A controlled prospective study on the efficacy of SEAS.02 exercises in preventing progression and bracing in mild idiopathic scoliosis

There is low evidence on the possible efficacy of exercises to treat idiopathic scoliosis, graded as C by the existing Italian Guidelines. Our aim was to verify if exercises quality has an effect on results. DESIGN: Prospective controlled study on idiopathic scoliosis patients that performed only exercises to avoid progression. TREATMENT: SEAS Group make exercises according to the protocol SEAS.02 (Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis, version 2002). The CONT Group performed exercises at a local structure according to different protocols preferred by the treating therapists. Population. SEAS: 48 patients (37 females), 12.5+/-2.2 years, 15.1 degrees +/-5.7 degrees Cobb (degrees C), 9.0 degrees +/-3.3 degrees Bunnell (degrees B). The difference in the number of braced patients within the first year has been almost statistically significant (P=0.07): 1 in SEAS vs. 5 in CONT. Cobb degrees improved with treatment (P<0.05) only in the SEAS group. Clinical results (variation of at least 5 degrees C or 2 degrees B) were better in SEAS than CONT. Not all exercises for scoliosis have the same efficacy: this study proves the short term efficacy of SEAS.02 when compared to usual care.