Is higher compliance to brace therapy associated with poorer quality of life and self-image? A 36-months follow-up study.

Background: Brace treatment is the most effective tool for avoiding curve progression in moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and high adherence is required to achieve therapeutic success. Despite this, the compliance often is impaired by the concern about the psychological well-being of adolescents.

Objective: This 36-month follow-up study investigated if the patients most adherent to brace treatment could report a stronger impairment in the quality of life and body image.