Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent clinical trials

Investigation of Virtual Reality Supported Core Stabilization Exercises and Basic Body Awareness Therapy Activities in Individuals With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the trunk and spine, which can significantly worsen during advanced growth stages. While scoliotic deformities have various causes, approximately 80-90% of all scoliosis cases have an unknown origin and are referred to as idiopathic scoliosis. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is the most common subtype of idiopathic scoliosis. The primary treatments for AIS include physiotherapy, bracing, and spinal surgery. Several scoliosis-specific exercise programs exist as part of physiotherapy interventions to treat scoliosis, with core stabilization being one of the methods aimed at maintaining spinal alignment. Virtual reality is an interactive, three-dimensional simulation model created by computers that provides participants with a sense of reality and enables mutual communication. Virtual reality offers a method to create stimulating and engaging environments, using task-oriented techniques to leverage individual interests and motivation. One of the most significant advantages observed in all forms of virtual rehabilitation is its ability to promote interactivity and patient motivation. In the literature, virtual reality applications have been used in healthcare to facilitate recovery, post-illness rehabilitation, and enhance performance in athletes. However, there is limited research on the application of virtual reality therapy for scoliosis patients. One study mentioned the use of two scoliosis-specific exercises through video-assisted games, but the limited exercise repertoire resulted in no significant differences. Other video-assisted studies have suggested that exercises targeting posture, balance, and walking can be utilized for scoliosis patients. Therefore, our study aims to apply core stabilization exercises to scoliosis patients using virtual reality applications and investigate their effects on patient improvement. While studies examining the effectiveness of core stabilization exercises on body awareness in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are limited, it has been reported that the basic body awareness therapy is effective in terms of pain, body image, quality of life, and functionality. Our study aims to contribute to the literature by utilizing the therapeutic effects of both basic body awareness and virtual reality-supported exercises. The research will be conducted at Ruhi Tingiz Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, affiliated with Amasya University Training and Research Hospital. Participants diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis will be randomly assigned to four groups for the study. All participants' curvature severity and rotation angle, trunk flexibility, trunk normal joint range of motion, spinal pain, Cosmetic Defect Assessment-Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (The Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS)), Quality of Life Assessment-"Scoliosis Research Society-22" (SRS-22), and Children's Depression Scale (ÇDÖ) will be evaluated before and after treatment.