Sources Research for ScoliCheck

Prevalence of Scoliosis

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85% of all cases of scoliosis are idiopathic (the cause is not known)  

‘Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Screening, Treatment and Referral’
Gutknecht S, Lonstein J & Novacheck T 2009, A Pediatric Perspective, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 1-6.

‘School Scoliosis Screening Programme – A Systematic Review’
Sabirin J, Bakri R, Buang SN, Abdullah AT & Shapie A 2010, Medical Journal of Malaysia, December issue, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 261-7.

The prevalence of scoliosis is estimated at 2 to 3%

‘Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Screening, Treatment and Referral’
Gutknecht S, Lonstein J & Novacheck T 2009, A Pediatric Perspective, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 1-6.

Prevalence increases rapidly from 11 to 14 years of age

‘School Scoliosis Screening Programme – A Systematic Review’
Sabirin J, Bakri R, Buang SN, Abdullah AT & Shapie A 2010, Medical Journal of Malaysia, December issue, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 261-7.

Dancers and gymnasts can be up to 12 times more likely to be diagnosed with scoliosis

‘Prevalence and predictors of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in adolescent ballet dancers’
Longworth B., Fary R., Hopper D, Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Sep;95(9):1725-30. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.02.027. Epub 2014 Mar 21.

Research indicates that seven out of ten children with this condition will worsen and require active treatment. Juvenile curves almost never resolve spontaneously.

‘Progression risk of idiopathic juvenile scoliosis during pubertal growth‘
Charles YP, Daures JP, de Rosa V, Diméglio A, Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006 Aug 1;31(17):1933-42. DOI:10.1097/01.brs.0000229230.68870.97

The prevalence of scoliosis increases with age. 30% of the population over 60 have an adult scoliosis

‘Scoliosis in adults aged forty years and older: prevalence and relationship to age, race, and gender‘
Kebaish KM, Neubauer PR, Voros GD, Khoshnevisan MA, Skolasky R, Spine 2011 Apr 20;36(9):731-6.

‘The prevalence and radiological findings in 1347 elderly patients with scoliosis‘
Hong JY, Suh SW, Modi HN, Hur CY, Song HR, Park JH.,  Journal of bone and joint surgery 2010 Jul;92(7):980-3

Scoliosis can run in families

‘Understanding Genetic Factors in Idiopathic Scoliosis, a Complex Disease of Childhood’
Carol A Wise, Xiaochong Gao, Scott Shoemaker, Derek Gordon, and John A Herring, Curr Genomics. 2008 Mar; 9(1): 51–59. doi:  10.2174/138920208783884874

 

 

Detection of Scoliosis

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Early detection delivers more favourable prognoses

‘A population-based cohort study of 394,401 children followed for 10 years exhibits sustained effectiveness of scoliosis screening’
Fong DY, Cheung KM, Wong YW, Wan YY, Lee CF, Lam TP, Cheng JC, Ng BK, Luk KD, Spine J.  2015 May 1;15(5):825-33. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2015.01.019. Epub 2015 Jan 20.

Early detection through screening leading to bracing and fewer surgeries may save costs

‘A health economic evaluation of screening and treatment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis‘
Adobor R., Joranger P., Steen H, Navrud S, and  Ivar Brox J,  Scoliosis. 2014; 9: 21. Published online 2014 Dec 6. doi:  10.1186/s13013-014-0021-8

 

 

Pain in Scoliosis cases

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Spinal pain is, in fact, a frequent condition in AIS patients, further supporting the need for early detection and screening to minimise potential pain and suffering

‘Back Pain and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Descriptive, Correlation Study’,
Theroux Jean, Le May Sylvie, Labelle Hubert [University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia], Spine Society of Australia 27th Annual Scientific Meeting (8-10 April 2016)

‘Back Pain Prevalence Is Associated With Curve-type and Severity in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis A Cross-sectional Study’
Jean Theroux, DC, MSc, PhD, Sylvie Le May, RN, PhD, Jeffrey J. Hebert, DC, PhD,and Hubert Labelle, MD : SPINE 153607

Part-time bracing in adult scoliosis cases can improve chronic pain

Scoliosis bracing and exercise for pain management in adults—a case report
Weiss et al, J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Aug; 28(8): 2404–2407.

