Support System Design for Adolescent Scoliosis Orthosis Wear

Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine18 enrolled

Overview

This study focuses on improving the daily lives and treatment outcomes of teenagers diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). For many young patients, wearing a corrective brace for 20+ hours a day is physically uncomfortable and psychologically challenging, leading to low compliance and emotional distress.The investigators have developed an integrated "Product System" designed to transform the bracing experience from a burdensome task into a guided, supportive journey. This system consists of three main components:Smart Sensing: Discrete, thin-film pressure sensors are integrated into the existing brace to monitor real-time wear time and fit quality without compromising comfort.Interactive Desktop Terminal: A dedicated device for the home that uses "narrative-driven" feedback (themed around a journey called "The Spine's Path"). Instead of cold medical data, it provides intuitive progress visualizations and rewards to keep participants engaged.Mobile Support App: A tool for both participants and parents to track long-term trends, access educational resources, and facilitate communication with healthcare providers.The Goal of the Study The primary objective is to evaluate how this digital intervention affects a participant's "Intrinsic Motivation"-the internal drive to adhere to treatment. By focusing on three psychological dimensions-Interest/Enjoyment, Perceived Competence, and Pressure/Tension-the investigators aim to determine if interactive feedback can reduce the "medical feel" of the brace and help teenagers feel more in control of the recovery.What Participation Involves Participants will use the product system during the daily routine in home and school environments. The investigators will collect objective data (brace usage hours) and subjective data (through the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory/IMI scale) to measure changes in behavior and mental well-being.Benefits for Families and ProvidersFor Participants: A more engaging, less stressful way to manage the condition and see real-time progress.For Families: Reduced friction regarding brace-wearing and better visibility into the participant's treatment status.For Healthcare Providers: Access to accurate, objective data on participant compliance, allowing for more personalized and effective clinical adjustments.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

Interventions

Digital Support System for AIS Orthosis WearDEVICE

Smart Monitoring: Thin-film pressure sensors integrated into the brace to automatically record daily wear time and pressure distribution. Interactive Terminal: A desktop device for the home that converts sensor data into "narrative-driven" feedback (e.g., "The Spine's Path") with rewards. Mobile App: A tool for patients and parents to track long-term trends, access educational content, and facilitate family interaction. Psychological Assessment: Participants will periodically complete the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) to evaluate the system's impact on interest, competence, and pressure reduction.

Conventional Treatment Control GroupBEHAVIORAL

Standard Care: Participants wear their conventional spinal braces according to their physician's prescription without any electronic monitoring or feedback devices. Manual Logging: Adherence data (daily wear time) is recorded manually by patients or parents through paper diaries or self-reporting during follow-ups. Routine Clinical Support: Participants receive standard medical education and attend scheduled physical examinations and adjustments.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 10 YearsMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Eligibility Criteria Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Current orthotic treatment with a prescription for a spinal brace (e.g., Boston, Milwaukee, or similar corrective braces). Between 10 and 18 years of age at the time of enrollment. Ability to read, understand, and complete the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) and other study-related questionnaires. Access to a stable home environment with Wi-Fi or local network connectivity for the interactive desktop terminal. Willingness of the participant to provide assent and the legal guardian to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Secondary scoliosis caused by neuromuscular, congenital, or syndromic conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy or Marfan syndrome). Scheduled spinal surgery within the planned study period. Severe skin allergies or chronic dermatological conditions at the brace contact sites that might be aggravated by sensor integration. Previous participation in similar digital intervention studies for scoliosis management. Diagnosed cognitive impairments or severe psychological disorders that may interfere with accurate reporting or regular use of the product system.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Orthosis Wearing Compliance (Brace Adherence)

The average daily wear time of the scoliosis brace, automatically recorded by the integrated pressure sensors. Compliance is calculated as the percentage of actual wear time versus the physician-recommended duration.

Time frame: 4 weeks

Intrinsic Motivation Score (IMI)

Changes in the patient's intrinsic motivation levels as measured by the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). This includes three specific sub-scales: Interest/Enjoyment, Perceived Competence, and Pressure/Tension (using a 7-point Likert scale).