Spinal Stabilization Exercise Effectiveness for Low Back Pain in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Trial

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.