Clinical Outcomes Observed Following a Standardized Acupuncture Protocol in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Retrospective Single-Arm Study

Background Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common structural spinal deformity in adolescents. Conservative treatment options beyond monitoring and bracing remain limited. However, evidence for complementary approaches from uncontrolled observational designs cannot establish causality. Objective This article aims to describe the clinical outcomes observed in adolescents with mild-to-moderate AIS who completed a standardized 12-week acupuncture protocol in an uncontrolled retrospective cohort. Methods This study included 107 participants aged 10–16 years with AIS (Cobb angle 10°–25°, Risser grade 0–3) who completed a uniform acupuncture intervention (twice weekly for 12 weeks). Acupoints included bilateral Huatuo Jiaji, BL23, BL18, GB34, and Ashi points. The primary outcome was Cobb angle change. Secondary outcomes included Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22), visual analog scale (VAS) back pain, and curve progression rate (≥5°). A flow diagram documented patient selection; baseline characteristics were compared between included and excluded patients. Concomitant analgesic use (11.2%) and exercise (16.8%) were recorded; sensitivity analyses assessed confounding. Results The mean Cobb angle decreased from 18.2° ± 4.1° to 16.1° ± 4.8° (mean change −2.1°, 95% confidence interval −2.8° to −1.4°, P < 0.001), within radiographic measurement variability (3°–5°). Curve progression (≥5°) occurred in 5.6%; improvement (≥5° decrease) in 31.8%. The SRS-22 total score increased from 3.8 (interquartile range [IQR] 3.5–4.1) to 4.2 (IQR 3.9–4.4) ( P < 0.001); the VAS pain score decreased from 3 (IQR 2–5) to 1 (IQR 1–3) ( P < 0.001). Adverse events were mild: hematoma (10.3%) and dizziness (3.7%). Conclusion In this uncontrolled retrospective series, adolescents who completed a 12-week acupuncture protocol showed a marginal Cobb angle reduction (within measurement error) and significant improvements in quality of life and pain, with a favorable safety profile; however, causality cannot be inferred from this design. Randomized controlled trials with sham acupuncture comparator and extended follow-up are needed to establish efficacy.