Sanja Schreiber, PhD, MSc, BSc

Area of Study / Keywords

Scoliosis Exercises Motor Learning and Control Clinical Trials Knowledge Synthesis Implementation

About

Education

• 2015 - Post Doctorate in Health Outcomes: ARCHE, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta
• 2014 - PhD Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta
• 2009 - MSc Sports Medicine and Kinesitherapy, Association of Centres for Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies and Research - ACIMSI, University of Novi Sad
• 2005 - BSc Physical Education and Kinesitherapy, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad

Credentials

• 2016 - International Schroth Scoliosis Instructor, International Schroth 3D Scoliosis Therapy Institute, Germany
• 2008 - Certified Schroth Scoliosis Therapist, Asklepios Katharina Schroth Klinik, Bad Sobernheim, Germany

Research

Grants

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) - The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) (PI) - “Planning grant for a randomized controlled trial of scoliosis-specific physiotherapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.”, 2024-2026
• Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) CRISP Grant (co-investigator) -  “Schroth Telehealth Exercise Trial for Scoliosis (Schroth Telehealth)”, 2020 – 2021 
• University of Alberta – Mid Career Stimulus Grant (co-investigator) –  “Adult Scoliosis Exercise Trial” , 2019 – 2020 
• Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) OrthoCanada Research Grant (co-investigator) –  “The Adult Degenerative Scoliosis Exercise Trial (ADSET)”, 2019 - 2020 
• Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) Innovation Grant (co-applicant) –  “Determining the immediate effect of scoliosis-specific 3D autocorrection exercises using 3D non-invasive ultrasound imaging”, 2016 – 2018 
• Canadian Institute of Health Research - Knowledge Synthesis Grant: Fall 2015 Competition (co-applicant) – “Interventions for bronchiolitis in the acute care setting: a systematic review and network meta-analysis”, 2016-2017 
• Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Glenrose Clinical Research Fund (co-applicant) – "Reliability of Schroth Curve Type Classification and Exercise Prescription in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis", 2010 – 2014 
• Scoliosis Research Society - Small Exploratory Grant (co-applicant) – "A Pilot Study for a Randomized Control Trial to Develop a Prediction Rule to Identify Patients with Adolescents Idiopathic Scoliosis and Schroth Curve type 3c who will Respond to Schroth Exercises".  2010 – 2011

Publications

• Mohamed N, Acharya V, Schreiber S, Parent EC, Westover L (2024) Effect of adding Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis specific exercises to standard care in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis on posture assessed using surface topography: A secondary analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). PLOS ONE 19(4): e0302577
• Schreiber S, Somers EC. (2024) Breaking the Curve: A Call for Comprehensive Scoliosis Awareness and Care. The Conversation - Canada. https://theconversation.com/breaking-the-curve-a-call-for-comprehensive-scoliosis-awareness-and-care-217495. 
• Schreiber S, Whibley D, Somers EC. Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercise (PSSE) Trials—Systematic Review of Methods and Recommendations for Future Research. Children. 2023; 10(6):954. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060954
• Schreiber S, Parent EC, Kawchuk GN, Hedden DM. Algorithm for Schroth-Curve-Type Classification of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability Study. Children. 2023; 10(3):523. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030523
• Parent, E.C, Vaclavik, M.; Bourgoin, C.; Hebert, C.; Bouwmeester, M.; Cheslock, S.; Collins, R.; Potgieter, S.; Coles, M.; Schreiber, S.; et al. Inventory of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Used in the Non-Operative Care of Scoliosis: A Scoping Review. Children 2023,10,239. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/children10020239
• Stefan G. Schreiber, Sanja Schreiber, Rajiv N. Tanna, David R. Roberts, Tim J. Arciszewski; Statistical tools for water quality assessment and monitoring in river ecosystems – a scoping review and recommendations for data analysis. Water Quality Research Journal 1 February 2022; 57 (1): 40–57. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrj.2022.028
• Wood, G.I., Schreiber, S. and Legare-Romero, S., 2021. Upper thoracic counter-tilt–a novel measure of in-brace correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with proximal thoracic curves. Studies in health technology and informatics, 280, p.293.
• Schreiber S, Parent E, Hill H., Hedden D, Moreau M, Southon S. How much change in the Cobb angle is needed for the patients to observe positive change in their backs following a Schroth intervention? "SOSORT 2018 Award Winner". BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders - BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2019) 20:319 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2695-9 
• Negrini S, Donzelli S, Alisa AG, Chaprowski D, Schreiber S et al. 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders (2018) 13:3. DOI 10.1186/s13013-017-0145-8
• Schreiber S, Parent EC, Doug L Hill; Douglas M Hedden; Marc Moreau; Sarah C Southon (2017) Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: How Many Patients Require Treatment to Prevent One Deterioration? - Results from A Randomized Controlled Trial "SOSORT 2017 Award Winner". Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders (2017) 12:26 DOI 10.1186/s13013-017-0137-8
• Schreiber S, Parent E, Khodayari Moez E, Hedden D, Hill D, Moreau M, Lou E, Watkins E, Southon E. (2016). Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises Added to the Standard of Care Lead to Better Cobb Angle Outcomes in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis – an Assessor and Statistician Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS ONE 11(12): e0168746. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168746
• Pollock M, Sinha IP, Hartling L, Rowe BH, Schreiber S, Fernandes RM. Inhaled short-acting bronchodilators for managing emergency childhood asthma: an overview of reviews. Allergy. 2016 Sep
• Hartling L, Bialy LM, Vandermeer B, Tjosvold L, Johnson DW, Plint AC, Klassen TP, Patel H, Fernandes RM, Schreiber S. (2016). Epinephrine for Bronchiolitis - Update. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
• Schreiber S, Parent E C, Khodayari Moez E, Hedden D M, Hill D L, Moreau M, Lou E, Watkins E M, Southon S C. (2015). The effect of Schroth exercises added to standard of care on quality of life and muscle endurance in adolescent with idiopathic scoliosis – assessor and statistician blinded randomized controlled trial " SOSORT 2015 Award Winner". Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders. 10(24): 1-12.
• Schreiber S, Parent EC, Hedden DM, Moreau M, Hill D, Lou E. (2014). Effect of Schroth exercises on curve characteristics and clinical outcomes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Journal of Physiotherapy. 60(4): 234

