Purpose: To compare 8 weeks of weekly supervised spinal stabilization exercises with 1-time treatment in participants with low back pain and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to the supervised or unsupervised group. Seventeen participants in the supervised group received weekly physical therapy, and 17 participants in the unsupervised group received a 1-time treatment followed by home exercises.
Results: Significant between-group differences were found in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale scores after 8 weeks (P < .01), indicating the supervised group had significantly more pain reduction and functional improvements than the unsupervised group. However, no between-group differences were found in back muscle endurance, the revised Oswestry Back Pain Disability Questionnaire scores, or the Global Rating of Change scores.
Conclusions: Supervised physical therapy may be more effective than 1-time treatment in reducing pain and improving function in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and low back pain.
Video abstract: For more insights from the authors, access Supplemental Digital Content 1, at http://links.lww.com/PPT/A85.