torso rotation exercises

[gerbo]

Some interest has been expressed in this forum with regards to dr Mooney's torsorotation exercises. I recently wrote to him asking for kind of an update on whether he was still using this method. Enclosed his replies (in blue)

shame that he doesn't seem to be pushing it a lot apparantly. hopefully dr asher is able in due course to either confirm or refute his findings.

To me it remains an approach with is kind of logical and one of the few exercise based approaches with has some evidence of effectiveness behind it



Dear Dr Mooney



You might remember that i wrote to you in 2004, and you kindly gave me some advice regarding the use of torsorotation exercises in the treatment of scoliosis.



To update you, we have tried to replicate your approach using a cybec torsotwist machine, and have used this regularly, twice weekly since september 2005. We have seen no progression of the curve (which at worse was measured at 29 degrees) Ofcourse this could also be due to the use of initially a hardplastic TLSO and later a spinecorbrace. We have seen a considerable equalisation of rotation strength between convex and concave side (initially twisting to the concave side was weaker).



Some questions

You mentioned a plateau after 6 months after which little improvement occured. Did your clients stopped the torsorotation at that stage, or have they kept going until the end of the growth spurt? If so, did they continue twice weekly? Some kept going, some stopped before ended growth spurt.



Similarly to what i asked a year ago, are you still following your initial study group and has stabilisation been maintained.? I have followed some and stabilization has been maintained.


Since nov 2004, are you still taking on new clients and have results been comparable? Yes, the results remain the same.



For the benefit of other scoliosis patients who do not live within traveling distance from where you work; are you aware of any other centres were a similar treatment is available? Any places which has a torso rotation strengthening machine should be ok.

Are you aware of any other published research on the subject since your original article, or is any further publication being planned? So little response resulted from the original reports. I’ve stopped a formal study, and don’t plan to publish further. It awaits the interest of a recognized scoliosis specialist. Dr Mark Asher in Kansas City has started some studies.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Gerbo...

I find it a little odd that he doesn't intend to do a followup study. I'm guessing that the small amount of initial reaction was due to a lack of followup.

Regards,
Linda

[gerbo]

one factor could be that he is well in his sixties (i believe) semiretired and maybe just cannot be bothered.

Still, he mentions that Mark Asher is doing follow up studies, so we might hear more in the future

gerbo

[tmom]

He looks more like he passed his sixties long time ago...

[Celia Vogel]

Thanks for doing this Gerbo ! It's definitely something which shows promise and I would have Deirdre in this program if not for the fact that she's only 5 years old :D

[gerbo]

if symmetric exercises "hold" the curve, one wonders what would happen if you only would train towards the concave side and ignore the convex side altogether.......... :confused: :confused:

[Celia Vogel]

Didn't the symmetric exercises "correct" and not just "hold" ? I looked up Dr. Mark Asher and he is a past president of the SRS.

[Sherie]

I emailed Dr. Mooney a while back also to see if there is anyone here in Texas that uses this program, he was not aware of any. I was also thinking along the same lines as Gerbo, what if you only train the weak side (concave?) and stretch the other side. I would have also assumed the concave side requires strengthening but have seen some conflicting reports.
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/lowback/scoliosis/strengthening.php

http://www.erikamaude.com/introduction.html

The first link definitely says outside of curve requires strengthening.

The 2nd link is a download for the Schroth method. Refer to page 813 of that article. The diagram indicates the outer curve is overstretched.

If anyone has time to look at these, please let me know how you would interpret them.

Also, does anyone know if you can achieve this type of exercise at home, with or without equipment? I would be very interested in trying this method out for my daughter.

Sherie

[Jinseeker]

Sherie, i noticed that as well. When it says outside the curve, does it mean to the right of the S-curve(rib hump), or to the left(when seen from the back). By the way, there is no page 813 in the article as you mention, it only goes to page 12.

All exercises that has been prescribed by my chiropractor is the opposite of what the first link's studies states. I've always been trained to strengthen the weak side and stretch out the muscles being compressed by the rib hump.

[Sherie]

Jin, that is page 4 of the schroth article (printed out is page 813).

My daughter is also under chiropractic care along with the Spinecor brace. Her curves are t34/l45. She is getting electric stim in 2 places. One is on the concave side of the lumbar curve to help strengthen those muscles (thus, confirms the notion that those muscles should be strengthened) the other location is on the convex side of lumbar curve but way down on the side to help derotate the spine. She is also doing flexion/distraction, adjustment, stair stepper with traction and recently started vibration therapy. He is going to eventually integrate more into this routine.

