Effectiveness of Schroth Method on Pain, Body Awareness, and Quality of Life in Adolescent Individuals with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Monitoring with regular follow-up, surgery, bracing, electrical stimulation, and exercise modalities has been widely used to treat scoliosis. The effectiveness of the Schroth method in adolescent individuals with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is still unclear. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Schroth exercises on pain, body awareness, and quality of life in adolescent individuals (10–18 years) with IS. Methods A total of 31 individuals diagnosed with IS were divided into two groups: the study group (n = 16) and the control group (n = 15). Schroth exercises were prescribed to the study group for 1 hour, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks, while the control group performed traditional exercises. Pain severity was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale, pressure-pain threshold with an algometer, body awareness with the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ), and quality of life with the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS22). Results: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in pain severity and pressure-pain thresholds, while the study group showed further decreases in pain severity and increases in pain thresholds after 6 weeks (p  0.05). SRS22 scores improved in both groups, while pain-related quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and subtotal and total scores on the SRS22 were significantly better in the study group after treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusions The short-term (< 6 months) intensive application of the Schroth method demonstrated positive therapeutic effects on pain and quality of life in the treatment of adolescent individuals with IS.