Current Status of Exercise Therapy for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in Japan -Results of a Questionnaire Survey among Members in Japanese Scoliosis Society-

Abstract

Introduction: We conducted a questionnaire survey among members of Japanese Scoliosis Society because the current situation in Japan is unclear.

Methods: The questionnaire included basic information of respondents, recognition of physiotherapeutic scoliosis specific exercises (PSSE), and status of its implementation at their affiliated institution, and nearby medical institutions/non-medical institutions, etc.

Results: Response rate was 29% (193 of 656 members), of which 95% were physicians. Seventy percent of respondents had more than 20 years of experience and the most common affiliation was university hospital (47%). Regarding the type of treatment that respondents were engaged in (multiple answers allowed), 70% answered surgery, while 15% answered physical therapy. Among the respondents, 77% recognized PSSE. Regarding the effectiveness of PSSE, 22% answered positively, 35% answered negatively, and 43% answered "undecided. " Among the respondents, 12% implemented PSSE. When asked whether they knew of any nearby medical or non-medical institutions that provide exercise therapy (broad definition including PSSE) /PSSE, the percentage of respondents answering "yes" was 31%/16% for medical institutions and 36%/17% for non-medical.

Conclusions: Although PSSE was widely recognized, limited members actually performed it, and evaluation of its effectiveness was mixed. It was suggested that exercise therapy may be as common or more common in non-medical institutions than in medical institutions.