Preliminary study on the treatment of prepubescent adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with Schroth exercises combined with core exercises.

The study analysed only 5 patients, after exclusions from an initial cohort of 27, so the result is very preliminary. It was retrospective and had no control group, so improvement cannot be confidently attributed to the exercises rather than natural growth patterns, spontaneous regression, or other unmeasured factors. Schroth exercises and core exercises were delivered together, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. Follow-up was only six months and did not span pubertal growth spurts, when scoliosis progression risk is highest. The study did not standardize adjunct activities such as school sports or daily posture habits, which could have influenced outcomes. Participants were only prepubescent patients with moderate curves (Cobb angle 20°-40°), so the findings may not apply to older adolescents, smaller or larger curves, or patients with other conditions.

The authors state that financial support was received for the research and/or publication. The study was supported by the Taizhou Science and Technology Project (Grant No. 24ywa34).

Do not conclude that Schroth plus core exercises caused the curve reduction or is better than bracing or Schroth-only protocols. Only 5 prepubescent patients were studied retrospectively with no control group, and both Schroth exercises and core exercises were given together, so the contribution of either component cannot be separated.