The effect of a flexible thoracolumbar brace on neuromuscular scoliosis: A prospective observational study

Abstract

Neuromuscular scoliosis is a common deformity seen in patients with neuromuscular diseases. Although rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis is the most frequently used brace, it has low compliance rates and can lead to complications including skin ulcers. Thus, alternative methods for treating neuromuscular scoliosis are needed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of a novel flexible brace to prevent the progression of neuromuscular scoliosis.This study is a prospective observational study. Twenty-three patients with neuromuscular scoliosis were enrolled in the study. Among patients diagnosed with neuromuscular disease, spine radiographs were checked for a neuromuscular scoliosis diagnosis. The participants were treated with a novel flexible brace for 6 months. The control group (n = 46) was selected using propensity score matching method from a clinical data warehouse. The Cobb angle was measured and compared between the study and control groups.In the study group, the average Cobb's angle significantly decreased from 47.22 ± 18.9° to 31.8 ± 20.0 when wearing the flexible brace (P