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Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)NCT07319702

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Spiral Muscle Chain Training for Adolescent Spinal Curvature Abnormalities

A study testing Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy, Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training and Combined Exercise Therapy in people with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and Spinal Curvature Abnormalities, run by Nie danning at 1 site in China.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) combined with spiral muscle chain training in improving spinal function and posture in adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with spinal curvature abnormalities. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 13 to 18 years
What is being tested?
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy, Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training and Combined Exercise Therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
189 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
5 Mar 2024to 30 Dec 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 13 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Aged 13 to 18 years
  • Newly diagnosed with no prior treatment and meeting the diagnostic criteria for spinal curvature abnormalities
  • Scoliosis or coronal spinal curvature abnormality determined by poor posture and angle of trunk inclination or angle of trunk rotation of 5° or greater
  • Anterior-posterior spinal curvature abnormality determined by poor posture or abnormal spinal side-view assessment, including kyphotic angle less than 20° or greater than 40°
  • No prior brace treatment
  • No history of spinal surgery
  • Able to complete proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy, spiral muscle chain training, or combined exercise training as required
  • Written informed consent obtained from participants and their parents or legal guardians

Who cannot join

  • Menstruating females at the time of assessment
  • Metal implants
  • History of brace use or prior treatment for spinal curvature abnormalities
  • Severe scoliosis, defined as angle of trunk inclination or angle of trunk rotation greater than 13°
  • Congenital spinal curvature abnormality
  • Neuromuscular disorders
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Respiratory dysfunction
  • Any contraindication to exercise
  • Any trauma within the previous 6 months
  • Any accompanying neurological, rheumatological, or mental health problems

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

China1 site
  • The Affiliated High School of Nanjing Normal University

    Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: Clinical Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Combined With Spiral Muscle Chain Training in Adolescents With Spinal Curvature Abnormalities: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) combined with spiral muscle chain training in improving spinal function and posture in adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with spinal curvature abnormalities.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Read more

Does exercise-based intervention improve trunk inclination angle, kyphotic angle, and body balance parameters in adolescents with spinal curvature abnormalities?

Researchers will compare a PNF therapy group, a spiral muscle chain training group, and a combined PNF plus spiral muscle chain training group to assess differences in trunk inclination angle, kyphotic angle, and spinal mobility outcomes. Body mass index, fat-to-muscle ratio, and other body-composition-related indicators will be analyzed as exploratory post hoc outcomes.

Participants will:

Be assigned to one of three intervention groups: PNF therapy alone, spiral muscle chain training alone, or combined PNF plus spiral muscle chain training.

Participate in supervised exercise training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks.

Undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments, including body composition testing, and electronic spinal measurements.

Participants will:

Be assigned to one of three intervention groups: PNF therapy alone, spiral muscle chain training alone, or combined PNF plus spiral muscle chain training.

Participate in supervised exercise training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks.

Undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments, including body composition testing, and electronic spinal measurements.

Being tested
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy, Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training, Combined Exercise Therapy
Keywords
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Spiral Muscle Chain Training, Exercise Therapy, Rehabilitation, Spinal Curvature Abnormalities
Medical subject headings
Kyphosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) TherapyBehavioural

    Also called Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

    Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy is used as an exercise-based intervention to address abnormal spinal curvature in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

    The PNF program includes resisted scapular-pelvic patterns, cervical flexion and extension, trunk diagonal patterns (chopping and lifting), bilateral upper-limb diagonal patterns, and bridge exercises.

    Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.

  • Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) TrainingBehavioural

    Also called Spiral Stabilization Training

    Spiral muscle chain (SPS) training is applied as an exercise-based intervention aimed at improving spinal alignment, postural control, and neuromuscular coordination in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

    The SPS program consists of spiral stabilization exercises performed with elastic resistance, body positioning control, and stretching components according to a standardized training protocol.

    Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.

