ScoliosisNCT07794020
Virtual Reality-based Schroth Exercise Versus Traditional Schroth Exercise on Trunk Kinematics in Scoliosis
A study testing Traditional schroth supervised exercise, OhShape virtual reality gameplay environment and Google Cardboard Mobile Virtual reality Zombie Shooter in people with Scoliosis and Scoliosis Idiopathic, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The study will be conducted to compare three-dimensional trunk kinematics (rotation, tilt, and flexion/extension) and quality of life among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis receiving traditional Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises, Schroth exercises combined with immersive virtual reality using… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 19 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Scoliosis, Scoliosis Idiopathic
- What is being tested?
- Traditional schroth supervised exercise, OhShape virtual reality gameplay environment and Google Cardboard Mobile Virtual reality Zombie Shooter
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- Sep 2026to 28 Feb 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 10 to 19 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age: 10-19 years.
- Diagnosed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) confirmed by spinal radiography .
- Cobb angle between 20° and 35° (moderate curve, below surgical threshold).
- No prior spinal surgery.
- Ability to perform Schroth exercises independently.
- Ability to use a virtual reality headset.
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- No prior virtual reality experience.
- Free from pain or pain less than 8 on visual analogue scale.
- Type of curve (thoracolumbar s scoliosis).
Who cannot join
- Secondary scoliosis (neuromuscular or post-surgical scoliosis).
- Severe structural deformity (Cobb angle >50° or severe vertebral rotation).
- Neurological or neuromuscular disorders affecting balance or proprioception.
- Active orthopedic injury or recent surgery (<2 years) involving the spine or lower extremities.
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease contraindicating exercise.
- Uncontrolled pain (Visual Analog Scale >8).
Show all 9Show fewer
- Current participation in another structured spinal rehabilitation program or participation within the last 6 months.
- History of severe cybersickness or prior intolerance to virtual reality exposure.
- Vision or hearing impairment preventing interaction with virtual reality--based games
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site
Cairo university
Cairo
Hend Saed, Master, 01027722937, hhend.samy@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Virtual Reality-based Schroth Exercise Versus Traditional Schroth Exercise on Trunk Kinematics and Quality of Life in Scoliosis
The study will be conducted to compare three-dimensional trunk kinematics (rotation, tilt, and flexion/extension) and quality of life among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis receiving traditional Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises, Schroth exercises combined with immersive virtual reality using Meta Quest 2 (OhShape), and Schroth exercises combined with low-cost mobile virtual reality using Google Cardboard with a gaze-controlled game.
Read the detailed description
Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE), particularly the Schroth method, are widely recommended as a first-line conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing curve progression, improving posture, and enhancing quality of life. However, the long-term success of Schroth rehabilitation is highly dependent on patient adherence and the accurate execution of complex three-dimensional corrective postures, which remain challenging for adolescents to maintain outside supervised clinical settings.
Poor adherence to traditional Schroth programs has been reported, with rates ranging between 30% and 50%, limiting the real-world effectiveness of conservative scoliosis management. Adolescents frequently report low motivation, boredom, and difficulty understanding or maintaining corrective postures without continuous feedback, which compromises motor learning and postural control.
Digital rehabilitation technologies, particularly virtual reality (VR), have emerged as promising tools to enhance engagement, motivation, and motor learning in rehabilitation programs. VR-based exercise has demonstrated positive effects on adherence, movement accuracy, and postural awareness in neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Immersive VR platforms provide real-time visual and auditory feedback and promote task-oriented training in an engaging gaming environment, which is particularly suitable for adolescent populations.
To date, no randomized controlled trial has directly compared immersive high-end VR platforms with low-cost mobile VR solutions for the delivery of scoliosis-specific exercises, nor has any study quantified real-time trunk kinematics during VR-guided Schroth rehabilitation using Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) technology. Evaluating these interventions may provide clinicians with valuable insight into cost-effective, scalable, and engaging rehabilitation strategies for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings
- Conditions
- Scoliosis, Scoliosis Idiopathic
- Being tested
- Traditional schroth supervised exercise, OhShape virtual reality gameplay environment, Google Cardboard Mobile Virtual reality Zombie Shooter
- Keywords
- virtual reality, Scoliosis
- Medical subject headings
- Scoliosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Traditional schroth supervised exerciseOther
participants will perform traditional supervised Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises. The intervention consists of two supervised sessions per week, 45 minutes each, for 12 weeks
OhShape virtual reality gameplay environmentOther
OhShape is a posture-matching rhythm-based VR game that requires users to perform precise trunk and body movements in response to visual and auditory cues, thereby promoting postural awareness, motor coordination, and movement accuracy. The Meta Quest 2 headset provides a fully immersive virtual reality experience with six degrees of freedom (6DOF) head and body tracking, allowing real-time spatial interaction and posture-based feedback during exercise execution.
Google Cardboard Mobile Virtual reality Zombie ShooterOther
It is a low-cost mobile virtual reality (VR) intervention delivered via Google Cardboard. A custom Unity-based zombie-shooting VR game will be used, in which participants are required to maintain the corrected Schroth posture while engaging in a gaze-controlled shooting task, using head and trunk alignment to aim and interact with virtual targets. Mobile VR platforms such as Google Cardboard provide three degrees of freedom (3DOF) tracking and represent an accessible, low-cost alternative to high-end immersive VR systems.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional supervised exercise group | Active comparator | participants will perform traditional supervised Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises for 45 minutes. Receives: Other: Traditional schroth supervised exercise |
| Schroth scoliosis-specific exercises and OhShape virtual reality group | Experimental | Participants will perform identical Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises in addition of integration into the OhShape virtual reality gameplay environment for 45 minutes Receives: Other: Traditional schroth supervised exercise; Other: OhShape virtual reality gameplay environment |
| Schroth scoliosis specific exercise and Google Cardboard Mobile virtual reality Zombie Shooter | Experimental | Participants will perform identical Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises in addition of a low-cost mobile virtual reality intervention delivered via Google Cardboard for 45 minutes. Receives: Other: Traditional schroth supervised exercise; Other: Google Cardboard Mobile Virtual reality Zombie Shooter |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Trunk kinematics: Trunk rotation angle (Yaw)
Derived from gyroscope data(gyroZ) using wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) to measure dynamic rotation toward midline during exercise execution.
Measured: 16 weeks
Secondary outcomes (8)
Trunk kinematics: trunk tilt angle (roll/ pitch)
derived from accelerometer data (accX, accY) using IMUs to assess frontal plane trunk asymmetry correction during exercise execution.
Measured: 16 weeks
Trunk Kinematics: Trunk flexion/ extension angle
Derived from accelerometer data relative to gravity using wearable inertial measurement unit (IMUs) to monitor sagittal plane alignment during exercise execution.
Measured: 16 weeks
Corrected posture holding time
The cumulative duration (seconds ) and percentage of session time during which participants maintain the predefined curve specific corrected trunk posture within acceptable angular deviation threshold, quantified via real-time 50 Hz.
Measured: 16 weeks
Health related quality of life (SRS-22r)
Assessed using the scoliosis research society-22r questionnaire mean domain scores evaluating pain, self image, function, mental health and satisfaction. The score is graded from 1 to 5; 1 means the worst and 5 means the best quality of life.
Measured: 16 weeks
pediatric health utility (EQ-5D-Y and EQ-VAS)
Assessed using the EuroQol 5 dimention youth version utility scores and the self rated EuroQol visual analogue scale (0-100) to measure overall health status. 0 means the worst and 100 means the best health.
Measured: 16 weeks
Trial retention rate
To assess feasibility, calculated as the percentage of randomized participants who successfully complete post treatment assessment and follow-up periods.
Measured: 16 weeks
intervention adherence rate
Quantified using clinic attendance logs calculated as (attended sessions / scheduled sessions)*100 to categorize participants into high, moderate or low adherence.
Measured: 16 weeks
Safety and incidence of adverse events
Percentage of participants experiencing treatment related adverse events such as muscle strain or safe withdrawals from the study.
Measured: 16 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Aug 2026
- Study startSep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion20 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ScoliosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- 54 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, hend samy saeed hassan, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Enas youssef, professor, Study chair, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07794020
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006415
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 31 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Virtual Reality-based Schroth Exercise Versus Traditional Schroth Exercise on Trunk Kinematics and Quality of Life in Scoliosis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07794020
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/006415
- Conditions
- Scoliosis, Scoliosis Idiopathic
- Keywords
- virtual reality, Scoliosis
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 20 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 31 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The study will be conducted to compare three-dimensional trunk kinematics (rotation, tilt, and flexion/extension) and quality of life among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis receiving traditional Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises, Schroth exercises combined with immersive virtual reality using Meta Quest 2 (OhShape), and Schroth exercises combined with low-cost mobile virtual reality using Google Cardboard with a gaze-controlled game.
Detailed description
Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE), particularly the Schroth method, are widely recommended as a first-line conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing curve progression, improving posture, and enhancing quality of life. However, the long-term success of Schroth rehabilitation is highly dependent on patient adherence and the accurate execution of complex three-dimensional corrective postures, which remain challenging for adolescents to maintain outside supervised clinical settings.
Poor adherence to traditional Schroth programs has been reported, with rates ranging between 30% and 50%, limiting the real-world effectiveness of conservative scoliosis management. Adolescents frequently report low motivation, boredom, and difficulty understanding or maintaining corrective postures without continuous feedback, which compromises motor learning and postural control.
