Abstract
BackgroundThere are no data on social acceptability of scoliosis. Aim. To elicit evidence-based opinions on therapeutic strategies for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in a sample of families with not affected children, so to understand the social perception of this issue.MethodsDesign. Cross-sectional study. Setting. Secondary schools in 4 northern Italian regions. Participants. Parents of children in the age group at risk of and not affected by scoliosis (Pre-test group = 100, Study group = 3,162). Interventions. Questionnaire: five specific and evidence-based questions regarding scoliosis treatment options and a socio-demographic section. Methodology. "Role-playing" in which it was required to normal people to answer what they would have chosen if they had been in the situation proposed. Main outcome measures. Perception of acceptability of treatments for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the general population (social acceptability)ResultsThe families support the use of screening (94.8%) at school, immediate bracing (76.4%) for scoliosis with a 60% risk of progression, but also therapeutic exercises (86.9%) in cases with a 25% risk of progression.ConclusionThere is a growing tendency to consider not only the efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of treatments, but also their acceptability. This patient-centred aspect is especially more important in areas (like adolescent idiopathic scoliosis) in which there is some evidence on the efficacy of treatments, but not strong and definitive (RCTs). Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treatments should thus be carefully considered also in the light of their social acceptability.
Highlights
There are no data on social acceptability of scoliosis
There is a growing tendency to consider the efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of treatments, and their acceptability. This patient-centred aspect is especially more important in areas in which there is some evidence on the efficacy of treatments, but not strong and definitive (RCTs)
The decision making tools have been chosen on the basis of current knowledge and consensus in this field [4,5,6,13,19,20,27,28] so to simulate a situation of evidence-based patient choice (EBPC) in a real role-playing
Summary
There are no data on social acceptability of scoliosis. Aim. There currently exists some evidence, but not strong and definitive (RCTs), demonstrating the efficacy either of conservative or of surgical AIS treatments [4,5,6]: when compared to a matched normal sample 20 years after treatment, both braced and surgically treated AIS patients had the same function [7,8], quality of life [9], marital status and number of children [10] as the controls, but experienced more back pain [7,8], a progression of pathology [7,8], and limitations of social activities [9] and sexual function [10] (both categories of limitation being more marked in the surgically-treated than in the braced group [9,10]). There are not conclusive evidences on therapeutic exercises for AIS [18,11,13,19], and school screening has been widely criticized [15,20] even if can be supported [11,21,22]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