I would be interested to find out about the treatments you are receiving and what are the results so far, Sheena's only been on this program for 7 weeks.

Thanks for your input,
Sherie

[Jinseeker]

I'm not in any intensive program right now with a chiropractor. I only visit my chiro once a month, and all he does is adjust the soft tissues around my spine and neck to re-establish posture and proper alignment by helping the muscles out. My chiropractor doesn't believe that intensive exercise therapy can do anything to reverse a structural-scoliosis curvature of my degree, but my previous one has. I for myself, only feel i need to undergo such intensive therapy if i am in constant pain, but i am intersted otherwise with the philosophy of these techniques because i want to strengthen muscles of my body the right way by going to the gym.

I still do want to know which side of the back is outside of the curve, though.

[Celia Vogel]

Here's a study which supports the role of exercise in idiopathic scoliosis. Of interest is the following:


"It has been reported that RVAs is an expression of the resultant muscle forces, which act on each rib. It was also suggested that RVA asymmetries by weakening the spinal rotation-defending system are aetiological for idiopathic scoliosis, (Burwell et al 1992). This study shows that scoliotic children with small curves have underdeveloped thoracic cage compared to nonscoliotic counterparts. The differences are more apparent in the scoliotic children with thoracic curves. It is suggested that the differences of the RVAs between right and left side in this group are an expression of asymmetric muscle forces acting on the thoracic cage. It is concluded that asymmetric muscle forces participate in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis on the thoracic cage, which deforms early"





1: Stud Health Technol Inform. 2002;91:20-4. Related Articles, Links


Study of the rib cage deformity in children with 10 degrees-20 degrees of Cobb angle late onset idiopathic scoliosis, using rib-vertebra angles--aetiologic implications.

Grivas TB, Samelis P, Chadziargiropoulos T, Polyzois B.

Scoliosis Clinic, Orthopaedic Department, "Thriasio" General Hospital G. Genimata Avenue, Magula, 19600 Greece. grivas@dias.itel.gr

The aim of the study is to compare the rib-vertebra angles (RVAs) between children with 10 degrees - 20 degrees of Cobb angle late onset idiopathic scoliosis (LOIS) and non-scoliotic children. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The RVAs of 47 children, with mean age 12.4 years, who presented LOIS with a Cobb angle 10 degrees - 20 degrees, were studied. The children were classified into three groups according to the site of the scoliotic curve: 17 children had thoracic (T), 14 children had thoracolumbar (TL) and 16 children had lumbar (L) curves. The RVAs of the scoliotic children were compared to the RVAs of 60 non-scoliotic children of a similar age group, who were studied in the past. RESULTS: The comparison of the right and left RVAs within each group showed that the children who had: T curves differ at the level T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8, TL curves differ at the level T3, and L curves differ at the level T7 and T12. The comparison of the ipsilateral RVA's between the scoliotic groups showed that between: T and TL curves there are no differences at any thoracic level, between T and L curves the RVAs differ at the T7 level on the right side, whereas there are no differences between the RVAs on the left side, between TL and L curves the RVAs differ at the level T5, T6, and T7 on the right and at the level T5 on the left side. Comparing the RVAs between the scoliotic and nonscoliotic children, it was apparent that the scoliotic children rib cage had lower RVAs (p<0.01) at almost all thoracic levels. DISCUSSION: It has been reported that RVAs is an expression of the resultant muscle forces, which act on each rib. It was also suggested that RVA asymmetries by weakening the spinal rotation-defending system are aetiological for idiopathic scoliosis, (Burwell et al 1992). This study shows that scoliotic children with small curves have underdeveloped thoracic cage compared to nonscoliotic counterparts. The differences are more apparent in the scoliotic children with thoracic curves. It is suggested that the differences of the RVAs between right and left side in this group are an expression of asymmetric muscle forces acting on the thoracic cage. It is concluded that asymmetric muscle forces participate in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis on the thoracic cage, which deforms early.

[gerbo]

Didn't the symmetric exercises "correct" and not just "hold" ? I looked up Dr. Mark Asher and he is a past president of the SRS.

slight correction at the most, so you might as well call it holding

mark asher is a serious spinal surgeon, so if he is interested, there must be something in it

[gerbo]

I would have also assumed the concave side requires strengthening but have seen some conflicting reports.

to me it is quite clear that it is rotation towards the concave side, which usus paraspinal muscles on concave side, which is weaker. Mooneys result clearly confirm that in my opinion


Also, does anyone know if you can achieve this type of exercise at home, with or without equipment? I would be very interested in trying this method out for my daughter.

if you cannot find the specific medx equipment close to wear you live, try to find a gym with a torsotwist or torsorotation machine of any make, that better then nothing i think. Homeexercises are a nonstarter in my opinion as they are unlikely to target the right type of muscles as precise as the equipment does.

