Perception of stress level, trunk appearance, body function and mental health in females with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated conservatively: a longitudinal analysis

Ewa Misterska,Maciej Glowacki,Katarzyna Adamczyk,Joanna Latuszewska

doi:10.1007/s11136-012-0316-2

Abstract

PurposeIn the presented study, we aimed to assess changes over time in the perception of trunk deformity, body function, stress level and mental health in females with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who were treated conservatively with a Cheneau brace, taking the Trunk Appearance Perception Scale (TAPS), Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) and Bad Sobberheim Stress Questionnaires (BSSQ) criteria of evaluation into consideration.MethodsThe study design was comprised of three questionnaire assessments, with the second and the third evaluation taking place 6 and 12 months after the beginning of the study, respectively. Thirty-six females treated conservatively were asked to fill in the TAPS, SRS-22 and BSSQ forms.ResultsIn regards to TAPS, the results differed between the 1st and the 2nd assessment in Figure 2 only (p = 0.013). The difference between the 1st and the 3rd evaluation concerned Figure 3 and the total score (p = 0.011 and p = 0.005, respectively). The SRS-22 and BSSQ results of study participants did not differ significantly between the 1st and the 2nd, between the 2nd and the 3rd and between the 1st and the 3rd evaluations.ConclusionsThe study indicated that the assessment of girls with AIS concerning body function and mental health did not deteriorate in the course of orthosis treatment. Furthermore, they showed improvement in perceptions particularly in regards to trunk shape. We pointed out that the negative perceptions of mental health, self-image and low level of activity held by females with AIS coexisted with severe emotional distress. Moreover, factors that improved functioning or subjective physical appearance ratings in particular, such as level of activity, were indicated.

Highlights

Emotional burden and anxiety in particular are the most frequent issues in social situations reported by people with disfiguring conditions [1]
Thirty-six females treated conservatively were asked to fill in the Trunk Appearance Perception Scale (TAPS), Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) and Bad Sobberheim Stress Questionnaires (BSSQ) forms
The study indicated that the assessment of girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) concerning body function and mental health did not deteriorate in the course of orthosis treatment

Summary

Introduction

Emotional burden and anxiety in particular are the most frequent issues in social situations reported by people with disfiguring conditions [1]. This, in turn, can result in decreased self-esteem and social confidence along with increased anxiety, depression and stress [2,3,4,5,6], in female adolescents undergoing brace treatment [7,8,9,10]. Other studies suggested that bracing treatment had a psychological impact, causing low self-esteem and a more negative self-image, but no psychopathological changes in the long term [11, 12]. The Reichel and Schanz’s report of psychological observations of females revealed that in the course of brace treatment, one of the main concerns they expressed was making a visually negative impression on others due to the orthosis [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion