Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41357506›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in medicine2025

Effect of exercise therapy on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in mild to moderate: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Hongfang Zhu, Chengjun Li, Zhibo Tian, Qiang Zhang

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 4 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, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Pooled it
  5. An Update on Pain Management in Pediatric Spine Surgery.Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine · 2026
    Review
  6. Article
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

4 authors.

Hongfang ZhuSchool of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.
Chengjun LiCollege of Physical Education and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.
Zhibo TianCollege of Physical Education and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.
Qiang ZhangCollege of Physical Education and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the most effective exercise for reducing the Cobb angle and the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) and improving the quality of life (QoL) in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: A systematic search of EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on exercise interventions for light to moderate AIS. Eligible studies involved AIS patients receiving exercise therapy, with outcomes measured by the Cobb angle, ATR, and quality of life scores. The search included articles published from the inception of these databases until June 2025. Two independent researchers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed using Stata 16.0 and reported per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-NMA guidelines. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO) (CRD42024557874). Results: A total of 16 RCTs involving 600 participants were included in the study. Compared to controls, Schroth exercise significantly improved the Cobb angle [SMD = -1.42, 95% CI (-2.03, -0.80)] and ATR [SMD = -1.86, 95% CI (-3.05, -0.68)]. The Lyon method showed the most significant improvement in quality of life [SMD = 2.64, 95% CI (0.80, 4.49)]. The Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS) exercise also helps improve the Cobb angle, but its effect is weaker. Conclusion: Exercise therapy effectively reduces spinal curvature and enhances the quality of life in adolescents with AIS. Schroth exercises are most effective for improving the Cobb angle and ATR, while the Lyon therapy significantly benefits quality of life. However, due to small sample sizes, substantial between-study heterogeneity, and risk of bias, the overall certainty of evidence is low; the results should be interpreted cautiously. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (CRD42024557874), https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024557874.

Indexed as

adolescentexerciseexercise interventionidiopathic scoliosisnetwork meta-analysis

Identifiers

PMID41357506
PMCPMC12675335

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.