Feel free to ask me again once you found a machine as i can advice you on some of the pitfalls we encountered

[gerbo]

Here's a study which supports the role of exercise in idiopathic scoliosis

interesting

[Jinseeker]

Sorry, but i do not see an attachment or text from your post gerbo.

[Celia Vogel]

Do you mean the Vert Mooney article ? If so here is a link. It's the 4th article from the bottom on the left hand side of the page entitled: "The Role of Measured Resistance Exercises......."


http://www.corespinalfitness.com/research/index.php

[gerbo]

Sorry, but i do not see an attachment or text from your post gerbo.

or take this route;

go to www.medxonline.com , > medical rehab equipment >research articles> "role of measured resistance exercises in idiopathic scoliosis".

does that work for you?

[Sherie]

to me it is quite clear that it is rotation towards the concave side, which usus paraspinal muscles on concave side, which is weaker.


This may be obvious to everyone else, but I want to make sure I'm understanding this. Which curve are we talking about here? Without having done these exercises, I don't know what area these exercises target.


if you cannot find the specific medx equipment close to wear you live, try to find a gym with a torsotwist or torsorotation machine of any make, that better then nothing i think. Homeexercises are a nonstarter in my opinion as they are unlikely to target the right type of muscles as precise as the equipment does.

Have you ever looked into buying a torsotwist machine for your home? I've seen them on the internet but didn't know if these would function the same way.

One more question to you Gerbo (I ask you because you seem to have done all your homework ;) ), my daughter has a classic s-curve (right thoracic, left lumbar). She is interested in playing tennis in high school. Being a right handed player, I think this will cause her right thoracic curve to worsen based on the discussions we have been having about the concave side being the weaker side and vice versa. Does this sound logical to you? I don't want to discourage her from playing therefor I think she needs to do some strength training on the left side to compensate. If the torso rotation is for lumbar curve, which is what i think it's for, do you know of any machines for the spinal muscles in the thoracic area? This has been worrying me for a while and I haven't been encouraging her to play because of this but I haven't told her not to either. Thanks.

[gerbo]

This may be obvious to everyone else, but I want to make sure I'm understanding this. Which curve are we talking about here? Without having done these exercises, I don't know what area these exercises target.
A disclaimer first, I am only doing these exercises because i believe, on the evidence available, that they will help my daughter, and none of the information which i think is relevant in our situation might apply to other people

Now the question; my daughter only has one (thoracal) curve so i have never have to think about double curves, and how this applies to them. However, i assume that in double curves it must be possible to identify what the primary curve is, and which one is a secundary. That being the case i would assume you want to target the primary curve as much as possible.

if you look at the article you'll see that he used this on patients with curves on all different levels

From my understanding and observations, the twisting movement of the torso uses amongst others the paraspinal muscles well up to at least mid thorax level, not so much the lower lumbar muscles. For these vert mooney used another set of exercises using a "roman chair", basically a backextension machine

Have you ever looked into buying a torsotwist machine for your home? I've seen them on the internet but didn't know if these would function the same way.

i did look but couldn't find any.

My main concern is that the experiment was done on a specific make; i.e the "MedX". This one is not available in the UK. Looking at pictures of the equipment used i gathered that it wasn't much different from other makes, but corresponding with the medx firm, i was told that specific for the medx is that it fixes the pelvis when doing the exercise. Other makes do not do this, you are just sitting on a seat without pelvis fixation when doing the twisting movement. It did appear to me that the fixing of the pelvis is important to ensure that as much as possibler the target muscles are used to provide the twisting movement. I do this by holding her pelvis with my hands and indeed it was notice how specially in the beginning the pelvis tried to twist and thereby distort the required movement.

The other problem is that most eqipment is designed for adults and even the unweighted resistance was initially very difficult to cope with for my daughter. However it was obvious at the beginning that turning to the concave side required much more effort and was much more difficult for her. She has now "caught up" and can go either way with equal effort required, which makes me believe we have at least balanced out the muscles, and so taken away one factor that could have a deteriorating effect on the curve.


