2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (18): 2871-2877

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization combined with physiotherapy scoliosis specific exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis type RigoA: Improving trunk rotation angle and reducing back pain

Sun Xiaolei1, Zhang Xiaohui2, Lin Jiasheng3, Liao Bagen2   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has been recognized by The International Scientific Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment, but there are fewer clinical studies on specific physiotherapy combined with exercise therapy for specific subtypes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.  
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effect of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization combined with physiotherapy scoliosis specific exercises on adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis type RigoA.
METHODS:   Eighteen adolescent idiopathic scoliosis RigoA patients admitted to The Fifth Hospital of Harbin City between December 2020 and December 2021 were selected, including 6 males and 12 females, at the age of 10-16 years. The patients were randomly divided into trial group (n=10) and control group (n=8). The trial group underwent Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization combined with Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises and the control group only received Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. The frequency of treatment was once a week.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:   (1) After 24 weeks of treatment, the Cobb angle and thoracic curvature of the trial group were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), while the Cobb angle and thoracic curvature of the control group had no significant changes compared with those before treatment (P > 0.05). The Cobb angle and thoracic curvature were lower in the trial group than those of the control group (P < 0.05). (2) After 24 weeks of treatment, the axial trunk rotation angle of the trial group was lower than that before treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in the axial trunk rotation angle in the control group compared with that before treatment (P > 0.05). The axial trunk rotation angle of the trial group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). (3) The visual analog scale scores of the first treatment and 10 and 24 weeks after treatment in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). The visual analog scale score of the trial group after 24 weeks of treatment was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). (4) After 24 weeks of treatment, the vital capacity of the trial group was higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in the vital capacity of the control group compared with that before treatment (P > 0.05). The vital capacity of the trial group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). (5) These results indicate that the combination of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises proved to be effective in reducing the axial trunk rotation angle of scoliosis, reducing back pain and increasing vital capacity, and controlling the development of the scoliosis curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis RigoA patients.
Key words: instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, RigoA type, scoliosis, physiotherapy scoliosis specific exercises, adolescent