Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Spiral Muscle Chain Training for Adolescent Spinal Curvature Abnormalities

N/ACompletedNCT07319702

Nie danning189 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) combined with spiral muscle chain training in improving spinal function and posture in adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with spinal curvature abnormalities. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does exercise-based intervention improve trunk inclination angle, kyphotic angle, and body balance parameters in adolescents with spinal curvature abnormalities? Does the combined intervention improve spinal mobility and paraspinal muscle endurance compared with single-intervention approaches? Does the combined intervention lead to favorable changes in surface electromyography (sEMG) indicators of the paraspinal muscles? Researchers will compare a PNF therapy group, a spiral muscle chain training group, and a combined PNF plus spiral muscle chain training group to assess differences in trunk inclination angle, kyphotic angle, spinal mobility, paraspinal muscle endurance, and neuromuscular activation outcomes. Body mass index, fat-to-muscle ratio, and other body-composition-related indicators will be analyzed as exploratory post hoc outcomes. Participants will: Be assigned to one of three intervention groups: PNF therapy alone, spiral muscle chain training alone, or combined PNF plus spiral muscle chain training. Participate in supervised exercise training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments, including body composition testing, electronic spinal measurements, and surface electromyography testing.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

189

Conditions

Interventions

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) TherapyBEHAVIORAL

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy is used as an exercise-based intervention to address abnormal spinal curvature in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The PNF program includes resisted scapular-pelvic patterns, cervical flexion and extension, trunk diagonal patterns (chopping and lifting), bilateral upper-limb diagonal patterns, and bridge exercises. Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.

Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) TrainingBEHAVIORAL

Spiral muscle chain (SPS) training is applied as an exercise-based intervention aimed at improving spinal alignment, postural control, and neuromuscular coordination in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The SPS program consists of spiral stabilization exercises performed with elastic resistance, body positioning control, and stretching components according to a standardized training protocol. Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.

Combined Exercise TherapyBEHAVIORAL

The combined intervention integrates proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy and spiral muscle chain (SPS) training as a comprehensive exercise program for children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Participants perform both PNF and SPS exercise components within each training cycle to target spinal alignment, muscle endurance, and neuromuscular activation. Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 13 YearsMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 13 to 18 years * Newly diagnosed with no prior treatment and meeting the diagnostic criteria for spinal curvature abnormalities * Scoliosis or coronal spinal curvature abnormality determined by poor posture and angle of trunk inclination or angle of trunk rotation of 5° or greater * Anterior-posterior spinal curvature abnormality determined by poor posture or abnormal spinal side-view assessment, including kyphotic angle less than 20° or greater than 40° * No prior brace treatment * No history of spinal surgery * Able to complete proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy, spiral muscle chain training, or combined exercise training as required * Written informed consent obtained from participants and their parents or legal guardians Exclusion Criteria: * Menstruating females at the time of assessment * Metal implants * History of brace use or prior treatment for spinal curvature abnormalities * Severe scoliosis, defined as angle of trunk inclination or angle of trunk rotation greater than 13° * Congenital spinal curvature abnormality * Neuromuscular disorders * Respiratory dysfunction * Any contraindication to exercise * Any trauma within the previous 6 months * Any accompanying neurological, rheumatological, or mental health problems

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Trunk Tilt Angle (ATI)

Trunk tilt angle (Angle of Trunk Rotation, ATI) measured using an electronic spine assessment device to evaluate changes in spinal asymmetry and trunk alignment.