In patients under 21 treated for back pain, scoliosis was the most common underlying condition (1439/1953 patients)

Dimar 2nd JR, Glassman SD, Carreon LY. Juvenile degenerative disc disease: a report of 76 cases identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Spine J. 2007;7:332–7.

In one study of 2400 patients with AIS, 23% reported back pain at their initial contact

Ramirez N, Johnston CE, Browne RH. The prevalence of back pain in children who have idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1997;79:364–8

Scoliosis patients have between a 3 and 5 fold increased risk of back pain in the upper and middle right part of the back

Sato T, Hirano T, Ito T, Morita O, Kikuchi R, Endo N, et al. Back pain in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: epidemiological study for 43,630 pupils in Niigata City. Japan Eur Spine J. 2011;20:274–9

Chronic nonspecific back pain (CNSBP) is frequently associated with AIS, with a greater reported prevalence (59%) than seen in adolescents without scoliosis (33%)

Jean Theroux et al. Back Pain Prevalence Is Associated With Curve-type and Severity in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis Spine: August 1, 2017 – Volume 42 – Issue 15

Patients diagnosed with AIS at age 15 are 42% more likely to report back pain at age 18.

Clark EM, Tobias JH, Fairbank J. The impact of small spinal curves in adolescents that have not presented to secondary care: a population- based cohort study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016; 41:E611–7.

 

 

Bracing as a treatment for Scoliosis

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Specialised scoliosis bracing when prescribed for high-risk patients, can prevent the need for surgery in most cases

‘Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis’   [Results of the BrAIST Clinical Trial]
Stuart L. Weinstein, Lori A. Dolan, James G. Wright, and Matthew B. Dobbs, N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1512-1521 October 17, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337

‘Idiopathic scoliosis patients with curves more than 45 Cobb degrees refusing surgery can be effectively treated through bracing with curve improvements’
Negrini S, Negrini F, and Zaina F, 2011, Spine J. 2011 May;11(5):369-80. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2010.12.001. Epub 2011 Feb 2.

Bracing is far more effective than exercise in reducing cobb angle. In one study, the 6 month reduction in cobb angle from a bracing group was 3.13 degrees and at 12 months the mean reduction was 5.88 degrees.  In the exercise group, the 6 months mean reduction was just 0.66 degrees, and at 12 months was 2.24 degrees. [Note group mean figures provided - 53 patients (age of 10 – 17 years, Cobb angle ≥ 20 – 40 degrees)]

Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

One bracing study showed that the SRS functional score as well as the total score all showed significant improvement between initial consultation and 12-month evaluation as well as between the 6-month and 12-month evaluations.

Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

Patients who wear scoliosis braces get better results the longer they wear the brace each day

‘Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis’
Stuart L. Weinstein, Lori A. Dolan, James G. Wright, and Matthew B. Dobbs, N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1512-1521 October 17, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337

The BMI of a child may impact the bracing success for those with AIS

‘It’s not just the big kids: both high and low BMI impact bracing success for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis‘
Goodbody CM, Asztalos IB, Sankar WN, Flynn JM, J Child Orthop. 2016 Aug 8. [Epub ahead of print]

Part-time bracing in adults significantly reduces progression of curvatures and improves quality of life

‘Effects of Bracing in Adult With Scoliosis: A Retrospective Study‘
Palazzo C, Montigny JP, Barbot F, Bussel B, Vaugier I, Fort D, Courtois I, Marty-Poumarat C, Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 Jun 22. pii: S0003-9993(16)30256-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2016.05.019

Conservative treatment with a brace is highly effective in treating juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, with most patients reaching a complete curve correction

‘Brace treatment in juvenile idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective study in accordance with the SRS criteria for bracing studies – SOSORT award 2013 winner‘
Angelo G Aulisa, Vincenzo Guzzanti, Emanuele Marzetti,Marco Giordano, Francesco Falciglia and Lorenzo Aulisa, Scoliosis 2014 9:3 DOI: 10.1186/1748-7161-9-3

Night time braces are an attractive option for single-major lumbar/thoracolumbar curves not exceeding 35 degrees in magnitude.

‘Biomechanical and clinical perspectives on nighttime bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis‘
Grivas TB, Rodopoulos GI and Bardakos NV, Stud Health Technol Inform. 2008;135:274-90.

