Improving Home-Based Scoliosis Therapy: Findings From a Web-Based Survey.
Florian Günther, Fabian Schober, Sandra Hunger and 5 others
PMID 37540557WHAT IT FOUND
Home scoliosis exercise was less frequent than therapists recommended.
Patients and therapists said younger people were less motivated. Exercising with friends, a supporting device and a digital profile were the most motivating features.
Key findings
01In the surveyed group, 45 of 72 patients trained twice or less per week at home, while 26 of 30 therapists recommended at least 3 sessions per week.
02Patients and therapists reported that children, adolescents and young adults were less motivated for home exercises, while patients aged 50 years and above reported the greatest motivation.
03The most popular features for increasing motivation were exercising with friends or acquaintances, a supporting therapy device, and a digital profile.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The questionnaires were spread through forums, social media and QR codes, so people who were comfortable with digital media may have been overrepresented. Some respondents may not have had scoliosis or treated scoliosis, and answers could have been untrue. Only 102 fully completed surveys were analysed, including 30 therapists, so the sample was small. The average patient age was 40 years, so children, adolescents and young adults were underrepresented. The youngest participants may have answered with parents, which could have influenced their replies. The survey was limited to Germany, so answers may differ where health care systems and therapy methods differ. The survey reports preferences and habits, not the effect of any intervention on scoliosis outcomes.
Declared interests
The supplied text states that conflicts of interest were none declared. It does not state a funding source.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that apps, devices or gamification improve scoliosis outcomes. It is a survey of preferences and reported habits, so it can show what patients and therapists wanted, not what worked.