The Effects of Resisted Inspiratory Muscle Training Applied in Addition to PSSE-Schroth Exercises on Clinical Outcomes in Individuals With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.
This prospective randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether adding resisted inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (PSSE)-Schroth exercises provides additional benefits on clinical outcomes in individuals with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to either PSSE-Schroth plus IMT or PSSE-Schroth alone. Both groups will receive supervised exercise sessions three times per week for 8 weeks (24 sessions). Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention and will include clinical measures (e.g., Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation, Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index, The Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale), respiratory muscle performance (maximal inspiratory pressure/maximal expiratory pressure, six-minute walk test) and related physiological parameters, functional performance (balance, 3D kinematics, plantar pressure analysis, isokinetic strength), sleep quality, and health-related quality of life (Scoliosis Research Society- 22, Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life). The study is expected to enroll approximately 45 participants.
• Female adolescents aged 10-18 years.
• Diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
• Cobb angle between 10° and 45°.
• Angle trunk rotation (ATR) ≥ 5°.
• Risser ≤ 3 and Sanders ≤ 4.
• No scoliosis-related procedure within the last 6 months.
• No contraindication to exercise.