Sharon, what research I had been able to find on the providence also indicated it was better for lower curves (it probably was the same studies). Also, although I haven't researched it since the fall, the research I found on the Providence Brace was published by the inventors of the brace also (D’Amato/McCoy – this is the same issue you brought up with spinecor). However, like spinecor, the brace is relatively new (compared to say the Milwaukee or boston). I’m wouldn’t be surprised if the initial clinical results on the boston brace (and others) were also published by the inventors. Then over time “independent” studies begin to be conducted.
The spinecor website indicates the need for independent results. It says
“Even though the effectiveness of the SpineCor brace is accepted world wide, we understand the necessity of collecting data from independent treatment centers to support the efficiency of the Dynamic SpineCor brace.
For this reason we are currently undertaking an International Multicenter Study, collecting results from independent SpineCor centers around the world, in order to reinforce those obtained at Sainte-Justine Hospital, upon which the effectiveness of the SpineCor brace is based.
If you are a SpineCor System prescriber or accredited professional and you are interested in taking part in this study, please contact us to receive the study protocol and detailed information about the project. “
Unfortunately I’m sure it will take years for these independent studies to be completed and be published (and I found it interesting that they used the words “in order to reinforce” the results found at St. Justines….instead of “expected” or “hypothesized” to reinforce).
Also, a big pet peeve of mine, Scoliosis Research Society protocol (which was followed in publishing spinecor clinical results) requires Juvenile scoliosis patients to be EXCLUDED from any of these publications. That leaves us parents of kids with JIS with ZERO research to base our decisions on, as Laura stated. I do believe that juvenile and adolescent are different animals to a certain extent (if only because of a higher risk of progression due to the extra years of growth). Therefore I understand that juvenile shouldn’t be pooled in with adolescent data; however, I believe that studies should publish 2 results – one for adolescent, one for juvenile instead of just throwing out the data related to JIS. This is NOT specific to spinecor – this was the protocol set forth by the scoliosis research society. I have been able to find just a few studies that ignored SRS protocol and addressed JIS specifically (or were published before the protocol were established). However those studies were usually VERY small. Oh well….
The spinecor website indicates the need for independent results. It says
“Even though the effectiveness of the SpineCor brace is accepted world wide, we understand the necessity of collecting data from independent treatment centers to support the efficiency of the Dynamic SpineCor brace.
For this reason we are currently undertaking an International Multicenter Study, collecting results from independent SpineCor centers around the world, in order to reinforce those obtained at Sainte-Justine Hospital, upon which the effectiveness of the SpineCor brace is based.
If you are a SpineCor System prescriber or accredited professional and you are interested in taking part in this study, please contact us to receive the study protocol and detailed information about the project. “
Unfortunately I’m sure it will take years for these independent studies to be completed and be published (and I found it interesting that they used the words “in order to reinforce” the results found at St. Justines….instead of “expected” or “hypothesized” to reinforce).
Also, a big pet peeve of mine, Scoliosis Research Society protocol (which was followed in publishing spinecor clinical results) requires Juvenile scoliosis patients to be EXCLUDED from any of these publications. That leaves us parents of kids with JIS with ZERO research to base our decisions on, as Laura stated. I do believe that juvenile and adolescent are different animals to a certain extent (if only because of a higher risk of progression due to the extra years of growth). Therefore I understand that juvenile shouldn’t be pooled in with adolescent data; however, I believe that studies should publish 2 results – one for adolescent, one for juvenile instead of just throwing out the data related to JIS. This is NOT specific to spinecor – this was the protocol set forth by the scoliosis research society. I have been able to find just a few studies that ignored SRS protocol and addressed JIS specifically (or were published before the protocol were established). However those studies were usually VERY small. Oh well….
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