The effect of time on qualitative compliance in brace treatment for AIS

Brace treatment is the most commonly used non-surgical treatment method for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study is to determine the force changes exerted by a brace over time during both day and night-time wear and to explore correlations between force changes to bracing outcomes. Twenty subjects (three male, 17 female) diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis who had worn their braces for six months participated into this study. However, due to non-continuous brace wear and exclusion of subjects with large curves (Cobb angle >40 degrees), only nine subjects were included into the day-time analysis and 11 subjects were included into night-time analysis. All subjects used a load monitor system from four days up to 14 days with Boston braces. Cobb angle measurements were taken at initiation of brace treatment as well as after weaning upon completion of the treatment. After the monitoring period, the data was extracted and analyzed. Forces were compared between hours 1, 2, and 5 for the day and night groups, and the correlation of force changes to bracing outcomes were analyzed. In daytime wear, a significant decrease in force over time was found. Most of the decrease occurred within hours 1 and 2 of brace wear. There was no significant decrease during night wear. There were no significant correlations between force decline and outcome.