NSF News - National Scoliosis Foundation

USPSTF Public Comment Deadline is October 28, 2015

October 14, 2015 National Scoliosis Foundation NSF News scoliosis,Spinal

The US Preventive Services Task Force has published it’s draft research plan on Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic #Scoliosis (AIS). To comment on the USPSTF draft plan please click here.

Draft: Proposed Key Questions to Be Systematically Reviewed

Does screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis improve: a) health outcomes and b) the degree of abnormal #spinal curve in childhood or adulthood?
What is the accuracy of screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
Does treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with a Cobb angle of less than 50° at diagnosis improve: a) health outcomes and b) the degree of spinal curve in childhood or adulthood?
What is the association between Cobb angle measurement in adolescence and health outcomes in adulthood?
What are the harms of screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
What are the harms of treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with a Cobb angle of less than 50° at diagnosis?

Draft: Proposed Research Approach

The proposed Research Approach identifies the study characteristics and criteria that the Evidence-based Practice Center will use to search for publications and to determine whether identified studies should be included or excluded from the Evidence Review. Criteria are overarching as well as specific to each of the key questions (KQs).

	Include	Exclude
Populations	KQs 1, 2, 5: Asymptomatic children and adolescents ages 10 to 18 years KQs 3, 6: Persons with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed at ages 10 to 18 years with a Cobb angle of 10° to 50° detected through screening KQ 4: Persons with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed at ages 10 to 18 years with a Cobb angle of 10° to 50°	Persons with scoliosis of: Neuromuscular etiology (e.g., cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, spina bifida, spinal cord injuries) Congenital etiology (e.g., hemivertebrae, failure of segmentation) Mesenchymal/syndromic etiology (e.g., Marfan syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, inflammatory diseases, postoperative) Early-onset idiopathic etiology (infantile [ages 0 to 3 years] or juvenile [ages 4 to 9 years])
Settings	Primary care or generalizable to primary care School-based screening programs Countries categorized as “High” on the Human Development Index (as defined by the United Nations Development Programme)	Specialty care (e.g., surgical clinics and clinics for conditions known to be associated with scoliosis) and other settings with a symptomatic population
Screening tests	KQs 1, 2, 5: Forward bend test (with or without scoliometer/inclinometer), surface topography, or other methods (e.g., back-contour device), followed by x-ray for confirmation KQ 2: Studies with a reference standard	KQs 1, 2, 5: X-ray alone Selective screening
Treatments	KQs 3, 6: Surgery Nonoperative treatment, including but not limited to: bracing, physical therapy/exercise therapy, and electrical muscle stimulation
Comparison	KQs 1, 2, 5: Usual care KQs 3, 6: Observation, usual care	KQs 1, 2, 5: Studies with no comparator KQs 3, 6: Comparative effectiveness studies
Harms	KQ 5: Any screening harms, including but not limited to: labeling, radiation exposure KQ 6: Any treatment harms, including but not limited to: psychosocial harms, physiological harms, functioning, or pain	KQs 5, 6: Studies with no comparator
Outcomes	Intermediate outcomes: Cobb angle measurement Health outcomes: Morbidity (e.g., pulmonary symptoms, hypertension, lumbar radiculopathy) Quality of life Functional outcomes (e.g., pain, musculoskeletal function, activity restriction) Mortality
Study design	KQs 1–4: Randomized, controlled trials; controlled trials; cohort studies KQs 5, 6: Randomized, controlled trials; controlled trials; cohort studies; case series	All KQs: Studies rated as poor quality KQs 1–4: Case series, cost-effectiveness studies, qualitative study designs

Fond Memories of Herb Homer

September 11, 2015 National Scoliosis Foundation NSF News

On this anniversary of 9/11 we express our gratitude for everyone who keeps us safe and protects our freedom in our daily lives. We also remember the people and families greatly impacted by this terrible tragedy, especially for our friend and fellow Board Member, Herb Homer, who was aboard United Flight 175. May he forever rest in peace.

