Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

LIVE: Thursday 2nd May 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

Quality sleep is essential for health. But what happens to our brains when sleep patterns are disturbed? Join our experts to explore the interplay between sleep disruption and neurological diseases, and the questions that you need to be asking your patients to help you prevent the harmful effects of sleep deprivation.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders
Published in: Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders 1/2006

Open Access 01-12-2006 | Research

The experience of brace treatment in children/adolescents with scoliosis

Authors: Despina Sapountzi-Krepia, Maria Psychogiou, Darin Peterson, Vassiliki Zafiri, Eugenia Iordanopoulou, Fotini Michailidou, Anastassios Christodoulou

Published in: Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders | Issue 1/2006

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Idiopathic scoliosis is a chronic illness with several different braces used for its treatment. Brace treatment during childhood/adolescence can produce stress. There are studies supporting that it can decrease body-image perception while other studies support that it has no such effect.
The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of brace treatment in children/adolescents with scoliosis. The aim was to investigate which feelings are created by the bracing experience in children/adolescents with scoliosis and what are the children/adolescents' with scoliosis opinions of the support provided to them by health-care professionals and by their families.

Methods

We conducted interviews with the help of a semi-structured interview guide in order to address the topic of the experience of brace treatment. A convenient sample of twelve children and adolescents with scoliosis was selected from patients attending follow-up appointments at the Outpatient Scoliosis Clinics of two Greek hospitals. The data was analysed using the method of content analysis.

Results

Patients in the sample were 10–16 years old and they were mainly females (71%). Almost all of the participants reported having to deal with stress, denial, fear, anger, and shame. They were satisfied with the information they received regarding their condition and therapy. However, the information was not accompanied by support from the health care professionals. They reported that they were receiving support mainly from their families, friends, and classmates.

