Body Image and Quality-of-Life in Untreated Versus Brace-Treated Females with XXXX .

@entity1 @entity1635 @entity1615
STUDY DESIGN: The Bracing in @entity1615 Trial (BrAIST) included skeletally immature high risk @entity1 with @entity1615 ( @entity1615 ) with moderate curve sizes (20- 40). BrAIST was a multicenter, controlled trial using both randomized and preference treatment arms into either an observation group or a brace treatment group. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to analyze and compare body image and quality-of-life (QOL) in female @entity1615 @entity1 who were observed or treated with a brace. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Brace treatment is an effective means for controlling progressive @entity1635 and preventing the need for surgery, but there is no consensus regarding the effect of brace treatment on body image or on QOL in adolescents with @entity1615 . METHODS: Data from female BrAIST @entity1 in the randomized (n=132) or preference (n=187) arms and were observed (n=120) or brace treated (n=199) were analyzed. @entity1 completed the Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ) and the PedsQOL4.0 Generic Scales at baseline and six month follow-up visits up to two years. Items on the SAQ measured three body image constructs (self, ideal, overall). The PedsQOL measured health, activities, feelings, social factors, and school. RESULTS: In general, there were no significant differences within or between study arms or treatments regarding body image or QOL through two years of follow-up. Poorer body image was significantly correlated with poorer QOL during the first two years of follow-up regardless of study arm or treatment. @entity1 that crossed-over to a different treatment and @entity1 with largest Cobb angles >=  40 degrees had significantly poorer body image, in particular self-body image, compared to those that did not. CONCLUSION: This study does not support findings from previous research indicating that wearing a brace has a negative impact on or is negatively impacted by body image or QOL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.
