Physiotherapy and Whole-Body Vibration in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Impact of Specific Physiotherapy and Whole-Body Vibration on Spinal Parameters in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

The aim of this study is to assess how physiotherapy based on the Rigo Concept, combined with WBV, affects sagittal spinal curvatures, the angle of trunk rotation (ATR), and trunk symmetry in girls with AIS.

Participants undergo a 5-day individualized physiotherapy program. The exercises follow the four general principles of the Rigo Concept: three-dimensional postural correction, expansion technique, muscle activation, and integration. Therapy is delivered for 3 hours per day, with three 15-minute breaks. Additionally, participants in the Rigo Concept with WBV group perform exercises in a standing position using two poles while exposed to WBV on a Galileo Med 35 platform (Novotec Medical GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany) at a frequency of 25 Hz, with a peak-to-peak displacement of 2 mm. Each session includes three 3-minute bouts of vibration, with 3-minute rests between them. During WBV, participants perform exercises according to the principles of the Rigo Concept.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
• Written consent of a medical doctor for participation
• Female

Exclusion Criteria:

• thrombosis
• body implants
• musculoskeletal inflammation
• arthropathy
• tendonitis
• hernia
• disc herniation
• recent fractures
• kidney stones
• recent scars
• surgery
• rheumatoid arthritis
• neuropathy
• epilepsy
• previous spinal surgery
• injuries in the spine during the past six months
• injuries in the lower limbs during the past six months
• pain in the spine during the past six months
• pain in the lower limbs during the past six months
• for group with WBV additionally discomfort or felt unwell during vibration exposure