Being a right handed player, I think this will cause her right thoracic curve to worsen based on the discussions we have been having about the concave side being the weaker side and vice versa. Does this sound logical to you? I don't want to discourage her from playing therefor I think she needs to do some strength training on the left side to compensate. If the torso rotation is for lumbar curve, which is what i think it's for, do you know of any machines for the spinal muscles in the thoracic area?

tough one, yes logically one would think that right handed players could make their right sided thoracal curve worse, i think there is something about that in the introduction to the article

as indicated, torsorotation definitely does not tartget mainly the lumbar curve, more the higher lumbar/ mid thoracic level. We actually have also added a "seated row" to the routine, which targets muscles higher up.

lots to it as you can see, and once again, you have to work out what you think is best for your daughter, "don't take my word for anything".

Still I did have quite authorative advice that any exercise could only be good and the beauty of the torsorotation is that is is very well controlled and it is symmetric, so you avoid predominant use of the already stronger side which i would think tends to happen in less focussed "general" exercise

[Sherie]

Gerbo,

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my posts, seems that you're the only one trying this out so your experience is invaluable. I agree that correcting the imbalances in the muscles can only be beneficial in stabilising the curve.
I think I'll look into hiring a personal trainer to help us develop a program for her based on these discussions.

Sherie

[Sherie]

:confused:
I casually mentioned to Sheena's chiro. yesterday that I might find a personal trainer for her, he nearly blew a fuse. He has a legitimate concern that the exercises won't be done properly and may adversely affect her. I agreed and asked for suggestions, he reluctantly agreed to put together some exercises she could safely do (we'll wait and see). But what I'm really confused about is that he said in her lumbar curve the weaker muscles are on the convex side??? He said the paraspinal muscle is stretched out on the convex side and pulled tight on the concave side (this goes along with the Schroth article I mentioned earlier). I need to get a book on muscles, I think we may be discussing 2 different sets of muscles, some that run parallel with the spine, therefore would be stretched on the convex side and another set that is perpendicular to the spine which would be tight on the convex side. Does anyone know if this is true? I guess that is why it's safer to do the exercises to both sides. I also read Mooney's article thoroughly and he said the in the 2 patients with an S-curve, the concave side of the lumbar curve was weaker and thus, the convex side of the thoracic curve was also weaker (basically the whole right side of the torso), completely contradictory to what the chiro. says.
Her chiro is very knowledgable about scoliosis and he did perform some muscle testing on her, so I have to believe what he's saying is correct.
If I can get the exercises from him, I will pass them along and we can see how they compare to Mooney's program.
I also discussed the tennis dilemma with him, he agreed that it could aggravate the thoracic curve but is going to think about it and get back to me. I'm not sure I want her to play now anyways (Dr. Mooney did make a reference to it in his article).
Anyone else as confused as me? :)

[Celia Vogel]

I think the chiropractor is confused, but don't let that sway you :D

[gerbo]

I agree that the situation with regards to muscle strength is confusing, the beauty of the torsorotation exercises is that these are symmetrical exercises, which means that you are not going to overtrain one side over the other. What you might find out that initially it takes more effort to turn towards one side (in our case the concave) which must mean the required muscles must be weaker. Inherently, even with simetrical exercises those concave muscles had to work harder, were therefor trained harder and eventually caught up with the strength of turning towards the convex side (actually, we cheated and did initially twice as much towards the concave side to allow that side to catch up quicker)

I do not think anybody has ever measured strength differences between both sides (now there is a nice little project) but emg differences have been well established (but does higher emg amplitude means higher strength??) and also interestingly there are biopsy studies which have established that muscle fibres on the concave side are different than those on the convexside (relatively more quick firing but easier exhausted type on the concave side)

interesting as well, these emg differences are associated with progression of scoliosis, i.e. in stable scoliosis they are not present. Now, whether they therefor occur as a consequence of the worsening scoliosis or are actually a contributing factor is the 10- million dollar question. To me it seems clear; if you can stop progression by dealing with emg diffences; they must be a contributory factor.

and yes, i do think we might be talking about different sets of muscles; where i can imagine that the small ones, running between the vertebrae, or close to them, might get stretched, I cannot imagine that this would apply to the much larger postural muscles, not running directly close to the spine, but much more important to posture control

i agree that exercises do need to be done careful ,and i asked mine and other orthopaedic surgeons for advice, and the general opinion was "it could not do any harm"

Ask your chiropracter (or maybe not) how does the published evidence of his methods compare to the published evidence re torso rotation??

