Differences in deformity and bracing-related stress between rural and urban area patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with a Cheneau brace.

The aim of the study was to compare the difference in stress levels between adolescent female groups of patients from urban and rural areas who were treated conservatively with an idiopathic scoliosis. The study comprised 2 groups of patients, 34 from an urban and 30 from a rural area, with a minimum application of a Cheneau brace for 12 hours a day, for a minimum of 1 month. Two study groups completed the Polish version of both Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Deformity and Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Brace. Both groups of patients felt moderate stress connected with conservative treatment and low stress related to trunk deformation. No difference was observed in stress level related to body disfigurement and conservative treatment between the 2 groups of patients. In the rural group of patients, a correlation between the apical translation and stress related to deformity was observed. No significant differences were stated in stress levels and coping mechanisms between patients from rural and urban areas, treated conservatively due to idiopathic scoliosis. A difference was observed, however, regarding the correlation connected with the apical translation and stress level.