Effectiveness of basic body awareness therapy in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: A randomized controlled study1

Abstract

Background: In scoliosis, curve progresses due to muscle imbalance and poor posture. Basic body awareness therapy (BBAT) aims to improve posture, coordination, and balance by increasing body awareness, which may help decrease deformities.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate effects of Basic body awareness therapy (BBAT) on curve magnitude, trunk asymmetry, cosmetic deformity, and quality of life in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients.

Methods: Twenty female AIS patients were randomly assigned to BBAT and traditional exercises (TEs) groups. The BBAT group received BBAT and traditional exercises (TEs), while the TEs group received only TEs. The following assessments were included: Cobb angles using X-ray, angle of trunk rotation (ATR) using scoliometer, trunk asymmetry using the Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index (POTSI), cosmetic deformity using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS), and quality of life using the SRS-22 test. Measurements were conducted at baseline examination and ten weeks later. Patients were instructed to wear their brace 23 h daily. Results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test to compare repeated measurements and Mann-Whitney U test to compare the groups.

Results: The BBAT group had greater improvement in the thoracic Cobb angle than the TEs group. Cosmetic deformity improved in both groups, whereas body asymmetry improved in only the BBAT group. SRS-22 scores were unchanged in both groups.

Conclusions: BBAT as an additive to bracing and TEs improve curve magnitude, body symmetry and trunk deformity.

Keywords: Idiopathic scoliosis; basic body awareness therapy; body symmetry; curve progression.