Feedback-Based Balance Training for Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis

Summary

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of scoliosis occurring during the growth period and is associated with significant alterations in postural balance compared with healthy peers. Prior research has shown that adding sensorimotor or balance-focused training to scoliosis-specific exercises may produce greater improvements in postural control and overall balance function than scoliosis-specific exercises alone. However, no study has previously investigated the effects of feedback-based balance training using a multi-axial platform with real-time biofeedback (the HUBER® 360 Evolution system) in this population.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of adding HUBER® 360-based feedback balance training to individualized conservative scoliosis exercises on postural balance, postural symmetry, and health-related quality of life in adolescents with AIS.

The intervention protocol consists of 12 sessions delivered over 4 weeks, three sessions per week. Each session comprises 40 minutes of individualized conservative scoliosis exercises (identical between arms) followed by 30 minutes of balance training that differs between arms: HUBER® 360-based feedback balance training delivered in the clinic in the intervention arm, and a structured home-based balance exercise program performed independently after physiotherapist instruction in the active comparator arm.

Outcomes are assessed at three time points: T0 (baseline, week 0), T1 (immediately post-intervention, week 4), and T2 (12-week follow-up, week 16 from baseline). The primary outcome is the Stability Index measured by the TecnoBody ProKin stabilometric platform. Pre-specified key secondary outcomes include mediolateral standard deviation of the center of pressure, Romberg area ratio, Limits of Stability, the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire (SRS-22) total score, and single-leg stance time. Additional exploratory outcomes include further static, dynamic, and proprioceptive balance parameters from the TecnoBody ProKin platform; postural asymmetry parameters from the DIERS Formetric 4D rasterstereography system; and SRS-22 subdomain scores.

Conditions

• Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
• Postural Balance

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

HUBER® 360 Balance Training

Participants complete 30-minute balance training sessions on the HUBER® 360 Evolution multi-axial neuromuscular training platform (LPG Systems, Valence, France). The platform delivers real-time visual biofeedback on weight distribution and applied force through force sensors in the handles and an integrated screen. The protocol focuses on stretching the posterior chain, opening and increasing the concavity, and reinforcing the convexity. Sessions are supervised by a physiotherapist on a one-to-one basis.

BEHAVIORAL

Home-Based Balance Exercise Program

Participants complete a 30-minute structured home-based balance exercise program three times per week for 4 weeks. The program is taught in detail by a physiotherapist prior to the intervention period and performed independently by the participant at home. It includes bilateral and unilateral stance exercises, balance tasks with eyes open and closed, exercises on different surfaces, and controlled weight-shifting tasks, organized according to a progressive difficulty principle. No device-based or real-time biofeedback is used.

BEHAVIORAL

Individualized Conservative Scoliosis Exercises

Participants perform 40-minute supervised exercise sessions tailored to each patient's curve pattern, apex location, and clinical findings. The program includes posture exercises, pelvic tilt, symmetric extension, scapular adduction with pectoral stretching, asymmetric lateral stretching, Cotrel exercise, flexibility and strengthening exercises, and active three-dimensional postural correction. All sessions are delivered one-to-one by a physiotherapist experienced in scoliosis rehabilitation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara Etlik City Hospital

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Ece Ünlü Akyüz, MD, Professor · Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• Damla Cankurtaran, MD, Associate Professor · Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

10 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-04-04

Primary Completion

2026-11-01

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations