A descriptive study of scoliosis incidence in sixth-grade students at SD Muhammadiyah Kleco, Yogyakarta

Study Program of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Aisyiyah Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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Abstract

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine that can affect quality of life. It is defined as a lateral curve in the frontal plane, which may or may not be accompanied by vertebral rotation in the axial and sagittal planes. This study aimed to identify the age of onset and degree of scoliosis in elementary school students. A descriptive observational study was conducted in August 2025 at SD Muhammadiyah Kleco, Yogyakarta. The study included all sixth-grade students present during the examination whose parents provided informed consent (n =40). Scoliosis was assessed using a scoliometer combined with the Adam's Forward Bending Test. The results showed that 55% of students had scoliosis, most commonly in the intermediate category with an Angle of Trunk Rotation (ATR) of 4°-6°. Scoliosis was observed in students aged 10-12 years. These findings highlight the importance of early scoliosis screening in schools to enable timely detection and intervention.