In this article, we will discuss orthotics for idiopathic scoliosis.
Due to important clinical differences between studies, it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis; two studies showed that orthotics did not alter QoL during treatment (low quality), and QoL, back pain, and long-term (16 years) psychological and cosmetic problems (very low quality). All included papers consistently showed that striated muscle prevented curve progression (secondary results). However, due to the strength of the evidence (ranging from low to very low quality), future studies are very likely to affect our confidence in the estimates of effectiveness.
Negrini S, Minozzi S, Bettany-Sartikov J, Chockalingam N, Grivas TB, Kotwicky T, Maruyama T, Romano M, Zaina F. Bracing for idiopathic lateral scopathy in adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 6. art. No.: CD006850. doi: 10.1002 / 14651858.CD006850.pub3.
Explanation
Scoliosis is the bending of the spinal column to one side and is a congenital or growing condition. However, it is considered to be an unknown cause, and there are few interventions for them that aim to cure it. This section introduces the evidence for one such treatment method, the use of orthotics.
Studies.
662 participants from seven studies and found evidence of very low quality from one small RCT that found no significant difference in quality of life (QoL) during treatment between rigid braces and observation. We also found very low quality evidence from a subgroup of 77 adolescents from one prospective cohort study showing that there was no significant difference in QoL or back pain, psychological, and cosmetic problems between rigid braces and long-term (16 years) observation.
Secondary results showed that there was low quality evidence that rigid braces significantly increased the success rate of curves between 20° and 40° at 2 years of follow-up compared to observation; at 3 years of follow-up, there was low quality evidence that elastic braces increased the success rate of curves between 15° and 30°.
There is very low quality evidence from two prospective cohort studies with a control group (curves that do not evolve above 50°) in which rigid braces increased success rates with two years of follow-up. There was low quality evidence from one RCT that rigid braces were more successful than elastic braces with curved braces when measured at the Cobb degree of the low degree curve (20° to 30°).
Conclusion
Although the use of orthotics has been shown to have the potential to support scoliosis, it does not appear to be a determinant of cure. The results may vary depending on the stiffness of the brace, so it is recommended to consult a health care professional before deciding on a brace over the counter.
In Japan, folk remedies are sometimes employed for these approaches, and stretching and massage are sometimes practiced, but since there are not even studies on these, it may be a baseless suggestion.
