(1) Background: Idiopathic scoliosis can be defined as a complex three-dimensional deformity of the spine and trunk, which occurs in basically healthy children. Schroth scoliosis-specific exercises have shown good results in reducing idiopathic scoliosis progression. This study aimed to critically evaluate the effect size of Schroth’s method through a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2) Methods: Four databases were included in the search: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The following keywords were used: “Schroth exercise”, “idiopathic scoliosis”, “Cobb angle”, “angle of trunk rotation”, and “quality of life”. Only articles written in English that met the following criteria were included in our study: subjects who had idiopathic scoliosis, the Schroth method was applied, and Cobb angle or angle of trunk rotation or quality of life as outcomes. (3) Results: Ten randomized controlled trials were included in this study. The effect size of the Schroth exercise ranged from almost moderate to large, for the outcomes used: Cobb angle (ES = −0.492, p ˂ 0.005); ATR (ES = −0.471, p = 0.013); QoL (ES = 1.087, p ˂ 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The current meta-analysis indicates that the Schroth method has a positive effect on subjects with idiopathic scoliosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the conservative Schroth method in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: A total of 34 respondents, 24 male and 10 female, aged between 11 and 16 years, participated in the research. The study was a single-blind randomized trial, in which subjects were divided into control and experimental groups by stratified randomization according to the stratum of the Cobb angle. The control group performed the Schroth method at home without the supervision of Schroth therapists, while the experimental group performed the Schroth method under the supervision of Schroth therapists three times a week for 90 min over eight weeks. Initial and final outcome measurements were performed: Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation, vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second in forced vital capacity, and chest expansion. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in all measured outcomes in the experimental group, while no statistically significant changes were recorded in the control group. The Cobb angle decreased by 2.12°, while ATR decreased by 2.88°; VC increased by 0.15 L, FVC by 0.13 L, FEV1 by 0.1 L, and CE increased by 0.78 cm. Conclusions: The application of an eight-week therapy program using Schroth method by subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis had statistically significant changes in all measured outcomes in the group that was supervised by Schroth’s therapists, while there was no statistically significant improvement in the group that applied therapy at home without supervision.

Introduction: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the effect size of conservative methods based on exercise for respondents with idiopathic scoliosis.Methods: This study was developed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched in May 2023. The key search terms were “Idiopathic scoliosis”, “Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis”, “Cobb angle”, “Angle of trunk rotation”, “Quality of life”, “Schroth method”, and “Core stabilization exercises”. Risk of bias was assessed for each randomized trial using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the methodological index for non-randomized studies. The outcomes included Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and quality of life (QoL). R 4.0.5 software was used, and standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for continuous outcomes using a random model.Results: In total, 23 studies were included. Depending on the outcome measured, the effect size of the different methods in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis ranged from small to large as follows: Cobb angle (SMD = −0.43, p < 0.0001), ATR (SMD = −0.25, p = 0.06), FVC (SMD = 0.48, p = 0.03), FEV1 (SMD = 0.51, p = 0.004), and QoL (SMD = 0.95, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: Our meta-analysis indicates the positive effects of applying conservative methods based on therapeutic exercises on patients with idiopathic scoliosis.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=373554, PROSPERO (CRD42022373554).

