Using botulinum toxin and yoga-like exercises to treat scoliosis in adolescents

Incobotulinumtoxin A and Yoga-like Isometric Exercise in Adolescent Idiopathic Lumbar Scoliosis

Phase 2 Interventional Manhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, LLP · NCT04922983

This study is testing if combining botulinum toxin injections with yoga-like exercises can help teenagers with scoliosis improve their spinal curvature and strength.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment42 (estimated)
Ages14 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorManhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, LLP Academic / other
Locations1 site (Manhattan, New York)
Trial IDNCT04922983 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the combined effects of botulinum toxin injections and a yoga-like isometric exercise regimen on adolescents with idiopathic lumbar scoliosis. The study involves a randomized control design over six months, where participants aged 12 to 18 with scoliotic curves between 25 and 60 degrees will perform daily yoga poses to strengthen the weak side of their spine. After three months, those in the placebo group will receive the actual treatment, ensuring all participants benefit from the intervention. The study also includes follow-up X-rays to monitor changes in spinal curvature.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12 to 18 with a scoliotic curve between 25 and 60 degrees who are willing to commit to daily yoga exercises.

Not a fit: Patients with neurological or muscular diseases, genetic abnormalities affecting growth, or those who are pregnant will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive treatment option to reduce scoliosis curvature in adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that yoga poses can effectively reverse scoliotic curves, but this combined approach with botulinum toxin is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Fourteen - 18 years of age, 2. Scoliotic curve greater than 25 degrees, less than 45 degrees, 3. Stated willingness to do the yoga and yoga-like poses daily, 4. Written, signed consent by patient and parent/guardian 5. Pre-test Cobb films no less than 3 months old read by independent radiologists.

* Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Neurological, muscular or neuromuscular disease, (e.gs., cerebral palsy, myopathy, stroke),
  2. Genetic abnormalities that affect limb growth, proportionality or metabolism, (e.gs., mucopolysaccharidoses, Marfan's syndrome, Refsums disease).
  3. Pregnancy and other conditions prohibiting X-rays or minute(s)-long exertion (e.gs., congestive heart failure, great weakness, COPD).
  4. Previous exposure to botulinum neurotoxin Type A. Sexually active female subjects must present a recent negative pregnancy test.

Where this trial is running

Manhattan, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Scoliosis IdiopathicScoliosisAdolescenceLumbar RegionAdolescent idiopathic scoliosisscoliosisyogaisometric
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.