title: Early weaning might reduce the psychological strain of Boston bracing: a study of 136 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at 3.5 years after termination of brace treatment.
abstract: From 1983 to 1990 a total of 136 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were treated with the Boston brace. With the aim of examining the social and psychological impact of the brace treatment all patients received a questionnaire at an average of 3.5 years after termination of the treatment. Ninety-three percent responded to the questionnaire. The overall picture was that the patient's daily activities and social contacts, not least with the opposite sex, were affected both during the bracing period and at follow-up. It is important that the indications for the treatment are assured, and weaning should be initiated at the latest 3 years after menarche.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mikkel Ø
authors.initials: MØ
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Gert Rahbek
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Steen Bach
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001915:Braces; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors