Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40009184›Full record

SynthesisEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2025

Identifying predictors of brace treatment outcomes for adolescents or adults with idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review.

Mahdieh Khodaei, Eric C Parent, Jason Wong, Andrew Chan, Brendan Coutts, Mona Dlikan, Brianna Fehr, Veena Logithasan, Tehzeeb Sayed, Andrea Mendoza and 2 more

Registry-linked trialAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07447193 (Investigation of Pain Perception According to Gender in Individuals With Scoliosis), which is not on this map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

NCT07447193 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Investigation of Pain Perception According to Gender in Individuals With Scoliosis

TypeinterventionalSponsorUskudar UniversityRan2026 to 2026Enrolled50ConditionsScoliosisArmsexercise
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Mahdieh KhodaeiDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Eric C ParentDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-50 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada. eparent@ualberta.ca.ORCID 0000-0003-3835-0607
Jason WongDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Andrew ChanGlenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Brendan CouttsDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Mona DlikanDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Brianna FehrDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-50 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada.
Veena LogithasanDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Tehzeeb SayedDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Andrea MendozaThe Scoliclinic, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Carl GanzertHodgson Orthopedic Group, Coquitlam, BC, Canada.
Edmond H M LouDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Funding

Mitacs IT29891
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis systematic review aimed to identify predictors of brace treatment outcomes for adolescents or adults with idiopathic scoliosis.

methodsFour databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched. Free text and indexed terms identifying the populations, predictions analyses and key outcomes were combined to search the literature. Pairs from eight independent reviewers conducted abstracts and full-text screening, and data extraction. The Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to assess the risk of bias (ROB). Strength of evidence summary statements were formulated based on the risk of bias and the consistency of the research findings.

resultsThe search found 2224 articles. After screening, seven articles were included. Only one article showed low ROB, while the others showed moderate ROB. All articles reported on patient-related outcome measurements (PROMS) of quality of life (QOL). Only one parameter achieved limited strength of evidence; shorter treatment time from one study predicted better long-term SRS-22 total scores. For other predictors, the level of evidence was unclear. Other predictors of long-term outcomes (> 1 year follow-up), from only 1 study on each outcome, were: larger Cobb angle predicted worse Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ) chest scores and worse depression; higher age predicted better SAQ curve scores, larger apical translations predicted worse SAQ shoulders and chest scores; a passive introverted personality or an active outgoing (MPI) character type predicted worse SRS-22 satisfaction; higher BMI predicted better SAQ curve, Rolland-Morris questionnaire (RMQ) lumbosacral pain, Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QDS) moving scores, and worse SRS-22 total; larger vital capacity predicted better QDS score; longer bracing (total) predicted worse depression; negative parental attitudes predicted worse depression; higher Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire emotional symptoms, peer problems, prosocial behavior, and total scores predicted worse depression. Poor compliance from one short-term follow-up study predicted worse change of brace questionnaire (BRQ) for health perception, pain, physical and emotional functioning, and total scores. Moderate evidence from two studies with low and moderate RoB showed that age and Cobb angle did not predict long-term total SRS-22 score for prediction.

conclusionEleven parameters predicted bracing outcomes, but most studies presented moderate risk of bias. Only one parameter, longer treatment time, with limited strength of evidence was predictive of better long-term SRS-22 total scores. Since most findings still present an unclear level of evidence, common weaknesses were identified to encourage design of high-quality studies predicting bracing outcomes.

Indexed as

BracesScoliosisAdolescentAdultHumansQuality of LifeTreatment OutcomeBraceCurve progressionIdiopathic scoliosisQuality of lifeSystematic reviewTreatment outcome

Identifiers

PMID40009184

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.