Abstract: BACKGROUND: The definitive cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is not yet known. The search for a clinical approach to address adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is imminent. 
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Schroth therapy combined with core strength training on mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to provide more bases for the clinical treatment of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. 
METHODS: 110 patients with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis attending the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Spine Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from July 2022 to January 2024 were selected as the study subjects. They were divided into the trial group and the control group according to the wishes of the patients and their parents, with 55 cases in each group. The control group was observed and followed up, and the trial group underwent Schroth therapy combined with core strength training for 45 minutes a day for 24 weeks. The differences in imaging parameters, body surface indexes, three-dimensional ultrasound imaging angle, and quality of life were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) At 24 weeks after treatment, major curve Cobb, apical vertebral translation, and cervical lordosis were significantly improved in the trial group (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the control group (P > 0.05). Major curve Cobb and apical vertebral translation in the trial group were significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (2) At 24 weeks after treatment, angle of trunk rotation in the trial group was significantly lower than that before treatment (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between before and after treatment in the control group (P > 0.05), and angle of trunk rotation in the trial group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). (3) At 24 weeks after treatment, the center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging was significantly reduced in the trial group (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the control group before and after treatment (P > 0.05). The center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging was smaller in the trial group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). (4) At 24 weeks after treatment, in terms of the quality of life, pain dimension score in the trial group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Both trial and control groups showed significantly higher scores in the self-image dimension compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). Both groups had significantly lower scores in the mental health dimension compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). In the dimensions of pain, self-image, mental health, and satisfaction, the trial group was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). (5) It is indicated that Schroth therapy combined with core strength training can improve the major curve Cobb, apical vertebral translation, and cervical lordosis angle, reduce the angle of trunk rotation, decrease the center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging, and improve the quality of life, and it is effective in the treatment of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Key words: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, Schroth therapy, core strength training, three-dimensional ultrasonography, quality of life