Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41103608›Full record

ArticleJournal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma2025

"The silent strain: Exploring self-image and mental health in braced adolescents with scoliosis": a scoping review.

Sari Wathiq Al Hajaj, Dawod Al Hajaj, Prabhjit Singh, Sanjeevi Bharadwaj, VishnuV Nair, Sriram Harish Srinivasan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the 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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

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

6 authors.

Sari Wathiq Al HajajKettering General Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Northamptonshire, NN16 8UZ, United Kingdom.
Dawod Al HajajAltinbaş University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Prabhjit SinghKettering General Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Northamptonshire NN16 8UZ, United Kingdom.
Sanjeevi BharadwajWye Valley NHS Trust, Hereford, United Kingdom.
VishnuV NairDepartment of Radiodiagnosis, Palakkad Institute of Medical Sciences, India.
Sriram Harish SrinivasanSreeraam Research Centre, Affiliation to Sree Raam Nursing Home and Hospital, NGGO Colony, Tamil Nadu 641022, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a common spinal deformity. It can create surface deformities that affect adolescents' psychosocial health. Bracing is a non-surgical method to prevent curve progression and avoid surgery. However, the psychosocial effects of long-term brace use during adolescence are often overlooked. issues like decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, and appearance anxiety may hinder compliance and impact quality of life. Methods: A comprehensive literature review used PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect to identify studies from 2015 to 2025. It was prospectively registered with the PROSPERO database (Registration ID: CRD420251083129). The search terms included: "adolescent idiopathic scoliosis," "bracing and self-image," "bracing compliance," and "psychological impact of bracing." Two independent reviewers screened studies based on PICOS criteria: (1) adolescents with AIS, (2) bracing or conservative treatment, (3) control or observational groups, (4) outcomes like self-image, quality of life, or compliance, and (5) RCTs, observational studies, systematic reviews, or meta-analyses. Exclusions included surgical interventions, non-adolescents, or non-English publications. Results: We found 807 studies; after removing duplicates, irrelevant titles, and abstracts, 26 full texts were screened. Of these, 10 met all criteria and were included. Adolescents in brace treatment often face negative self-image, low self-esteem, and social anxiety, especially at therapy start, affecting adherence. Concerns about appearance and discomfort hinder compliance. Some adapt over time, but others continue to experience mental health issues. Interventions like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), peer support, and special exercise programs improve coping, adherence, and psychological well-being. Conclusion: Bracing treats Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) but affects psychosocial well-being, lowering adherence and quality of life. A multidisciplinary, patient-centred approach with mental health support is essential. Early psychological distress identification and interventions like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and peer support can enhance compliance and outcomes. Protocols should include psychosocial screening and holistic care to lessen the adverse effects of brace treatment.

Identifiers

PMID41103608
PMCPMC12524582

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.