Medical Device Patient Labeling

September 2, 2015 National Scoliosis Foundation NSF News

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public workshop entitled “Medical Device Patient Labeling”. The purpose of the public workshop is to discuss issues associated with the development and use of medical device patient labeling including content, testing, use, access, human factors, emerging media formats, and promotion and advertising. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CRDH) is seeking input about these topics from patients and advocacy groups, academic and professional organizations, industry, standards organizations, and governmental agencies.

This workshop will be available by webcast. CDRH encourages patients and patient advocates/organizations to participate.

For additional information and registration, please see:

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferences/ucm455361.htm

You can make a difference! Your input is welcomed!

July 24, 2015 National Scoliosis Foundation NSF News National Scoliosis Foundation,scoliosis,spine

You can make a difference! Your input is welcomed!

The #National Scoliosis Foundation is building a new website to mark our 40th year of service to the #scoliosis community. And, we’d love to have your input!

For four decades we have generated scoliosis awareness, provided patient education/support/communication, trained screeners, facilitated/funded research (cause, prevention & cure), and advocated for early detection and treatment to minimize the physical, emotional and financial burdens affecting patients, and families, living with abnormal curvatures of the #spine.

Your input to our site design effort is important and appreciated. What do you suggest we include on our new website? What information or resources would you like to see to better help you, your family, the greater scoliosis community and/or our mission? What should we add to ease the scoliosis patient journey and improve the quality of life for all?

We are planning some exciting new features, but we value your thoughts and are eager to listen to your needs. No idea is too big or too small. Please email your input to nsf@scoliosis.org.

Thank you in advance for your help!

June is Scoliosis Awareness Month!

June 1, 2015 National Scoliosis Foundation NSF News

Thank you to all the doctors, clinicians, nurses, healthcare/government officials and patients & family members who are working to spread the scoliosis awareness campaign throughout the U.S. and to many countries around the globe, from Canada, to the U.K. and as far reaching as Turkey.

We need a strong collective voice advocating for early detection and treatment to ensure that children and families receive the optimal care they deserve. A special thank you to our local policy makers, providers, and school nurses for their continual support for more than thirty years.

Scoliosis Awareness Day Proclamation Ceremony in Canada

May 27, 2015 National Scoliosis Foundation NSF News

OTTAWA, May 27, 2015 /CNW/ – Join the Curvy Girls Ottawa at the Scoliosis Awareness Day Proclamation Ceremony at City Hall! This event is open to the public and begins at 8:45 a.m. on Monday June 1, 2015.

Curvy Girls Ottawa is a peer-lead support group for teens with scoliosis. Scoliosis is a medical condition resulting in a curvature of the spine. Many Canadians are affected by this condition and more awareness is needed! June 1st is also Scoliosis Awareness Day in Ottawa.

Mayor Jim Watson will present the proclamation to the Curvy Girls at City Hall. The Curvy Girls invite the public, as well as local media to attend the ceremony to raise awareness for scoliosis. To show your support, wear pink or green!

SRS VP Kenneth Cheung, MD Running in London Marathon

February 16, 2015 National Scoliosis Foundation NSF News

We applaud Kenneth Cheung, MD, Vice President of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), who is running in the London Marathon on April 26, 2015 to raise funds for scoliosis. Funds raised will be split between the SRS and the British Scoliosis Research Foundation. To read more and donate to support Dr. Cheung please go to his fundraising page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/SRS

Scolioscreen – A New Alternative to the Scoliometer!

January 16, 2015 National Scoliosis Foundation NSF News

We are pleased to offer the new Scolioscreen device which in combination with the Scolioscreen APP, (available at iTunes) allows for the early detection of scoliosis, and also enables patients and families to track the status of an abnormal spinal curve at home. Scolioscreen won the Best New Technology Award and is today’s innovative modern alternative for yesterday’s scoliometer! Scolioscreen is designed to fit all smartphones, with or without a protective case.

To learn more about this product, or to purchase, go to Scolioscreen in our store.