Efficacy of artificial intelligence-based digital therapeutics versus traditional Schroth exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) requires long-term conservative management to prevent curve progression. While physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises, specifically the Schroth method, are considered the gold standard for conservative treatment, their clinical efficacy is often limited by accessibility barriers, high costs and suboptimal treatment adherence.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based digital therapeutic system, which uses computer vision for remote, personalised posture analysis and adaptive exercise prescription compared with traditional outpatient Schroth therapy. Methods and analysis This parallel-group randomised controlled trial will be conducted at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center (Guangzhou, China).

300 adolescents aged 10 - 18 years with AIS who present with a Cobb angle between 10° and 30° and a Risser sign of 0 - 2 will be recruited and randomised in a 1:1 ratio into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group will use a smartphone application to capture standardised bi-weekly images.