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. 2019 Feb 27;43(6):824–831. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2019.1578104

Table 3. The results of the studies regarding the time of brace use and also quality of life in the subjects with scoliosis with history of Boston brace usage.

References Methods Results
Emans et al.10 Participants: 295 scoliotic subjects
Age: 13.2 year
Risser sign:
Cobb angle: 20–59 degrees
Intervention: Boston brace
Evaluated parameters: Cobb angle, curve correction
Follow up: 1.4 year after brace removal
Treatment time: 2.9 years
Follow up: 1.4 years
Means best in brace correction was 50% (23% at initial of wearing the brace and 15% after brace removal). For major curve: 49% were unchanged, 39% achieved correction between 5–15 and 4% achieved final correction of 15 degrees. It was defined that the best correction obtained for the curve between T8 and L2. Increase incidence of surgery was seen for young people and those with higher degree of scoliosis. Partial compliance with brace wear appears as effective as full time.
Pellios et al.18 Participants: 77 scoliotic subjects (the patients were divided into two groups, those used the brace 23 h per day and those use brace for 18 h)
Age:
Risser sign:
Cobb angle:
Intervention: Boston brace
Evaluated parameters: Quality of life, curve progression
Follow up: 25 years
The subjects were followed up for 25 years after brace removal. The mean cohort scoliotic curve increased by 3.9 ± 6.9 degrees. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding the progression of the curve. Moreover, there was no difference between the mean values of quality of life between both groups. Scoliotic curve does not stop progression after brace removal. Bracing may be a good treatment approach for some groups of scoliotic subjects. It is not possible to have an idea regarding the time of brace usage
Goldberg et al.28 Participants: 64 scoliotic subjects (the subjects were divided into part-time and full-time users)
Age:
Risser sign:
Cobb angle:
Intervention: Boston brace
Evaluated parameters: Cobb angle, progression of the curve
Follow up:
There was no difference between both groups on any parameters of curve progression. This study raises a question regarding the efficiency of spinal orthosis in modifying the natural history of late onset of IPS
Simony et al.29 Participants: 159 scoliotic subjects
Age:
Risser sign:
Cobb angle:
Intervention: Boston brace and surgery
Evaluated parameters: Quality of life
Follow up: 25 years
There was no difference between the quality of life between normal and scoliotic subjects. There was also no difference between those treated with Boston brace and surgery, except in satisfaction domain where those got surgery had a better score
Yu et al.27 Participants: 51 scoliotic subjects
Age: 14.4 years
Risser sign:
Cobb angle:
Intervention: Boston brace, surgery
Evaluated parameters: Cobb angle, mental health score
Follow up:
The results showed no difference between scoliotic curves of both groups. No difference between mental health statuses of both groups. Use of brace did not influence on mental health score of the subjects