Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Spiral Muscle Chain Training for Pediatric Scoliosis

NCT ID: NCT07319702

Last Updated: 2026-01-06

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

189 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-03-05

Study Completion Date

2024-12-30

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) combined with spiral muscle chain (SPS) training in improving spinal function and posture in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does PNF combined with SPS training improve trunk alignment and body balance parameters in children with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

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 trunk and paraspinal muscles?

Researchers will compare a PNF therapy group, an SPS training group, and a combined PNF + SPS group to assess differences in spinal alignment, muscle endurance, and neuromuscular activation outcomes.

Participants will:

Be assigned to one of three intervention groups: PNF therapy alone, SPS training alone, or combined PNF and SPS training

Participate in supervised exercise training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks

Undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments, including electronic spinal measurements and surface electromyography testing

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

FACTORIAL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy

Participants receive proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks. The PNF protocol includes resisted scapular-pelvic patterns, cervical flexion/extension, trunk chopping/lifting patterns, bilateral upper-limb patterns, and bridge exercises (per PNF schedule).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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) Training

Participants receive spiral stabilizing muscle chain (SPS) training as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks. The SPS program follows the SPS training schedule (Training 1A-6A, 7C-10C, and stretching component), with planned repetitions/sets and practice time as listed in the protocol schedule.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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 Therapy

Participants receive a combined program consisting of PNF therapy plus SPS spiral muscle chain training as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Combined Exercise Therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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.

Interventions

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Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy

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.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training

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.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Combined Exercise Therapy

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.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Spiral Stabilization Training

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

\- Age 13 to 18 years

Angle of trunk rotation (ATR) 5° ≤ ATR \< 10°

No brace treatment and no history of spinal surgery

Able to complete PNF therapy and SPS training as required

Written informed consent obtained (participants and their parents/guardians)

Exclusion Criteria

* Non-idiopathic scoliosis

Any exercise-related contraindications

History of spinal surgery

Any congenital deformity

Any trauma within the previous 6 months

Any accompanying neurological, rheumatological, or mental problems
Minimum Eligible Age

13 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Nie danning

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Nie danning

PhD Candidate

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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The Affiliated High School of Nanjing Normal University

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Site Status

Countries

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China

References

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Xu Y, Feng M, Wu R, Wang Y, Yang Z, Wang Z, Kang Z, Xie L, Liu H. Effect of adding proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation to conventional physiotherapy on scapular balance and shoulder proprioception in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2025 Nov 19;15(11):e106848. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106848.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 41263915 (View on PubMed)

Nechvatal P, Hitrik T, Kendrova LD, Macej M. Comparison of the effect of the McKenzie method and spiral stabilization in patients with low back pain: A prospective, randomized clinical trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2022;35(3):641-647. doi: 10.3233/BMR-210055.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 34657873 (View on PubMed)

Maruyama T, Kitagawa T, Takeshita K, Mochizuki K, Nakamura K. Conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: can it reduce the incidence of surgical treatment? Pediatr Rehabil. 2003 Jul-Dec;6(3-4):215-9. doi: 10.1080/13638490310001642748.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 14713588 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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NNU202410016

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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