Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41640942›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

A Non-surgical Multimodal Approach to Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (Lenke 5C) Using an Intensive Two-Week CLEAR Institute Protocol: A Report of Two Cases.

John Whelan, Paris Paige, Justin M Dick

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

John WhelanPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clear Life Scoliosis Reduction and Chiropractic, Huntersville, USA.
Paris PaigeChiropractic, Life University, Atlanta, USA.
Justin M DickPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clear Life Scoliosis Reduction and Chiropractic, Huntersville, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive three-dimensional spinal deformity often managed with physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE), bracing, or spinal fusion. Emerging evidence suggests that multimodal, high-frequency non-surgical rehabilitation may produce measurable improvements in spinal alignment through combined biomechanical loading and neuromuscular re-education. This case series evaluates radiographic and functional outcomes in two AIS subjects (Lenke 5C) undergoing a two-week intensive CLEAR protocol followed by ScoliBrace® implementation. Two female adolescents, with a mean age of 12 years, presented with rapid curve progression and no prior exposure to bracing or scoliosis-specific therapy. Both completed a two-week, 20-session intensive CLEAR program incorporating mechanical traction, Mirror Image® positioning, proprioceptive neuromuscular training, whole-body vibration, and corrective exercise. ScoliBrace® fitting occurred during week two. Radiographs were obtained at baseline, immediately post-intensive care, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Functional outcomes included the Functional Rating Index (FRI), height, chest expansion, angle of trunk rotation, Stork balance testing, and Modified Cox measurements. Case 1 demonstrated a lumbar Cobb angle reduction from 35.7° pre-intensive to 21.7° post-intensive and 10.4° at 12 months (71% total reduction). Case 2 demonstrated a reduction from 38.9° to 24.7° post-intensive and 15.7° at 12 months (60% total reduction). Both exhibited corresponding improvements in functional metrics. A short-duration, high-frequency multimodal rehabilitation program combined with custom bracing may produce rapid and sustained radiographic improvements in AIS. These outcomes warrant further investigation through larger prospective studies.

Indexed as

adolescent idiopathic scoliosiscase seriesclear institutehigh-frequency therapyligamentous creepmultimodal rehabilitationneuromuscular re-educationscolibrace

Identifiers

PMID41640942
PMCPMC12866304

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.