The Effect Of SNPE Spinal Rolling Program On Improving Scoliosis In Elementary School Students

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of the SNPE spinal rolling program on the improvement of scoliosis in 6th grade elementary school students diagnosed with scoliosis. METHODS: Subjects were 12 elementary school students diagnosed with scoliosis with a Cobb's angle of 10 degrees or more, and were divided into 2 groups; Experimental Group (EG: n = 6, 12.0 ± 0.0 yrs, 152 ± 3 cm, 43.9 ± 4.8 kg, 18.8 ± 1.8 kg/m2) and Control Group (CG: n = 6, 12.0 ± 0.0 yrs, 156 ± 5 cm, 46.8 ± 4.5 kg, 19.3 ± 1.5 kg/m2). EG completed the SNPE spinal rolling program consisting 40 min/session, 4 times/w for 12 weeks, while CG did not participated. Cobb’s angle (thoracic, lumbar, and thoracolumbar) was measured before and after the program. Differences within group and between groups were evaluated by paired and independent t-test, respectively. RESULTS: The thoracic Cobb’s angle was improved in EG (from 12.7 ± 6.9 to 7.2 ± 6.0 degree, p = .014) while not in CG (from 11.5 ± 7.3 to 11.8 ± 8.0 degree, p = .805). The magnitude of change for the thoracic Cobb’s angle was significantly different between groups (p = .014). The lumbar Cobb’s angle was improved in EG (from 10.2 ± 9.0 to 6.0 ± 6.4 degree, p = .033) while not in CG (from 7.7 ± 6.2 to 6.8 ± 5.6 degree, p = .093). The magnitude of change for the lumbar Cobb’s angle was significantly different between groups (p = .048). The thoracolumbar Cobb’s angle in EG (from 5.2 ± 8.5 to 2.8 ± 4.5 degree, p = .014) and CG (from 3.8 ± 6.1 to 3.2 ± 5.2 degree, p = .175) was not changed after the program. The magnitude of change for the thoracolumbar Cobb’s angle between groups was not different (p = .355). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the SNPE spinal rolling program was effective in improving the Cobb‘s angle of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in elementary school students with scoliosis. Since the SNPE spinal rolling program is easily organized for elementary school students to perform, it is expected that it can be actively used in the school to prevent and improve scoliosis.