Date of Award

2020

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Schroth exercises improve quality of life for patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of two randomized controlled trials and one case series published between 2015 and 2016 which present patient-oriented evidence.

DATA SOURCES: The articles chosen for this review were found using the PubMed Database.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The outcome measured was patient reported scoliosis specific quality of life, which includes patient reported changes in pain. This outcome was assessed through the Scoliosis Research Society 23 questionnaire, the Scoliosis Research Society 22r questionnaire, and the visual analogue scale for pain.

RESULTS: Kuru, Yeldan, Dereli et al. found no significant difference in quality of life from week 1 to week 24 of treatment (p=0.131; Clin Rehabil. 2016;30(2):181-190. doi:10.1177/0269215515575745). Schreiber, Parent, Moez et al. found no significant difference in quality of life after 3 months of treatment (p=0.83) or from 3 months to 6 months of treatment (p=0.08). A significant difference in pain was found from 3 months to 6 months (p=0.02; Scoliosis. 2015;10(5). eCollection 2015. doi: 10.1186/s13013-015-0048-5). Lee, Seong, Bae et al. saw an improvement in pain in all three patients (J. Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(10):2975-2978. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.2975).

CONCLUSIONS: The review of these three studies revealed inconclusive evidence that Schroth exercises are able to improve quality of life for those with scoliosis; however, these studies were limited due to small sample size and further research warranted to assess further generalizable benefits of Schroth exercises.

Download

Share

COinS