Health related quality of life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: a cross-cultural comparison between two methods of treatment

Purpose
The present study aims at evaluating the effects produced on HRQOL by two different methods of physiotherapy in adolescent population with Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS): SEAS, used in Milan (Italia) in ISICO center, and Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School, in E. Salvá Institut (Spain).
Background
Studies related to HRQOL are generally few [1], controversial and besides there is a lack of research related to physiotherapy and HRQOL [2].
Materials and methods
Twenty-one subjects took part to the study, ages ranging between 9 and 18 years. Thirteen of them were Italian (5 boys and 8 girls) and the 9 Spanish (2 boys and 7 girls). For all of them it was the first time to be visited. The materials used were: Rosenberg’s self-esteem test [3, 4], Self Concept test [5], Body Satisfaction Scale [6] and SRS-22 questionnaire [7, 8]. Tests were given three times: on the first visit, three and six months later.
Results
Through a mixed ANCOVA, we found statistical differences between pre-test and post-test. In relation to the interaction effect, Time X Treatment, the Italian group improved in SRS-Pain while the E.Salvá group presented worse results at the end. However, the treatment had a significative effect on SRS-Self Image (p=0.016) and on Emotional Self Concept, as the E.Salvá group scored higher.
Conclusions
Further researches will aim at increasing the sample size, in order to enrich the results, and at looking for more homogenous groups and centers (Country, setting, size, etc).