  • Combined Exercise TherapyBehavioural

    The combined intervention integrates proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy and spiral muscle chain (SPS) training as a comprehensive exercise program for children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

    Participants perform both PNF and SPS exercise components within each training cycle to target spinal alignment, muscle endurance, and neuromuscular activation.

    Training sessions are supervised and conducted three times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.

Study groups in NCT07319702
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) TherapyExperimentalParticipants receive proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks. The PNF protocol includes resisted scapular-pelvic patterns, cervical flexion/extension, trunk chopping/lifting patterns, bilateral upper-limb patterns, and bridge exercises (per PNF schedule).
Receives: Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy
Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) TrainingExperimentalParticipants receive spiral stabilizing muscle chain (SPS) training as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks. The SPS program follows the SPS training schedule (Training 1A-6A, 7C-10C, and stretching component), with planned repetitions/sets and practice time as listed in the protocol schedule.
Receives: Behavioral: Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training
Combined Exercise TherapyExperimentalParticipants receive a combined program consisting of PNF therapy plus SPS spiral muscle chain training as an exercise intervention for abnormal spinal curvature. Training is conducted 3 times per week (every other day) for 12 weeks.
Receives: Behavioral: Combined Exercise Therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Trunk Tilt Angle (ATI)

    Trunk tilt angle (Angle of Trunk Rotation, ATI) measured using an electronic spine assessment device to evaluate changes in spinal asymmetry and trunk alignment.

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

  2. Change in Kyphotic Angle (KA)

    Kyphotic angle will be measured using an electronic spinal assessment device to evaluate changes in sagittal spinal curvature.

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

  3. Change in Body Balance Parameters

    Body balance parameters assessed by electronic spine measurement, including head lateral deviation, shoulder asymmetry, and pelvic tilt.

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)

    Body mass index will be calculated from measured height and weight to evaluate changes in body composition and growth-related physical characteristics after the 12-week exercise intervention.

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

  2. Change in Fat-to-Muscle Ratio (FMR)

    Fat-to-muscle ratio will be derived from body composition testing to evaluate changes in the relative distribution of fat mass and muscle mass after the 12-week exercise intervention.

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

  3. Change in Spinal Mobility

    Spinal mobility assessed by electronic spine measurement, including lateral flexion, flexion-extension, and rotational range of motion.

    Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Jan 2026
  2. Study start5 Mar 2024
  3. Primary completion30 Dec 2024
  4. Study completion30 Dec 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
189 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07319702
Sponsor's protocol ID
NNU202410016
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
20 Dec 2025
Last updated
19 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because the study involves minors, and the data include sensitive health information related to spinal posture and neuromuscular function. According to the approved ethics protocol, strict measures are required to protect participants' privacy and confidentiality. Although all data are de-identified, sharing IPD may still pose a potential risk of re-identification. Therefore, IPD will not be made publicly available in order to ensure compliance with ethical requirements and data protection regulations.

Publications

  • Xu Y, Feng M, Wu R, Wang Y, Yang Z, Wang Z, Kang Z, Xie L, Liu H. Effect of adding proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation to conventional physiotherapy on scapular balance and shoulder proprioception in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2025 Nov 19;15(11):e106848. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106848.

    PubMed 41263915
  • Nechvatal P, Hitrik T, Kendrova LD, Macej M. Comparison of the effect of the McKenzie method and spiral stabilization in patients with low back pain: A prospective, randomized clinical trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2022;35(3):641-647. doi: 10.3233/BMR-210055.

    PubMed 34657873
  • Maruyama T, Kitagawa T, Takeshita K, Mochizuki K, Nakamura K. Conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: can it reduce the incidence of surgical treatment? Pediatr Rehabil. 2003 Jul-Dec;6(3-4):215-9. doi: 10.1080/13638490310001642748.

    PubMed 14713588

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Therapy, Spiral Muscle Chain (SPS) Training and Combined Exercise Therapy in people with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and Spinal Curvature Abnormalities, run by Nie danning at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Trunk Tilt Angle (ATI) (time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07319702, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Aug 2026.

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