ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of exercise intervention in adolescents with mild to moderate idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, WanFang Data and CNKI databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of exercise intervention in adolescents with mild to moderate AIS from inception to November 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using Stata 16.0 software. ResultsA total of 11 RCTs involving 638 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that exercise intervention significantly improved the Cobb angle of the spine in patients with AIS (MD=−1.65, 95%CI −2.63 to −0.68, P<0.01), reduced the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) (MD=−0.68, 95%CI −0.96 to −0.40, P<0.01), and increased their forced vital capacity (FVC) (MD=0.63, 95%CI 0.10 to 1.15, P=0.02). However, there was no statistically significant improvement in the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) or the ratio of FEV1/FVC between the two groups. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that the exercise intervention could improve the Cobb angle of the spine, reduce ATR and enhance FVC. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.