Early intervention and bracing in patients with Cerebral Palsy can be an effective treatment

‘Management of spinal deformity in cerebral palsy: conservative treatment‘
Rutz E and Brunner R, J Child Orthop. 2013 Nov; 7(5): 415–418

Part-time bracing in adult scoliosis cases can improve chronic pain

Scoliosis bracing and exercise for pain management in adults—a case report
Weiss et al, J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Aug; 28(8): 2404–2407.

Bracing is an effective treatment method for AIS cases, characterized by positive long-term outcomes

Curve progression after long-term brace treatment in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: comparative results between over and under 30 Cobb degrees
Aulisa et al,  Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders 2017 12:36 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13013-017-0142-y

 

 

Psychology of Scoliosis

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The diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic adolescent scoliosis can have significant psychological consequences for affected individuals

‘Does Scoliosis Have a Psychological Impact and Does Gender Make a Difference?‘
Payne, William K. III MD,Ogilvie, James W. MD^, Resnick, Michael D. PhD, Kane, Robert L. MD^, Transfeldt, Ensor E. MD, Blum, Robert W. MD, PhD, Spine – Issue: Volume 22(12), 15 June 1997, p 1380–1384

‘Developmental psychological aspects of scoliosis treatment‘
Reichel D, Schanz J, Pediatr Rehabil. 2003 Jul-Dec;6(3-4):221-5

Scoliosis patients are typically more introverted, as well as self-reliant and self-sufficient, with a preference for staying alone and taking decisions by themselves.

Elisabetta D’Agata et al. Introversion, the prevalent trait of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: an observational study Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders (2017) 12:27

Psychological screening suggests that scoliosis patients are also overwhelmingly entrepreneurial in their career outlook, showing a preference for sales and management roles.

Elisabetta D’Agata et al. Introversion, the prevalent trait of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: an observational study Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders (2017) 12:27

 

 

Exercise as a treatment for Scoliosis

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SEAS is an evidence based, documented approach applied in the various phases of scoliosis treatment which can help reduce Cobb angle progression and the need to wear a brace

‘SEAS (Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis): a modern and effective evidence based approach to physiotherapic specific scoliosis exercises‘
Romano M, Negrini Am Parzini S, Tavernaro M, Zaina F, Donzelli S and Negrini S 2015, Scoliosis 2015 10:3, DOI: 10.1186/s13013-014-0027-2

When specialised scoliosis physiotherapy (SEAS) has been used in conjunction with bracing it has improved the results of hard bracing

‘The effectiveness of combined bracing and exercise in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis based on SRS and SOSORT criteira: a prospective study‘
Negrini S, Donzelli S, Lusini M, Minnella S and Zaina F 2014, BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014; 15: 263, Published online 2014 Aug 6. doi:  10.1186/1471-2474-15-263

‘Adult scoliosis treatment combing brace and exercises‘
Papadopolous D 2013, Scoliosis 20138(Suppl 2):O8, DOI: 10.1186/1748-7161-8-S2-O8

Scoliosis-Specific exercises can reduce the progression of severe curves in adult idiopathic scoliosis

‘Scoliosis-Specific exercises can reduce the progression of severe curves in adult idiopathic scoliosis: a long-term cohort study’
Negrini A, Donzelli S, Negrini M, Negrini S, Romano M, and Zaina F 2015,, Scoliosis Jul 11 10:20

Scoliosis specific exercise can be used to combat common issues with bracing, such as muscle stiffness and loss of strength

Negrini S, Aulisa L, Ferraro C, Fraschini P, Masiero S, Simonazzi P, Tedeschi C, Venturin A: Italian guidelines on rehabilitation treatment of adolescents with scoliosis or other spinal deformities. Eura Medicophys 2005, 41(2):183-201

A period of scoliosis specific exercise performed prior to bracing may speed correction

Negrini S, Negrini A, Romano M, Verzini N, Parzini S: A controlled prospective study on the efficacy of SEAS.02 exercises in preparation to bracing for idiopathic scoliosis. Stud Health Technol Inform 2006, 123:519-522.

SEAS exercises performed during brace weaning can prevent loss of correction

Fabio Zaina et al. Specific exercises performed in the period of brace weaning can avoid loss of correction in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients: Winner of SOSORT’s 2008 Award for Best Clinical Paper,  Scoliosis 2009, 4:8

In one study exercise approaches alone yielded an improvement of SRS scores slightly higher than those achieved with bracing alone

Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]