Manipulative and rehabilitative therapy as a treatment of idiopathic scoliosis without psychological sequelae: a case report

Effects of High-Velocity Spinal Manipulation on Quality of Life, Pain and Spinal Curvature in Children with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Scoliosis is a condition that involves deformation of the spine in the coronal plane and commonly appears in childhood or adolescence, significantly limiting a person's life. The cause is multifactorial, and treatment aims to improve the spinal curvature, prevent major pathologies, and enhance aesthetics. The objective of this review was to determine whether high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation is more effective than other treatments for children with idiopathic scoliosis (IS).

METHODS

The PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and PEDro databases were searched for both clinical trials and cohort studies. Methodological quality was assessed via the PEDro scale (for clinical trials) and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (for observational studies). The protocol of this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024532442).

RESULTS

Five studies were selected for review. The results indicated moderate improvements in pain and the Cobb angle and limited improvements in quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

HVLA spinal manipulation does not seem to have significant effects on reducing spinal deformity in IS patients, nor does it significantly impact quality of life. However, this therapy may have significant effects on reducing pain in these patients.

Bridging the gap between observation and brace treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remains the most common and potentially severe form of scoliosis during the rapid growth period. It is generally accepted that AIS is a multifactorial disease controlled by genetic, hormonal, neuromuscular, and environmental factors. Herein, we describe a case of 12-year-old scoliotic girl with a double curve of initially 26° thoracic and 23° lumbar, seeking chiropractic care. The therapy was provided three times/twice a week for 6 months. Adjustments of the spine through chiropractic, both soreness and mobility, were shown to improve. A total correction in Cobb angle of 6° (23%) in the thoracic curve and 7° (30%) in the lumbar curve was illustrated on consequent radiographs. This case highlights the advantage of chiropractic adjustment of early scoliosis primarily because the medical community does not offer any treatment for such a mild scoliosis. Further, randomized trial is warranted to support this viability for AIS.

Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of clinical trials of spinal manipulative therapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

METHODS

Search strategies were developed for PubMed, CINHAL, and CENTRAL databases. Studies were included through June 2016 if they were prospective trials that evaluated spinal manipulative therapy (eg, chiropractic, osteopathic, physical therapy) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Data were extracted and assessed by 2 independent reviewers. Cochrane risk of bias tools were used to assess the quality of the included studies. Data were reported qualitatively because heterogeneity prevented statistical pooling.

RESULTS

Four studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised. The findings of the included studies indicated that spinal manipulative therapy might be effective for preventing curve progression or reducing Cobb angle. However, the lack of controls and small sample sizes precluded robust estimation of the interventions' effect sizes.

CONCLUSION

There is currently insufficient evidence to establish whether spinal manipulative therapy may be beneficial for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The results of the included studies suggest that spinal manipulative therapy may be a promising treatment, but these studies were all at substantial risk of bias. Further high-quality studies are warranted to conclusively determine if spinal manipulative therapy may be effective in the management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Chiropractic Treatments for Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Narrative Review Based on SOSORT Outcome Criteria

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the current body of literature on chiropractic treatment of idiopathic scoliosis against the 2014 consensus paper of the Society on Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Non-Operative Management Committee for outcome reporting in nonoperative treatments.

METHODS

A search of the PubMed and Index to Chiropractic Literature databases for studies published from January 2000 through February 2016 detailing specific treatments and outcomes for idiopathic scoliosis was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 27 studies that discussed chiropractic scoliosis treatments were identified. Of these, there were 15 case reports, 10 case series, 1 prospective cohort, and 1 randomized clinical trial. Of the 27 studies, only 2 described their outcomes as recommended in the 2014 SOSORT and SRS Non-Operative Management Committee consensus paper.

CONCLUSION

The 2014 SOSORT and SRS Non-Operative Committee consensus paper details the format and types of outcomes they collectively believe are the most important and relevant to the patient. Among the chiropractic studies located in this review, 2 described outcomes consistent with how SOSORT recommends they be reported. Given that these consensus papers form the basis for nonoperative treatment recommendations and outcome reporting, future chiropractic studies should seek to report their outcomes as recommended by these papers. This will allow for better interprofessional collaboration and methodologic comparison.