An intelligent spinal orthosis

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Despite the fact that orthotic (brace) has been used for 40 years for scoliosis treatment, the orthotic techniques are primarily empirical. The amount of time an orthosis is to be worn is generally based on intuition. The most commonly recommended wear time is 23 hours per day; this number is not based on any objective data. The outcome of orthotic treatment for Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is normally considered being associated with the patient's compliance. The more often the patients wear their orthoses to the prescribed tightness as well as to the prescribed length of time each day, the better the treatment outcome is expected. There is lack of a scientific basis for treatment protocol such as "How tightly should patients wear their orthoses? How long should they wear? How good is their compliance at home and at school? Are these factors really important, necessary and related to the clinical efficacy?" Also, the in-brace correction seems to relate to the orthotic treatment outcome. However, how much correction is needed to provide the optimal results is unknown. Although radiographs can provide information on correction imposed by the brace, exposing growing children to additional radiation is undesirable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to understand the science behind the phenomenon that braces appear effective. This proposal is to develop tools and methods that can be used to better understand the scientific basis behind the orthotic treatment for AIS.