Adolescents’ Experience during Brace Treatment for Scoliosis: A Qualitative Study

Mei-Chun Cheung (), Derry Law, Joanne Yip () and Jason Pui Yin Cheung
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Mei-Chun Cheung: Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
Derry Law: Department of Design, Caritas Institute of Higher Education and Caritas Bianchi College of Careers, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
Joanne Yip: School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Jason Pui Yin Cheung: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-10

Abstract: This study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of adolescents with scoliosis during brace treatment in order to understand their obstacles and make recommendations to enhance brace compliance. Using purposive sampling, 15 adolescents (2 males and 13 females) with scoliosis aged from 10 to 16 years old during brace treatment were recruited to participate in semi-structured in-depth interviews. The data were recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis with the qualitative software NVivo 10. Significant statements and phrases were organized into categories and themes to understand adolescents’ experiences during brace treatment for scoliosis. In general, the adolescents acknowledged that compliance with brace treatment was essential to reduce or prevent the progression of spinal curvature and tried their best to comply with the treatment. Regarding their subjective experiences during brace treatment, three themes were identified and emerged as obstacles negatively affecting their brace compliance, including physical discomfort due to brace materials and design, reluctance caused by the brace’s visual appearance, and passive patient participation during the treatment process. This study reveals insights into the experiences of adolescents with scoliosis during brace treatment and what they perceive as hindrances to compliance. In order to have better brace compliance, adolescents’ feelings and difficulties during brace treatment should be recognized and addressed. Therefore, active patient participation throughout the treatment process, involving the co-design of a customized brace, psychosocial interventions, and personalized appearance style management should be considered and promoted to facilitate a more acceptable bracing experience to achieve better brace compliance.

Keywords: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; brace treatment; subjective experiences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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