Despite the common use of braces to prevent curve progression in idiopathic scoliosis, their functional effects on respiratory mechanics have not been widely studied.
A study published on April 4 in Prosthetics and Orthotics International aimed to determine the effects of bracing on pulmonary function in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
Twenty-seven adolescents with a mean age of 14.5 ± 1.5 years and idiopathic scoliosis were included in the study. Pulmonary function evaluation included vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, maximum ventilator volume, peak expiratory flow, and respiratory muscle strengths, measured with a spirometer, and patient-reported degree of dyspnea. The tests were performed once prior to bracing and at one month after bracing while the patients wore the brace.
Compared with the unbraced condition, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, maximum ventilator volume, and peak expiratory flow values decreased and dyspnea increased in the braced condition. Respiratory muscle strength was under the norm in both unbraced and braced conditions, while no significant difference was found for these parameters between the two conditions, the study found.
During wear, the spinal brace for idiopathic scoliosis tended to reduce pulmonary functions and increase dyspnea symptoms, according to the study.
