Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)NCT07779070
Supervised vs. Home Schroth Exercise in AIS
A study testing Supervised Schroth Exercise and Home-Based Schroth Exercise in people with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), run by Bitlis Eren University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of supervised Schroth exercises versus a home-based exercise program in adolescents with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 18 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)
- What is being tested?
- Supervised Schroth Exercise and Home-Based Schroth Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 62 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 31 Aug 2026to 31 Aug 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 10 to 18 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (idiopathic etiology)
- Age between 10 and 18 years
- Cobb angle between 10° and 45°
- Able to participate in a 5-day/week exercise program (supervised or home-based)
- Patient and parent/guardian provide written informed consent
- Sufficient cooperation to comply with the study protocol and complete assessments
Who cannot join
- Non-idiopathic scoliosis (neuromuscular, congenital, functional, etc.)
- Prior or planned spinal surgery
- Neurological, rheumatological, metabolic, or cardiopulmonary disease that would interfere with participation
- Brace treatment within the last 6 months or planned during the study
- Regular scoliosis-specific exercise (more than 2 days/week) within the last 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Silivri Devlet Hastanesi, Fizik Tedavi Ünitesi
Siliviri, Istanbul, 34570
Mehmet Emin Durbulu, +90 506 146 4064, fztmehmetdurbulu@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effectiveness of Supervised vs. Home-Based Schroth Exercises in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of supervised Schroth exercises versus a home-based exercise program in adolescents with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).
Read the detailed description
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that develops in children aged 10-18, affecting approximately 0.47% to 12% of this population. If left untreated, curves between 10° and 45° may progress, leading to pain, breathing difficulties, postural problems, and reduced quality of life. Although bracing and surgery are traditional options, they have limitations. Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE), particularly the Schroth method, are increasingly recommended as a first-line conservative treatment.
- Conditions
- Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)
- Being tested
- Supervised Schroth Exercise, Home-Based Schroth Exercise
- Keywords
- Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Schroth Exercise
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Supervised Schroth ExerciseOther
60-minute Schroth exercise sessions, 5 days/week for 12 weeks, delivered under one-on-one physiotherapist supervision. Includes 3D auto-correction, rotational breathing, postural stabilization, and curve-specific exercises (shoulder counter-pull, muscle cylinder, side-lying, sailing, prominent hip, Schroth walking)
Home-Based Schroth ExerciseOther
Same 60-minute Schroth exercise program, 5 days/week for 12 weeks, performed at home without direct physiotherapist supervision. Participants receive initial instruction and an individualized exercise booklet.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised Schroth Exercise Group (SSEG) | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive the exercise program under direct, one-on-one supervision by a physiotherapist. This is a purely physical exercise intervention. No drugs or devices are used as part of the intervention. Only the Schroth exercise program is administered. Receives: Other: Supervised Schroth Exercise |
| Home Exercise Program Group (HEPG) | Active comparator | Participants in this group will be provided with an individualized home exercise program that matches the supervised group in terms of principles, content, and duration. This is a purely physical exercise intervention. No drugs or devices are used as part of the intervention. Only the Schroth exercise program is administered. Receives: Other: Home-Based Schroth Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Cobb Angle
Change in the primary curve Cobb angle measured on standing posteroanterior full-spine radiographs, assessed at baseline and 3 months post-intervention.
Measured: Baseline and 3 months post-intervention
Secondary outcomes (6)
Change in Trunk Rotation Angle (ATR)
Change in angle of trunk rotation measured using a scoliometer during the Adam's Forward Bend Test.
Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Thoracic Kyphosis
Change in thoracic kyphosis angle measured using an inclinometer at T1-T2 and T12-L1 levels.
Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Lumbar Lordosis
Change in lumbar lordosis angle measured using an inclinometer at T12-L1 and S2-S3 levels.
Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks
Respiratory Function assessed by Spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75%)
Respiratory function will be assessed using a spirometry device. The following parameters will be recorded and analyzed: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), and Forced Expiratory Flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%).
Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Pain Level
Change in musculoskeletal pain/discomfort assessed using the Turkish-validated Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (T-CMDQ) [19]. The questionnaire evaluates discomfort in 18 body regions over the past week across three dimensions: frequency, severity, and functional impact on daily activities. A risk score is calculated for each body region by multiplying these three parameters. For bilaterally assessed regions, the higher of the two side-specific scores is used in the analysis. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes.
Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Quality of Life
Change in health-related quality of life assessed using the Turkish-validated Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of five domains: function, pain, self-image, mental health, and treatment satisfaction. Each item is scored from 1 (worst) to 5 (best); domain and total scores range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate better outcomes. The treatment satisfaction domain will be assessed only at 12 weeks; other domains assessed at both baseline and 12 weeks.
Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Aug 2026
- Study start31 Aug 2026
- Primary completion31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be allocated to one of two groups using block randomization: 1) Supervised Schroth Exercise Group (SSEG), or 2) Home Exercise Program Group (HEPG).
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 62 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bitlis Eren University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mesut Arslan, Bitlis Eren University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07779070
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E.9290
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effectiveness of Supervised vs. Home-Based Schroth Exercises in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07779070
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E.9290
- Conditions
- Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)
- Keywords
- Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Schroth Exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 62 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Bitlis Eren UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 31 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 21 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of supervised Schroth exercises versus a home-based exercise program in adolescents with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).
Detailed description
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that develops in children aged 10-18, affecting approximately 0.47% to 12% of this population. If left untreated, curves between 10° and 45° may progress, leading to pain, breathing difficulties, postural problems, and reduced quality of life. Although bracing and surgery are traditional options, they have limitations. Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE), particularly the Schroth method, are increasingly recommended as a first-line conservative treatment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be allocated to one of two groups using block randomization: 1) Supervised Schroth Exercise Group (SSEG), or 2) Home Exercise Program Group (HEPG).
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised Schroth Exercise Group (SSEG) | Experimental | Other: Supervised Schroth ExerciseParticipants in this group will receive the exercise program under direct, one-on-one supervision by a physiotherapist. This is a purely physical exercise intervention. No drugs or devices are used as part of the intervention. Only the Schroth exercise program is administered. |
| Home Exercise Program Group (HEPG) | Active comparator | Other: Home-Based Schroth ExerciseParticipants in this group will be provided with an individualized home exercise program that matches the supervised group in terms of principles, content, and duration. This is a purely physical exercise intervention. No drugs or devices are used as part of the intervention. Only the Schroth exercise program is administered. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 10 to 18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Diagnosis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (idiopathic etiology)
- Age between 10 and 18 years
- Cobb angle between 10° and 45°
- Able to participate in a 5-day/week exercise program (supervised or home-based)
- Patient and parent/guardian provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Non-idiopathic scoliosis (neuromuscular, congenital, functional, etc.)
- Prior or planned spinal surgery
- Neurological, rheumatological, metabolic, or cardiopulmonary disease that would interfere with participation
- Brace treatment within the last 6 months or planned during the study
- Regular scoliosis-specific exercise (more than 2 days/week) within the last 6 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised Schroth Exercise60-minute Schroth exercise sessions, 5 days/week for 12 weeks, delivered under one-on-one physiotherapist supervision. Includes 3D auto-correction, rotational breathing, postural stabilization, and curve-specific exercises (shoulder counter-pull, muscle cylinder, side-lying, sailing, prominent hip, Schroth walking) | Other | Supervised Schroth Exercise Group (SSEG) |
| Home-Based Schroth ExerciseSame 60-minute Schroth exercise program, 5 days/week for 12 weeks, performed at home without direct physiotherapist supervision. Participants receive initial instruction and an individualized exercise booklet. | Other | Home Exercise Program Group (HEPG) |
Primary outcome
Change in Cobb Angle
Time frame: Baseline and 3 months post-intervention
Change in the primary curve Cobb angle measured on standing posteroanterior full-spine radiographs, assessed at baseline and 3 months post-intervention.
6 secondary outcomes
Change in Trunk Rotation Angle (ATR)
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Thoracic Kyphosis
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Lumbar Lordosis
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Respiratory Function assessed by Spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75%)
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Pain Level
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Quality of Life
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Supervised Schroth Exercise and Home-Based Schroth Exercise in people with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), run by Bitlis Eren University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mesut Arslan, PhD (+90 553 674 5226, fzt.mesutarslan@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Cobb Angle (time frame: Baseline and 3 months post-intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 29 Oct 2026.