A new scoliosis brace padding method based on trunk asymmetry for scoliosis treatment

<em><strong>Introduction:</strong></em> <em>Pressure pads are used with scoliosis braces to adjust the magnitude and location of corrective forces that mechanically support the torso in order to correct the spine deformity. In the conventional brace design approaches, the location and shape of pads are determined based on the visual assessment of the clinician. The accuracy of this approach could be improved as it is limited to the clinician's expertise.</em> <em>The present study aimed to develop a new brace padding method based on trunk asymmetry for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and compare the efficacy of the developed method with conventional braces in improving the Cobb angle and body posture symmetricity.</em> <strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> The trunk surface geometry was scanned using a 3D scanner. The best plane of symmetry (Psym) was determined, and the original trunk was reflected in the Psym, creating the reflected trunk. The difference between the reflected and original trunks was computed and color-coded using deviation contour maps (DCM). The boundary of deformed regions, with a minimum of 6 mm DCMs, was identified as the trim lines for brace pads. Eight participants were recruited and divided into conventional and new padding groups. The variation of Cobb angle and torso asymmetry parameters, including the trunk rotation and back surface rotation, as well as the brace satisfaction and trunk appearance perception of the two groups, were compared after three months of treatment. <strong>Results:</strong> Cobb angle improved equally in the new brace (N.B.) and conventional brace (C.B.) groups. However, back surface rotation improved in the N.B. group (+49.6%) and worsened in the C.B. group (-6.8%). Mean trunk rotation was improved by 30% in the N.B. and further exacerbated by -2.2% in the C.B. group. The brace satisfaction and trunk appearance perception scores were higher in the N.B. than in the C.B. group; however not statistically significant. <em><strong>Conclusion: </strong></em><em>The present study showed that the proposed</em> <em>brace padding system improved the trunk appearance without negatively affecting the Cobb angle correction.</em>