Background: Chronic low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide, necessitating effective interventions to alleviate pain and improve function. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of stabilization exercises for pain relief and disability reduction in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. Randomized controlled trials evaluating stabilization exercises for chronic low back pain were included. Subgroup analyses were performed based on treatment duration, type of pain (specific vs. non-specific), study quality, and exercise type. Effect sizes were calculated using standardized mean differences (SMD), and evidence quality was assessed using the GRADE tool. Results: A total of 23 studies involving 1132 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed that longer treatment durations (8–12 weeks) showed the strongest effects on pain reduction (SMD = −0.88) and disability improvement (SMD = −0.85). For pain type, non-specific low back pain responded better (SMD = −0.81 for pain, −0.73 for disability) compared to specific LBP (SMD = −0.61 and −0.42, respectively). The 6-week duration also demonstrated moderate effects (SMD = −0.72 for pain). Core stability exercises had superior pain reduction (SMD = −0.90, large effect) compared to spinal stability exercises (SMD = −0.57), while spinal stability exercises showed higher-quality evidence for disability improvement (SMD = −0.56, high-quality) versus core stability (SMD = −0.62, low-quality). Conclusion: Stabilization exercises are a highly effective intervention for chronic low back pain, offering significant pain relief and functional improvement. They outperform other common interventions and should be prioritized in clinical practice, particularly in longer-duration, supervised programs. These findings provide strong evidence to guide treatment protocols and improve outcomes for patients with chronic low back pain.

Combat sports are very demanding in terms of physical fitness as well as the risk of injury. Elite athletes during daily training due to specific movements can develop significant muscle asymmetry that can affect injury. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature with respect to total average value of hamstrings- to-quadriceps (H/Q) 60°·s-1 and H/Q 180°·s-1 in judo, karate, taekwondo and wrestling. We placed special emphasis on sex-based differences and possible asymmetries between legs in terms of isokinetic performance. This document was developed and reported in accordance with the Guidelines for Preferred Reports for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA). Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for the relevant studies. Studies were included in the review if they were original and written in English and had to have H/Q ratio measured as an outcome. In total, data from 243 athletes from eleven studies included studies was analysed. The Mean of H/Q 60°·s-1 for all sports were: 58.33% for the right leg and 58.91% for the left leg. Women had higher values: 59.38% vs. 57.42% for the right leg and 61.35% vs. 56.56% for the left leg. The Mean of H/Q 180°·s-1 for all sports were: 71.44% for the right leg and 71.35% for the left leg. Women had higher values: 75.76% vs. 69.04% for the right leg and 73.39% vs. 70.33% for the left leg. All these values, combined for all sports, and divided into subgroups according to gender, show that they are within the recommended values. Combined results for all included studies showed that there was no asymmetry between the left and right leg. According to the results of the balance of the mentioned agonists and antagonists, which are crucial for knee joint stabilization during dynamic muscle contractions, we can conclude that athletes in combat sports do not represent a risk group.

Background: Bracing is an effective treatment for idiopathic scoliosis (IS), and Adherence is one of the most important factors influencing outcomes. However, evidence on the effectiveness of objective monitoring using thermal sensors in everyday clinical settings remains limited. Objective: To evaluate the impact of Adherence and brace-wearing consistency on short-term outcomes in IS patients during growth in a real clinical setting. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 114 patients (100 with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and 14 with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (JIS)) treated with a three-dimensional (3D) rigid brace equipped with a thermal sensor. Adherence was calculated as the ratio of actual to prescribed wear time; consistency was defined using the interquartile range (IQR) of daily wear time (IQR ≤ 1 h = consistent). Cobb angle was measured at baseline, in-brace, and after 6 months. Logistic regression, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and general linear model (GLM) analyses were performed, supported by sensitivity analyses, to assess model robustness. Results: Mean Adherence was 85.3 ± 18.9%; high Adherence was observed in 71.4% of JIS and 57.0% of AIS patients, while 19.3% showed high consistency. In-brace correction averaged 52.5 ± 23.2% (68.1% JIS vs. 50.3% AIS; p = 0.007). At 6 months, 55% improved, 42% were stable, and 3% worsened. Adherence was the only significant predictor of consistency (OR = 1.511; 95% CI 1.181–1.933; p = 0.001). The ROC analysis showed excellent discriminative ability (Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.908). Adherence category (p = 0.041) and Risser stage (p = 0.041) were significant predictors of short-term outcome. Conclusions: Adherence and brace-wearing consistency are key predictors of short-term bracing outcomes in IS. Objective monitoring with thermal sensors enables precise tracking, improves patient engagement, and supports individualised treatment.