The primary area of interest for the study was trunk muscle endurance, in particular, trunk extensor muscle endurance (TE) and abdominal endurance (AE). TE and AE tests were performed on 33 patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. The main aim of this study was to explore the impact of ScoliBalance and ScoliBrace treatment on a patient trunk muscle endurance.
The patients were assessed on the time duration they were able to hold and complete two trunk endurance tests. TE and AE times were checked prior to the brace fitting and then again at two follow-up points. The tests used were the Beiring–Sorenson Test and the V-sit test. The Biering–Sorensen test was used to assess TE. The V-sit test was used to assess AE. The maximum hold time for these tests was 180 seconds. The tests used for this study are shown here below:
All patients in this paper were treated using a ScoliBalance program and a full time ScoliBrace.
ScoliBalance is a physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercise rehabilitation program (PSSE) used to treat scoliosis and kyphosis in young children, adolescents, and adults. The aim for each patient is to achieve an individualised 3D auto-correction of their posture. ScoliBalance focuses on achieving a specific postural correction (ScoliCorrection) and then strengthening that correction using a specific set of exercises (ScoliExercises). The ScoliBrace is a customised, rigid, over-corrective orthosis designed to place a patient in a position that attempts to correct the spine and posture in three dimensions. Each ScoliBrace is custom designed and made for the patient.
Findings From Study:
Results from this study show significant improvement in trunk muscle endurance for AIS patients using ScoliBrace and ScoliBalance. Let’s break this down:
Trunk Extensor Muscle Endurance (TE) Test:
- The initial baseline findings in our patients showed a median TE test hold time of 87 seconds.
- At a short term follow up (6 weeks of treatment), the median TE test hold time was 150 seconds.
- At a medium term follow up (24 weeks of treatment), the median TE test hold time was 180 seconds (maximum).
Abdominal Endurance (AE) Test:
- This initial baseline AE in our AIS patients started with a median of 95 seconds.
- This increased to a median of 180 seconds at both short term and medium term follow up assessments.
These results also begin to suggest that trunk muscle endurance will not deteriorate in AIS patients with this combined treatment. With the limited information regarding this topic, the study serves as large support for the use of scoliosis-specific exercises with bracing treatment when indicated.
If you have questions about ScoliBalance of ScoliBrace treatment, get in touch with a ScoliBrace or ScoliBalance Provider near you.