I am getting carried away here, so leave it at this, hopefully you can make some sense out of it

gerbo

[Sherie]

I've been thinking on this all week, read a few more articles (one of them substantiated my Chiro's point of view) and have been wondering what to do. It makes sense that if you can't perform as well on one side as you can on the other, that it's obviously the weaker side. Common sense, I like that! So I think you're right, Gerbo, any exercise is probably going to be good especially if it's done symmetrically. Sheena's not very athletic (very artistic) so I'm certain it's better than sitting all day doing nothing. Now, when will they invent home equipment especially for the scoliotic? Wouldn't that be great! Thanks again for your input, I appreciate that you've taken the time to really educate yourself and actually are doing these things and not just talking (like me) :rolleyes: . I'm going to keep pestering our dr. for the exercises he would recommend. Have a great day.
Sherie

[gerbo]

Now, when will they invent home equipment especially for the scoliotic

is there not a fairly local gym where you live with the right equipment?

I must say i would not trust a series of exercises developed by somebody who doesn't believe in the underlying principles.

I know of one other orthopedic surgeon who is working on torsorotation. He initially also had a hometreatment group working with elastic bands. This turned out not to work and currently he only uses proper torsorotation (resistance) equipment.

I am just saying, if you want any chance of succes, don't just go for any exercise, but try to mimic the approach in the article as close as possible.

best wishes

gerbo

[Sherie]

We got the exercises yesterday (surprise!). They are fairly easy, not very challenging, but designed for both curves. It's a series of exercises that are to be repeated 2x/day. Not too sure how effective they'll be, but there are some good stretches.
It's not that he doesn't believe in exercise, he doesn't want us pushing too fast, too hard. You would have to hear his whole philosophy to understand (it's way too much to get into). I don't necessarily agree with everything, but then again, I'm not an expert and have only been researching this for a few months. There are so many unknowns, I hate to admit it, but it's easy for dr's to play on our fears, fear that we won't do the right thing or that we do the wrong thing. I am waiting to see the proof in the pudding, if she achieves some correction and stabilizes, then we'll know something is working. If you've seen some of my other posts, you'll know that she is undergoing several types of therapies. They take approx. 2 hours, 3x/week that's why I'm reluctant to go to a gym because of the amount of time we are already spending away from home. Depending on how she progresses, we should be able to gradually cut back on the # of times we go over the next 6 months.

How often are you going to the gym and how long does it take? If I remember correctly, in Dr. Mooney's study, they were only going a few times a week for about 15 minutes? Is that sufficient? We could squeeze that in.
Thanks, Gerbo.

[gerbo]

cannot but agree that it all can get a bit too much with all the different things we are trying to do for our children. Clearly we all are trying so many different things because we are all desperate to "do something", and there is just nothing out there that we know will work for sure.

We eventually dropped the home exercises we had been given by a PT for this reason, it all became unmanageable for our daughter and we were worried that it would put her of altogether.

We are sticking to the torsorotation, cause at least it has a small evidence base, and also indeed as it doesn't take too much time, in our case about 30-45 minutes twice a week (could be less, but we have added a few exercises to the regime, one for shoulderblades as one was sticking out, and one for abdominals, as they were evidently very weak)

swimming is the other exercise we do, for general strength and flexibility and fortunately she loves that

and than there is the 10 hours of dance/ ballet a week.........

[Sherie]

I joined a gym today, we're going Sunday for a fitness plan. I'm excited to get started. The manager took me for a tour and showed me the torso rotation machine. He said it's a new version. The upper body is stationary and the lower body turns, I tried it and it really works the lower lumbar area. which is Sheena's worst curve. Isn''t your daughter doing rowing exercises for the shoulder blades? Sheena has that problem also. They also have yoga and pilates, have you tried that yet? I heard both are great for stretching.

I am just hoping this is not all a waste of time (the therapy), on the other hand, I am happy that we are at least being proactive about it, better than sitting around waiting to see what happens next.

I don't think I would have done this without your input, Gerbo, so thanks so much. If you have any more advice, keep me in the loop.

Sherie

[Celia Vogel]

Oh..... I just remembered ! In the event that anyone is looking for one of the Medx torso rotation machines used in the Vert Mooney study, there is a link to facilities that carry these machines - scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on facility locator and then enter your State/Province. I've seen these machines and they're VERY impressive looking :)


http://www.corespinalfitness.com/facility/index.php

[Cat]

We got the exercises yesterday (surprise!).

