SynthesisSpine deformity2025
Bracing effectiveness in idiopathic early onset scoliosis followed to skeletal maturity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Spine deformity, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Casting, bracing and surgery: A comparative review of treatment approaches for early onset scoliosis.Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma · 2026Review
- Consensus-based guidelines for research in bracing in idiopathic scoliosis by the SRS comprehensive care committee in collaboration with SOSORT.Spine deformity · 2026Article
- A scoping review of published reviews on the use of bracing in scoliosis.Spine deformity · 2026Article
- Brace Dose in Scoliosis: Measurement, Monitoring, and Clinical Decision-Making-A Narrative Review.Orthopedic research and reviews · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeTreating idiopathic Early Onset Scoliosis (idiopathic EOS) is challenging due to ongoing growth and extensive follow-ups. While bracing is effective for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), its value for children under 10 remains debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of spinal bracing in idiopathic EOS, followed to skeletal maturity.
methodsWe searched Ovid Medline and Web of Science until November 1st, 2023. Studies included idiopathic EOS patients between the ages of 3 and 10 (corresponding to Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis), followed to skeletal maturity, with no more than 25% initiating bracing after age 11. The primary outcome was the percentage undergoing scoliosis surgery. Pooled outcomes were calculated using a random effects model and 95% confidence intervals.
resultsOut of 417 studies, 15 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 868 patients. All were observational with a high risk of bias. The pooled percentage of patients undergoing surgery was 40% (95% CI 27-55%). The percentage of patients with a 5-degree progression or more and those progressing beyond 45 degrees were 44% (95% CI 24-66%) and 33% (95% CI 17-54%), respectively. Factors including larger initial Cobb angles, younger age, smaller in-brace correction, and poor compliance were identified as progression risk factors.
conclusionsBracing may prevent progression to surgery in idiopathic EOS when initiated early, but progression and surgery are still more common compared to adolescents. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis looking at the success of bracing in idiopathic EOS, followed up to skeletal maturity. The high bias and variability of included studies limit the strength of these conclusions, highlighting the need for high-quality research with innovative trial designs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (systematic review of level IV studies).
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Registered trials
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