Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40016756›Full record

SynthesisJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2025

The efficacy of core stabilization exercise in mild and moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xiaomei Liu, Yanyang Wang, Min Liu, Yu Zhang, Qiang Wu, Qian Wang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Comprehensive scoliosis conservative rehabilitation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: effects on spinal deformity, physical function, and quality of life, with a parallel mediation analysis of core muscle endurance and pulmonary function.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Xiaomei LiuRehabilitation Medicine Center, Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Yanyang WangRehabilitation Medicine Center, Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Min LiuRehabilitation Medicine Center, Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Yu ZhangRehabilitation Medicine Center, Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Qiang WuRehabilitation Medicine Center, Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Qian WangRehabilitation Medicine Center, Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. wangqianwind@163.com.

Funding

1·3·5 project for disciplines of excellence-Clinical Research Fund, West China Hospital, Sichuan University 24HXFH013Beijing Natural Science Foundation-The Establishment and Promotion of an Intelligent Evaluation and Integrated Rehabilitation System for Post-Operative Spinal Deformity L232022Rehabilitation Assistance Devices Adaptation Center Project TJCZCJJK001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is one of the most prevalent spinal abnormalities. Core stabilization exercise (CSE) has become a common approach in the treatment of AIS. However, the efficacy of CSE in AIS remains a subject of debate.

objectiveTo determine the efficacy of CSE in the patients with AIS in comparison with different intervention programs.

methodsA comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wan Fang, Wei Pu, and CNKI databases, encompassing literature from their inception through December 31st, 2024. Two independent reviewers screened the studies, with inter-rater agreement evaluated via kappa scores. Randomized control trials that focus on the efficacy and safety of CSE in AIS population were included in this systematic review. The risk of bias assessment was performed utilizing the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tools (NIH-QAT). After quality assessments and information extraction, the meta-analysis was conducted with Review manager and the standard mean difference (SMD) was pooled among the measurement data derived from different studies. Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation, apical vertebral rotation, Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale, Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, SRS-22,, were focused as outcomes.

resultsA total of 10 studies involving 449 subjects were included in this systematic review. The average Cobb angle was 22.86° ± 8.79°, and the intervention duration varied from 8weeks to 6months. The kappa score was 0.93. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the different control groups, National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tools (NIH-QAT) results, and intervention durations. The results indicated that CSE could have greater effect sizes than the blank control group on Cobb angle (MD = -4.37, P < 0.05), angle of trunk rotation (MD = -1.07, P < 0.05), apical vertebral rotation (MD = -0.44, P < 0.05), quality of life as SRS-22 (MD = 0.22, P < 0.05). Notably, the efficacy of CSE appears to be weaker than that of the three-dimensional exercise group in terms of Cobb angle (MD = 3.95, P < 0.05), angle of trunk rotation (MD = 1.69, P < 0.05) and WASRS scores (MD = 0.89, P < 0.05). Other subgroup analyses yielded no statistically significant differences.

conclusionsThe present study showed that core stabilization exercise may be beneficial for the patients with mild to moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, albeit less effective than three-dimensional exercises following short-term follow-up. The evidence on the efficacy of CSE is limited due to heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and multiple comparisons. The clinical trials focusing on patient compliance and training quality with long-term follow-up are warranted. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD 42022367714.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyScoliosisAdolescentHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeAdolescent idiopathic scoliosisCore stabilization exerciseEfficacyMeta-analysisSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40016756
PMCPMC11869405

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.