Books and Book Chapters

• Bettany-Saltikov J. , Schreiber S.  Innovations in Spinal Deformities and Postural Disorders [Internet]. London: IntechOpen; 2017 [cited 2022 Nov 25]. 220 p. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/books/5816 doi: 10.5772/65546
• Bosnjak, S.(Schreiber, S.) (2009). Primena osnovnih Stott pilates principa u kineziterapiji sa primerima nekih od vezba. [The Application of the Stott Pilates Basic Principles in Kinesiotherapy with Examples of the Exercises] In Zivkovic, D.(Ed.). Osnovi kineziologije sa elementima kliničke kineziologije (18 pages) Katedra za primenjenu kineziologiju, Fakultet sporta i fizickog vaspitanja: Univerzitet u Nisu.

Conference Publications 

• Schreiber, Whibley D, Somers EC. Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercise (PSSE) Trials – Descriptive Analysis and Recommendations for Future Research. In: SOSORT 2022 [Internet]. 2022. p. 111–2. Available from: https://www.sosort.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Abstract-Book-SOSORT-Congress-2022.pdf
• Courtney Hebert, Camille Warner, Eric Parent, Sanja Schreiber, Graham Murray, Sarah Southon, Marc Moreau, Jim Mahood, Eric Huang, Kyle Stampe, Edmond Lou. (2021). Effect of Schroth exercises on quality of life, physical activity, perceived appearance, and back muscle endurance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): a randomized control trial (RCT). 16th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities
• Courtney Hebert, Camille Warner, Eric Parent, Sanja Schreiber, Graham Murray, Sarah Southon, Marc Moreau, Jim Mahood, Eric Huang, Kyle Stampe, Edmond Lou. (2021). Surface Topography Evaluation Schroth Exercise in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). 16th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities  
• Sanja Schreiber, Eric Parent, Josette Bettany Saltikov. (2020). Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE) for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) – Protocol for a Living Systematic Review. 15th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities
• Sanja Schreiber, Eric Parent, Doug Hill, Doug Hedden, Marc Moreau, Sarah Southon (2018). How much change in the Cobb angle is needed for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis to observe positive change in their backs – Results from a randomized controlled trial comparing a 6-month Schroth intervention added to standard care and standard care alone? 13th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting
• Sanja Schreiber, Eric Parent, Doug Hill, Doug Hedden, Marc Moreau, Sarah Southon (2017). Schroth Physiotherapeutic ScoliosisSpecific Exercises for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: How Many Patients Require Treatment To Prevent One Deterioration? 12th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting
• Nikola Jevtic, Sanja Schreiber, Olivera Klisuric, Borislav Obradovic, Nataša Danilovic, Arpad Toth, Axel Hennes (2017). Effect of An Intensive Schroth Intervention on Pulmonary Function in Adolescents with Idiopathic scoliosis. 12th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting
• Eric C. Parent, Alex Su, Edmond Lou, Sanja Schreiber (2017). The immediate effect of Schroth Scoliosis-Specific exercises in prone position in trained adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis measured using 3D ultrasound imaging. 12th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting
• Jevtic, N., Schreiber, S., Hennes, A., & Pantovic, M.(2016). Intensive Schroth Treatment for Patients with Scoliosis in Balkans. The First Joint Meeting of the International Research Society of Spinal Deformities and the Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment.
• Schreiber, S., Parent, E., Khodayari Moez, E., Hedden, D., Hill, D. L., Moreau, M. J., et al. (2016). The Effect of Schroth Exercises Added to the Standard of Care on the Cobb Angle in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis - an Assessor and Statistician Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. The First Joint Meeting of the International Research Society of Spinal Deformities and the Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment
