title: Electronic monitoring of scoliosis brace wear compliance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Accurate evaluation of patient compliance with scoliosis brace usage has been a challenge for physicians treating patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This inability to accurately measure compliance has resulted in difficulty in determining brace treatment efficacy. This prospective study was performed to demonstrate the efficacy of using a new electronic brace compliance monitor, the Cricket.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cricket is a small encased circuit that can be attached to the brace and, by means of a temperature sensor, can record brace wear times. This study included ten subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who were prescribed the Wilmington scoliosis brace (thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis) into which the Cricket sensor was incorporated. Subjects kept a diary of brace wear times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparisons of data for the Cricket, subject diaries, and prescribed brace wear were evaluated. The mean error between the diary times and Cricket recording was 2%. Patient compliance was 78%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Cricket is a reliable, accurate, and sensitive device to determine patient compliance with scoliosis brace usage.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Battugs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Borkhuu
authors.forename: Aaron G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Littleton
authors.forename: Whitney
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sample
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: J Richard
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bowen