Digital rehabilitation technologies, particularly virtual reality (VR), have emerged as promising tools to enhance engagement, motivation, and motor learning in rehabilitation programs. VR-based exercise has demonstrated positive effects on adherence, movement accuracy, and postural awareness in neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Immersive VR platforms provide real-time visual and auditory feedback and promote task-oriented training in an engaging gaming environment, which is particularly suitable for adolescent populations.
To date, no randomized controlled trial has directly compared immersive high-end VR platforms with low-cost mobile VR solutions for the delivery of scoliosis-specific exercises, nor has any study quantified real-time trunk kinematics during VR-guided Schroth rehabilitation using Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) technology. Evaluating these interventions may provide clinicians with valuable insight into cost-effective, scalable, and engaging rehabilitation strategies for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional supervised exercise group | Active comparator | Other: Traditional schroth supervised exerciseparticipants will perform traditional supervised Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises for 45 minutes. |
| Schroth scoliosis-specific exercises and OhShape virtual reality group | Experimental | Other: Traditional schroth supervised exercise, Other: OhShape virtual reality gameplay environmentParticipants will perform identical Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises in addition of integration into the OhShape virtual reality gameplay environment for 45 minutes |
| Schroth scoliosis specific exercise and Google Cardboard Mobile virtual reality Zombie Shooter | Experimental | Other: Traditional schroth supervised exercise, Other: Google Cardboard Mobile Virtual reality Zombie ShooterParticipants will perform identical Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises in addition of a low-cost mobile virtual reality intervention delivered via Google Cardboard for 45 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 10 to 19 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Age: 10-19 years.
- Diagnosed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) confirmed by spinal radiography .
- Cobb angle between 20° and 35° (moderate curve, below surgical threshold).
- No prior spinal surgery.
- Ability to perform Schroth exercises independently.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Secondary scoliosis (neuromuscular or post-surgical scoliosis).
- Severe structural deformity (Cobb angle >50° or severe vertebral rotation).
- Neurological or neuromuscular disorders affecting balance or proprioception.
- Active orthopedic injury or recent surgery (<2 years) involving the spine or lower extremities.
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease contraindicating exercise.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional schroth supervised exerciseparticipants will perform traditional supervised Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises. The intervention consists of two supervised sessions per week, 45 minutes each, for 12 weeks | Other | Schroth scoliosis specific exercise and Google Cardboard Mobile virtual reality Zombie Shooter, Schroth scoliosis-specific exercises and OhShape virtual reality group, Traditional supervised exercise group |
| OhShape virtual reality gameplay environmentOhShape is a posture-matching rhythm-based VR game that requires users to perform precise trunk and body movements in response to visual and auditory cues, thereby promoting postural awareness, motor coordination, and movement accuracy. The Meta Quest 2 headset provides a fully immersive virtual reality experience with six degrees of freedom (6DOF) head and body tracking, allowing real-time spatial interaction and posture-based feedback during exercise execution. | Other | Schroth scoliosis-specific exercises and OhShape virtual reality group |
| Google Cardboard Mobile Virtual reality Zombie ShooterIt is a low-cost mobile virtual reality (VR) intervention delivered via Google Cardboard. A custom Unity-based zombie-shooting VR game will be used, in which participants are required to maintain the corrected Schroth posture while engaging in a gaze-controlled shooting task, using head and trunk alignment to aim and interact with virtual targets. Mobile VR platforms such as Google Cardboard provide three degrees of freedom (3DOF) tracking and represent an accessible, low-cost alternative to high-end immersive VR systems. | Other | Schroth scoliosis specific exercise and Google Cardboard Mobile virtual reality Zombie Shooter |
Primary outcome
Trunk kinematics: Trunk rotation angle (Yaw)
Time frame: 16 weeks
Derived from gyroscope data(gyroZ) using wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) to measure dynamic rotation toward midline during exercise execution.
8 secondary outcomes
Trunk kinematics: trunk tilt angle (roll/ pitch)
Time frame: 16 weeks
Trunk Kinematics: Trunk flexion/ extension angle
Time frame: 16 weeks
Corrected posture holding time
Time frame: 16 weeks
Health related quality of life (SRS-22r)
Time frame: 16 weeks
pediatric health utility (EQ-5D-Y and EQ-VAS)
Time frame: 16 weeks
Trial retention rate
Time frame: 16 weeks
intervention adherence rate
Time frame: 16 weeks
Safety and incidence of adverse events
Time frame: 16 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Aug 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Enas youssef, professor study chair
Cairo University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Traditional schroth supervised exercise, OhShape virtual reality gameplay environment and Google Cardboard Mobile Virtual reality Zombie Shooter in people with Scoliosis and Scoliosis Idiopathic, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 9 inclusion and 9 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 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 Egypt. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Hend Saed, Master (01027722937, hhend.samy@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Trunk kinematics: Trunk rotation angle (Yaw) (time frame: 16 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 31 Aug 2026.