Integrative conservative rehabilitation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomized controlled trial of traditional Chinese manual therapy combined with Schroth training.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that can lead to postural imbalance, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life. While Schroth exercises are established as an effective conservative intervention, the potential benefits of combining Traditional Chinese manual therapy (TCM) with Schroth exercises remain underexplored. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCM combined with Schroth exercises compared with Schroth exercises alone in adolescents with AIS. The primary objective was to determine whether the combined intervention results in greater improvement in Cobb angle over 12 weeks. Methods: Results: The combined intervention group showed greater improvement in Cobb angle compared with the control group (mean difference in change: -2.5°, Conclusion: Traditional Chinese manual therapy combined with Schroth exercises was associated with short-term improvements in spinal alignment and quality of life compared with Schroth exercises alone in adolescents with AIS. However, these findings reflect early short-term treatment effects and should not be interpreted as evidence of long-term stability or curve progression control. Further multicenter studies with longer follow-up are required to confirm durability and clinical relevance.