Effects of Lumbar Traction Combined With 3D Exercise Therapy on Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), Exercise (EX)

In brief

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that appears during adolescence without an identifiable underlying cause. A variety of low-risk physical therapy modalities, such as TENS, acupuncture, kinesio taping, spinal manipulation, and mobilization, have been explored in the management of scoliosis. Among these approaches, lumbar mechanical spinal traction is a commonly used non-invasive and painless intervention in physical medicine and rehabilitation settings. However, existing research on traction in AIS remains limited and generally of low methodological quality. Preliminary and observational studies have reported mixed outcomes, and the clinical effectiveness of traction appears to depend on factors such as curve characteristics, treatment dose, and integration with active rehabilitation. To date, high-quality randomized controlled evidence evaluating lumbar mechanical spinal traction as an adjunct to scoliosis-specific exercises in AIS is lacking. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of lumbar mechanical spinal traction and scoliosis-specific exercises in adolescents diagnosed with AIS. A prospective randomized controlled design will be used to assess changes in Cobb angle, posture, pain, and functional status. The findings may help clarify whether adding mechanical traction provides additional benefit beyond exercise alone in the conservative treatment of AIS.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07448688

Run by

Şahide Eda ARTUÇ

People needed

40

Starts

2026-03-05

Expected to finish

2026-12-05

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-04

Who can join

Age: 12 and older, up to 18. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Diagnosed with AIS
• Having a Cobb angle between 10° and 25°
• With a Risser stage < 4
• Willing to participate in the study
• Patients whose informed consent forms are signed by both the parents and the child

You may not qualify if…

• History of previous exercise therapy, manual therapy, or other physical therapy interventions
• Current use of brace treatment
• Presence of contraindications for exercise or lumbar spinal traction (e.g., diagnoses such as rickets, osteomalacia)
• Non-idiopathic scoliosis caused by neuromuscular disorders, vertebral malformations, trauma, tumors, or other diseases
• History of previous surgery involving the spine or lower extremities
• Comorbid psychiatric problems, or neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or rheumatic diseases

Where it is running

• Gaziler Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital — Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.