Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40561463›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2025

Exploring Stakeholders' Perceptions of Using Digital Health Technologies to Improve the Conservative Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Qualitative Study.

Kamila Sykorova, Anna Mathew, Nenad Pavel, Parisa Gazerani, Trust Saidi, Marianne Bakke Johnsen, June Ullevoldsæter Lystad, Helen Bull, Mette Fløystad Kvammen, Hong-Gu He and 2 more

Registry-linked trialAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07686848 (Evaluating the Impact of a Smartphone App on Health Outcomes and Treatment Adherence in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis), which is not on this map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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.

NCT07686848 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2028, after this paper: background citation

Evaluating the Impact of a Smartphone App on Health Outcomes and Treatment Adherence in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Mixed Method Quasi-Experimental Study

TypeinterventionalSponsorOslo Metropolitan UniversityRan2028 to 2031Enrolled30ConditionsAdolescence Idiopathic Scoliosis, AISArmsDinSkoliose smartphone application
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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.

Kamila SykorovaDepartment of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0404-5409
Anna MathewDepartment of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2010-9556
Nenad PavelDepartment of Product Design, Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3608-6806
Parisa GazeraniDepartment of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0109-3600
Trust SaidiDepartment of Product Design, Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9337-4268
Marianne Bakke JohnsenDepartment of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4300-5250
June Ullevoldsæter LystadDepartment of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3792-7533
Helen BullDepartment of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4759-1392
Mette Fløystad KvammenDepartment of Sociology and Social Work, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5044-0223
Hong-Gu HeAlice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8545-1123
Julia JacobyDepartment of Product Design, Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8590-1819
Minna PikkarainenDepartment of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4516-6584

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects 2%-3% of adolescents, with conservative treatments like bracing and physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSEs) recommended for mild to moderate cases. However, patient compliance with these treatments is often low. Digital tools, including smartphone apps and web applications, offer capabilities such as spinal curvature monitoring, remote consultation, and reduction of health care professionals' workload. These tools may also enhance adherence by increasing motivation and providing real-time feedback, which can be particularly beneficial for patients struggling with brace discomfort or self-esteem concerns. Despite these potential benefits, research remains limited on how digital health technologies can specifically enhance conservative AIS treatment and improve patient outcomes.

objectiveThis study aimed to explore the perspectives of multiple stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, and health care providers, on using digital health technologies to improve AIS treatment adherence and outcomes.

methodsThis qualitative research study was conducted in Norway and included 17 participants (1 medical doctor, 2 physiotherapists, 8 patients, 4 family caregivers, and 2 IT specialists). The study adhered to Norwegian regulations. After approval from authorities and approval of the study protocol, patients were recruited through the Norwegian Spine and Back Pain Organization. A portion of the sample was recruited through direct communication from one of the researchers. After obtaining written informed consent from all participants, 5 focus group interviews were conducted between April and June 2023. Data were transcribed, translated, and analyzed using a content analysis approach, with findings reviewed by 2 independent researchers for validation.

resultsThe content analysis revealed four key themes: (1) AIS-specific education and information, (2) psychosocial support for patients with AIS and community connection, (3) health care communication and access, and (4) treatment adherence to AIS and gamification. Participants highlighted the need for accessible, adolescent-friendly, and multilingual education on AIS; digital platforms for peer support; improved remote communication with health care providers; and gamification elements tailored to AIS challenges (eg, brace compliance tracking, avatar customization for self-expression, and real-time exercise feedback).

conclusionsKey findings highlighted the need for accessible information, peer support, and better communication with health care providers, with gamification enhancing treatment adherence. The findings of this study show the potential of digital health technologies in AIS management through fostering accessible information, peer support, and improved communication with health care providers. Customized gamification features may further enhance adherence, offering actionable insights for clinical practice and future research.

Indexed as

Conservative TreatmentScoliosisAdolescentBracesDigital HealthFemaleHumansMaleMobile ApplicationsNorwayQualitative ResearchTelemedicineadherencebracesdigital healthfocus groupsmobile appmobile healthmonitoringpeer supportscoliosistelemedicine

Identifiers

PMID40561463
PMCPMC12242061

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.