Effectiveness of the ScoliBrace Brace
The ScoliBrace® Brace for Adolescent Scoliosis
Brace treatment plays an important role in the management of certain cases of idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents who are still growing, when the risk of curvature progression warrants it.
The ScoliBrace® is a custom-made, three-dimensional brace designed to accommodate the patient’s body type and the characteristics of their scoliosis. But what scientific data is available regarding its effectiveness?
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What Does Scientific Research Say About the ScoliBrace®?
The scientific data on the ScoliBrace® are still limited and should be distinguished from the more extensive data available on brace treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in general.
A pilot study published in 2024 evaluated the outcomes in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis who were treated with ScoliBrace®. The authors report encouraging results regarding curvature control in some of the patients followed.
However, these are preliminary data. The sample size, methodology, and level of evidence do not allow us to conclude that these results can be replicated in all patients. Additional studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of ScoliBrace® and identify the patients who are likely to benefit most from it.
What results can be expected from the ScoliBrace®?
In adolescents who are still growing, the main goal of brace treatment is to limit the progression of scoliosis and, when possible, to correct the curvature while the brace is being worn.
In the pilot study on the ScoliBrace® published in 2024, 21 patients were followed until skeletal maturity. The authors report that approximately 57% showed an improvement in the Cobb angle of at least 5° at the end of follow-up.
These results are interesting, but they should be interpreted with caution: this is a pilot study involving a limited number of patients and lacking a control group that would allow for a direct comparison of the ScoliBrace® with other braces.
The effectiveness of brace treatment also depends on several factors, including growth potential, the severity and type of curvature, the correction achieved while wearing the brace, and adherence to the treatment regimen.
Is wearing a brace effective for adolescent scoliosis?
Beyond the data specific to ScoliBrace®, the effectiveness of brace treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has been studied in research with a higher level of evidence.
The BrAIST study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013, showed that bracing significantly reduced the risk of progression to the surgical threshold in adolescents at risk of progression. It also demonstrated a relationship between the number of hours the brace was worn and the likelihood of treatment success.
These results support the effectiveness of bracing in general for some growing adolescents, but do not allow us to conclude that any particular type of brace is superior to others.
Reference: Weinstein SL et al. Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2013;369:1512–1521. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337.
How does the ScoliBrace® fit into the treatment plan?
The choice of a brace is not based solely on the Cobb angle. It depends, in particular, on the patient’s age, growth potential, the type and severity of the curvature, its progression, and the patient’s goals.
At the CCCV, the recommendation for a ScoliBrace® is based on an individualized clinical, postural, and radiographic evaluation. The brace is custom-made, and its fit and the progression of the scoliosis are reevaluated during follow-up visits.
Depending on the medical indications, wearing the brace may also be combined with specific exercises and functional and postural management.
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Understanding Our Approach to Scoliosis Care
