Schroth Method Exercises for Treating Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis; A Narrative Review

Scoliosis is a 3-dimensional spinal deformity. In recent years, more attention has been paid to scoliosis specific exercises. Among different exercise methods for treating scoliosis, the Schroth’s method is the most recognized and widely used. This study aimed to determine the effect of Schroth’s scoliosis specific exercises on different outcomes and quality of life in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

In this narrative review, databases such as PubMed, PEDro, Trip, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched from 2009 till 2019 using words “schroth AND scoliosis AND (quality of life/ muscle endurance/cobb angle/ respiration/respiratory function) PSSE AND scoliosis, 3 dimensional exercises AND scoliosis.

Finally, 15 studies were included. Most of the studies discussed Cobb’s angle changes and other outcomes such as pain, back muscle endurance, respiratory volumes, chest expansion, pulmonary function, cosmetics and patient’s satisfaction, trunk deformities, weight distribution, and quality of life in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

Schroth’s method’s and 3-dimensional exercises had a positive effect on Cobb’s angle, pain, back muscle endurance, respiratory volumes, chest expansion, cosmetics and patient’s satisfaction, trunk deformities, weight distribution, and quality of life in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. However, the effect of such exercises on pulmonary function is controversial.