Body image and brace wear adherence: preliminary results from brAIST

Methods This study used data from 171 BrAIST subjects that were in the randomized and preference brace treatment groups at baseline and did not switch to observation at any time during the study. Brace wear adherence categories were based on dose-response range efficacy findings in the BrAIST study. The three groups were: least adherent (0-6), middle adherent (6.1-12.8) and most adherent (≥ 12.9), using brace monitor data measuring hours/day in brace. The Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ)(1) was used to measure body image scores and scores were compared with largest Cobb angle, BMI, and quality-of-life measures. Wilcoxon ranked sum tests were conducted to test body image differences between the least adherent and the most adherent brace wear groups at baseline and at the 6, 12, 18, and 24 month follow-up visits.