Affiliations: [a] School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey | [b] Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Gozde Yagci, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. Tel.: +90 3123051576; Fax: +90 3123052012; E-mail: gosdegr@hotmail.com.
Note: [1] The study was approved by the University of Hacettepe Research Ethics Board Go 14/19 on March 19, 2014. The volunteers were informed regarding the treatment and its potential benefits as well as evaluation methods; and thereby, signed informed consent forms were obtained.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In scoliosis, curve progresses due to muscle imbalance and poor posture. Basic body awareness therapy (BBAT) aims to improve posture, coordination, and balance by increasing body awareness, which may help decrease deformities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate effects of Basic body awareness therapy (BBAT) on curve magnitude, trunk asymmetry, cosmetic deformity, and quality of life in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. METHODS: Twenty female AIS patients were randomly assigned to BBAT and traditional exercises (TEs) groups. The BBAT group received BBAT and traditional exercises (TEs), while the TEs group received only TEs. The following assessments were included: Cobb angles using X-ray, angle of trunk rotation (ATR) using scoliometer, trunk asymmetry using the Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index (POTSI), cosmetic deformity using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS), and quality of life using the SRS-22 test. Measurements were conducted at baseline examination and ten weeks later. Patients were instructed to wear their brace 23 h daily. Results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test to compare repeated measurements and Mann-Whitney U test to compare the groups. RESULTS: The BBAT group had greater improvement in the thoracic Cobb angle than the TEs group. Cosmetic deformity improved in both groups, whereas body asymmetry improved in only the BBAT group. SRS-22 scores were unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: BBAT as an additive to bracing and TEs improve curve magnitude, body symmetry and trunk deformity.
Keywords: Idiopathic scoliosis, basic body awareness therapy, curve progression, body symmetry
