For those who may believe that bracing doesn't work, this study below shows the difference between those who were compliant with bracing and those who weren't.
In my mind, this proves that bracing does work because if bracing had no effect there would be no difference between these two groups of brace wearers!!
i.e. In the group that had high compliance (>90%), one of the nine subjects' curves progressed (11%). In the group with low compliance (<90%), 14 of the 25 subjects' curves progressed (56%, P = 0.0075).
Now, if they just did a big enough study (Braist perhaps) and showed these kinds of results, even without a control group...you could certainly say that bracing was effective if used properly and with a good correction.
In my mind, this proves that bracing does work because if bracing had no effect there would be no difference between these two groups of brace wearers!!
i.e. In the group that had high compliance (>90%), one of the nine subjects' curves progressed (11%). In the group with low compliance (<90%), 14 of the 25 subjects' curves progressed (56%, P = 0.0075).
Now, if they just did a big enough study (Braist perhaps) and showed these kinds of results, even without a control group...you could certainly say that bracing was effective if used properly and with a good correction.
Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics:
July/August 2005 - Volume 25 - Issue 4 - pp 420-422
doi: 10.1097/01.bpo.0000161097.61586.bb
Spine: Original Article
The Association Between Brace Compliance and Outcome for Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis
Rahman, Tariq PhD; Bowen, J Richard MD; Takemitsu, Masakazu MD; Scott, Claude MD
Abstract
This was a prospective study on the association of brace compliance and curve progression in idiopathic scoliosis. Compliance was measured electronically by embedding a temperature sensor and logger in the Wilmington scoliosis brace. To date there have been no studies that relate objective measures of compliance in a scoliosis brace to treatment outcomes.
Thirty-four subjects with idiopathic scoliosis were monitored over the duration of their brace wear. Compliance data were downloaded and analyzed.
The compliance rate for the patients whose curve progressed (>5 degrees) was 62%; the compliance rate for the patients who did not progress was 85% (P = 0.004).
In the group that had high compliance (>90%), one of the nine subjects' curves progressed (11%). In the group with low compliance (<90%), 14 of the 25 subjects' curves progressed (56%, P = 0.0075).
Results indicate that the more patients comply with brace treatment, the better their chances of a favorable outcome.
July/August 2005 - Volume 25 - Issue 4 - pp 420-422
doi: 10.1097/01.bpo.0000161097.61586.bb
Spine: Original Article
The Association Between Brace Compliance and Outcome for Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis
Rahman, Tariq PhD; Bowen, J Richard MD; Takemitsu, Masakazu MD; Scott, Claude MD
Abstract
This was a prospective study on the association of brace compliance and curve progression in idiopathic scoliosis. Compliance was measured electronically by embedding a temperature sensor and logger in the Wilmington scoliosis brace. To date there have been no studies that relate objective measures of compliance in a scoliosis brace to treatment outcomes.
Thirty-four subjects with idiopathic scoliosis were monitored over the duration of their brace wear. Compliance data were downloaded and analyzed.
The compliance rate for the patients whose curve progressed (>5 degrees) was 62%; the compliance rate for the patients who did not progress was 85% (P = 0.004).
In the group that had high compliance (>90%), one of the nine subjects' curves progressed (11%). In the group with low compliance (<90%), 14 of the 25 subjects' curves progressed (56%, P = 0.0075).
Results indicate that the more patients comply with brace treatment, the better their chances of a favorable outcome.
Comment