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
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:maciej.plaszewski@awf-bp.edu.pl
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