Sherie - and anyone else - Where can I find examples of these exercises? My daughter is 12 with S curve t20 l30 and she wears the Charleston brace. I cannot find any examples or suggestions of exercises that we could be doing at home. I asked the doctor about PT which he obliged, however the PT gave us more of a pep talk rather than specific exercises (she gave us two exercises). I am basically going crazy because I want this fixed and I want it fixed now but I realize it's not that simple. We have about two years left of growth to work with and I've heard bits and pieces of how strength and conditioning helps but I can't find specific exercises. Help -anyone?

[gerbo]

if you go through every post in this thread (and there aren't that many) you should find anything you need (post 17 and 18 give link to article with description of exercises)

gerbo

[Sherie]

Cat,
The exercises that were given to us are mostly stretches. The ones I can easily describe are plies (ballet movement with feet shoulder width apart, feet turned out, and bend at the knees 10x/twice daily), and shoulder stretches (stand about a foot away facing a corner with 2 solid walls, place arms at a 90 deg. bend with hands pointing up towards ceiling, one on each wall at comfortable height, then lean in towards corner, should feel a good stretch in front shoulders). Sorry that's the best I can describe. He also recommended a psoas strengthening exercise but you would need to determine which is weaker (have you child lie on back, have them bend each knee towards the head as you resist with your hand, do this for both sides, you should be able to feel that one leg is weaker, but ask your dr. to make sure). Go to sacrowedgy.com to find this stretch (I am also thinking of getting this little device for the psoas). I think this is especially good if your daughter has a lumbar curve.
Hope this helps, we have joined a gym and hired a personal trainer to help us, she's getting some info from a phys. therapy clinic where she volunteers so is going to customize a workout for my daughter.

Good luck :)
Sherie

[Sherie]

Gerbo,

Is your daughter wearing her brace during the workout?

We were told to wear it during any exercise but the personal trainer had a different perspective and now I'm not sure. She said the brace may not be allowing for a full range of motion and may also be providing too much support so that the exercise isn't working to full potential (hope that makes sense).

Sherie

[gerbo]

she doesn't, although i thought there was some logic in her wearing it. She refused this as she is quite bodyconscious. Ofcourse, if you talk about the torsorotation, that was done originally without additional bracing of any kind!

I wouldn't worry about it either way.

gerbo

[gerbo]

The first of the following abstracts is interesting as it comes from a "reliable source" and confirms what has been stated before re rotational strength being weaker towards the concave side

Furthermore, the second abstract confirms findings by vert mooney; i.e. rotational strength training halts or reverses progression

Note though that studygroup is very small

Comparison of Isometric Trunk Rotational Strength of Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis to Healthy Adolescents
Kevin McIntire, Marc Asher, Doug Burton, Wen Liu


Abstract


Trunk rotational strength asymmetry has been suggested in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (IS), but is unconfirmed. The sitting isometric trunk rotational strength, at neutral and 18°or 36°of right or left pre-rotation, of a group of healthy adolescent females (CG), n=12, is compared with a group of female adolescents with IS (ISG), n= 14. Torque values were normalized to lean body weight. There is a significant weakness when rotating towards the concavity found in patients with AIS at the 36 lo (p 0.07 marginal), 18 lo (p<0.03) and neutral positions (p<0.02), with no side strength asymmetry found in a cohort of healthy adolescents without AIS.




Trunk Rotational Strength Training for the Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)
Kevin Mcintire, Marc Asher, Doug Burton, Wen Liu


Abstract


Quantified trunk rotational strength training has shown promise as a non-operative management option for individuals with AIS. The purposes of our study are to test whether a quantified trunk rotational strength training protocol can increase trunk strength and stabilize or decrease curve size. Seven adolescents with AIS (5 female 2 male; mean 14yrs ± 2.6yrs; mean Cobb 28°± 6° range 20°–37°) underwent four months of supervised trunk rotational strength training, and repeat strength test. Trunk strength in both directions increased significantly after training (p<0.05). Average Cobb angle decreased to 23°± 11° (range 6°–35°). Four individuals showed reduction (>5°) in their original curve, and 3 remained the same (±5°). The strength training protocol significantly increased isometric rotational strength and scoliosis was stabilized short term.

[Celia Vogel]

Thanks Gerbo :)

Very encouraging results! I wonder why the study only lasted 4 months? I'll look up the full article when I have a chance.

[Writer]

See my experience with the Medx machines in another thread here:

http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=53172#post53172

I conclude that they can be very good tools for treating scoliotically-imbalanced muscles but you have to be careful.