• Parent, E., Ghaneei, M., Adeeb, S., Schreiber, S., Moreau, M. J., Hedden, D., et al.(2016). Effects of Schroth Exercises Added to Standard Care in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis (Ais) on Markerless Surface Topography Asymmetry Measurements – a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The First Joint Meeting of the International Research Society of Spinal Deformities and the Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment
• Sanja Schreiber, Eric Parent, Elham Khodayari Moez, Douglas Hedden, Doug Hill, Marc Moreau, Edmond Lou, Elise Watkins, Sarah Southon. (2016). Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-specific exercises improve Cobb Angles in adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis – a randomized controlled trial. Women's and Children's Health Research Institute - 2016 Research Day
• Parent, E., Schreiber, S., Khodayari Moez, E., Sloan, P., Hedden, D., Moreau, M. J., et al. (2016). Effects of Schroth Exercises Added to Standard Care in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis (Ais) on Surface Topography Parameters - a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The First Joint Meeting of the International Research Society of Spinal Deformities and the Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment 
• Schreiber, S., Parent, E., Hedden, D., & Hill, D. L.(2016). Minimal Important Differences in SRS-22r, Spinal Appearance Questionnaire, Cobb Angle, and Biering-Sorensen Back Muscle Endurance Test Following a Six-Month Schroth Exercises Intervention in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis. The First Joint Meeting of the International Research Society of Spinal Deformities and the Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment
• Albrecht L, Schreiber S, Scott S, Hartling L. (2016). Living systematic reviews for up-to-date evidence: case studies on pediatric croup and acute gastroenteritis. Abstracts of the 2016 Cochrane Colloquium
• Schreiber, S., Parent, EC., Hedden, D.(2015). Clinical significance of the effect of a six-months Schroth exercise intervention in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA)
• Schreiber S, Parent E, Hedden D, Moreau M, Hill D, Watkins E. (2013). The effects of a 6-month Schroth intervention for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): preliminary analysis of an ongoing randomized controlled trial. 10th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting
• Parent C, Schreiber S, Hedden D, Moreau M. (2013). The effect of a 6-month Schroth exercise program: a pilot study using subjects as their own controls. 10th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting
• Schreiber S, Parent E, Hedden D, Watkins E, Hill D, Moreau M, Southon S, Mahood J. (2013). Feasibility and three months preliminary results of an RCT on the effect of Schroth exercises in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). 9th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - SOSORT 2012 Annual Meeting
• Watkins E, Bosnjak S, Parent E. (2012). Algorithms to prescribe Schroth exercises foreach of four Schroth curve types.8th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting
• Schreiber S, Parent E, Hedden D. (2012). Determining clinical significance independently from statistical significance? Implications for practice. 8th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting
• Schreiber S, Parent E, Watkins E, Hedden D. (2012). An algorithm for determining scoliosis curve type according to Schroth. Scoliosis. 8th International Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities - the SOSORT Meeting

Teaching

• Screening and Management of Scoliosis and other Structural Changes of the Spine - Microdentialing course for health practitioners. (Coming soon)

Additional courses: 

Dr. Sanja Schreiber is an International Schroth 3D Scoliosis Therapy Instructor delivering advanced post-graduate education courses for physiotherapists internationally. 

Schroth courses are specifically designed for graduated physiotherapists with a special interest in pediatric and adult scoliosis, such as adolescent idiopathic and de novo scoliosis, respectively, and kyphosis, such as Scheuermann's disease.

2015-11-18 to 2023-09-08