Conclusion

The present study is contributing to the development of a better understanding of significant issues related to the experience of bracing therapy. It is clear that scoliosis children/adolescents have to be provided with support during the long period of bracing. It is apparent that those children/adolescents have unmet needs for care and health professionals and policy makers should try to find a way to address those needs.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Papadopoulos EC, Sapkas G: Osteoporotic fractures of the spine. Contemporary Issues of Spine Diseases. Edited by: Sapkas G. 2005, Athens: Kafkas, 199-210.
2.
Grivas TB: Natural history of scoliosis. Contemporary Issues of Spine Diseases. Edited by: Sapkas G. 2005, Athens: Kafkas, 217-229.
3.
Koutsostathis S, Sapkas G, Psycharis IP: Pathogenesis of scoliosis. Contemporary Issues of Spine Diseases. Edited by: Sapkas G. 2005, Athens: Kafkas, 315-322.
4.
Bunnell WP: The natural history of idiopathic scoliosis. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1988, 229: 20-25.PubMed
5.
Hugo AK: Scoliosis, Clinical Symposia. CIBA New Jersey. 1978, 3-5.
6.
Ugwonali OF, Lomas G, Choe JC, Hyman JE, Lee FY, Vitale MG, Roye DP: Effect of bracing on the quality of life of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. The Spine Journal. 2004, 4: 254-260. 10.1016/j.spinee.2003.12.001.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Veldhuizen AG, Cheung J, Bulthuis GJ, Nijenbanning G: A new orthotic device in the non-operative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Medical Engineering & Physics. 2002, 24: 209-218. 10.1016/S1350-4533(02)00008-5.CrossRef
8.
Valavanis J: Deformities of the spinal column; the conservative treatment. 1997, I.E.K. Publications (in Greek) Athens:, 5-9.
9.
Coillard C, Leroux MA, Zabjek KF, Rivard H: SpineCor – a non-rigid brace for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis: post treatment results. European Spine Journal. 2003, 12: 141-148.PubMed
10.
Papadopoulos DG: Conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis with braces. Contemporary Issues of Spine Diseases. Edited by: Sapkas G. 2005, Athens: Kafkas, 245-258.
11.
Liskey-Fitzwater N, Moore CL, Gurel LM: Clothing importance and self perception of female adolescents with and without scoliosis. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1993, 11: 17-22.CrossRef
12.
Bengtsson G, Fallstrom K, Jansson B, Nachemson A: A psychological and psychiatric investigation of the adjustment of female scoliosis patients. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 1974, 50 (1): 50-59.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Wickers FC, Bunch WH, Barnet PM: Psychological factors in failure to wear the Milwaukee brace for treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1977, 126: 62-66.PubMed
14.
Eliason MJ, Richman LC: Psychological effects of idiopathic adolescent scoliosis. Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics. 1984, 5 (4): 169-172.CrossRef
15.
Fallstrom K, Cochran T, Nachemson A: Long term effects on personality development in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Influence of type of treatment. Spine. 1986, 11 (7): 756-758.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Goldberg M, Mayo N, Politas B, Scott S, Hanley J: The ste-jastine adolescence idiopathic scoliosis cohort study, Part II, Perception of health, self and body image and participation in physical activities. Spine. 1994, 19 (14): 1562-1572.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Sapountzi-Krepia D, Valavanis J, Panteleakis GP, Zangana DT, Vlachojiannis PC, Sapkas GS: Perceptions of body image, happiness and satisfaction in adolescents wearing a Boston brace for scoliosis treatment. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2001, 35 (5): 683-690. 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01900.x.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Reichel D, Schanz J: Developmental psychological aspects of scoliosis treatment. Pediatric Rehabilitation. 2003, 6 (3–4): 221-225.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Bronheim H, Strain JJ, Biller HF: Psychiatric aspects of head and neck surgery. Part II: Body image and psychiatric intervention. General Hospital Psychiatry. 1991, 13 (4): 225-232. 10.1016/0163-8343(91)90123-E.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Cohen A: Body image in the person with a stoma. Journal of Enterostomal Therapy. 1991, 18 (2): 68-71.PubMed
21.
Clayson D, Luz-Alterman S, Cataletto M, Levine DB: Long term psychological sequalae of surgically versus nonsurgically treated scoliosis. Spine. 1984, 12 (10): 983-986.CrossRef
22.
MacLean WE, Green NE, Pierre CB, Ray DC: Stress and Coping with scoliosis, Psychological effects on adolescents and their families. Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics. 1989, 9 (3): 257-261.CrossRef
23.
Payne WK, Ogilvie JW, Resnick MD, Kane RL, Transfeldt EE, Blum RW: Does scoliosis have a psychological impact and does gender makes a difference?. Spine. 1997, 22 (12): 1380-4. 10.1097/00007632-199706150-00017.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Saccomani L, Vercellino F, Rizzo P, Becchetti S: Adolescents with scoliosis: psychological and psychopathological aspects. Minerva Pediatrica. 1998, 50 (1–2): 9-14.PubMed
25.
Apter A, Morein G, Munitz H, Tyano S, Maoz B, Wijsenbeeck H: The psychological sequelae of the Milwaukee brace in adolescent girls. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1978, 131: 156-159.PubMed
26.
Kahanovitz N, Weiser S: The psychological impact of idiopathic scoliosis on the adolescent female. A preliminary multi-center study. Spine. 1989, 14 (5): 483-485.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Olafsson Y, Saraste H, Ahlgren RM: Does bracing affect self-image? A prospective study on 54 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. European Spine Journal. 1999, 8 (5): 402-405. 10.1007/s005860050194.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
28.
Drench EM: Changes in body image secondary to disease and injury. Rehabilitation Nursing. 1994, 19 (1): 31-36.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Sapountzi-Krepia D, Dimitriadou A, Kotrotsiou E, Panteleakis G, Maras D, Sgantzos M: Bracing and Stress: The Perception of Stress in Adolescents Wearing a Boston Brace for Scoliosis Treatment. Vema of Askilios. 2004, 3 (2): 99-102.
30.
Wood-Dauphinee SL: Assessment of back-related quality of life: the continuing challenge. Spine. 2001, 26: 857-61. 10.1097/00007632-200104150-00005.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Negrini S, Grivas TB, Kotwicki T, Maruyama T, Rigo M, Weiss HR, The members of the Study group On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitative Treatment (SOSORT): Why we treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? What we want to obtain and to avoid for our patients. SOSORT 2005 Consensus Paper – Topic 3 (Preliminary Document). 2nd International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities – 1st Consensus Meeting Milan (Italy). 2005, 13–14 January 2005
32.
Vasiliadis E, Grivas TB: Brace questionnaire. A new quality of life instrument for scoliotic children treated with a brace. E-poster. Proceedings of the 12th IMAST: Abstract of E-Poster 51.
33.
Climent JM, Sanchez J: Impact of the type of brace on the quality of life of adolescents with spine deformities. Spine. 1999, 24 (18): 1903-8. 10.1097/00007632-199909150-00007.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Cochran T, Nachemson A: Long-term anatomic and functional changes in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with the Milwaukee brace. Spine. 1985, 10 (2): 127-33.CrossRefPubMed
35.
Clayson D, Luz-Alterman S, Cataletto M, Levine DB: Long term psychological sequalae of surgically versus nonsurgically treated scoliosis. Spine. 1987, 12 (10): 983-986.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Myers BA, Friedman SB, Weiner IB: Coping with a chronic disability. Psychosocial observations of girls with scoliosis treated with the Milwaukee brace. American Journal of Diseases of Children. 1970, 120 (3): 175-81.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Banister P, Burman E, Parker I, Taylor M, Tindall C: Qualitative methods in psychology: a research guide. 1994, Open University Press, Buckingham
Metadata
Title
The experience of brace treatment in children/adolescents with scoliosis
Authors
Despina Sapountzi-Krepia
Maria Psychogiou
Darin Peterson
Vassiliki Zafiri
Eugenia Iordanopoulou
Fotini Michailidou
Anastassios Christodoulou
Publication date
01-12-2006
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 2397-1789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-1-8

Other articles of this Issue 1/2006

Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders 1/2006 Go to the issue

Research

'SOSORT consensus paper on brace action: TLSO biomechanics of correction (investigating the rationale for force vector selection)'

Review

The transformation of spinal curvature into spinal deformity: pathological processes and implications for treatment

Review

Biomechanical spinal growth modulation and progressive adolescent scoliosis – a test of the 'vicious cycle' pathogenetic hypothesis: Summary of an electronic focus group debate of the IBSE

Review

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: natural history and long term treatment effects

Case Report

Painful rib hump: a new clinical sign for detecting intraspinal rib displacement in scoliosis due to neurofibromatosis

Case Report

Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation in a girl with Spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome