Application of Schroth exercise therapy in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a bibliometric analysis

Background Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common three-dimensional spinal deformity. Schroth exercise, a form of physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercise (PSSE), has increasingly been studied in relation to Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), and health-related quality of life. However, the publication landscape, thematic evolution, influential contributors, and collaboration networks of this field have not been comprehensively characterized. Objective To map publication output, collaboration networks, influential documents, institutions, journals, authors, and thematic evolution in research on Schroth exercise therapy for AIS. Methods English-language literature published up to April 1, 2026, was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), PubMed, and Scopus. After screening, 172 publications were included. The bibliometrix package (version 5.0) and CiteSpace 6.4.R1 were used to analyze country collaboration and publication output, global citation counts, institutional and journal publication output, journal dual-map citation pathways, keyword clusters, citation bursts and timelines, author co-citation, and author co-authorship networks. Results China had the highest publication output, while the United States and Germany were tied for second. China had the highest betweenness centrality, followed by Germany and Canada. The University of Alberta, Guangzhou Sport University, and The University of Hong Kong were the leading conventional research institutions. Negrini S, Kuru T, and Schreiber S were the most frequently co-cited authors, whereas Hedden, Douglas M., Schreiber, Sanja, and Parent, Eric C. were among the leading publishing authors. Keyword analyses indicated an evolution from broad conservative management toward Schroth-specific approaches and outcome-oriented evaluation, with recent attention to ATR, PSSE, and home-based exercise. Conclusion Schroth exercise therapy has become an important focus within the nonsurgical management literature for AIS. This bibliometric analysis characterizes publication trajectories, academic networks, influential contributors, and evolving research themes. Conclusions regarding clinical efficacy should be derived from the underlying clinical trials and evidence syntheses rather than from the bibliometric design itself.