title: Braces for Idiopathic Scoliosis in Adolescents.
abstract: METHODS
  A Cochrane systematic review.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of bracing for adolescents with AIS versus no treatment or other treatments, on quality of life, disability, pulmonary disorders, progression of the curve, psychological, and cosmetic issues.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. The most common form is diagnosed in adolescence. Although adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can progress during growth and cause a surface deformity, it is usually not symptomatic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, five other databases, and two trials registers up to February 2015. We also checked reference lists and hand searched grey literature. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective controlled cohort studies comparing braces with no treatment, other treatment, surgery, and different types of braces for adolescent with AIS. We used standard methodological procedures expected by the Cochrane Collaboration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included seven studies. Five were planned as RCTs, two as prospective controlled clinical trials. One RCT failed completely, another was continued as an observational study. There was very low quality evidence from one small RCT that quality of life (QoL) during treatment did not differ significantly between rigid bracing and observation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two studies showed that bracing did not change QoL during treatment, and QoL, back pain psychological and cosmetic issues in the long term (16 years.) All articles showed that bracing prevented curve progression. The high rate of failure of RCTs demonstrates the huge difficulties in performing RCTs in a field where parents reject randomization of their children.
  
  
  METHODS
  1.
authors: Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Brescia, IRCCS Fondazione Don Gnocchi Milan, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Negrini
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Minozzi
authors: School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.
authors: Josette
authors: J
authors: Bettany-Saltikov
authors: Faculty of Health, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
authors: Nachiappan
authors: N
authors: Chockalingam
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Tzanio General Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece.
authors: Theodoros B
authors: TB
authors: Grivas
authors: Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Tomasz
authors: T
authors: Kotwicki
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Japan.
authors: Toru
authors: T
authors: Maruyama
authors: ISICO, Italian Scientific Spine Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Romano
authors: ISICO, Italian Scientific Spine Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Zaina
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001915:Braces; D002648:Child; D018450:Disease Progression; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000628:therapy*