Scoliosis Clinical Research

Scoliosis Clinical Research

There is an increasing body of clinical evidence detailing the enormous benefits that the Schroth method poses in the treatment of scoliosis. In fact, it is among the most studied and widely used specific exercise approaches for the condition*. All LOC clinicians have been trained by Dr Weiss, who has had numerous articles and papers published in peer-reviewed clinical journals over the past thirty years.

• 'Management of Spinal Deformities and Evidence of Treatment Effectiveness'

Bettany-Saltikov J, Turnbull, D, Ng, SY, Webb, R. Open Orthop J. 2017 Dec 29;11:1521-1547. eCollection 2017.

The review evaluates the up-to-date evidence for the treatment of spinal deformities, including scoliosis and hyperkyphosis in adolescents and adults.

Excerpt from conclusion: "There is at present high quality evidence in support of the conservative treatment of AIS. The current evidence supports the use of PSSE, especially those using PSSR, together with bracing in the treatment of AIS. In view of the lack of medical consequences in adults with AIS, conservative treatment should be considered for curves exceeding the formerly assumed range of conservative indications."

See paper here

• ‘A Prospective Cohort Study of AIS Patients with 40° and More Treated with a Gensingen Brace (GBW): Preliminary Results.’

Weiss HR, Tournavitis N, Seibel S, Kleban A. Open Orthop J. 2017 Dec 29;11:1558-1567

Conservative brace treatment using the Gensingen brace was successful in 92% of cases of patients with AIS of 40 degrees and higher. This is a significant improvement compared to the results attained in the BrAIST study (72%). Reduction of the ATR shows that postural improvement is also possible.

See paper here

• ‘Bracing scoliosis: the evolution to CAD/CAM for improved in-brace corrections’

Weiss HR, Seibel S, Moromarco M, Kleban A. Hard Tissue 2013 Nov 25;2{5}:43

This study of 21 patients proves that asymmetric braces allow better in-brace correction than symmetric braces and that in turn results in optimal improvements to curvatures, even in curves exceeding 45 degrees.

Download PDF of paper here

• ‘Remodelling of trunk and back shape deformities in patients with scoliosis using standardised asymmetric computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing braces.’

Weiss HR, Monomarco M. Hard Tissue 2013 Feb 26;2{2}:14

This paper compares the case studies of three patients with curvatures exceeding 45 degrees with a plethora of literature on the subject which had shown limited evidence of improvements via bracing.The case studies indicate that trunk and back shape can be improved by bracing, even in patients with curvatures exceeding 45 degrees. For the majority of scoliosis patients with curvatures exceeding 45 degrees, surgery should not be indicated, considering that a large percentage of long-term effects are detrimental, as shown in the literature.

Download PDF of paper here

• ‘Standardising the treatment with Cheneau braces via CAD: Prospects and risks’

Weiss SR. OA Musculoskeletal Medicine 2014 May 03;2{1}:10

This is a review of the literature with respect to the outcome of Cheneau brace treatment. The end results of the latest two independent trials indicate a success rate of over 95%

Download PDF of paper here

• ‘The Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) according to the present evidence. A systematic review’

Weiss. H and Goodall. D. European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine 2008, 44:177-93

This review provides a synopsis of all treatment options for idiopathic scoliosis, including a review of short-term studies which support outpatient physiotherapy. No controlled study was found to support surgical intervention as a treatment for idiopathic scoliosis and cites the unknown long-term effects of surgery as a factor.

See paper here

• ‘Rate of complications in scoliosis surgery – a systematic review of the Pub Med literature’

Weiss, H and Goodall, D. Scoliosis 2008, 3:9.

This paper looks at the limitations of spinal fusion surgery in preventing progression, restoring ‘acceptability’ of the deformity and reducing curvature. This paper concludes that scoliosis surgery has a varying but generally high rate of complications, though long-term risks have not yet been reported on and further research is needed.

See paper here

• ‘Improving excellence in scoliosis rehabilitation: A controlled study of matched pairs.’

HR. Weiss & R. Klein. Pediatric Rehabilitation, July 2006; 9(3): 190–200.

This paper tests the hypothesis that physio-logic® exercises improve the outcome of Scoliosis Intensive Rehabilitation (SIR) by correcting the deformity in the sagittal plane.

See paper here

• 'Specialized physical therapy helps teens with scoliosis get ahead of the curve'

 University of Alberta. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 January 2017. 

A new study shows specialized physical therapy exercises can improve the curve of the spine, muscle endurance and quality of life, as researchers advocate for conservative management to be added to the standard of care for patients in Canada.

* Scoliosis Journal, 2016 “Among all PSSE approaches, the Schroth method [14] is among the most studied and widely used specific exercise approaches for scoliosis.”