Clinical Efficacy of an Innovative Multidimensional Traction Therapy in Moderate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
This protocol aims to determine whether a patient-specific, multidimensional traction (MDT regimen), delivered alongside standard bracing and mirror-corrective exercises, can improve structural correction in moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The study is a pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) enrolling skeletally immature adolescents (Cobb 20 - 45°) and allocating them 1:1 to (i) brace plus mirror-corrective exercises or (ii) the same program augmented by MDT. Traction vectors are individualized to the curve pattern and flexibility. Interventions are provided over a 3-month period. The MDT arm receives supervised sessions 2x a week, and all participants complete standardized daily exercises and wear braces according to guideline-based prescriptions. The primary outcome is the change in the major-curve Cobb angle from baseline to post-treatment, measured on standardized standing radiographs using consistent end vertebrae and blinded dual reading. Safety, adherence, and adverse events are monitored throughout. In results, adding MDT to bracing and exercises yielded a greater reduction in the major-curve Cobb angle. This protocol operationalizes a reproducible, clinic-ready workflow for parameterized multi-vector traction as an adjunct to conventional nonoperative care, offering a framework to maximize immediate in-brace correction and promote follow-up curve regression. This trial provides methodology and preliminary evidence to support larger, longer follow-up studies through skeletal maturity.
Authors
- Chujie Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4729-7214)
- Fulai Zhao
- Zhiyang Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8634-0716)
- Binhan Yan
- Junli Chang
- Xingyuan Sun
- Junjie Tong
- Peng Zhao
- Suxia Guo
- Jun Yu
- Xinyu Zhang
Institutions
- Soochow University (CN)
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
- Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
- Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital (CN)
- Yueyang Hospital (CN)
- Groupe Lépine (France) (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Visualized Experiments
- Published
- 2026-02-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3791/69897
- Primary Topic
- Scoliosis diagnosis and treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00