The Effect of Peloidotherapy in Young Adults Undergoing Physical Therapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE)

Summary

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder defined by a three-dimensional spinal deformity that can result in substantial clinical and functional limitations, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood. Affected individuals commonly experience postural asymmetry, muscular imbalance, pain, and diminished quality of life. In conservative management, Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (PSSE) have gained recognition as a fundamental intervention. The primary objectives of PSSE include optimizing spinal alignment, facilitating rotational breathing, and restoring muscular symmetry to improve functional capacity. Evidence from systematic reviews suggests that PSSE, especially the Schroth method, are superior to general exercise programs in improving both radiographic parameters and health-related quality of life.Meta-analytic findings further support the effectiveness of PSSE in reducing curve magnitude and enhancing quality of life outcomes. Among the various PSSE approaches, the Schroth method is one of the most extensively investigated and widely applied in clinical settings. This method incorporates three-dimensional postural correction, targeted breathing techniques, and the development of postural awareness. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that Schroth exercises significantly improve SRS-22 quality of life scores and positively influence pain, body image, and overall well-being.Despite these established benefits, pain and muscle tension occurring during exercise sessions may negatively influence adherence to rehabilitation programs. In young adults, pain is a critical factor limiting treatment compliance and restricting engagement in daily activities. Accordingly, adjunctive interventions implemented prior to exercise may enhance exercise tolerance and optimize therapeutic outcomes.Peloidotherapy, which involves the therapeutic application of natural medicinal mud, is commonly used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation due to its analgesic, muscle-relaxant, and circulation-enhancing effects. By alleviating pain and reducing muscular tension, peloidotherapy may facilitate greater participation in exercise programs and support improved clinical outcomes.This study aims to investigate the effects of adjunctive peloidotherapy administered before Schroth-based PSSE in young adults with scoliosis, focusing on pain, exercise adherence, and quality of life, with particular emphasis on SRS-22 measures..

Conditions

• Spine Deformity
• Adult Scoliosis
• Peloidotherapy

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Adult Scoliosis Study Form

The adult scoliosis form, which includes demographic data, clinical and radiological measurements of patients aged 20-40 who present to the outpatient clinic with adult scoliosis, will be completed in detail.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Scoliosis graphy

Patients with results from the forward bending test and clinical evaluation consistent with scoliosis must have had a scoliosis X-ray taken within the last year. Coronal and sagittal balance; coronal and sagittal Cobb angles will be measured from posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral scoliosis radiographs.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Visuel Aanalog Scale

Pain in adults with scoliosis will be assessed and recorded using the visual analog scale. Adults with scoliosis who report pain above VAS\>3 will be included in the assessment.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Adam's Test

The Adams test (forward bending test) (+) will be measured by Bunnell scoliometer (scoliosis assessment tool) and ATR (angle of trunk rotation- trunk rotation) measurements. Trunk rotation is a common component of scoliosis. It adds a twisting motion to the curvature of the spine. You can think of it like a spiral staircase turning upward. In scoliosis, the apical vertebra and vertebrae, which are the bones of the spine, can also twist, causing the ribs to twist with them. This bending is measured by the trunk rotation angle (trunk rotation angle or ATR). A higher ATR means that the bending of the body is more pronounced. The Cobb angle can be estimated using scoliometer measurements of the trunk rotation angle (ATR).

OTHER

TRACE (Trunk Aesthetic Clinical Evaluation)

Aesthetic appearance is a primary consideration in the treatment of scoliosis. This has been clearly stated in a consensus by SOSORT experts, in which aesthetic improvement has become the main goal of scoliosis treatment.TRACE is based on four sub-scales: shoulders, scapulae and waist (which were already present in the AI), and the hemithorax. However, the scores for each sub-scale were changed with respect to AI: shoulders now ranged from 0-3, waist from 0-4, scapulae from 0-2 and hemithorax from 0-2. From these sub-scales we calculated TRACE, using the sum of the sub-scale scores to reach a 12-point scale

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Sinem Turkmen Ozoguz, MD · Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Department

• Deniz Oke, MD · Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Department

• Ebru Yilmaz Yalcinkaya, MD,Professor · Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Department

• Serap Seringec Karabulut, MD · Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Department

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-23

Primary Completion

2026-09-25

Completion

2026-10-23

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations