Study protocol and overview of the literature on long-term health and quality of life outcomes in patients treated in adolescence for scoliosis with therapeutic exercises

Subtitle:

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Pƚaszewski, Maciej^{a; *} | Kotwicki, Tomasz^b | Chwaƚa, Wiesƚaw^c | Terech, Jacek^d | Cieśliński, Igor^a

Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Physical Education, Institute of Physiotherapy, Warsaw University School of Physical Education, Biaƚa Podlaska, Poland | [b] University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland | [c] Section of Biomechanics, School of Physical Education, Cracow University, Kraków, Poland | [d] Centre of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Bystra Ślska, Poland

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Maciej Plaszewski, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Institute of Physiotherapy, Warsaw University School of Physical Education, Akademicka 2, PL 21-500, Biala Podlaska, Poland. Tel.: +48 692 427 156; Fax: +48 833 428 800; E-mail:[email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Scoliosis, the most prevalent orthopaedic condition affecting children and adolescents, may have lasting physical, psychological and social consequences. With limited evidence-base, scoliosis-specific exercise therapies are an option. OBJECTIVE: An overview of the subject and description of a long-term follow-up study including adults who in adolescence were treated with a scoliosis-specific exercise programme investigating the association of the exercise regime with present physical activity, physical functioning and subjective wellbeing. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first long-term outcome study on scoliosis-specific exercises, in opposition to a number of studies in adults who were braced or treated surgically in adolescence. METHODS: Observational, registry-based case-control study. Adult subjects who in adolescence were treated with an exercise programme or were under observation are invited. Spine and trunk deformity, respiratory function, physical capacity and trunk muscles' function are measured. Health-related quality of life with generic and condition-specific instruments, general mental health, depression and anxiety symptoms, disability due to low back problems and physical activity are assessed. CONCLUSIONS: The report is believed to provide the readers with an overview of this controversial aspect of rehabilitation, and that the proposed protocol will assist researchers designing their studies.

Keywords: Scoliosis, exercises, long-term outcomes, quality of life, functioning, mental health

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-140540

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 453-462, 2015