Immediate Effects of Sforzesco® Bracing on Respiratory Function in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

The thoraco-lumbar bracing is an effective management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Studies have shown that brace wearing reduces lung volume. Whether or not the Sforzesco brace, frequently used in Italy, affects lung volume has not been investigated. We studied the immediate effect of Sforzesco bracing on lung volumes in 11 AIS patients (10 F, 1 M; aged 13.6 ± 1.6 yrs) mean Cobb angle 26 ± 4.49 degrees. Lung function variables and the perceived respiratory effort were recorded twice, before and 5 min after bracing. The one-way analysis of variance repeated measures, and multiple comparison tests, showed that means of unbraced variables were not significantly different from the corresponding means of predicted values, whereas means under brace were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to both predicted and baseline values of respiratory variables. In addition, a significant correlation (p < 0.0001) was found between unbraced and braced values, and linear regression equations were calculated. A significant but clinically unimportant increase in perceived effort was observed under the brace. In conclusion, data indicate that lung function is not impaired in moderate AIS and that wearing the Sforzesco brace causes an immediate, predictable reduction of lung volumes. Data also suggest that the respiratory discomfort during brace wearing could not be due to respiratory function defects.

A 10-Week Program of Combined Hippotherapy and Scroth’s Exercises Improves Balance and Postural Asymmetries in Adolescence Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…Since our participants had mild AIS, their Cobb angles ranged between 10 and 25 degrees, the current study did not assess the efficacy of bracing when added to the treatment program of both groups. In addition, there are no respiratory concerns in those suffering from moderate scoliosis and a Cobb angle of 26 degrees [ 65 ], which was coincident with the current study.…”

In-Brace versus Out-of-Brace Protocol for Radiographic Follow-Up of Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Retrospective Study

“…Diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis Diagnosed with non-idiopathic scoliosis Major curve Cobb angle was <50 degrees at study inclusion Patients with non-progressive scoliosis 1 Patients underwent surgical correction after failed brace treatment Previous spinal surgery during bracing period Follow-up of the bracing period was with radiographs Radiographs in braces other than the Boston brace Follow-up of the bracing period was at least 18 months Radiographs and patients data were available 1 Scoliosis progression was defined as an increase in Cobb angle of ≥5 degrees during the bracing period.…”

“…Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a common three-dimensional deformity of the spine involving a coronal major curve Cobb angle exceeding 10 degrees and spinal rotation [1]. The prevalence of IS is approximately 3% for children younger than 16 years old, of which ten percent have progressive spinal curves and require treatment [2,3].…”

Prevalence of Lumbar Segmental Instability in Young Individuals with the Different Types of Lumbar Disc Herniation—Preliminary Report

“…It should be mentioned that the total lumbar ROM might also be affected by the upper parts of the spine, such as thoracic scoliosis. Further compensations or treatment results could lead to low back pain [ 12 , 13 ]. Another division was proposed by Areeudomwong et al for clinical and radiological lumbar instability (CLI and RLI) [ 14 ].…”