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

Introduction: Monitoring with regular follow-ups, surgery, bracing, electrical stimulation, and exercise modalities has been widely used in the treatment of scoliosis. The effectiveness of the Schroth method for pain in adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Schroth exercises on pain, body awareness, and quality of life in adolescents individuals (10-18 years) with IS. Methods: A total of 31 individuals diagnosed with IS were divided into two groups: study (n=16) and control (n=15). Schroth exercises were prescribed to the study group for 1 h, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks, while the control group performed traditional exercises. Pain severity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale, pressure-pain threshold with an algometer, body awareness with Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ), and quality of life using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS22). Results: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in pain severity and pressure-pain threshold, while the study group showed a further decline in pain severity and increase in pain threshold after 6 weeks (p0.05). SRS22 scores were improved in both groups, while pain-related quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and subtotal and total SRS22 scores were significantly better in the study group after treatment (p