Effect Of Three-dimensional Mechanical Correction In Conservative Treatment Of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Objective: To observe the safety of three-dimensional mechanical correction assisted by correction device in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis(AIS),and to explore its effect on patients’ posture,spinal alignment and quality of life.Methods: Forty-five AIS patients were divided into the experimental group(n=18) and the control group(n=27)according to their intentions.Both groups conducted physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercises in 30-minute session 5 times a week for 12 weeks,with brace in patients whose Cobb angle greater than 25 degrees.The experimental group were given extra 30-minute session mechanical correction 5 times a week with a three-dimensional correction device for 4 weeks.Photographic measurement and scoliometer were used to assess patients’ posture at baseline,4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment.Changes of radiography,Scoliosis Research Society(SRS-22)and Spinal Appearance Questionnaires(SAQ)were collected at baseline and 12 weeks.Adverse events were also recorded.Results: The experimental group all completed 4 weeks of mechanical correction and no severe adverse event was observed.There was no significant posture change at any time within the control group.In the experimental group,waist angle was reduced by5.0±3.7°after 4 weeks and 6.0±4.5°after 12 weeks(F=17.238,P<0.001).Head protraction angle was increased by 2.5±3.0°after 4 weeks(F=6.757,P=0.004)and trunk rotation angle was decreased by 3.4±3.7°after 12 weeks(F=6.277,P=0.006).The waist change from baseline to 4 weeks of the experimental group was greater than that of the control group(t=2.541,P=0.016).The improvement percentage of Cobb angle in the experimental group was 41.7%,higher than 5.6% of the control group.There was no significant difference between groups regarding the patient-reported outcome of quality of life.Conclusion: Three-dimensional mechanical correction assisted by correction equipment is safe and feasible,which can improve the posture and spinal alignment of patients with AIS.It can be used as a supplementary method in the conservative treatment of AIS to enhance the effect of conventional rehabilitation.